Over 42 Years of history!

In 2021, SMR marked its 40th anniversary as St. Mary’s Ryken. Because of the fortitude and determination of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth and the Xaverian Brothers, the all-girls St. Mary’s Academy and all-boys Ryken High School were merged to combine their vision of continuing Catholic education to serve high school students in Southern Maryland.

1981

The newly formed St. Mary’s Ryken High School opens in September on the grounds of the former Ryken High School with 560 students. Brother Matthew Burke is the principal. The St. Mary’s Academy property becomes home to the College of Southern Maryland.

1999

The performing arts building, Romuald Hall, is constructed. The building houses a 320-seat theatre and media center and also becomes home to the history department.

Many other renovations are finished, including a new cafeteria, refurbishments to the exterior of Paschal Hall and its classrooms, and the lower athletic fields and tennis courts.

2002

The library in Rupert Hall is renovated to become the Chapel of Charity in honor of the Sisters of Charity.

2003

SMR joins the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC), the most prestigious private school athletic conference in the country. By being part of the WCAC, SMR student-athletes are more likely to have the chance to continue to play their sport in college.

2007

The Knights football team begins its first season.

2009

In June, construction begins on a stadium with a turf field and six-lane track.

2019

The Donnie Williams Center opens and becomes the campus hub for many school, community, spiritual, sporting and alumni events. The MIL STEM Innovation Wing, which includes a computer lab, robotics arena, STEM spaces and wind tunnel, also opens.

2020

The Caritas Resource Center opens to assist the less fortunate in the local community move from homelessness to housing. By 2023, the CRC is assisting over 70 families per year.

2022

The St. Mary’s Ryken Flight Academy opens with 24 flight simulators.

2023-24

The school year opens with 700 students from over 40 middle schools in Maryland and Virginia.