• From what schools does MUS enroll the largest number of students?

• Does MUS accept international students?

• What is the dress code for students?
• What types of support services, academic and otherwise, are in place for students?
• What is the cost of tuition, and how many students receive financial aid?
• What colleges do MUS graduates attend?
• How racially and religiously diverse is the student body?
• How many students are involved in athletics?
• How does MUS create awareness among its students about the danger of drug and alcohol use?
• How is technology used with teaching, and do you require students to purchase laptops?
• Does being a legacy factor into the application process?

Q: From what schools does MUS enroll the largest number of students?

A:  Students entering our seventh grade in the fall of 2008 represent 21 public, private, and home schools. The top five schools with the highest percentage of their alumni in our seventh grade are Presbyterian Day School, Christ Methodist Day School, and three area, co-ed independent schools. Schools with the highest percentage of their alumni entering our ninth grade are Grace-St. Luke's, Woodland, and Houston Middle School. Students from Grahamwood and Cordova Middle have also traditionally attended MUS in significant numbers.

Q: Does MUS accept international students?

A: MUS enrolls a small number of international students who meet certain criteria. Read more about our polices regarding international students.

Q: What is the dress code for students?

A: Our students don't wear uniforms, but they are expected to be presentable and appropriately dressed throughout the school day. This means that dress slacks with a belt or suspenders are required, shoes must be in good repair (no athletic shoes or sandals), socks must be worn that completely cover the ankle bone, and collared shirts are required with tucked in shirttails at all times. Students are required to wear a sport coat, dress shirt, and tie on Fridays. Hair must be neatly and appropriately groomed so that it stays out of the eyes, above the mid-point of the ear, and above the collar in the back. Sideburns may not extend below the earlobe. No facial hair is allowed.

Q: What types of support services, academic and otherwise, are in place for students?

A: Faculty pride themselves on the individual attention given to students in the classroom. They also have three periods free from teaching during the day if students want to arrange individual appointments.  Upper School student volunteers are also available to assist students in lower grades. Additionally, MUS possesses an outstanding, proactive counseling department where students can find experienced counselors to address academic and emotional concerns. Specific programs include academic monitoring by counselors, faculty advising, and student mentoring.

Q: What is the cost of tuition, and how many students receive financial aid?

A: Annual tuition for every grade is $15,250 for the 2008-09 academic year. Fees, books, and optional insurance plans are not included in tuition. Tuition covers only 73% of the school's operating costs, with the balance being met by gifts from individuals, businesses, foundations, and endowments. This equates to a 27 percent tuition subsidy for all students attending MUS. Approximately 26 percent of the student body receives some need-based financial assistance, totaling about $1.5 million. All financial aid at MUS is need-based as evaluated by the School and Student Service for Financial Aid in Princeton, New Jersey.

Q: What colleges do MUS graduates attend?

A: Over the past five years, our graduates have attended 116 different institutions in 34 states plus the District of Columbia and Scotland. For example, seniors in the Class of 2008 were accepted to Ivy League colleges such as Yale and Princeton, military academies such as the U.S. Naval Academy, and state universities such as the University of Texas and the University of Michigan. A full-time director and an assistant director of College Guidance assist students in the college application process with a 100% acceptance rate. The Class of 2008 was offered more than $9.6 million in scholarships based on academics, athletics, or leadership. This amount does not include any need-based financial aid. 

Q: How racially and religiously diverse is the student body?

A: Comparable to most independent schools in the region, our student body is very diverse. For the 2008-09 school year, approximately 18 percent of the student body was identified as a racial minority, and 10 percent identified themselves as a non-Christian, religious minority.

Q: How many students are involved in athletics?

A: A high percentage (more than 70 percent) of students participate on an athletic team as either an athlete or manager, and there is a physical education requirement for all students. For many athletic teams there is a no-cut policy, meaning students who tryout for certain sports are not eliminated. Unlike some independent schools, there is no requirement to join an athletic team.

Q: How does MUS create awareness among its students about the danger of drug and alcohol use?

A: We take educating our students on the dangers of illegal substances very seriously. We provide student programs appropriate for each grade level focusing on refusal skills and responsible decision-making. These programs include Freedom from Chemical Dependency (FCD) and Alive at 25. We also offer mentoring between Upper School leaders and eighth-graders. Our student-led organizations such as Heartbeat (for Upper School) and Drug Free Club (for Lower School) promote a lifestyle for students free of drug and alcohol use. Since research indicates that parents have the greatest influence on a boy's decision regarding drug and alcohol use, we distribute the Community of Concern booklet to educate all our parents. In conjunction with the Parents' Association, we promote the Safe Home Program to encourage communication between parents in providing a substance-free environment. Our goal at MUS is to change the societal culture that accepts drug use and underage drinking, but we cannot do it without the leadership and involvement of parents. 

Q: How is technology used with teaching, and do you require students to purchase laptops?

A: At MUS, instruction and use of technology is integrated with academic learning and practically applied. Computers are readily accessible to students through multiple labs, kiosks, and laptops in our Lower School, Upper School, and Library. Additionally, a large selection of digital equipment is available for student use in our Recording Studio and Chapel. If students prefer to bring their own laptops from home we will connect them to our wireless Internet system, yet we do not require families to go to the expense of purchasing a laptop.

Q: Does being a legacy factor into the application process?

A: An applicant's legacy status is considered and may factor into the Admission Committee's decision.  Sons, grandsons, brothers, and nephews of alumni, and brothers of current students are considered legacies.  Regardless of legacy status, all applicants must be deemed academically capable of handling coursework at MUS before being admitted.