Your charitable gift to Mount de Sales Academy makes a meaningful difference in the lives of our students, faculty, and staff.
The de Sales Difference
Half of the Class of 2018 graduated with honors · 83% qualified for the HOPE scholarship · Two-thirds of 2018 graduates who applied to the University of Georgia were accepted · Eight young men in the Class of 2018 are Eagle Scouts · 68% of students who took an AP exam in 2017 scored at least a 3 · Quiz Bowl teams placed third in state · 84% of eighth graders in 2018 had at least a 90 average and were inducted in Jr. Beta Club · One Act Play placed at state seven years in a row · 40% of students are minorities · 67% of faculty have advanced degrees
The Impact of Your Gift This Year
Each day your donation is at work providing the programs, instruction, technology, and facilities used by every student. Click on the buttons below to learn more.
Athletic Program
Our 53 athletic teams are getting stronger and more competitive. Last year, our football and girls basketball teams entered the state playoffs for the first time since returning to the GHSA. For the second year in a row, the boys and girls soccer teams competed in GHSA state playoffs, with the girls ranking eighth in state and the boys ranking 12th. Our softball team made it to the Elite Eight in GHSA, ranking seventh in state. The boys tennis team placed third in area and competed in state playoffs for the first time since returning to the GHSA. The volleyball team made the Elite Eight for the third straight year. And, our wrestling team achieved the distinction as area team traditional and team duals champions – a first for the program – and placed fourth in state team duals – a first for Bibb County!
Over 80% of our students participate in a sport, so your gift to support the athletic program has an impact on many students. This year, we are incorporating training by Dr. Kevin Elko, a faith-based leadership coach who has helped teams develop the culture to win Super Bowls and national championships. His philosophy will help our coaches and athletes embrace a vision for high achievement, develop a strong work ethic, own challenges, and be a blessing to others.
Campus Ministry
Our ministry program encourages students to live a life of faith through educated reasoning in theology classes, campus-wide celebrations of faith, daily prayer, and regular Masses. Upper School students are required to take four years of theology courses to graduate. One student recently developed the curriculum for a new Liturgy and Worship class as part of an independent study. The class will incorporate Protestant styles of worship into our Catholic Masses so as to be inviting for everyone.
Your donations also help students learn to be servant leaders who connect with and compassionately support the less fortunate. Last year, MDS students volunteered over 14,000 hours individually, in small groups, and in grade-level service projects. The also process their volunteer experiences in theology classes and write about how the experience impacts them personally to encourage a deep personal connection with others and a lifelong commitment to service.
Technology
Mount de Sales has been a leader in the use of educational technology, which is improving academic achievement. For example, we introduced ALEKS, a computer-assisted learning (CAL) program, in some of our Algebra I classes in 2014 while other Algebra I classes followed a traditional teacher-as-instructor model. When we reviewed ASPIRE college readiness test scores for our current tenth grade students, the results were enlightening. Scores for students in a traditional math class went up an average of 4.9 points from the eighth to ninth grade while scores for students in CAL math classes went up an average of 5.58 points.
Each student receives an iPad, which is loaded with educational apps. Our students have access to text books, note taking applications, tests, and more on the iPad. We have found that educational technology increases student interest and motivation as well as achievement. Our faculty is experienced in harnessing the benefits of traditional instruction, peer interaction, and computer-assisted learning. A dynamic interlacing of these elements can promote active engagement with the subject while providing the intellectual and social support necessary for effective learning.
Tuition Assistance
Funding for tuition assistance ensures that our student body reflects the demographics of our community, which distinguishes MDS for other private and public schools in Bibb County. Last year, over 200 families qualified for $1.7 million in tuition assistance, which is determined by an independent evaluation firm. The average family income of applicants was $51,000. With your help MDS has been able to award approximately $900,000 in aid each year. Thirty-seven percent of students receive financial assistance, and these families are grateful for the opportunity as shared by one of our parents:
“I just want to say thank you much for making our son’s dream come true. Yesterday morning, he was smiling from ear to ear, and said “My dream came true to be at MDS.” My eyes were filled with tears. My husband and I thank your staff for making it possible for him to be a Cavalier. I promise he will do well and represent the Cavaliers in academics and sports activities. I just wanted to say again we thank you for everything.”
Why I Give
Stephen Murphey (2012) shares why he has chosen to donate monthly to Mount de Sales:
“Once I entered the workforce, I felt that part of my budget should go toward places that got me where I am currently. If it’s $10 a month or $10,000, there’s no amount too small to help out a place that in some way, shape, form, or fashion brought you to where you are at this moment.”
Give Now
For More Information
View 2017 Impact Report
Laura Johnson, Director of Institutional Advancement
(478) 751-3248
laura.johnson@mountdesales.net
