Our Traditions

List of 13 items.

• Alumnae Weekend

  All of our alumnae are invited to come back to the Mount to enjoy the festivities of Alumnae Weekend. This year the special weekend will be held June 20-22, 2025.  With a fun Friday night out with classmates, tours of the school on Saturday, and the beautiful  Alumnae Mass on Sunday in the Auditorium, our alumnae will have the opportunity to reconnect with their classmates and see what’s been happening at MSM.

• Spiritual Retreats

  Each year, every class at Mount St. Mary participates in a spiritual retreat that focuses on developing and strengthening both faith and the lifelong friendships created at MSM. 
  
  The Freshmen Class discover the diverse, beautiful community of the Mount in their very own class.  This retreat focuses on naming our unique God-given gifts and how every student is called to develop and share these gifts over their four years.
  
  The Sophomore Class visits the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur on their class retreat to hear the amazing life stories and journeys of our Founding order.  Emphasis on the call to use our God-given gifts to serve and to walk with those on the margins is a focus.
  
  The Junior Class experience the beauty of nature on their retreat as the class heads to Cradle Beach.  We connect with God through the chance to take nature walks, to sit (and play) on the beach and embrace some quiet time in the midst of the busy junior year.
  
  The Senior Class celebrates retreat together during the first month of school as they embrace their role as student leaders at the Mount.  The retreat focuses on the individual Christian call to make a difference in the world, but also how together as a class we can be strong leaders and examples of faith and character for the younger students.
  
  

• Father-Daughter Dance

  All students and their fathers or father-like figures are invited to enjoy a night of dinner and dancing.  This is a wonderful night of celebrating family.

• Mother-Daughter Mass and Brunch

  Students and their mothers or mother-like figures are welcome to join us for Mass in the auditorium of MSM and a beautiful brunch. We thank our Parent Association for hosting this beautiful event each year.
  
  

• Junior Ring Mass

  Each December 8th, on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the students in the junior class receive their class rings from the Principal and any family members who are alumnae of MSM. This is the first of several red rose ceremonies in which the upperclassmen at Mount St. Mary Academy are honored.
  
  

• Senior Sunrise and Sunset

  Senior Sunrise is an event held for our senior class. At the beginning of the school year, seniors come together to watch the sunrise and have breakfast on the front lawn.
  
  At the end of the year, seniors celebrate the end of the year by watching the sunset together with participating in lawn games, chalk art and a chance to sign yearbooks.

• Lessons and Carols and Christmas Brunch

  On the last day of classes before Christmas Break, we welcome the most recently graduated class to join the school community for song and prayerful reflection in the auditorium of MSM. The brunch that follows gives the graduates time to reconnect with the  faculty and staff they have missed since leaving Mount St. Mary Academy.
  
  

• Spirit Week

  Spirit Week is five days of themed dress, games during lunch periods, lip-sync performances from each grade, a pep rally, and more. Mounties go all out to represent their Thunder spirit and join together for team and class activities.
  
  

• Winter Semi-Formal Dance

  Each year, all students are invited to the winter semi-formal. Whether they bring a date or a go with group of friends, the dance is sure to be a night to remember. 

• Chrysalis

  The Chrysalis Auction is Mount St. Mary’s biggest fundraising event. Alumnae, family, and friends of MSM join together each year to enjoy a night of dinner, drinks, fabulous prizes, and fun to raise money for the school we call home.
  
  

• Prom

  Juniors and seniors celebrate the end of the year with a prom in May.

• Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement

  This long-standing ceremony is steeped in tradition. We gather for our beautiful liturgy for our graduating class. After Communion, our graduating seniors walk across the Mount St. Mary stage in long white gowns and hold bouquets of red roses to receive their diplomas from the principal. The Alumnae Association welcome the new graduates into the Mount St. Mary Academy Alumnae Association. A highlight of commencement is honoring a graduate with the Mount St. Mary Award. This award recognizes a graduating senior who, in the opinion of her peers and faculty, exemplifies the characteristics valued at MSM: demonstrating service to our school community and to others; showing the Christian spirit of love, tolerance, loyalty and cooperation; and possessing a deep respect for all members of the Mount St. Mary family.
  
  

• Bells of St. Mary

  Our school song is something we are very proud of at Mount St. Mary. Incoming freshmen learn the Bells of St. Mary at Freshman Orientation, and it is sung at the end of every Mass and ceremony at MSM. Our graduates sing the additional graduation verse at Commencement. It is a beautiful alma mater that reminds us all of the value of being a part of Mount St. Mary Academy.