Why Choose Montgomery Catholic: Faith, Virtue, Wisdom in Every Grade, K3–12
When you choose a school, you are choosing a partner in your child’s growth. We know families come to us weighing the same handful of things: academic rigor, character formation, a community that will know their child by name, and a credible path to college.
We were founded in 1873, and we are the longest continuously running non-public K–12 school in the state of Alabama. We serve the Catholic parishes of the Montgomery metro area within the Archdiocese of Mobile, and we welcome students of all faiths and creeds to apply.
We are a K3–12 college-preparatory school whose Catholic mission calls us to an inclusive admissions process. Faith, Virtue, and Wisdom are not a tagline for us. It is the through-line across all four of our campuses.
A Catholic Education That Welcomes Every Family
We welcome students and families of all faiths and creeds, and we mean it as more than a courtesy. We believe our students’ education is enhanced by the lively participation of families from other spiritual backgrounds. What we offer every family, regardless of tradition, is top-quality academics with a firm grounding in religious and moral principles.
We recognize that God has given each student gifts, and we consider it our responsibility to nurture them. We are proud to serve students of every academic skill level. We are proud of our top students, who take Advanced Placement classes and earn National Merit recognition. We are just as proud of the students who work hard, graduate, and become productive citizens.
Faith is built into our schedule rather than added onto it. At our elementary campuses, students have P.E., recess, and religion five days a week. At our middle and high school campuses, Mass is offered on campus five times each week.
Four Campuses, One Pathway
We serve students across four campuses. Our middle and high school campuses are both located on Vaughn Road.
Holy Spirit Elementary (Grades K3–6) 8580 Vaughn Road, Montgomery, AL 36117 — East Montgomery · (334) 649-4404 12:1 teacher-to-student ratio · 216 students · 21% from military families
St. Bede Elementary (Grades K3–6) 3850 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery, AL 36109 — Midtown Montgomery · (334) 272-3033 11:1 teacher-to-student ratio · 154 students · 21% from military families
Our two elementary campuses share the same curriculum, and each is independent with its own administrative team. That gives you the freedom to choose the location that best fits your family’s logistics without sacrificing program quality. Alongside our college-preparatory academic program, students at both campuses have access to a robust set of offerings in art, library, resources, computers, and music. After-school care is available at both elementary campuses for an additional fee.
Middle School (Grades 7–8) 5350 Vaughn Road, Montgomery, AL 36116 · (334) 272-2465 12:1 teacher-to-student ratio · 115 students · Mass offered five times weekly on campus
Our middle school co-exists on the high school campus, but it is a unique program with its own curriculum and schedule. In addition to a college preparatory academic schedule with honors options in English and Mathematics, we offer an exploratory program with a diverse array of curricular choices, beginning and intermediate band, and a competitive athletic program sanctioned by the Alabama High School Athletic Association. Our middle school building is named for Dr. Thomas Doyle, who served as our principal and president from 1973 to 2001.
High School (Grades 9–12) 5350 Vaughn Road, Montgomery, AL 36116 · (334) 272-7220 13:1 teacher-to-student ratio · 296 students · 15 electives · 14 clubs and organizations
Our high school offers a college preparatory academic program with options in honors and Advanced Placement classes, marching, concert, and jazz bands, a full athletic program under the auspices of the Alabama High School Athletic Association, and an array of student clubs and service organizations.
College Preparatory From the Start
College readiness does not begin in junior year. It takes root in the earliest grades, which is why our college preparatory program runs from our elementary campuses straight through to graduation.
We are glad to present our outcomes to you. Approximately 95% of our graduates attend college, half of whom receive scholarships to the school of their choice. The average ACT score for the top 20% of our graduating class is 30.
We also expect our students to serve. As part of our mission to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, we believe all students are called to be good stewards of their own time, talent, and treasure. Students in grades 9 through 12 participate in works of service and community outreach with their advisory class through Encounter and the Lenten Day of Service.
Our students compete, too. We have recorded 56 athletic state championships and Final Four appearances in the last five years, and 14 of our students are members of the District Honor Band.
College counseling is handled by our high school Counselor and College Counselor, Alana Barranco. You can find more details about coursework on our High School Academic Program page.
Rolling Admissions for Our Military Families
We are committed to supporting our military families, as we are to all families. We offer a rolling admissions season so military families can apply year-round, including summer and mid-year transfers, to accommodate military assignments.
Two things we want you to know before you call us:
Our faculty is trained for this. Our teachers, faculty, and administration have all undergone training through the Military Child Education Coalition, so we can offer the care, patience, understanding, and support that military students and families need.
We have a framework for the transition. We work to create an environment where military students can discover their S.P.A.R.C. — Strength, Potential, Aspirations, Resourcefulness, and Confidence — while learning to adjust and become involved in a new community and school.
All four of our campuses are a manageable drive from Maxwell Air Force Base: St. Bede at 8.6 miles, our middle and high school campuses at 9.7 miles, and Holy Spirit at 14 miles. At our elementary and middle school campuses, 21% of students come from military families, so your child will not be the only one who just moved here.
If orders are bringing you to Montgomery mid-year, call our Admissions Office, and we will talk through placement and timing with you.
How to Get Started
1. Come see us. We schedule our tours during the school day so you get the most immersive look at our school family. Our comprehensive walking tours typically last 45 to 60 minutes and can be tailored to fit your schedule. We strongly encourage you to bring your child so our Director of Admissions, principals, and faculty can meet them and answer their questions. Once you have scheduled, our Admissions Office will contact you to discuss the details of your visit. Visitors to our elementary campuses check in through the main lobby; visitors to our middle and high school campuses check in through the High School main entrance facing Vaughn Road.
2. Apply online. Complete the online application, upload the required documents, and remit the application fee. Please note that an application is not considered complete and ready for review by our admissions team until all required documents have been received.
New K3, K4, and K5 applicants: a copy of the applicant’s state-issued birth certificate and current immunization record (Alabama Blue Slip if you have one).
New grade 1–12 applicants: a copy of the state-issued birth certificate, current immunization record, an unofficial transcript or most recent report card, latest nationally standardized test scores (grades 3–12 only), and the School Recommendation Form for Transferring Students.
Applicants must demonstrate they are capable of succeeding in a college-preparatory program, as evidenced by previous grades, nationally standardized test scores, disciplinary record, and school recommendations. In some cases, we may ask families to schedule an interview or provide a pastoral recommendation prior to acceptance.
3. Ask us about affordability. We believe a quality Catholic education should be accessible to all families, and we offer several options to help: The CHOOSE Act (Education Savings Accounts), Scholarship Granting Organizations under the Alabama Accountability Act, Variable Tuition, MCPS Endowed Scholarships, and flexible payment plans.
We want to be straightforward with you about the limits. Financial aid will never cover 100% of tuition; every family pays a portion as an investment in their child’s education, in addition to the annual $750 capital assessment fee. Financial aid is also not provided to students in K3 or K4. Our team will work with you to explore every option available. Full details are on our Affording MCPS page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it worth sending kids to a Catholic school? We would rather show you than argue it. What we can point to is a college preparatory program paired with genuine religious and moral formation, small classes at every campus, and outcomes we publish openly — roughly 95% of our graduates attend college, half of them with scholarships. Every child is different, and fit matters more than any single statistic, which is why we encourage families to visit before deciding.
Can any child go to a Catholic school? We welcome students of all faiths and creeds, and our mission calls for an inclusive admissions process. We ask that applicants demonstrate that they can succeed in a college-preparatory program, which we assess through prior grades, standardized test scores, disciplinary record, and a school recommendation. In some cases, we request an interview or a pastoral recommendation.
How does my child enroll at Montgomery Catholic? Start with a tour, then complete our online application with the required documents and fee. Our Admissions Checklist lists exactly what we need by grade level. Our Admissions Director, Julie Emerson, is happy to walk you through it.
Does a prep school help with college admissions? No school can guarantee an outcome, and we would be wary of any school that promised one. What we provide is rigorous coursework, honors and Advanced Placement options, and dedicated college counseling. Approximately 95% of our graduates attend college, half receive scholarships to their school of choice, and the top 20% of our graduating class average a 30 on the ACT.
What grades does each campus serve? Holy Spirit and St. Bede serve K3 through 6th grade, our middle school serves grades 7 and 8, and our high school serves grades 9 through 12.
Come Visit Us
We would love to show you faith, virtue, and wisdom at work across our K3–12 community. Schedule a tour, or contact our Admissions Director, Julie Emerson, at (334) 318-3777 or jemerson@montgomerycatholic.org for personal guidance on placement, affordability, and next steps.
Helpful links:
- Our School — an overview of all four campuses
- Admissions — our process and requirements
- Schedule a Tour
- Admissions Checklist
- Military Families
- High School Academic Program
