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Articles - Spotlight on Education Mount de Sales By Leslie Poythress Mount de Sales Academy, a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, is a private, college preparatory school serving students in grades seven through twelve. Founded in 1871, by the Sisters of Mercy, the school is now in its second century of Christian service to the Catholic and general communities of Central Georgia. The Academy was named in honor of St. Francis de Sales. From its original location at the corner of Fourth and Walnut Streets, the Academy moved to Orange Street in 1876. Here, situated on a hill overlooking downtown Macon, the school campus includes nine buildings on more than six acres. Cavalier Fields, located on 70 acres in west Macon, is home to the Mount de Sales athletic competitions. The school is sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy and owned and operated by a twenty-one member Board of Trustees led by the President, Ms. Kathleen Ryan Prebble. Mount de Sales is dedicated to educating young men and women for academic excellence, compassionate service, Christian leadership, global awareness, and lifelong learning. Administration, faculty, and staff seek to provide an educational environment where students can achieve their whole potential. In offering its students a college preparatory curriculum, MDS fosters intellectual growth and creative expression, and provides the tools for the acquisition of knowledge. Students value intellectual and personal integrity, responsible decision-making, respect for life, and have a genuine regard for ethnic diversity. Mount de Sales is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. The school is known for its tradition of academic excellence in a disciplined and caring environment. Serving 613 students, the low student-teacher ratio of 1:16 helps ensure that each student receives the attention he or she needs. Faculty members are state certified and participate in annual in-house staff development and continuing education programs. Honors and Advanced Placement courses are offered in fifteen subjects including Calculus, Computer Science, and Psychology. Service learning is an integral part of the curriculum. Students are encouraged to put their faith into action by sharing their gifts in service to others. Each student completes a minimum of 20 community service hours annually. Technology at MDS is designed to enhance the process of teaching and learning. The campus-wide network provides administration, faculty, staff, and students with internet access. There are two instructional labs, two portable wireless notebook labs, computers in every classroom, projection systems in each building, along with a wide variety of instructional and administrative software. Students produce daily announcements over a closed circuit television station, and assist in the maintenance and development of the school web site. The web site, www.mds.macon.ga.us, includes academic assistance for students and educators and includes homework reminders for students to access. Mount de Sales offers opportunities for students to build skills and self-confidence outside the classroom environment. Students develop themselves through a wide variety of extracurricular activities including academic, social, athletic, and community service activities. The Cavaliers participate in numerous sports including football, soccer, swimming, and basketball. Numerous honors and awards have been earned by the various sports teams in the past year, including the boys soccer team which was the 2002 State Champions and the girls swimming team which was last years’ State Champions. Interested students can also enjoy a wide range of clubs throughout the school year. The Literary Team won the prestigious honor of being first in the region and state during the 2001-2002 school year. Student Council members are student-elected leaders who offer insight and provide input into various aspects of the school. The Key Club offers students opportunities for leadership and personal development through community and school service. The Athletic and Literary (A&L) Association consists of the administration and faculty of the Academy and the parents of present students. The purpose of the A&L is to assist in every way possible the athletic, literary, cultural, and co-curricular programs of Mount de Sales. They support the school through various fund-raising efforts. The Mount de Sales Parent Organization is a newly formed organization composed of all parents and guardians of MDS. Parents have opportunities to volunteer during school hours around the school and after school assisting with community service projects and special events. The Academy is in partnership with student families. Parental participation is encouraged and expected. Mount de Sales offers a strong foundation of knowledge along with various methods of support for the education of the whole student. Visit the Academy today to see how students are being prepared for achievement in both college and throughout life. v For more
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