Admissions
The Admissions Process
*Please note: During this summer, we are getting a face lift inside the building. Thanks to Cathedral’s annual ball and CASPA, we are getting new flooring and paint throughout. If you are coming from out of town, please email jmcdermond@scmoq.org and we will find a time to show you around the parts of campus we can access.
What to expect after you apply:
The admissions team will contact you to schedule placement testing and shadow days once your application is complete. Please note, current teacher referrals, birth and baptism certificates and prior testing/report cards can be uploaded directly to the portal and are needed for a complete application. Once an application is completed online, placement testing and shadow days will be scheduled, Finally, the admissions team will review fully completed application portfolios and reach out to parents/guardians with decisions. Decisions are typically sent out within 2 weeks of application portfolio completion.
** Please note, students entering 2nd grade and older are required to shadow a current student at SCMOQ for a portion of a school day as part of the application process.
Applications are still open for the 26-27 school year. Please note, grades Pre 1st, 2nd, 5th and 8th are full at this time. If you apply for one of the above grades, you will be added to our waitlist if accepted.
Upcoming Admissions Events
Admissions Timeline 2027-2028
August 15, 2026 – Applications open for the 27-28 SY
October 1st, 2026: Middle School Open house for parents of 3-5th graders, 9:15. Parents are encouraged to attend Mass too!
October 1st, 2026: 1:45-2:45 Current 4th and 5th grade students shadow stars and stripes event
October 5th-9th, 2026: Middle School Shadow days open for current 5th graders
October 15th 2026: School wide open house at 9:15 and 10:15. Families are invited to register and join us for Mass too!
November 2026, shadow days start for prospective students.
December 15th, 2026 Priority admissions deadline
December 15, 2026 – Re-enrollment begins for Current families
December 14th-18th, 2026– placement testing and group shadows for PreK-2nd grade (sign up info to come)
January 1st, 2027 Deadline to re-enroll for the 27/28 school year.
January 8, 2027 – Re-enrollment late fees start
January 15th, 2027-Decision deadline for new families to accept and enroll without late fees
January 16th, 2027 -Rolling admissions process starts
Shadow Experience
Prospective students interested in attending the School of the Cathedral for the 2027-2028 school year in grades 2 – 7 will have the opportunity to see what it’s like to be a Cathedral Mustang for a day this fall. Prospective students must have a completed application on file to shadow at our school. Our admissions team will be in touch to schedule your student for one of our exciting shadow day experiences. Please note: a shadow experience is required for an application to be reviewed by our admissions team.
Placement Testing Dates
Proposed testing dates for 27/28 applicants. Days and times will be finalized August 15th.
Placement Testing for PreK, Kindergarten, Pre-First and 1st grade students will be held during the week of December 14th-18th.
Preschool testing will held on Tuesday, December 15th.
Prospective students in 2nd – 7th grade will be scheduled when the prospective students application is complete. Our admissions team will be in touch to schedule testing for your child.
Rolling admissions will begin January 15th 2027 for the seats that we have available at that time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What time does the school day begin?
Answer: Students can be dropped off as early as 7:30am. The first bell rings at 7:50am to let the students know to head to their homeroom. The second bell rings at 7:55am. All students need to be in their homeroom by 7:55 am to avoid being marked tardy.
Question: What times does the school day end?
Answer: Prek, Kindergarten and Pre-First walk out with their teachers and meet their parents and/or older siblings at 2:45pm. All other classes will walk to their cars at 2:50pm. All cars back into the parking spots in the upper and lower lot.
Question: Are there days when you dismiss early?
Answer: Yes, to help families plan, we have included these days on our school calendar found here: https://schoolofthecathedral.org/calendar/ . On scheduled early dismissal days, the children are dismissed at 11:50 am unless noted on the school calendar. Students will still have time for a snack but not lunch on half day dismissals.
Question: Is there an extended day program?
Answer: Yes, the Cathedral Extended Day (CED) program begins at dismissal and ends promptly at 6pm. Please visit our website here to learn more: https://schoolofthecathedral.org/after-school-program/.
Question: Is lunch provided to students each day?
Answer: No, students have the option to purchase lunch using our vendor Grauls Markets. Students are welcome to bring their own lunch too.
Question: Do you have a school nurse?
Answer: Yes, we have a full time Registered Nurse available from 7:45am – 3:15pm.
Question: Is there an Athletic Program?
Answer: Yes, our Mustangs can be a part of our soccer and cross country programs in the fall, basketball program in the winter and lacrosse program in the spring. In addition to these teams Cathedral also offers students the ability to register for pedal power, running club, golf clinic, volleyball club, soccer club and much more!
Question: Are there any clubs my child can be involved in as a student?
Answer: Absolutely, we offer various clubs including STEM, Band, Chess, Art, Yearbook, Drama and so much more!.
Question: Is there a parent organization?
Answer: CASPA (Cathedral School Parent Association) is our parent organization and they are very involved in our school programs and events. More information can be found here: https://schoolofthecathedral.org/caspa/
Question: Are their opportunities to volunteer?
Answer: Yes, we encourage all families to get involved at the School of the Cathedral. There are many ways parents can volunteer on our campus. All volunteers must be VIRTUS trained and you can find information regarding this certification here: https://schoolofthecathedral.org/volunteer/
Question: Do the middle school students participate in any special activities?
Answer: We have a Stars and Stripes tradition which allows our students in 6th, 7th and 8th to showcase their school spirit, have friendly competition and involvement in our community. Our younger grades look forward to these Middle School activities that they will one day be a part of. Our Middle School students are also paired up with lower school students as “Prayer Buddies”. They attend Mass together and meet up several times throughout the school year.
Question: Do all students attend Mass?
Answer: Yes, the School community as a whole attends Mass weekly and also participates in several Masses throughout the school year. Students in grades 3-8 have the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation during Advent and Lent. Grades 2-8 take part in First Friday Adoration devotions.
Question: Is Foreign Language offered?
Answer: Yes, exploratory French and Spanish classes are offered in grades 1-5 and French and Spanish are offered in grades 6-8. The courses develop skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, and give students an understanding of the cultures of Spanish- and French-speaking countries.
Question: Do students wear a uniform?
Answer: Students wear uniforms each day and they can be purchased from our CASPA Uniform Bank and/or new uniforms can be purchased through Lands End. On their scheduled P.E. day, students wear their gym uniform to school.
Question: Does my child need to be vaccinated?
Answer: All students in Catholic schools must be immunized in accordance with Maryland State
Law.