Maryvale Preparatory School
| Maryvale Preparatory School | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
|
11300 Falls Road Brooklandville, Maryland, (Baltimore County), 21022 United States | |
| Coordinates | 39°25′40″N 76°40′36″W / 39.42778°N 76.67667°WCoordinates: 39°25′40″N 76°40′36″W / 39.42778°N 76.67667°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Private |
| Religious affiliation(s) | Roman Catholic |
| Established | 1945 |
| Headmistress | Tracey Ford |
| Grades | 6–12 |
| Gender | Girls |
| Enrollment | 389 |
| Campus size | 115 acres (0.47 km2) |
| Color(s) | Red and Grey |
| Team name | Lions |
| Rival | Notre Dame Prep |
| Accreditation | Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools[1] |
| Publication | Miscellany (literary magazine) |
| Newspaper | The Grey Towers |
| Dean of Students | Jessica Vitrano Randisi |
| Athletic Director | Theresa Moeser |
| Website | http://www.maryvale.com |
Maryvale Preparatory School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Brooklandville, Maryland. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore.
Background
After purchasing Wickcliffe Castle from Dr. Walter Wickes, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur opened Maryvale Trinity College Preparatory School on September 9, 1945 with only 12 boarders and eight day students. In June 1954, the school began its transition to a day school only, with the last of its boarders graduating in 1956. In 1976, the school finished its evolution, becoming a day school for young women in grades 6-12. It has a long tradition of affiliation to the Virgin Mary. The combined middle and high school has approximately 350 to 380 students. The current president of the school is Tracey H. Ford.
Mission statement
Maryvale, a Catholic independent girls' school serving grades six through twelve, affiliated with the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, provides an environment in which each student can reach her academic, spiritual, physical, and civic potential in a loving, supportive and diverse community. Building upon its unique and special heritage, Maryvale's mission is to provide an exceptional education that responds to change and prepares young women for life.
School traditions
Uniform
The Maryvale uniform includes a red wool blazer (with the Maryvale crest on the left breast pocket), a white monogrammed polo shirt, a gray plaid wool skirt, white socks, and black shoes. In the winter, students are permitted to wear black tights, leggings, or knee highs, as well as a black monogrammed sweater. Students also have a uniform for Physical Education class, which is a requirement for students in all grades. The gym uniform consists of a red t-shirt and monogrammed athletic shorts in one of various colors.
Class ring
Students have the option of getting their school ring in silver, gold, or white gold with a square garnet stone. On one side is engraved the graduating year of the student over a lion, the school's mascot; the other side has the school's name over a small castle. Students have their names or initials engraved on the inside of the ring. The Maryvale ring is received in December of junior year, in conjunction with the holy day of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. A common tradition among students is to have their ring "turned" a certain number of times between receiving it at the Ring Ceremony and attending the Junior Ring Dance. For example, a student in the class of 2011 would have their ring turned 111 times, symbolizing their affiliation with their class.
School song
O Maryvale, we sing to thee, Whose every slope and tree, In noble mein praises God, As born of favored soil He trod. We hail thy towers grey and lofty, Thy wings of stone so strong. Thy Mary image greeting all who come, Who for her blessing long.
Oh Maryvale, dear Maryvale, We give our hearts to thee today.
School of our Queen of lineage royal, To thee we will be loyal, For thou has taught in Christ-like way, Courageous faith and love each day. In hope, fidelity and peace, Thy spirit stands secure. Obedience, purity and zeal for truth, Marks life that will endure.
Oh Maryvale, dear Maryvale, We give our hearts to thee today.
Other traditions
Class Colors: Within the first few weeks of freshman year, the newest upper school class votes on their two class colors that will stay with their class until graduation. The colors are used in the class banner, which is moved around the walls of the gymnasium from the freshman wall to the senior wall each year.
Spirit Week: Maryvale's Spirit Week is typically the week after President's Day. The students are given the opportunity to participate in costume days throughout the week to promote class spirit and unity. The Upper and Middle schools have separate competitions to win the Maryvale "Spirit Banner" at the end of the week. The Upper School winner is announced at a themed dance at the end of the week, sponsored by the Athletic Association.
Gym Meet: Gym Meet is a long-standing tradition of the school, typically held on a Friday in late May The morning of Gym Meet involves field day events, where students compete for either the Red or Grey team—which each student has been placed into at the time she began Maryvale. The morning games include relays, volleyball, kickball, dodgeball, etc. These games add points to those accumulated throughout the year by Red and Grey teams. The winning team is announced at the end of the day during an assembly in the gymnasium. In the afternoon, students participate in class marches. Each Upper School class chooses four captains who are in charge of organizing the class' theme, formations, and songs. The Middle School chooses four captains to lead their red or grey team—two eighth grades, one seven grader, and one sixth grader. Each class or team chooses a theme and adjusts song lyrics according to the theme. As the judges and other spectators watch, the classes march into themed formations that are seen from above from the bleachers. The captains also coordinate costumes appropriate to the theme. The "judges" for the Gym Meet marches are Maryvale alumna who decide upon the winner of the Gym Meet banner for both the Upper and Middle School.
Red/Grey Team: Upon arriving at Maryvale, students and faculty alike are separated into two teams—the red team or the grey team. The teams accumulate points throughout the school year for various reasons, culminating in the annual Gym Meet in May, when a winner is declared.
Big Sister/ Little Sister: When a student enters her freshman year at Maryvale, she is partnered with a rising junior, who acts as her "Big Sister" during her first two years at the school.
Senior Sleepover: A more recent tradition that began in 2004 allows the senior class to spend the night on campus. One evening in the spring, seniors will spend the night in the castle, spreading out sleeping bags and pillows in the Great Hall and the library. During the night, the seniors paint the stone bleachers of the fields with their class colors, painting over the colors of their Big Sister class.
Maryvale Christmas Bazaar: During the first week of December, the school holds a holiday bazaar featuring handmade products from vendors around the Baltimore area. The girls attending the school create a product and sell it to earn money for a special item or day, like prom or new silverware for the dining hall. In the castle, there is a Santa Claus where children of alumni can tell him their wishes. The choir sings carols and cookies are available in the library.
Student Organizations/ Extra Curriculars
Student Council
The Upper School Student Council is responsible for planning events throughout the year for the student body, fundraising, and raising awareness of different organizations within the school. The four officers (President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer) are juniors or seniors elected by the Upper School each spring, who lead the weekly Community Homeroom for the student body. Each homeroom (about four per class) elects a representative who attends weekly meetings. There is also a Middle School Student Council of officers and homeroom representatives who are elected by the Middle School.
National Honor Society
Maryvale is home to the Sister Shawn Marie Maguire Chapter of the National Honor Society. Qualified students are inducted during her junior or senior year. NHS members must demonstrate leadership, a commitment to community service, high scholarship, and good character. Their largest event, the Tyler Fick Memorial Run, raises money for the Cystic Fibrosis foundation in honor of an alumna, Tyler Fick '99, who died from the disease shortly after her graduation. Middle School students may have the opportunity to join the St. Julie Billiart Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society, providing that they meet the necessary requirements.
Sports
Fall Sports: Field Hockey (varsity, JV, middle school), Volleyball (varsity, JV, middle school), Soccer (varsity, JV), Cross-country (varsity, JV)
Winter Sports: Basketball (varsity, JV, middle school), Indoor Track and Field (varsity, JV), Winter Soccer (middle school)
Spring Sports: Lacrosse (varsity, JV, middle school), Track and field (varsity), Softball (varsity)
Performing arts
Drama: The Drama Department produces a fall and a spring play, which are typically both musicals. Upper and Middle School students make up both the cast and crew of these productions.
Choruses: The Maryvale Chorus is open by audition to students of all grades; they perform at on-campus liturgies and concerts, as well as off-campus concerts and festivals. The Maryvale Singers is a smaller choir for Upper Schoolers, while the Trinities is made up of just 9-12 Upper School students. Middle schoolers can also join the middle school choir, the Maryvale Julies.
Orchestra/Band: The Maryvale Band is open to students of all grades.
Dance: A student-run dance troupe was formed in the fall of 2012 by its founder and inaugural president Rachel Higdon, Class of 2013. She worked hard with her vice president Anna Cuffari, to produce beautiful numbers in a variety of styles including ballet, jazz, lyrical, modern, and tap. This small but strong group performs in Maryvale shows throughout the year.
Other Organizations
The Grey Towers: school newspaper
The Lion's Tale: middle school newspaper
Miscellany: school literary magazine
Wickcliffe: school yearbook
PACT: Promoting Active Community Testament; founded by students from Maryvale, Seton Keough High School, Calvert Hall College High School and Mount Saint Joseph College
Service Club
Model UN
Mock Trial
The Castle at Maryvale
History
Wickliffe Castle, more commonly known as the Castle at Maryvale, was designed by Wilson L. Smith, a Baltimore architect at the request of Dr. Walter Wickes, who had purchased 182 acres (0.74 km2) of the former Brooklandwood Estate. A present for Dr. Wickes' new bride, the home was completed after two years in 1916 for a total of $250,000. The carefully designed replica of a medieval English home has many features popular in the Tudor period and includes some authentic furniture from this period. The castle is similar in design to that of Warwick Castle, in Warwickshire, England. Dr. and Mrs. Wickes raised four children in their home.
During the Prohibition, the Wickes are said to have thrown parties with alcohol. Throughout the castle, there are secret cabinets within the paneled walls that may have held alcohol. There is also a tunnel underneath the castle that ran from Wickcliffe Castle to Green Spring Valley, though it is no longer in function.
The Castle at Maryvale
Shortly after Mrs. Wickes' death, Dr. Wickes sold the property to the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in 1945 for $75,000. The sisters converted the home into a Catholic boarding school that opened in September 1945 with just twelve boarders and eight day students, representing almost all grades between kindergarten and 12th. The school operated as a boarding school until 1956, when the last few boarding students graduated. Much of the original furniture can still be found in the Castle, some pieces dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries.
The Castle now serves as the home to many of the administrative offices. The first floor of the Castle holds the school's library and a small chapel that is used for Catholic ceremonies, including many weddings each year. The second and third floors contain offices, classrooms, the infirmary, and a few small rooms where some Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur reside. The Middle School locker room is located in the basement. Each year, a number of events are held in the castle, such as the Junior Ring Dance, the Senior Sleepover, and Graduation, which is held on the back terrace.
The Castle serves as a venue for outside events, such as weddings and parties. It can also be found in popular culture, most notably in the 1997 Clint Eastwood movie, Absolute Power. Furnishings, work and renovations completed for the movie, including a drapery on the second floor left and carpeting on the main stair case have been left.
Major renovations to the Castle were completed in 2006.
See also
Notes and references
- ↑ MSA-CSS. "MSA-Commission on Secondary Schools". Retrieved 2009-07-31.
