The Public Is Invited to the Mount St. Dominic Academy Symposium!

Please join us for the Mount St. Dominic Academy Symposium on April 25th from 6:30-8:00 pm, at 3 Ryerson Ave, Caldwell in the Athletic Center! The MSDA Symposium promises to be an inspiring showcase of our students' hard work and creativity. Throughout the evening, attendees, including Mount students, parents, families, and guests, will have the opportunity to explore a wide array of projects that highlight the culmination of our students' efforts. From Senior Capstone Research (with students defending their research) to Entrepreneurship, immersive STEM experiences in Health Sciences and Robotics, Social Justice initiatives, AP Government, AP Language and Composition, as well as captivating Artwork and Journalism pieces, there will be something for everyone to enjoy and appreciate. To attend, please register here.

If you’ve been wondering what it’s like to attend Mount St. Dominic Academy, attending this Symposium is the perfect opportunity to learn about the Mount!

Information about some of the Mount St. Dominic Academy Programs you will see at the Symposium:

Fueled by a dedicated faculty with proven expertise in girls’ education, Mount St. Dominic Academy seamlessly integrates traditional liberal arts coursework with innovative, real-world educational opportunities, including the two-year Entrepreneurship Program (the L.E.O. Program), a Senior Capstone in Directed Research, and Academic Concentrations in health sciences and social justice. The curriculum elevates leadership, life skills, college preparation, and career readiness, aligning with the school's enduring commitment to fostering critical thinking, compassionate action, and the discovery of individual passions. Notably, the Mount also boasts award-winning performing arts and athletics programs.

Awards and Recognition
The Mount offers many AP courses and this year, Mount St. Dominic Academy earned the College Board Dual AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Award for promoting high female representation in both AP Computer Science A and AP Computer Science Principles! We were one of only 68 schools recognized nationwide, and one of only eight schools recognized in New Jersey.

In addition, Mount St. Dominic Academy received the gold medal award in the "Best in Private Schools" category in the 2023 Best of Essex competition.

SIGNATURE PROGRAMS

The L.E.O. Entrepreneurship Program
The L.E.O. Entrepreneurship Program stands out as a select, two-year intensive initiative that requires students to earn acceptance through a rigorous application process. Throughout the two years, students work with real-world entrepreneurs and business experts as coaches and mentors, navigating the intricacies of ideation, market research, and business plan development. The curriculum covers essential areas such as marketing, accounting, and legal aspects of starting a business, equipping students with a holistic understanding.

The students also participate in a LionWorks Competition "Shark Tank-style" event showcasing student teams presenting their innovative products and start-up businesses, developed over two years from ideation to launch, to a panel of esteemed investors—Sharks. The winning teams receive awards in the form of college scholarships. The LionWorks Competition provides a unique platform for students to kindle their entrepreneurial spirit by presenting their ideas to actual investors, fostering the potential to secure funding and transform their concepts into tangible businesses.

In addition, the program extends beyond the classroom, incorporating lectures from industry leaders and field trips to organizations such as UPS and the United Nations. Recent esteemed speakers who have shared their career journeys, lessons learned, and valuable advice with the students have included: Emmy-award winning CBS News Anchor Kristine Johnson; Frank Zambrelli, an ESG/Sustainability expert, design and branding chief executive; Courtney Roselle, a motivational speaker, fitness model, athlete, personal trainer, and Titan Games champion; renowned celebrity makeup artist Nydia Cabrera. In addition, the participants enjoyed a field trip to UPS, where they met with top executives and learned about the brand new $1B state-of-the-art facility.

Directed Research Senior Capstone program
The Mount’s Directed Research Senior Capstone Program is designed as a culminating experience where students can delve into an area of passion through individualized research, hands-on learning and mentorship. The Capstone offers students a platform to showcase their research and analytical skills through directed projects overseen by faculty and alumnae mentors, reinforcing critical thinking and public speaking abilities.It culminates at the Symposium, where like a college thesis, they defend their research.

Health Sciences Concentration
The Mount offers a specialized two-year Health Sciences Concentration program that mirrors the depth and rigor of a college minor, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of medical-related careers. This program equips students with the knowledge and skills essential for success in their future endeavors through intellectual pursuits and annual service hours. The HSC also offers a range of experiential opportunities, including guest speakers from diverse medical professions, conferences, hands-on demonstrations, and field trips. These experiences have included observing heart and kidney transplants, engaging with surgeons, learning CPR, practicing IV placements, suturing wounds, and more.

Social Justice Concentration
Mount programs like the Social Justice concentration provide opportunities for meaningful field trips, offering invaluable exposure to unique experiences. This year’s Social Justice trip to the UN for International Day of the Girl allowed Mount students to participate on a prestigious panel, with one student chosen to act as a moderator. Participants also enjoyed a trip to UPS, which allowed students to meet with key leaders and learn about the future operation of the company and its commitment to female leadership. In addition, Mount students participate monthly in a worldwide Zoom call with nearly 100 women, discussing important topics affecting women around the world today. They also recently presented a letter they wrote with their Dominican Stance on the Empowerment of Girls.

ABOUT MOUNT ST. DOMINIC ACADEMY: Mount St. Dominic Academy, established by the Sisters of St. Dominic, is an independent, Catholic college preparatory school dedicated to the education of young women from a variety of ethnic, religious and economic backgrounds. Located in the heart of bucolic Caldwell, New Jersey, the Mount has been empowering young women in the Dominican tradition since 1892. Mount St. Dominic Academy is a proud member of the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools, the International Coalition of Girls Schools, the Dominican Association of Secondary Schools, the National Catholic Educational Association, the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, and the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). The Mount is also a recipient of the College Board AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Award for its outstanding achievement in fostering high female representation in both AP Computer Science A (CSA) and AP Computer Science Principles (CSP), and 2023 Best of Essex Gold Medal in the "Best in Private School” category. Visit the Mount for more information.