Student Life

McDonogh School prioritizes student health and wellness with dedicated care from our team of Registered Nurses in the Infirmary. Our nurses deliver expert first-aid treatment, manage student health needs, and ensure safe medication administration. The Infirmary is located on the lower level of the Edward St. John Student Center and is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on school days. The Health Team can be reached at 443-544-7015 or infirmary@mcdonogh.org.

McDonogh's athletic trainers are committed to providing student-athletes with the highest quality health care. Knowing that each injury is different, our athletic trainers focus on the individual and their needs, developing a path back onto the field that seeks to prevent re-injury.

In addition to the athletic trainers on staff, the team physician, and the associate team physician, McDonogh also has a relationship with the University of Maryland's Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship program. A Fellow from the program comes once a week to meet with students and work with our Athletic Trainers.

McDonogh’s partner Sage Dining Services is committed to providing students with nutritious meals that support their health, well-being, and individual dietary needs. Sage’s culinary team prepares delicious, balanced meals from scratch each day, using fresh, seasonal ingredients—many sourced locally and from our very own Roots Farm. Parents and students can view the planned daily menus online at any time. A Freestyle station offers wholesome, allergen-free options free of the top 12 allergens, with clear ingredient information available online and through the Touch of SAGE Mobile App. Interactive dining experiences and wellness-focused events also help students build healthy eating habits.

At McDonogh, we have both physical and personnel resources to secure the campus. 

• Our campus is staffed 24/7 by armed security officers—many of whom are off-duty police officers—who patrol the campus on foot and in vehicles to ensure they can respond quickly at a moment’s notice.
• Classroom buildings are locked throughout the school day, and ID card access control is used by students and adults to gain entry. Major entrances have video intercoms to permit staff to question guests about the reason for their visit before granting access.
• Gates are installed at all three campus entrances, and two entrances remain closed throughout the day, ensuring that traffic enters and exits campus via Lamborn Road.
• More than 170 security cameras cover the campus, including in every academic and dormitory building, and more are added every year.
• We utilize a series of communication channels, including a centralized security hotline and other technologies, to ensure quick coordination between security personnel and school administrators. In the event of a threat to our campus, the School has a system of sirens, intercoms, public address speakers, text messages, emails, and display screens to quickly convey information, including lockdowns and weather alerts.

The School has policies prohibiting misconduct of any kind. We are committed to having well-defined measures in place that enable each student entrusted to our care to learn and grow in a safe and healthy environment. 

The following policies and procedures, which are reviewed and enhanced regularly, are currently in place to safeguard our students:

• Employee Due Diligence: McDonogh employees are vetted thoroughly during the hiring process, which includes a comprehensive assessment of state and federal criminal records through fingerprinting as well as an examination of the National Sexual Offender Registry. In addition to requesting written references, the School speaks directly with references.
• Policies: McDonogh has policies that outline the School’s expectations of its faculty, staff, and students. These policies include prohibitions on harassment, expectations for appropriate interactions between faculty/staff and students, and clear statements articulating that both the School and its employees are mandatory reporters under Maryland state law. The goal of these policies is to ensure that relationships between faculty, staff, and students are appropriate and contribute to each student’s overall health and well-being.
• Faculty and Staff Training: McDonogh conducts regular training on its policies and procedures concerning appropriate interactions with students, warning signs of abuse, and mandatory reporting. Additionally, all employees and adult campus residents are required to complete mandated reporting and sexual harassment training through the Center for Hope.
• Student Awareness and Support: McDonogh provides students with developmentally-appropriate educational guidance on issues relating to health and safety through the PK-12 curriculum. McDonogh’s Harassment Policy is included in each division’s student handbook and specifies to parents and students the resources available to them regarding any complaints about inappropriate conduct. Our licensed school counselors are directly involved in these efforts and are always available to students, employees, and parents who may have questions or concerns.
• Governance and Risk Assessment: McDonogh periodically reviews and strengthens its Enterprise Risk Management Program, which encompasses performing regular risk assessments and partnering with experienced experts in the areas of institutional governance and student safety, including sexual abuse. The School also has a Risk Oversight Committee of the Board of Trustees charged with monitoring the Enterprise Risk Management Program.
• External Safety and Support Partners: Center for Hope and Learning Courage.