Understanding Bishop McNamara High School Tuition and Value
Bishop McNamara High School, located in Forestville, Maryland, stands as a private, coeducational, college-preparatory institution rooted in the Holy Cross tradition. Serving students from six Maryland counties, Northern Virginia, and the District of Columbia, the school is part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington. Founded in 1964, Bishop McNamara High School bears the name of Bishop John Michael McNamara, a former auxiliary bishop to the Archbishops of Baltimore and Washington and the founder of St. John's College High School and St. Ann's Infant Asylum.
A Legacy of Education and Community
With over 61 years of educating youth in the Washington, D.C. area, Bishop McNamara High School has a legacy of over 15,000 alumni. The school fosters a strong sense of community based on Christian love, care, concern, and sacrifice, uniting students, parents, alumni, faculty, and administrators. Bishop McNamara High School exists primarily to serve the Catholic Christian community, while welcoming students of all faiths.
Location and Campus
Bishop McNamara High School is located on a 14-acre campus in Forestville, Maryland, United States, just 7 miles south of Washington, D.C. Built on a site adjacent to Mount Calvary Catholic Church on Marlboro Pike in Forestville, Maryland, Bishop McNamara High School is a result of Msgr. Peter Paul Rakowski's plan to build a Catholic high school for boys, and one for girls in the southern part of Prince George's County. In 1962, Patrick A. O'Boyle, archbishop of Washington, D.C., extended an invitation to the Brothers of Holy Cross to administer and staff the new high school, which would serve the county and parts of Washington, DC.
Academic Excellence and Unique Programs
Bishop McNamara High School offers a college preparatory curriculum and a range of Fine Arts, athletics, and activities. The school is known for its Fine Arts Department, which offers one of the most extensive arts educations in the Washington, D.C. area. The F.A.D.E. program, Fine Arts Diploma Endorsement, is unique to Bishop McNamara. Students who graduate with the Fine Arts Diploma Endorsement receive a notation on their transcripts and a special honor certificate at graduation. Students have the opportunity to apply for this program at the end of their freshman year, concurrent with the selection of courses for their sophomore year. Bishop McNamara Catholic High School is offering 18 AP courses. Bishop McNamara Catholic High School also have 100 teachers, and average class size is 18 students.
AP and Advanced Courses
Bishop McNamara High School offers a wide array of AP and Advanced Courses, including:
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- AP African American Studies
- AP Biology
- AP Calculus AB
- AP Calculus BC
- AP Chemistry
- AP Computer Science A
- AP Computer Science Principles
- AP Drawing
- AP English Language & Composition
- AP English Literature & Composition
- AP Environmental Science
- AP French Language & Culture
- AP Latin
- AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based
- AP Physics C: Mechanics
- AP Psychology
- AP Spanish Language & Culture
- AP Statistics
- AP Studio Art 2-D Design
- AP US History
Tuition and Financial Aid
Yearly Tuition: $22,000
Bishop McNamara High School provides financial aid to families who need it.
*Tuition and fees may vary depending on grade, boarding status (if applicable), and may have changed for the current school year.
Admission and Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate of Bishop McNamara High School is 60%, which is lower than the national average of 81%. The application deadline for Bishop McNamara High School is Dec. 12 / Mar.
Sports and Athletics
Bishop McNamara High School offers 21 interscholastic sports:
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- Archery
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cheering
- Cross Country
- Dance
- Diving
- Field Hockey
- Football
- Golf
- Lacrosse
- Rugby
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Track and Field
- Volleyball
- Weightlifting
- Winter Track
- Wrestling
Bishop McNamara's women's basketball team has established itself as one of the premier teams in not only the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) but the entire nation as well.
Diversity and Community
Bishop McNamara is a place where young adults from all walks of life can be themselves. The halls of McNamara reflect 100% diversity, encompassing color, size, socioeconomic background, and varying levels of self-esteem. This diversity fosters a unique environment where faculty, students, and parents are bound by love. The school creates niches for young adults, allowing them to become leaders through roles such as statisticians, managers, summer basketball camp commissioners, or presidents of the spirit club. This extends to all aspects of the school, including academics, fine arts, and spiritual formation. BMHS is a place for families to find a purpose to serve and call home.
College Enrollment and Matriculation Data
In 2014-2023, some students attended Johns Hopkins University, Northwestern University, Columbia University, University of Notre Dame and Boston College.
Notable Alumni
Bishop McNamara High School boasts a number of notable alumni, including:
- Cameron Chism
- Brandon Coleman
- Chris Cosh
- Jerome Couplin III
- Timothy (TJ) Creamer
- Tyoka Jackson
- Liatu King
- Ty Lawson
- Kwame Alexander
- Marcus Thornton
- Keith Veney
- Nicole Yeargin
- Talib Zanna
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