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Aerial view of St. Mary's Ryken High School
Aerial imagery: U.S. Geological Survey (public domain). USGS

Catholic high school

St. Mary's Ryken High School

  • LocationLeonardtown, MD
  • Type and sizeDiocesan school · Grades 9–12 · 687 students
  • SponsorXaverian Brothers
Official website

St. Mary's Ryken High School is a Catholic, coeducational school in Leonardtown, Maryland, operated under the Xaverian Brothers' sponsorship. Its campus ministry lists a schoolwide Mass once a month, an optional daily Mass in the Chapel of Charity, a chaplain, and retreats for students in grades 9 through 12, with theology taken each year.

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

75 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 (Schoolwide liturgies are celebrated once a month and/or on Holy Days of Obligation.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry - Spiritual Direction, Retreats, Daily Mass | St. Mary's Rykensmrhs.org/campusministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Schoolwide liturgies are celebrated once a month and/or on Holy Days of Obligation.”
      Schoolwide liturgies are celebrated once a month.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily Mass available to students on campusYes (Daily Mass is offered in the Chapel of Charity on campus; attendance is optional.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Clubs | St. Mary's Rykensmrhs.org/studentlife/clubs · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Mass is offered daily in the Chapel of Charity for students wishing to attend during X-Hour.”
      Mass is offered every school day in the Chapel of Charity during X-Hour.
    2. Campus Ministry - Spiritual Direction, Retreats, Daily Mass | St. Mary's Rykensmrhs.org/campusministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “optional daily Mass in the Chapel of Charity located in Rupert Hall”
      Optional daily Mass is held in the Chapel of Charity in Rupert Hall on campus.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Confession offered to students during the school yearSeasonally (Advent, Lent) or a few times a year (The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry - Spiritual Direction, Retreats, Daily Mass | St. Mary's Rykensmrhs.org/campusministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “students may participate in Adoration, the Sacrament of Reconciliation”
      Students may take part in Adoration and the Sacrament of Reconciliation; no frequency is stated.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Eucharistic adoration offeredOccasionally (Adoration is offered.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry - Spiritual Direction, Retreats, Daily Mass | St. Mary's Rykensmrhs.org/campusministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “students may participate in Adoration, the Sacrament of Reconciliation”
      Students may take part in Adoration and the Sacrament of Reconciliation; no frequency is stated.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolYes (Father Martin Begley is listed as Chaplain; spiritual direction connects students with local priests on campus each week.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry - Spiritual Direction, Retreats, Daily Mass | St. Mary's Rykensmrhs.org/campusministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Father Martin "Martin" Begley Chaplain”
      Father Martin Begley is listed as Chaplain of campus ministry.
      “Every week, students have the opportunity to connect with local priests on campus”
      Students can meet with local priests on campus every week through spiritual direction.
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 (Theology courses are offered in each of grades 9 through 12, and the catalog marks them as fulfilling the graduation requirement; the graduation requirement is four credits (full-year equivalents: four).)
    Sources (1)
    1. Course Catalog | St. Mary's Rykensmrhs.org/academics/departments-courses · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “1111 Theology 9A - Introduction to Religion Fulfills Graduation Requirement”
      A theology course in grade 9 fulfills the graduation requirement.
      “1411 Theology 12A – Sacraments as Privileged Encounters With God Fulfills Graduation Requirement”
      A theology course in grade 12 fulfills the graduation requirement.
  • 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 (Theology 11B, Social Ethics, is an ethics course offered in the theology department.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Course Catalog | St. Mary's Rykensmrhs.org/academics/departments-courses · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “1312 Theology 11B – Social Ethics”
      Social Ethics is a theology course offered in grade 11.
  • 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 (Retreats are required for grades 9 through 11 and offered to seniors as an optional three-day retreat.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Campus Ministry - Spiritual Direction, Retreats, Daily Mass | St. Mary's Rykensmrhs.org/campusministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Retreats are required for grades 9–11 and optional for seniors.”
      Retreats are required for grades 9 to 11 and optional for seniors.
    2. Retreats | St. Mary's Rykensmrhs.org/campusministry/retreats · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Retreats are required for freshmen, sophomores and juniors and are offered to seniors.”
      Retreats are required for freshmen, sophomores and juniors and offered to seniors.
      “An overnight at Loyola Retreat House in Faulkner, Maryland”
      The junior retreat is an overnight at Loyola Retreat House in Faulkner, Maryland.
      “An optional three-day retreat focused on”
      Seniors may attend an optional three-day retreat.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Campus ministry staffTwo or more (Three campus ministry staff are listed: Mary Beth Allen (Campus Minister), Ms. Bella Boogaerts (Campus Minister), and Father Martin Begley (Chaplain).)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry - Spiritual Direction, Retreats, Daily Mass | St. Mary's Rykensmrhs.org/campusministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Mrs. Mary "Beth" Allen Campus Minister, Caritas Resource Center Coordinator”
      Mary Beth Allen is a Campus Minister and Caritas Resource Center Coordinator.
      “Ms. Bella "Bella" Boogaerts Campus Minister”
      Bella Boogaerts is a Campus Minister.
      “Father Martin "Martin" Begley Chaplain”
      Father Martin Begley is listed as Chaplain of campus ministry.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsTwo or more (The clubs directory lists Bible Study and Knights of Christ, among others.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Clubs | St. Mary's Rykensmrhs.org/studentlife/clubs · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Bible Study Board Games”
      The clubs directory lists a Bible Study group, alongside other clubs.
      “Knights of Christ”
      The clubs directory lists a Knights of Christ club.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayYes (Daily Mass is offered during X-Hour, the school period in which clubs meet, and campus ministry lists daily prayer.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Campus Ministry - Spiritual Direction, Retreats, Daily Mass | St. Mary's Rykensmrhs.org/campusministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students are able to seek spiritual formation through daily Mass, theology class, daily prayer”
      Campus ministry lists daily Mass, theology class, and daily prayer as ways students grow in faith.
    2. Clubs | St. Mary's Rykensmrhs.org/studentlife/clubs · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Mass is offered daily in the Chapel of Charity for students wishing to attend during X-Hour.”
      Mass is offered every school day in the Chapel of Charity during X-Hour.
N/AService and Catholic social teaching: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Service and Catholic social teaching

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

  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Required service hoursNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • 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 (Knights for Life is listed in the clubs directory.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Clubs | St. Mary's Rykensmrhs.org/studentlife/clubs · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Knights for Life”
      The clubs directory lists a Knights for Life club.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Yes (The Caritas Resource Center on campus serves people transitioning from homelessness, and the clubs directory lists Caritas Give Week.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Caritas Resource Center | St. Mary's Rykensmrhs.org/campusministry/caritas-resource-center · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Caritas Resource Center is located on the St. Mary’s Ryken campus”
      The Caritas Resource Center is located on the Ryken campus and serves people transitioning from homelessness.
    2. Clubs | St. Mary's Rykensmrhs.org/studentlife/clubs · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Caritas Give Week”
      The clubs directory lists a Caritas Give Week club.

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

Strengths

  • Students can attend Mass every school day during X-Hour, and schoolwide liturgies are held once a month.
    Sources (2)
    1. Clubs | St. Mary's Rykensmrhs.org/studentlife/clubs · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Mass is offered daily in the Chapel of Charity for students wishing to attend during X-Hour.”
      Mass is offered every school day in the Chapel of Charity during X-Hour.
    2. Campus Ministry - Spiritual Direction, Retreats, Daily Mass | St. Mary's Rykensmrhs.org/campusministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Schoolwide liturgies are celebrated once a month and/or on Holy Days of Obligation.”
      Schoolwide liturgies are celebrated once a month.
  • Retreats are required for grades 9 through 11, and seniors may attend an optional retreat.
    Sources (2)
    1. Campus Ministry - Spiritual Direction, Retreats, Daily Mass | St. Mary's Rykensmrhs.org/campusministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Retreats are required for grades 9–11 and optional for seniors.”
      Retreats are required for grades 9 to 11 and optional for seniors.
    2. Retreats | St. Mary's Rykensmrhs.org/campusministry/retreats · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “An optional three-day retreat focused on”
      Seniors may attend an optional three-day retreat.
  • Campus ministry has three named staff, including a chaplain, and weekly spiritual direction with local priests on campus.
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry - Spiritual Direction, Retreats, Daily Mass | St. Mary's Rykensmrhs.org/campusministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Father Martin "Martin" Begley Chaplain”
      Father Martin Begley is listed as Chaplain of campus ministry.
      “Mrs. Mary "Beth" Allen Campus Minister, Caritas Resource Center Coordinator”
      Mary Beth Allen is a Campus Minister and Caritas Resource Center Coordinator.
      “Every week, students have the opportunity to connect with local priests on campus”
      Students can meet with local priests on campus every week through spiritual direction.

Concerns

  • The campus ministry page says the Christian Service Program encourages students to serve.
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry - Spiritual Direction, Retreats, Daily Mass | St. Mary's Rykensmrhs.org/campusministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Schoolwide liturgies are celebrated once a month and/or on Holy Days of Obligation.”
      Schoolwide liturgies are celebrated once a month.
  • The school's mission page describes its education as faith-based; no page reviewed states how faith is integrated across all subjects.
    Sources (1)
    1. Mission & Values - St. Mary's Ryken High Schoolsmrhs.org/about/mission-history · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “operated under the Xaverian Brothers’ sponsorship”
      The school is operated under the sponsorship of the Xaverian Brothers.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Campus Ministry, Chapel of Charity

  • Address: 22600 Camp Calvert Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: chapel (Chapel of Charity, in Rupert Hall)

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

Catholic clubs and student life

11 groups and regular activities · 2 on campus, 1 off campus, 8 location not published

Retreats 3

  • Junior retreatOff campus
    Overnight retreat at Loyola Retreat House in Faulkner, Maryland, focused on students' God-given gifts and talents.
    smrhs.org
  • Freshman retreat
    Required retreat that introduces the Xaverian values and spirituality.
    smrhs.org, smrhs.org
  • Senior retreat
    Optional three-day retreat for seniors.
    smrhs.org

Faith formation 2

  • Spiritual directionOn campus
    Every week
    Students of all faiths can meet with local priests on campus for spiritual direction.
    smrhs.org
  • Bible Study
    Weekly during X-Hour
    Student group listed in the clubs directory.
    smrhs.org, smrhs.org

Liturgy and prayer 3

  • Daily Mass in the Chapel of CharityOn campus
    Every school day during X-Hour (optional)
    Optional daily Mass for students in the Chapel of Charity in Rupert Hall.
    smrhs.org, smrhs.org
  • Schoolwide liturgies
    Once a month and on Holy Days of Obligation
    Schoolwide liturgies celebrated monthly and on Holy Days of Obligation.
    smrhs.org
  • Adoration and Sacrament of Reconciliation
    Students may take part in Adoration and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
    smrhs.org

Clubs and groups 1

  • Knights of Christ
    Weekly during X-Hour
    Student group listed in the clubs directory.
    smrhs.org, smrhs.org

Service 2

  • Knights for Life
    Weekly during X-Hour
    Pro-life student club listed in the clubs directory.
    smrhs.org, smrhs.org
  • Caritas Give Week club
    Weekly during X-Hour
    Service club listed in the clubs directory; the Caritas Resource Center is on campus and serves people transitioning from homelessness.
    smrhs.org, smrhs.org

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 (1)
  1. Campus Ministry - Spiritual Direction, Retreats, Daily Mass | St. Mary's Rykensmrhs.org/campusministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Schoolwide liturgies are celebrated once a month and/or on Holy Days of Obligation.”
    Schoolwide liturgies are celebrated once a month.
    “Mrs. Mary "Beth" Allen Campus Minister, Caritas Resource Center Coordinator”
    Mary Beth Allen is a Campus Minister and Caritas Resource Center Coordinator.
    “optional daily Mass in the Chapel of Charity located in Rupert Hall”
    Optional daily Mass is held in the Chapel of Charity in Rupert Hall on campus.
    “22600 Camp Calvert Road | Leonardtown, MD 20650”
    The school's address is 22600 Camp Calvert Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650.

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Academic Excellence

CAcademic Excellence: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
61 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.82%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.10.6 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

TypeDiocesan school
DioceseArchdiocese of Washington, DC
Grades9–12
Students (all grades)687
Students in grades 9–12687
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio10.6 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges82%
SettingRural

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 Washington

His Eminence Cardinal Robert McElroy, Archbishop of Washington

Formal address: “Your Eminence”

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is St. Mary's Ryken High School a Catholic high school?
Yes. St. Mary's Ryken High School is a Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Washington. Its sponsor is Xaverian Brothers.

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