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Student cheer during a "House Challenge" event at St. Mary Catholic School in Hagerstown in 2024. (Courtesy St. Mary Catholic School)

Hagerstown school recognized by Cardinal Newman Society


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Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Schools, Western Vicariate

St. Mary Catholic School in Hagerstown has been recognized for its Catholic identity and academic excellence by The Cardinal Newman Society. It is one of only 38 schools in the nation – excluding universities – named to the group’s annual list of notable Catholic schools. St. Mary is also the first archdiocesan school to receive the designation in the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

The Cardinal Newman Society, a nonprofit founded in 1993, promotes Catholic education at every level. Its recognition process includes a review of a school’s mission, curriculum, policies, leadership and culture to ensure Catholic identity is fully integrated into school life.

Father James Boric, pastor, and Dr. Amy Summers, principal, shared the news in a March 3 letter to school families, noting that the honor “reflects the dedication of our teachers, who thoughtfully unite faith and reason in their classrooms; the support of our parish; and the trust you, our families, place in us each day.”

Criteria for recognition includes Catholic faith integrated across all subject areas, theology taught in fidelity to the Magisterium, prayer and virtue formation woven into the school day, and strong academic performance including above-average standardized test results.

Father Boric and Summers described the recognition as a responsibility as much as an honor – “a renewed commitment to forming young men and women who seek truth, pursue holiness and serve others with courage and conviction.”

Also, see: catholicreview.org/at-st-marys-school-in-hagerstown-vision-takes-shape-to-save-a-school/

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