Mount Saint Michael Sets High Bar for Success
Mount Saint Michael Academy, an allboys, college-preparatory school situated on a 22-acre campus in the Bronx, is recognized as a Blue Ribbon School of excellence by the U.S. Department of Education and an Outstanding American High School by U.S. News & World Report. The Mount was established by the Marist Brothers in 1926 and its mission is to educate young men to become academically prepared through the foundation of a challenging curriculum in a well-disciplined and safe environment, while developing a moral commitment to the service of others. “We talk about success a lot here,” says Principal Brother Steve Schlitte. “I think that’s one of the reasons we do so well.”
Mount St. Michael Academy will be kicking off an extraordinary educational program that will offer an alternative to the standard secondary education curriculum. The Mount will open its new Sports Medicine Academy in September of 2012 with advanced curriculum and internships for participating freshmen and sophomore students.
The program’s chief advisor is Dr. Anthony Maddalo ‘72, a Mount alum and team doctor for the New York Rangers. Dr. Maddalo is also an orthopedic surgeon in Yonkers. According to Dr. Maddalo, “The Mount is offering a unique program that will help students embark on a fast track to a variety of sports medicine careers within an unprecedented exposure to clinical situations. I am proud to help steer the development of this groundbreaking program.” Doug Straley, Director of Sports Medicine at Manhattan College, will also advise.
In its first year, the Sports Medicine Academy will provide participating freshman and sophomore students with advanced curriculum science courses that will prepare them for entrance into top-notch, pre-professional programs in nursing, pre-medicine, athletic training, pre-dental and physical therapy. In addition, they will enroll in the Mentoring in Medicine Program after school: physicians teach a weekly seminar in anatomy and physiology and students complete and present projects to a panel of physicians and medical students as part of this program’s requirements. Students will also intern in programs on and off campus.
Along with its honors program and nine advanced placement courses, the Academy introduced the Champagnat Scholars Program in the Fall of 2011 for gifted and talented students. The program identifies accelerated students at the eighth-grade level and, starting their freshmen year, fast tracks them toward obtaining admission to top-tier colleges and universities.
The school believes all students should be challenged and stimulated academically, socially, spiritually and physically. Almost 800 students attend Mt. St. Michael, and it consistently sees 100 percent college acceptance of its graduating classes. Student also complete 100 hours of service as a graduation requirement.
Outside of academics and community outreach, the academy puts a strong emphasis on extracurricular activities. Over 75 percent of the student body are involved in at least one club or athletic team. Baseball, basketball, football, hockey, lacrosse, soccer and track are all offered at Mt. St. Michael, as well as cultural clubs, National Honor Society, student council and drama club.
For more information, call (718) 515-6400 or visit www.mtstmichael.org.