St. Mary’s Ryken is a Catholic, coeducational, college preparatory school community operated under the Xaverian Brothers’ sponsorship, dedicated to academic excellence and individualized student growth.
Our Philosophy
In the spirit of our Xaverian Brothers founders, St. Mary’s Ryken prepares young men and women to become loyal, intelligent and self-directed individuals. St. Mary’s Ryken recognizes that each student is unique and gifted with innate goodness. The school community fosters respect for and appreciation of diversity, nurturing a faithfilled perspective on existence. A student’s intellectual growth is encouraged to flourish in an environment not hampered by undue competitiveness. Students experience diverse and progressive opportunities in academics, fine arts, athletics, student activities, and campus ministry.
SCHOOL PROFILE
• 87-acre waterfront campus
• 680 students
• From 40 middle schools
• 180 freshmen in the Class of 2029
• Student-to-faculty ratio 11:1
• 53% Catholic student enrollment; all faiths are welcome
• Security Resource Officer on duty daily
ACADEMIC PROFILE
• Average class size: 20
• Average GPA for incoming freshmen: 3.6
• 65% of faculty have advanced degrees
• 230 students enrolled in the Scholars Program
With a St. Mary’s Ryken education, students realize their potential, continue their academic journey, and assume responsibilities in their family, the community and the professional world. Our task as educators is not accomplished by ourselves. We share this mission and its responsibilities with parents, who are the primary educators, the community, and the Church.
Excellence in Academics
At St. Mary’s Ryken, students experience a rigorous curriculum featuring more than 150 college prep, honors, and Advanced Placement (AP) courses taught in a valuesbased environment by accomplished, accessible faculty. Specialized pathways in STEM, aviation, the arts, and humanities offer advanced, hands-on learning options. With small class sizes, STEM classrooms, maker spaces and a 1:1 iPad program, SMR fosters personalized growth, integrity, and college readiness — evidenced by more than 98% of graduates pursuing 2- or 4-year colleges and $23 million in scholarships awarded to the Class of 2025.
29 AP courses
39 honors courses
St. Mary’s Ryken Awarded College Board’s Platinum Distinction for AP Excellence Recognition for outstanding faculty and student performance in the AP Honor Roll
St. Mary’s Ryken Flight Academy
Students can obtain their Private Pilot’s or Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator’s knowledge certification by their junior or senior year.
Adopted curriculum from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
Dedicated, industry-trained faculty member
Specialized Flight Academy classroom
SENIOR YEAR INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
SMR seniors enhance career readiness through hands-on, structured internships — on campus or with community partners. With clear learning goals, professional supervision, and 60- to 120-hour commitments, students earn transcript recognition while gaining resume-boosting experience, networking, and clarity on future pathways. Unique among local high schools, this program empowers students with real-world insight and marketable skills — available as a semester-long, year-long or summer internship.
28% of seniors participate in an on- or off-campus internship
St. Mary’s Ryken Scholars Program
The Scholars Program offers accelerated curriculum concentrations to our students who want a more rigorous and advanced course of study.
The SMR Scholars Program offers pathways in:
Biomedical Science
Computer Science (focus on cybersecurity)
Engineering (focus on aerospace)
Global and International Studies
Humanities
Performing Arts
Visual Arts
The STEM curriculum uses Project Lead the Way (PLTW), the nation’s leading provider of STEM programs.
LEARNING DIFFERENCES SUPPORT SERVICES
SMR assists students with diagnosed learning disabilities such as ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, and other medical conditions that affect their performance in the classroom. Services include classroom and testing accommodations, and routine meetings with a resource specialist.
SCHOOL COUNSELING AND COLLEGE ADVISING
From freshman year through graduation, our school counselors support students’ academic, personal, social, and college goals through personalized guidance, workshops, and family meetings.
Find Your Community
Faith in Action, Fun in Community
With a full-time chaplain on campus daily to support students, Campus Ministry inspires students to grow in faith through:
Daily Mass and monthly all-school Mass
Prayer
Yearly retreats
Service
Mission trips
Spiritual guidance
Located on campus, the Caritas Resource Center provides students with meaningful opportunities to serve others, from supporting those less fortunate to fostering a spirit of compassion for those outside the SMR community.
Clubs
Students explore their interests through a wide variety of clubs that meet weekly. Offerings change each year to reflect student passions and ideas.
The Arts Thrive at SMR
St. Mary’s Ryken celebrates creativity with visual and performing arts taught by accomplished, practicing professionals. Students enjoy abundant opportunities to showcase their talents on stage and through exhibitions.
29 Fine Arts classes
Multiple theatre productions per year (All students are invited to audition)
Chorus, dance, and instrumental showcases on campus
Waterfront art suite, including a ceramics studio, darkroom, and gallery space
Local and regional competitions and performances throughout the year
3 arts honor societies:
Athletics at SMR
St. Mary’s Ryken develops leadership, integrity, teamwork, and sportsmanship through athletics. As a proud member of the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC), SMR competes at the highest level with pride and purpose.
TEAMS BY SEASON
Fall
Cheerleading
Cross Country
Dance
Field Hockey
Football
Sailing
Boys Soccer
Girls Soccer
Girls Tennis
Volleyball
Winter
Boys Basketball
Girls Basketball
Cheerleading
Dance
Boys Ice Hockey
Girls Ice Hockey
Swimming
Wrestling
Spring
Baseball
Golf
Boys Lacrosse
Girls Lacrosse
Sailing
Softball
Boys Tennis Track & Field
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Class of 2025 graduates will continue to use their talents as college athletes.
Admissions Process
Applicants to St. Mary’s Ryken are evaluated based upon the following criteria:
Submission of the online SMR application with an application fee
Appropriate ability as demonstrated on the Archdiocese of Washington
High School Placement Test (HSPT)
High level of academic achievement in the seventh and eighth grades
A demonstrated desire to attend SMR
Recommendations from principals and/or teachers
Satisfactory disciplinary and attendance history
In-person or virtual interview with a member of the SMR community may be required
In 2025, SMR awarded $2.3 million in tuition assistance, benefiting 80% of our students through grants, scholarships, or both.
SMR reserves the right to revoke acceptance at any time for academic and/or disciplinary reasons.
Tuition for the 2025-26 school year: $21,325
Flexible payment plans are available.
Grants, Financial Aid and Scholarships
The primary responsibility for funding a child’s education lies with the parents, and we deeply appreciate the investment that families make when they choose St. Mary’s Ryken. We strive to support families seeking financial aid (grants), expecting parents to consider all their resources and opportunities. Financial aid is available for qualifying families from both the Archdiocese of Washington and SMR. Applications for financial aid must be completed by using FACTS, the financial aid and grant application program.
Transportation
St. Mary’s Ryken students come from Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s, St. Mary’s (Maryland), and King George (Virginia) counties. Transportation is available for all students (free for St. Mary’s County residents, for a fee elsewhere). A late bus, which serves students outside of St. Mary’s County, departs at 5:30 p.m. on school days with athletic practices or activities.
Our Campus
St. Mary’s Ryken is a special place. Our 87-acre waterfront campus offers a high school experience like no other in the Southern Maryland area. Our college-like campus prepares students for life after high school.
Chapel
of Charity, Rupert Hall
Daily Mass is held in the chapel during X-Hour.
The spaces include a virtual reality system, 3-D printers, robotics arena, robotics build rooms and two large classrooms for labs.
Freedom to Walk Between Classes
Each day, our students attend classes in six different buildings, allowing for plenty of time outdoors and socializing between classes.
The auditorium is used for fine arts events, theatre productions, assemblies and school events.
Strength and Conditioning Room, Donnie Williams Center
Students utilize the college-level training facilities to maintain the level of competitiveness required as members of the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference. All SMR community members have access to this space.
Sailing on the St. Mary’s Ryken Waterfront
Located on Breton Bay, St. Mary’s Ryken offers opportunities for students to discover unique activities, such as sailing — which is offered during the fall and spring.
