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Archbishop Spalding High School

United States, Severn

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The school at a glance
Fees $22,950
Ages Not listed
Type Co-educational
Opened 1963
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (DP), Advanced Placement (AP), Bespoke Curriculum
Taught languages French, Latin, Spanish
Typical class size 16
Strengths STEM, Academic Enrichment, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Secondary School, High School
Introduction

Archbishop Spalding High School, located in Severn, Maryland, is a Catholic, co-educational college preparatory school offering a diverse blend of traditional academics and contemporary STEM and languages programs. The school delivers an International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme for grades 11-12, complemented by an expansive AP program and a bespoke curriculum, with Notre Dame of Maryland University dual enrollment providing college credit in selected courses. Core STEM pathways through Project Lead The Way Engineering and Computer Science are integrated into the curriculum, and a BYOD policy supports hands-on learning. The campus features a Library Learning Commons opened in Fall 2023, a Learning Resource Center, seven athletic fields, a 2,000-seat stadium, and a range of arts spaces supporting theatre and visual arts. With more than 55 clubs, including Academic Bowl, Art Club, and Model United Nations, students engage in service, leadership, and cross-cultural experiences. The program supports a faith-centered community and rigorous preparation.

8080 New Cut Road, Severn, MD 21144, USA

The Essentials

Archbishop Spalding High School has typical class sizes of 16.

Location

The Archbishop Spalding High School campus is at 8080 New Cut Road, Severn, MD 21144, United States. It sits in Anne Arundel County and serves families in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and surrounding counties. The school was founded by the Archdiocese of Baltimore in 1963. It is a Catholic, college-preparatory community.

Stages

High school (Grades 9–12).

Type

Catholic, co-educational high school.

Additional learning support

The Learning Resource Center provides targeted supports: Aquinas Program (individual learning plan with a Learning Specialist; additional fee), Seminar Program (executive-functioning support; additional fee), After-School Academic Support (drop-in study hall with guidance; no additional fee), and Academic Accommodations via formal Learning Plans.

Religious affiliation

Roman Catholic
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement

Uniforms are required for all students. The Fall/Spring and Winter uniforms include Flynn O'Hara khaki dress pants or shorts for boys paired with a white Archbishop Spalding golf shirt, a belt, white or black socks, and neutral-colored boat shoes or Oxford‑style shoes; Winter adds a white dress shirt and a black V‑neck pullover or crest sweater. Girls wear khaki skort/shorts/pants with a white golf shirt, belts, white socks (tights may be worn in winter), and similar shoes; a Spalding lanyard with CavCard is worn at all times; hats are not allowed indoors and extreme hairstyles or non-natural hair colors are not permitted.

Food Options

Lunch is provided through SAGE Dining with Lunchtab for food purchases; SAGE does not accept cash or credit cards for purchases, and Lunchtab account setup instructions are provided to families for the upcoming year.

Governance and Ownership

Archbishop Spalding High School is a Catholic, co‑educational secondary school under the Archdiocese of Baltimore. It is governed by a Board of Directors composed of alumni, parents, community and faith leaders, with the Board meeting six times a year to provide strategic oversight. The President is Shannon Gilligan and the Principal is Regina O'Hara.
Fees

Annual tuition at Archbishop Spalding High School ranges from USD 22,950 for 2026/27.

Tuition — 2026–2027
- Annual tuition: USD 22,950.00. (This amount is shown as the base tuition; additional charges may apply for the Aquinas Program and Freshman Seminar.)

Tuition installment examples (calculated from the annual tuition)
- Pay in full: USD 22,950.00 (one payment).
- Semi‑annual: two payments of USD 11,475.00 each (USD 22,950.00 ÷ 2).
- Quarterly: four payments of USD 5,737.50 each (USD 22,950.00 ÷ 4).
- Monthly (10‑month plan): ten payments of USD 2,295.00 each (USD 22,950.00 ÷ 10).

Tuition by year group
- Grades 9–12: Tuition is uniform across all high school year groups; the listed annual tuition (USD 22,950.00) applies to students in each grade.

Application fees
- Application fee for entry (9th grade and transfer applicants): USD 100.00, paid by credit card at the time the application is submitted.

Additional, recurring student fees
- Class dues: USD 40.00.
- Retreat fee: USD 75.00 for most students; USD 215.00 for seniors.
- Graduation fee (Seniors only): USD 200.00.
- Total standard student fees charged on the billing statement: USD 115.00 for most students; USD 455.00 for seniors (these student fees are added to the tuition bill and are payable according to the chosen billing option).

Re‑registration and tuition deposit
- A USD 500.00 non‑refundable payment is required for the 2026–2027 school year. For returning families this USD 500.00 consists of a USD 100.00 Re‑Registration Fee plus a USD 400.00 tuition deposit. A USD 500.00 non‑refundable tuition deposit is also collected at registration. These non‑refundable payments are applied toward the tuition obligation.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Billing / payment plan options offered: annual (pay in full), semi‑annual, quarterly, or monthly (10 months). Enrollment in the school's tuition management system is required for all students.
- All students must be enrolled in Blackbaud Tuition Management; the payer listed on the student account is contractually responsible for the full tuition and fees for the entire academic year. Should a student withdraw, that contractual commitment remains.
- The unpaid balance may be paid in full at any time. Payments made after the due date must be made by cash, money order, or cashier's check and paid directly to the school. Students with outstanding financial obligations may be barred from receiving semester grades, participating in extracurricular activities, or graduating.

Refund information
- No tuition will be refunded for students who do not complete the academic year. The USD 500.00 re‑registration/tuition deposit is identified as non‑refundable.

Boarding fees
- Not applicable. Archbishop Spalding operates as a day high school (no boarding program).

Other costs and typical uniform/item costs
- Uniform policy and required items are enforced; uniform items (polos, gym shirts, sweaters, spirit items, backpacks, etc.) are sold through the Spalding Cavalier Shop. Example retail prices from the Cavalier Shop (illustrative examples of current shop prices):
- Uniform polo shirts: approximately USD 34.95–36.95.
- Gym/reversible gym shirt: approximately USD 26.95.
- Under Armour hoodie: approximately USD 64.95.
- Backpacks and other spirit items: examples shown at USD 64.95 and lower.
- The tuition statement notes that additional program‑specific fees (for example, charges associated with the Aquinas Program and Freshman Seminar) may apply beyond the base tuition. Student activity or program charges (class activities, special program fees) are added to the billing statement as appropriate.

Fee payment methods and how charges are accepted
- Application fee: paid by credit card at submission.
- Tuition billing and payment processing: handled through Blackbaud Tuition Management. Blackbaud's tuition platform supports payment by bank account (ACH/eCheck) and by debit/credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover) depending on the school's enabled options.
- Cavalier Shop purchases: online store accepts standard online payment methods for merchandise purchases.
- Late payment methods: cash, money order, or cashier's check must be used for payments made after the due date and paid directly to the school.

Notes on special program charges
- Certain co‑curricular, academic program, or seminar fees (for example, Aquinas Program and Freshman Seminar charges) may be assessed in addition to the base tuition; these are listed or billed separately when applicable.

(For billing or finance inquiries, the school's tuition/finance contacts manage statements and Blackbaud enrollment.)
Academics

Archbishop Spalding High School teaches IB (DP), Advanced Placement (AP), Bespoke Curriculum.

Curriculum

Two PLTW pathways are offered: Engineering and Computer Science, integrated into the core curriculum. The Engineering Pathway is four years long and includes Introduction to Engineering Design (9th), Principles of Engineering (10th), Digital Electronics (11th), and Capstone (12th) with a BYOD requirement. The Computer Science Pathway offers four elective courses: Computer Science Essentials, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Computer Science A, and Cybersecurity. AP courses total 28 across departments, with some replacing required courses and AP Exams conducted in May. Honors courses are available across many departments, Archbishop Spalding also offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme for Grades 11–12, including DP English, DP World Languages, DP History, DP Environmental Systems & Societies, DP Mathematics, and Theory of Knowledge; Notre Dame of Maryland University dual enrollment provides college credit for Honors French IV, IB French, Honors Latin III & IV, IB Latin, Honors Spanish IV, and AP Spanish.

Exam Results

The school earned Platinum Honors from the College Board for its AP program in 2023, 2024, and 2025. AP courses are offered across 28 subjects and AP Exams are administered in May.

Gifted and Talented

Honors courses span multiple departments, and the school offers extensive Advanced Placement (AP) courses (28 total) and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme for advanced students. Notre Dame of Maryland University dual enrollment also provides college credit for select language and AP courses.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

The school has a School Counseling Office that addresses the social and emotional needs of all students by collaborating with students, parents, staff, and the community. The school supports students' spiritual, intellectual, emotional, social, and physical development. The school has four counselors dedicated to assisting with academic, social, emotional, and personal needs. Counselors provide assistance with course registration, standardized testing, academic concerns, and personal matters. Except for emergencies, students meet with a counselor by appointment. For crises, the AACO Crisis Response Warm Line is available 24/7 at 410-768-5522 and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached by texting 988.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

The school has a Learning Resource Center that supports students by developing study skills, organizational skills, and time management. The Aquinas Program provides an individualized plan for academic excellence, monitored by a Learning Specialist with regular family updates; there is an additional fee. The Seminar Program is designed for students with executive functioning challenges and includes a Seminar elective course, with progress monitored by a Learning Specialist and regular family updates; there is an additional fee. After-School Academic Support is a drop-in program where students can receive guidance from Learning Specialists and may access tutoring through departments and the National Honor Society at no additional cost. Academic Accommodations are available for varied learning styles; requests are reviewed by Learning Specialists and an official Spalding Learning Plan is shared with teachers each semester.

Mental Wellbeing

The school has a Mental Health Resources page listing external organizations and guidance for families and students. The School Counseling Office addresses emotional health and supports students with stress, anxiety, and personal challenges alongside academics. Four school counselors are dedicated to assisting with academic, social, and emotional needs and provide resources for coping, resilience, and well-being. Health Services coordinate care and address health-related concerns to support overall wellbeing. Health education within Physical Education includes a total wellness concept that covers mental and emotional health, supporting ongoing wellbeing.

Safeguarding

The school has safeguarding and child protection policies in place. Volunteers with substantial contact with children must complete VIRTUS certification and related background screening before serving. The policy includes training requirements and documentation, including a Statement of Policy for the Protection of Children and Youth and Protecting God's Children training. Steps to become certified include submitting a Volunteer Intent Form, registering for VIRTUS, completing the background screening, and providing three personal references. These safeguards protect students and the broader school community.
Parent Experience

History

Archbishop Spalding High School was founded in 1963 as a parish high school for girls under the direction of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, originally staffed by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur and known as Holy Trinity High School. The school relocated to its present campus in 1966. Upon moving, His Eminence Lawrence Cardinal Shehan renamed the school Martin Spalding High School. In 1973 the school became co-educational, welcoming the first boys as freshmen and sophomores. In 1986 the formal name was changed to Archbishop Spalding High School, and by the end of the 1980s enrollment topped 1,000 students. Today the school serves students from over 60 middle schools across seven counties, and more than 98% of graduates pursue higher education at a wide range of colleges and service academies.

Community

Archbishop Spalding High School hosts a series of signature events each year that unite the Spalding community. Signature events include the Cavalier Open, Cavalier Bull Roast, Spalding Gala, and the Love Graziano Golf Tournament, which raise essential funds and celebrate the school's spirit. Alumni events bring graduates back to reconnect, with activities such as Alumni Tailgate, Cookies & Cocoa with Santa, and the Freshmen Grandparents Christmas Preview Concert. The Parents Association coordinates volunteer opportunities and communications to foster school spirit and community engagement.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

The Parents Association promotes the relationship between parents and Archbishop Spalding High School, acting as a forum for communication, school spirit, and community awareness. Parents sign up to volunteer, with opportunities announced in the weekly newsletter. For questions you can email ashspa@spaldinghs.org. The organization lists officers: President Jiselle Burkhalter, Vice President Jenny Goncz, Treasurer Levonia Parker, Secretary Ana Bolden, and Communications Kristi Comeau.
Facilities

Facilities Overview

Archbishop Spalding High School's campus supports students with dedicated spaces for study, arts, and athletics. The Library Learning Commons opened in Fall 2023 as a redesigned, 5,752-square-foot, multi-level facility with private and group learning spaces, a comfortable seating environment, and access to a 12,000-item collection plus digital databases. The Fine Arts program includes theatre productions and visual arts coursework, with spaces and opportunities for set design and crew for the Fall Play and Spring Musical. The Learning Resource Center provides seminars and coaching to help students develop study skills, organization, and time management, along with academic accommodations and after-school support. The athletic facilities include seven fields, including Love Field (built in 2017) and Whittles Field (renovated in 2018) with turf fields, a 2,000-seat stadium, a large video board, concessions, and restrooms, supporting a wide range of sports and tournaments.

Sports Facilities

Archbishop Spalding supports a broad athletic program with 30 varsity sports, and more than 70% of students participate in at least one sport. The campus features seven athletic fields, including Love Field and Whittles Field. Whittles Field was renovated with new turf in 2018 and includes a 2,000-seat stadium, a large jumbotron, plus a fully stocked concession stand and restrooms. Love Field, built in 2017, adds additional turf fields to host tournaments and expand playing options.

Academic Facilities

Academic facilities include the Library Learning Commons, opened Fall 2023, a 5,752-square-foot, multi-level library with private and group spaces, seating, and a 12,000-item collection plus access to databases and eBooks. The Learning Resource Center offers Seminar and Aquinas programs to support study skills, organization, and executive functioning, with after-school academic support and accommodations. Archbishop Spalding offers Project Lead The Way pathways in Engineering and Computer Science, with related clubs and courses to support hands-on STEM learning. The LLC and LRC together support research, collaboration, and individualized learning across departments.

Extra Curricular Facilities

Archbishop Spalding offers more than 55 clubs and organizations, spanning academics, arts, service, culture, and student leadership. Examples include Academic Bowl, All Girls Chorus, Art Club, Asian Student Union, ASL Club, Best Buddies, Bible Study Club, Black Student Union, and Book Club. The theatre program produces a Fall Play and Spring Musical each year, with audition opportunities for students and options to join tech crews or the orchestra. The Fine Arts program includes opportunities to participate in set design and crew for theatre productions, as well as visual arts courses such as drawing, painting, ceramics, and digital art. The Music program offers ensembles and scholarship opportunities for students in instrumental, vocal, and piano.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual

Over 270 courses are offered, including 32 AP classes, 38 Honors classes, and 14 IB classes. The school is an IB World School and offers the Diploma Programme for grades 11–12. The AP program includes 28 courses across disciplines. A dual enrollment partnership with Notre Dame of Maryland University enables college credit in select courses.

Arts & Creative

Art is supported by Art Club and the National Art Honor Society, with opportunities to contribute to set design and crew for the Fall Play and Spring Musical. The Music Department offers ensembles and courses, including Tri-M Music Honor Society, Jazz Cavs, Women's Chorus, Chromosome Y, and Show Choir. A theatre program provides hands-on involvement in productions.

Cultural & Language

World Languages features French National Honor Society, Latin National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, and Latin Ties. World Languages hosts events such as World Languages National Honor Societies Induction, French Week, and Hispanic Heritage Month activities. Model United Nations fosters awareness of international issues and cross-cultural understanding.

Social & Hobbies

With more than 55 clubs and organizations, students have wide options for social and hobby interests. Examples include Bagel Club, Mountain Bike Club, Improv Club, Jazz Cavs, Key Club, and Lumberjack Club. The Newspaper club provides hands-on experience in writing, editing, and publishing the school newspaper.

Community & Service

Service is integrated into campus life through groups like Key Club and the National Honor Society, which engage in tutoring and community projects. Bible Study Club and Campus Ministry offer faith-based activities, retreats, liturgies, and service opportunities. Volunteer channels include Faith in Action and campus/community service opportunities managed by the school.

Leadership & Professional

Model United Nations builds public speaking and diplomacy skills; Travis Manion Foundation Club emphasizes leadership and service to veterans and the community. National English, Math, Latin, and Spanish Honor Societies provide leadership roles, tutoring, and service projects. Students participate in clubs that promote leadership, civic engagement, and professional development.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing

The athletics program includes 30 varsity sports with over 70% student participation, supported by the Cavalier Club booster organization. The Physical Education program emphasizes lifelong fitness, with sports, weight training, and Sports Medicine offerings. Morgan's Message promotes mental health awareness alongside Campus Ministry's retreats, liturgies, and service experiences to support spiritual and emotional wellbeing.
Languages

Language Provision

The school teaches French, Latin, and Spanish as world languages. French I–IV and IB French are offered; Latin I–IV and IB Latin; Spanish I–IV, AP Spanish, and IB Spanish. Two consecutive years of the same language are required to graduate. The Notre Dame of Maryland University dual enrollment program offers college credit in Honors French IV, IB French, Honors Latin III & IV, IB Latin, Honors Spanish IV, and AP Spanish. The IB Diploma Programme includes Spanish B (SL), French B (SL), and Latin (SL).
Admissions

Admissions

1) Application for 9th grade: Submit Online Application for Admission with records from grade 6 through the most recent report card. An Academic Referral is provided automatically for Archdiocese of Baltimore students; a student essay and a photograph are required, and a $100 application fee is due. HSPT scores must be received to complete the file; the Class of 2031 applications are due December 11, 2026, and decisions are emailed February 18, 2027. 2) Testing and review: All 9th grade applicants must sit for the HSPT at an Archdiocese testing center; Archbishop Spalding should be listed to receive results. Testing is coordinated through stsusers.com, and the school will note the HSPT on the admissions checklist when scores arrive. Academic scholarship eligibility is determined after the HSPT; Leadership and Music scholarships require submission by the Application for Admission deadline. 3) Scholarships and auditions: Academic scholarships are based on the HSPT, records, and recommendations; final selection also considers an essay, achievements, and community involvement. Leadership Scholarships (Pioneer Leadership) require the scholarship essay by the admission deadline, with interviews possible on the visit day or another date. Music Scholarships permit incoming freshmen to audition for instrumental, vocal, or piano scholarships; auditions are scheduled in January with the deadline December 11, 2026, and letters of recommendation from a music teacher due by the deadline. 4) Tuition and transfers: Tuition assistance follows the same deadline as Applications for Admission; late applicants to the wait-pool may still apply for aid, subject to funds. For transfers into grades 10 or 11, an Online Application for Admission, transcripts from the past three years, two academic referrals, an essay, and a photo are required; transfer admissions are typically notified in late spring.

Scholarships

Freshman Scholarships (awarded by Archbishop Spalding) include Academic, Leadership, and Music scholarships. Academic scholarships are awarded to students entering grade nine based on performance on the admissions/placement test, academic records, and recommendations; final selection also considers an essay, academic achievement, personal and extracurricular recommendations, and community involvement. Leadership Scholarships (Pioneer Leadership) recognize leadership and service; applicants must submit the scholarship essay by the Application for Admission deadline, and interviews may be scheduled on the visit day or another date. Music Scholarships allow incoming freshmen to audition for instrumental, vocal, or piano scholarships; auditions are scheduled in January after submitting a music scholarship application and a letter of recommendation from a music teacher by the application deadline (December 11, 2026); scholarships may be renewed annually subject to evaluation. Freshman Scholarships awarded by organizations outside Archbishop Spalding include Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship (Institute for Educational Advancement); Knights of Columbus scholarships (Maryland) with an October 1 to February 1 application window; The Knott Scholarship Funds; Theresa F. Truschel Charitable Foundation; these external scholarships have separate applications and deadlines.
School Events
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