FAQs
Is transportation available?
Transportation is available throughout Southern Maryland.
St. Mary's County residents: Transportation is provided by St. Mary's County free of charge. Click here for the St. Mary's County Department of Transportation website Click here to download Request for Transportation form. Click here for transfer bus information. For more information, please contract the Dean of Students at (301) 475-2814, ext. 443.
Charles County residents: Transportation for Charles County is provided by Compton Bus Company. Please contact Compton Bus directly for more information on bus stops and contract information. (301.932.0910). There is an additional fee for transportation.
VVS Charter Bus Service also provides bus service in Charles County. Please contact Sharon Mattingly in the St. Mary's Ryken business office (301.475.7660) for more information on bus stops and contract information. There is an additional fee for transportation.
Prince George's County residents may contract with St. Mary's Ryken for transportation service provided by VVS Charter Bus Service. Please contact Sharon Mattingly in the business office for more information. (301.475.7660) There is an additional fee for transportation.
Calvert County residents may contract with St. Mary's Ryken for transportation service provided by VVS Charter Bus Services. Please contact Sharon Mattingly in the business office for more information. (301.475.7660) There is an additional fee for transportation.
What are the uniform requirements?
Students must wear clothing purchased through the uniform company, Flynn and O'Hara. Uniforms vary with the season and the list is found in the school handbook. Generally, boys wear khaki slacks or shorts with the SMR logo and an oxford or school polo shirt that is available through the Campus Store. Girls wear the slacks or skirt with an oxford or school polo shirt that is available through the Campus Store.
Underclassmen - freshmen and sophomores - are required to wear the school sweater in the winter and spring. Upperclassmen - juniors and seniors - are required to wear the school blazer in the winter and spring.
What is the average class size?
The average class size is 22. The student to teacher ratio is 13:1.
What percentage of your students are college-bound?
On average, 99% of the senior class is offered admission to college. St. Mary's Ryken graduates attend colleges around the nation, including military academies and Ivy League schools.
What is required to be considered for admission?
Students must submit an application for admission with the $40 application fee, plus academic records for the previous two years, including standardized test scores, a "Math Teacher Recommendation" form and a "Language Arts Teacher Recommendation" form. Incoming freshman must take the High School Placement Test (HSPT).
Is an interview required?
Interviews are not required; however, the Admissions Committee reserves the right to request an interview and the previous school may be contacted for references.
What are the tuition and fees for 2010-2011?
Tuition: $10,700
Registration fee: $150
Books, uniforms, and transportation are separate.
Is financial aid available?
St. Mary's Ryken participates in two need-based financial aid programs: the Archdiocese of Washington Financial Aid Program and our own St. Mary's Ryken program. The Private School Aid Service (PSAS) application is used for both programs.
St. Mary's Ryken awards financial aid on the basis of proven need and the availability of funds. Financial aid decisions are made independently from any admissions decisions and in no way influence a candidate's consideration for admission.
Do you award merit-based scholarships?
Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, test scores, teacher recommendations and extracurricular achievement. No additional application is required.
Do you award scholarships for fine arts or other special qualifications?
For the following scholarships a separate application and presentation is required: the Fine Arts Scholarship; the Leadership Scholarship; and the Laurie Collins Scholarship. Please go to the Financial Aid page to download the application.
How is placement into college preparatory and honors level courses determined?
The High School Placement Test, previous grades and teacher recommendations are used to determine placement into English, science, social studies and math. Students seeking placement into advanced levels of math or foreign language must take a separate placement exam.
Is community service required?
A total of 50 hours of service must be completed by the end of the senior year. See the Campus Ministry page for more information.
Do students have the opportunity to attend retreats?
Retreats are required in the 9th, 10th and 11th grades and available in 12th grade. Please visit the Go on Retreat page for more information.
