About

Our Traditions

Welcome

Although Mount St. Mary Academy is constantly evolving, our core values and traditions have remained the same since the day the doors of MSM were first opened. Throughout their four years at the Mount, students are given the opportunity to participate in many events that shape who they are as students, leaders, and young women. After those young women graduate and go out into the world as MSM alumnae, they often return to our beloved school to celebrate with us.

List of 13 items.

  • Alumnae Weekend

    All of our alumnae are invited to come back to the Mount to enjoy the festivities of Alumnae Weekend. This special weekend will be June 24-25, 2023. From a picnic on the front lawn of the school to a Sunday morning Mass in the auditorium, our alumnae will have the opportunity to reconnect with their classmates and see what’s been happening at MSM.

  • Spiritual Retreats

    Each year, every class at Mount St. Mary participates in a retreat that focuses on developing and strengthening both faith and the lifelong friendships created at MSM.  Our senior class has their opening retreat on the first day of school and will have the opportunity to participate in a closing retreat during Senior Week.

  • Father-Daughter Dance

    All students and their fathers or father-like figures are invited to enjoy a night of dinner and dancing.  This is a wonderful night of celebrating family.

  • Mother-Daughter Mass and Brunch

    Students and their mothers or mother-like figures are welcome to join us for Mass in the auditorium of MSM and a beautiful brunch. We thank our Parent Association for hosting this beautiful event each year.

  • Junior Ring Mass

    Each December 8th, on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the students in the junior class receive their class rings from the principal and any family members who are alumnae of MSM. This is the first of several red rose ceremonies in which the upperclassmen at Mount St. Mary Academy are honored.

  • Senior Sunrise

    Senior Sunrise is an event held twice-a-year for our graduating class. Towards the beginning of the school year, seniors come together to watch the sunrise and have breakfast on the front lawn. At the end of the year, seniors celebrate the end of the year by watching the sunset with hot dogs and s'mores in-hand. 

  • Lessons and Carols and Christmas Brunch

    On the last day of classes before Christmas Break, we welcome  the most recently graduated class to join the school community for song and prayerful reflection in the auditorium of MSM. The brunch that follows gives the graduates time to reconnect with current students and teachers they have missed since leaving Mount St. Mary Academy.

  • Spirit Week

    Spirit Week is five days of themed dress, games during lunch periods, lip-sync performances from each grade, a pep rally, and more. Mounties go all out to represent their Thunder spirit and join together for team and class activities.

  • Winter Semi-Formal Dance

    Each year, all students are invited to the winter semi-formal. Whether they bring a date or a group of friends, the dance is sure to be a night to remember!

  • Chrysalis

    The Chrysalis Auction is Mount St. Mary’s biggest fundraising event. Alumnae, family, and friends of MSM join together each year to enjoy a night of dinner, drinks, fabulous prizes, and fun to raise money for the school we call home.

  • Prom

    Juniors and seniors celebrate the end of the year with a prom in May.

  • Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement

    This long-standing ceremony is steeped in tradition. We gather for our beautiful liturgy for our graduating class. After Communion, our graduating seniors walk across the Mount St. Mary stage in long white gowns and holding bouquets of red roses to receive their diplomas from the principal. The Alumnae Association welcome the new graduates into the Mount St. Mary Academy Alumnae Association. A highlight of commencement is honoring a graduate with the Mount St. Mary Award. This award recognizes a graduating senior who, in the opinion of her peers and faculty, exemplifies the characteristics valued at MSM: demonstrating service to our school community and to others; showing the Christian spirit of love, tolerance, loyalty and cooperation; and possessing a deep respect for all members of the Mount St. Mary family.

  • Bells of St. Mary

    Our school song is something we are very proud of at Mount St. Mary. Incoming freshmen learn the Bells of St. Mary at Freshman Orientation, and it is sung at the end of every Mass and ceremony at MSM. Our graduates sing the additional graduation verse at Commencement. It is a beautiful alma mater that reminds us all of the value of being a part of Mount St. Mary Academy.

Mount St. Mary Academy

3756 Delaware Ave.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 877-1358
We believe in academic excellence. Personal responsibility. Self-expression. Chasing dreams. Leading by example. We believe in smaller class sizes. Bigger college scholarships. Singing loudly. Marching to our own drum. We believe in celebrating our faith. Scoring goals. Mocha lattes. We believe in good friends. The importance of family. Making everyone feel welcome. We believe in you.