PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
We often describe the Mount de Sales experience as being “decidedly different.” We are proud to be a Catholic school of excellence and a diverse community of learners, and we remain deeply committed to our founding values. In keeping with the school’s 147-year heritage, our educational environment encourages respect for all, unity as Cavaliers, service to others, and commitment to academic integrity so that MDS students grow into caring, hardworking young adults. One of our youngest students summed up what it means to be a Cavalier with the simple phrase, “being the best that you can be.”
Tuition covers just 70% of the actual cost to educate one student, so I am grateful to our many parents, alumni, staff, and friends who give generously to make up the difference. As you will see from the highlights in this report, your moral and financial support helps to make Mount de Sales an extraordinary school.
We are grateful for your loyalty and wish you and your family a happy new year!
Forever de Sales,
David Held, PresidentNOTABLE HIGHLIGHTS NOTABLE HIGHLIGHTS NOTABLE HIGHLIGHTS
Your gifts to the Spirit of Mercy Annual Fund positively impact our students, faculty, programs, and mission. Thank you for making an excellent education possible.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A CAVALIER?
Everyone here is welcoming and kind and accepting. MDS is a place where a lot of great things can happen. Cavaliers are respectful, hardworking and have been pushed by teachers to develop empathy and appreciation of everyone’s unique qualities.” -
MDS Student
ACADEMIC PROGRAM
Upper School Division Head Mike Franklin was tapped to lead the Middle School, and College Counselor Emily Brown (’94) was chosen to lead the Upper School. Interdivision faculty cohorts began revising and aligning the curriculum Faculty hosted an academic fair to advise Upper School students on their academic path and course selection.
New academic support model allowed more students to develop executive functioning skills and competencies for academic success.
New courses offered:
• Faith in the Modern World
• Religion in Literature
• Introduction to Java Script
• AP Seminar as part of AP Capstone
• Sewing for Service
• Art Through the Ages (Middle School)
• Academic coaching (Middle School)
STUDENT
ACTIVITIES
Faculty interviewed every student individually and set goals to improve each student’s experience by:
• Expanding onboarding programs and improving transition support between grades and divisions.
• Creating an intentional process to develop independent learners that meet competencies set for each grade level.
The Mock Trial team outscored all opponents in every round of the regional competitions.
FINANCIAL REPORT
ATHLETICS
Varsity Girls Soccer Head Coach Kenny Epps (2004) was named athletic director.
MDS and area private schools made a unified decision to move to the new Georgia Independent Athletic Association.
7 varsity wrestlers qualified for the state tournament.
Katherine Smith, head softball coach, celebrated her 100th WIN.
5 seniors committed to college sports teams.
A new school record of points in a single basketball game was set. 38
CLASS OF 2022 STATS
The girls track and field 4x100m and 4x200m teams set new school records.
The boys track and field 4x800m team set a new school record.
A new area record for the triple jump was set at 36’1”
1
A varsity swimmer qualified for 5 state swimming events.
9 students were named National AP Scholars
The LEGOLIERS won Best Robot Design in the FIRST LEGO League Super Regional competition.
3.49 1110 Average GPA Average SAT $5.1M SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS excluding HOPE
MDS Star Student A’nna Wilcox was recognized as Bibb County’s 2022 STAR Student having the county’s highest score in a single sitting on the SAT and in the top 10% of the class based on GPA.
NEW SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENTS:
Bernard F. and Dolores M. Cherer Scholarship Fund for Sacred Heart students.
James 1:27 Fund to help students, who have lost a parent to finish their education.
450 hours of college credit earned in dual enrollment classes
14
Attending college in different states
56 merit scholarships awarded
39 qualifications-based scholarships awarded 29 Grace education tax credit scholarships awarded