Bishop McNamara High School, a college preparatory school in the Holy Cross tradition, exists to educate and to form young men and women in the Catholic faith. Students in grades 9-12 come from an hour radius of the school, including Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. The school challenges its students to think with Christ: a thought animated by the gospel, manifested in service, and informed by academic excellence.
Excellent academics, extensive fine arts curriculum, competitive athletic program, spiritual formation and community service are grounded in the belief that "Education is the art of bringing young people to completeness.".
Quick Stats (2023-24)
- Top Ranked MD School
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 858 students
- Yearly Tuition: $15,000
- Acceptance rate: 40%
- Average class size: 21 students
- Application Deadline: Dec. 15 / Mar. 15 / rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Bishop Mcnamara High School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Maryland for:
Category
Attribute
Acceptance Rate
Student Body
Sports offered
Extracurriculars
School Overview
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Learning Programs Supported
Diagnosed Learning Differences (St Joseph Program), Developmental Delays (St Andre Program)
Year Founded
1964
Summer School Offered
Yes
School Calendar
Student Body
Total Students
858 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
93%
State avg.: 38%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
87 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
10:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
60%
Average Class Size
21 students
Number of AP Courses
17 courses
List of Courses Offered
Advanced Courses
AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry, AP Computer Programming, AP English Language, AP English Literature, AP European History, AP French Language, AP Music Theory, AP Physics, AP Psychology, AP Spanish Language, AP Statistics, AP US History
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
Classroom Dress Code
Formal
khaki pants, blazers, khaki skirts
khaki pants, blazers, khaki skirts
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
Dec. 15 / Mar. 15 / rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
$15,000
Tuition Notes
Tuition 10-month plans offered.
Acceptance Rate
40%
National avg.: 85%
Admissions Director
Vincent Harrington
Admissions Associate
Deanna Warnock
Sports
Total Sports Offered
20 sports
Sports
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
33 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Black Cultural Alliance, Bowling Club, Chess Club, Cooking Club, England Exchange, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Filipino American Cultural Enlightenment, Fitness Club, Foreign Language Honor Societies, Frontiers of Justice, Government Internship Program, McNamara Yearbook Club, Mock Trial, Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society, National Honor Society, Photography Club, Poetic Justice, Project Earth, Spain Exchange, Speech and Debate Club, Step Team, Teens in Action, The Stampede (school newspaper), Vita Semper (Pro-life), Webmasters Club, Yoga Club, Youth for Christ
Arts and Music Programs:
Artisans Guild, Intramural Basketball, Shakespeare Festival, Tech Crew, The Inkwell (student art &creative writing), Tri-M Music Honor Society
Black Cultural Alliance, Bowling Club, Chess Club, Cooking Club, England Exchange, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Filipino American Cultural Enlightenment, Fitness Club, Foreign Language Honor Societies, Frontiers of Justice, Government Internship Program, McNamara Yearbook Club, Mock Trial, Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society, National Honor Society, Photography Club, Poetic Justice, Project Earth, Spain Exchange, Speech and Debate Club, Step Team, Teens in Action, The Stampede (school newspaper), Vita Semper (Pro-life), Webmasters Club, Yoga Club, Youth for Christ
Arts and Music Programs:
Artisans Guild, Intramural Basketball, Shakespeare Festival, Tech Crew, The Inkwell (student art &creative writing), Tri-M Music Honor Society
School Notes
- Bishop McNamara seeks the development of the whole person through a college-preparatory curriculum and wide ranging activities & athletics. An academically rigorous program offers students a well-rounded pathway to success. With 98-100% of recent graduates attending college, the class of 2017 was awarded over $22 million in scholarships/grants. AP and Honors classes are available in all academic departments. Average class size is 21. The Fine Arts Diploma Endorsement Program recognizes students` devotion to the award winning band, choir, dance, theater and visual arts programs. More than 50 clubs, 19 varsity sports teams, and foreign exchange programs enrich student life. Bishop McNamara offers a web-based program which permits parents to check academic progress online. Near Joint Base Andrews.
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Bishop Mcnamara High School cost?
Bishop Mcnamara High School's tuition is approximately $15,000 for private students.
What is the acceptance rate of Bishop Mcnamara High School?
The acceptance rate of Bishop Mcnamara High School is 40%, which is lower than the national average of 82%. Bishop Mcnamara High School's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in Maryland with low acceptance rates.
What sports does Bishop Mcnamara High School offer?
Bishop Mcnamara High School offers 20 interscholastic sports: Ballet, Baseball, Basketball, Cheering, Cross Country, Dance, Diving, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Rock Climbing, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, Winter Track and Wrestling. Bishop Mcnamara High School is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in Maryland for most sports offered.
What is Bishop Mcnamara High School's ranking?
Bishop Mcnamara High School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Maryland for: Lowest average acceptance rates, Highest percentage of students of color, Largest student body, Most sports offered and Most extracurriculars offered.
When is the application deadline for Bishop Mcnamara High School?
The application deadline for Bishop Mcnamara High School is Dec. 15 / Mar. 15 / rolling (applications are due on Dec. 15 / Mar. 15 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
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The nearest high school, elementary school and preschool to Bishop Mcnamara High School is From The Heart Christian School (1.8 miles away)
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Location
Miles
Grades
Students
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9-12
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(301) 599-9600
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
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Clinton, MD 20735
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School Reviews
5 5/20/2016
Bishop McNamara is a place where young adults from all walks of life can be themselves. When we look at the halls of McNamara we see 100% diversity. This is from color to size, from wealthy families to poor, from solid homes to broken ones, from young adults with high self-esteem to those broken souls in need of repair. It is that 100% diversity which makes this school tick in a different way from any other school we have been involved with. From the quirky to the future quantum physicist everyone finds a home in this school.
We witness firsthand the love that binds the faculty, students and parents daily. The way a student who will never play a sport but loves them is not left out. That child is woven into an intricate framework as a leader by being a statistician, manager, summer basketball camp commissioner or the president of the spirit club who supports athletics. Niches are not found for young adults here, they are created by the believers in this education of life by faculty and staff. This goes for all aspects of the school, academics, fine arts and spiritual formation. BMHS is a place for your family to find a purpose to serve and call home.
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