About
Founded in 1858, Mount Saint Joseph Academy is a Catholic college preparatory school for girls that inspires its students to dream big and journey deep.
Choosing the Mount means opportunities that empower students to lead and serve with compassion. Supported by a solid academic, social and spiritual foundation, young women at the Mount have powerful voices, clarity of mind, confidence and a commitment to the serve. A personalized and dynamic curriculum allows our students to engage in collaborative STEM learning, enroll in “Women as Founders”—a course that allows students to educate and advocate for social change—compete on the athletic field and much more. At the Mount you can find your sisters and find yourself.
Our Philosophy
The philosophy of Mount Saint Joseph Academy reflects the mission, charism, and tradition of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, empowering students to be agents of unity and reconciliation in the world. Although the philosophy is rooted in the past, the members of the school community remain mindful that they live in the present with minds and hearts set toward the future. Mount Saint Joseph Academy endeavors to create a climate in which all can more easily discern truth, love goodness, seek justice, follow right reason, and pursue a sustainable future which reverences God and all creation. Students are called to be "the more," to be agents of transformation and to be "founders" in a world broken and longing for unity and reconciliation. The philosophy advances holistic development with an emphasis on global justice and responsibility in an atmosphere that fosters excellence tempered by gentleness and compassion. Mount Saint Joseph Academy remains faithful to "educating founders" and to the belief that "on the education of women largely depends the future of society."
Our Core Beliefs
- Single-sex learning environments cultivate strong women leaders, independent in mind and spirit, socially responsible, and intellectually and personally courageous
- This school community, impelled by Christian values, emboldens young women with compassion, confidence, and competence to found a future committed to justice and peace
- Nurturance of a mature prayer life and faith spiritually energizes and enriches the entire community
- Gospel values inform the development of individual consciences and strengthen moral and ethical life decisions
- Education demands the stimulation of intellectual curiosity and creative problem-solving and the call to global engagement
- The desire to respond actively to the needs of the “the dear neighbor” (Sisters of Saint Joseph Documents) empowers each student to assume her responsibilities as a citizen of a global community
- Comprehensive, challenging curricula enable each student to realize her fullest potential
- Innovative, technologically-rich, as well as traditional instructional strategies maximize the potential academic growth of each student
- Gentleness with self and others tempers the drive for excellence.
"The Mount and its mission have wonderfully contributed to my success in becoming a well-rounded student, founder, and young woman. By challenging me in all areas of academics and extracurriculars, the Mount continually motivates me to reach my highest potential.." - Karli Cottom '23
Visit the Mount
Located just outside the Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia in Montgomery County, PA, MSJA is the second top-ranked school for girls in the state.
We welcome students coming from Montgomery County, Bucks County, Delaware County, Philadelphia, and beyond! In order to fully experience all that the Mount has to offer, we strongly suggest a visit our beautiful campus, where you'll meet our exceptional students and educators.
Visit our admissions page for more information!
Mount Saint Joseph Academy is dual-accredited by the Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools (PAIS) and the Middle States Association and was named a U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School.