Catholic School CompassTrue north for Catholic families.
Aerial view of Mount De Sales Academy
Aerial imagery: U.S. Geological Survey (public domain). USGS

Catholic high school

Mount De Sales Academy

  • LocationBaltimore, MD
  • Type and sizeIndependent Catholic school · Grades 9–12 · 450 students

All-female

Official website
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Mount de Sales Academy is a Catholic college preparatory school for young women at 700 Academy Road in Catonsville, Maryland, in the Visitation and Dominican traditions. An optional daily Mass is offered at 7 a.m. in the Saint Francis de Sales Chapel, with a monthly all-school Mass and monthly confession and adoration. Students have a retreat in each grade, take religion every year, and complete 75 hours of service.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 1

  • Monday–Friday7:00 AMSaint Francis de Sales Chapel · Optional daily Mass.

Times come only from official parish, chaplaincy, or school pages, and can change with the season. Last verified Oct. 12, 2026.

Sources for these times (1)
  1. Retreats + Opportunities | Mount de Sales Academymountdesalesacademy.org/faith/retreats--opportunities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Optional daily Mass (7am)”
    Optional daily Mass is offered at 7 a.m. on campus.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Mount De Sales Academy, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miSaint Agnes Catholic Church: 0.3 mi1Saint Mark Catholic Church: 1.2 mi2Saint Timothy Community: 1.3 mi3Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church: 1.5 mi4Holy Korean Martyrs Catholic Church: 1.6 mi5Sacred Heart Mission: 1.7 mi6Mount de Sales Academy Campus Ministry: 0.1 miMount De Sales Academy (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Saint Agnes Catholic Church — 0.3 mi · 5422 Old Frederick Road, Baltimore
  2. Saint Mark Catholic Church — 1.2 mi · 26 Melvin Avenue, Catonsville
  3. Saint Timothy Community — 1.3 mi · 30 Melvin Avenue, Catonsville
  4. Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church — 1.5 mi · 711 Maiden Choice Lane, Catonsville
  5. Holy Korean Martyrs Catholic Church — 1.6 mi · 5801 Security Boulevard, Gwynn Oak
  6. Sacred Heart Mission — 1.7 mi

Within 3 miles, as mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors. The map may be incomplete. Confirm with the parish or diocese.

Faith scorecard

Each line is one thing we looked for. A check means yes, a half means partly, a dash means no. “Not enough information” means official sources did not say.

BSacramental life: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Sacramental life

80 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    All-school or class Masses during the school yearMonthly (The retreats and opportunities page lists a monthly all-school Mass.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Retreats + Opportunities | Mount de Sales Academymountdesalesacademy.org/faith/retreats--opportunities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Monthly all-school Mass”
      An all-school Mass is held monthly.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily Mass available to students on campusYes (An optional daily Mass at 7 a.m. is offered in the Saint Francis de Sales Chapel, and the campus ministry calendar lists daily Mass on weekdays in October 2026.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Retreats + Opportunities | Mount de Sales Academymountdesalesacademy.org/faith/retreats--opportunities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Optional daily Mass (7am)”
      Optional daily Mass is offered at 7 a.m. on campus.
      “Daily Mass in the Saint Francis de Sales Chapel”
      The campus ministry calendar lists daily Mass in the Saint Francis de Sales Chapel.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Confession offered to students during the school yearMonthly or more often (Confession is offered monthly during religion classes.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Retreats + Opportunities | Mount de Sales Academymountdesalesacademy.org/faith/retreats--opportunities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Monthly opportunities for confession and Eucharistic Adoration (during religion classes)”
      Confession and Eucharistic adoration are offered monthly during religion classes.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Eucharistic adoration offeredRegularly (monthly or more) (Eucharistic adoration is offered monthly during religion classes.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Retreats + Opportunities | Mount de Sales Academymountdesalesacademy.org/faith/retreats--opportunities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Monthly opportunities for confession and Eucharistic Adoration (during religion classes)”
      Confession and Eucharistic adoration are offered monthly during religion classes.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolVisiting or shared priest (Masses are confirmed.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Retreats + Opportunities | Mount de Sales Academymountdesalesacademy.org/faith/retreats--opportunities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Optional daily Mass (7am)”
      Optional daily Mass is offered at 7 a.m. on campus.
      “Monthly all-school Mass”
      An all-school Mass is held monthly.
N/ATheology and curriculum: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Theology and curriculum

Not enough information: official sources cover less than 60% of this area.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Years of theology or religion requiredFour years (Religion is required at 1 credit per year, which equals four full years, taken in every grade.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Graduation Requirements | Mount de Sales Academymountdesalesacademy.org/page/list-detail?pk=144182&fromId=282431 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Religion (1 credit per year)”
      Religion is required at 1 credit per year.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Theology courses follow the USCCB Curriculum FrameworkNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Philosophy, apologetics, or ethics course offeredYes (Philosophy is required at 0.5 credit per year.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Graduation Requirements | Mount de Sales Academymountdesalesacademy.org/page/list-detail?pk=144182&fromId=282431 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Philosophy (.5 credit per year)”
      Philosophy is required at 0.5 credit per year.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Faith integrated across the curriculum (stated in the program of studies or mission)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
ACampus culture: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Campus culture

100 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    RetreatsA retreat for every grade (The retreats page lists a senior, junior, sophomore and freshman retreat.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Retreats + Opportunities | Mount de Sales Academymountdesalesacademy.org/faith/retreats--opportunities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Senior retreat Junior retreat Sophomore retreat Freshman retreat”
      The school offers a retreat for each grade.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Campus ministry staffTwo or more (2 people are listed on the campus ministry page: the Campus Minister and the Service Coordinator, who also teaches foreign language.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Retreats + Opportunities | Mount de Sales Academymountdesalesacademy.org/faith/retreats--opportunities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Miss Madison Bolesta Campus Minister”
      Madison Bolesta is the Campus Minister.
      “Jessica Hechter Service Coordinator, Foreign Language Teacher”
      Jessica Hechter is the Service Coordinator.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsTwo or more (Two faith-based clubs are listed: the Sodality of the Immaculate Conception and the Guardians of Life.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Getting Involved | Mount de Sales Academymountdesalesacademy.org/student-life/getting-involved · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Our mission is to cultivate faith in Jesus through devotion to Mary.”
      The Sodality of the Immaculate Conception is a faith-based club.
      “The Guardians of Life club engages in learning and activism to promote a culture of life at Mount de Sales.”
      The Guardians of Life club promotes a culture of life.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayYes (Confession and adoration are offered monthly during religion classes, and Stations of the Cross are held in Lent.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Retreats + Opportunities | Mount de Sales Academymountdesalesacademy.org/faith/retreats--opportunities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Monthly opportunities for confession and Eucharistic Adoration (during religion classes)”
      Confession and Eucharistic adoration are offered monthly during religion classes.
      “Stations of the Cross (Lent)”
      Stations of the Cross are held during Lent.
AService and Catholic social teaching: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Service and Catholic social teaching

100 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Required service hours40 or more hours over four years (75 hours of service are required, which is 40 or more over four years.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Graduation Requirements | Mount de Sales Academymountdesalesacademy.org/page/list-detail?pk=144182&fromId=282431 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “75 Total Service Hours”
      Graduation requires 75 total service hours.
    2. Service | Mount de Sales Academymountdesalesacademy.org/faith/service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Each student completes a minimum of 75 hours of person-to-person service to the underserved and underprivileged”
      Each student completes a minimum of 75 hours of service by graduation.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Catholic social teaching taught in theology coursesNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Pro-life engagement (club, March for Life, or similar)Yes (The Guardians of Life club prepares for the March for Life and promotes a culture of life. The National March for Life is listed in January.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Getting Involved | Mount de Sales Academymountdesalesacademy.org/student-life/getting-involved · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Guardians of Life club engages in learning and activism to promote a culture of life at Mount de Sales.”
      The Guardians of Life club promotes a culture of life.
    2. Retreats + Opportunities | Mount de Sales Academymountdesalesacademy.org/faith/retreats--opportunities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “the National March for Life in Washington, DC (January)”
      The school's spiritual activities include the National March for Life in January.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Yes (Service events supporting homeless and other members of the community in need are listed among the religious and service opportunities.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Getting Involved | Mount de Sales Academymountdesalesacademy.org/student-life/getting-involved · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Various Service Events that support homeless and other members of our community in need”
      Service events support homeless and other members of the community in need.

Grades come from the documented indicators under the published rubric. “Not enough information” does not mean the school lacks it.

Strengths

  • An optional daily Mass is offered at 7 a.m. in the school chapel.
    Sources (1)
    1. Retreats + Opportunities | Mount de Sales Academymountdesalesacademy.org/faith/retreats--opportunities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Optional daily Mass (7am)”
      Optional daily Mass is offered at 7 a.m. on campus.
      “Daily Mass in the Saint Francis de Sales Chapel”
      The campus ministry calendar lists daily Mass in the Saint Francis de Sales Chapel.
  • Religion is required every year, and each grade has a retreat.
    Sources (2)
    1. Graduation Requirements | Mount de Sales Academymountdesalesacademy.org/page/list-detail?pk=144182&fromId=282431 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Religion (1 credit per year)”
      Religion is required at 1 credit per year.
    2. Retreats + Opportunities | Mount de Sales Academymountdesalesacademy.org/faith/retreats--opportunities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Senior retreat Junior retreat Sophomore retreat Freshman retreat”
      The school offers a retreat for each grade.
  • Students complete 75 hours of service, and two faith-based clubs are listed.
    Sources (2)
    1. Graduation Requirements | Mount de Sales Academymountdesalesacademy.org/page/list-detail?pk=144182&fromId=282431 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “75 Total Service Hours”
      Graduation requires 75 total service hours.
    2. Getting Involved | Mount de Sales Academymountdesalesacademy.org/student-life/getting-involved · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Our mission is to cultivate faith in Jesus through devotion to Mary.”
      The Sodality of the Immaculate Conception is a faith-based club.
      “The Guardians of Life club engages in learning and activism to promote a culture of life at Mount de Sales.”
      The Guardians of Life club promotes a culture of life.

Concerns

  • Confession and adoration are offered monthly, not weekly.
    Sources (1)
    1. Retreats + Opportunities | Mount de Sales Academymountdesalesacademy.org/faith/retreats--opportunities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Monthly opportunities for confession and Eucharistic Adoration (during religion classes)”
      Confession and Eucharistic adoration are offered monthly during religion classes.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Mount de Sales Academy Campus Ministry

  • Address: 700 Academy Road, Catonsville, Maryland 21228
  • Distance from campus: less than 0.1 mi (straight line from the campus point in federal IPEDS data)
  • Facilities: chapel

View on map ↗

Source: mountdesalesacademy.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026, mountdesalesacademy.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026, mountdesalesacademy.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

15 groups and regular activities · 0 on campus, 1 off campus, 14 location not published

Service 5

Faith formation 1

Clubs and groups 2

  • Sodality of the Immaculate Conception
    The oldest club at the school. It hosts faith-based book studies, student witness panels and the living rosary.
    mountdesalesacademy.org
  • Guardians of Life
    Engages in learning and activism to promote a culture of life. Past meetings included Students for Life trainings, preparing for the March for Life, and a baby shower to collect donations for a local pregnancy center.
    mountdesalesacademy.org

Liturgy and prayer 1

Retreats 6

Everything listed is published by the school, its campus ministry, or the parish. Ask the campus minister what’s happening this semester.

Campus ministry

Sources (2)
  1. Retreats + Opportunities | Mount de Sales Academymountdesalesacademy.org/faith/retreats--opportunities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “These are mainly hosted through the Campus Ministry Office.”
    Spiritual activities are mainly hosted through the Campus Ministry Office.
    “Miss Madison Bolesta Campus Minister”
    Madison Bolesta is the Campus Minister.
    “These are mainly hosted through the Campus Ministry Office.”
    Spiritual activities are mainly hosted through the Campus Ministry Office.
    “Daily Mass in the Saint Francis de Sales Chapel”
    The campus ministry calendar lists daily Mass in the Saint Francis de Sales Chapel.
  2. Contact Us + Directions | Mount de Sales Academymountdesalesacademy.org/about/contact-us--directions · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “700 Academy Road, Catonsville, Maryland 21228 | p: 410.744.8498 | f: 410.747.5105”
    The school is at 700 Academy Road, Catonsville, Maryland 21228, with phone 410.744.8498.

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Academic Excellence

BAcademic Excellence: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
79 of 100
From federal data, on fixed published scales.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

  • Graduates going to four-year colleges 75% of scoreThis measure counts for 75% of the Academic Excellence score.90%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.9.1 to 1

Bars show points on each measure’s scale. How Academic Excellence is computed. Federal data on private high schools is limited to these two measures.

Source: NCES Private School Survey (2023–24 school year)

School facts

TypeIndependent Catholic school
DioceseArchdiocese of Baltimore, MD
Grades9–12
Students (all grades)450
Students in grades 9–12450
Coed or single-sexAll-female
Student–teacher ratio9.1 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges90%
SettingSuburb

Source: NCES Private School Survey 23-24 public-use file (school year 2023–24). The college-going rate and student–teacher ratio feed Academic Excellence; nothing here changes the faith grades.

Local Church

Archdiocese of Baltimore

The Most Reverend William E. Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Cathedral: Cathedral of Mary Our Queen

Source: archbalt.org, verified Oct. 7, 2026.

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Mount De Sales Academy a Catholic high school?
Yes. Mount De Sales Academy is a Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
What is Mount De Sales Academy’s Compass Score?
90 out of 100 (grade A). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.
Where is Mass celebrated at Mount De Sales Academy?
Mass is listed at Saint Francis de Sales Chapel. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.
Is Mount De Sales Academy Compass Recommended?
Yes. Mount De Sales Academy meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic identity and academics.

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