Institute of Notre Dame Alumnae Association Provides Endowed Scholarships to Mount de Sales Academy and Mercy High School
The Institute of Notre Dame Alumnae Association (INDAA) is proud to announce the establishment of two endowed scholarships—at Mount de Sales Academy and Mercy High School —to support incoming students who have a family connection to the Institute of Notre Dame. This lasting investment honors the rich history, values, and sisterhood of IND while helping young women continue a tradition of an all-girls Catholic education rooted in faith, excellence, and service. The combined $50,000 investment will allow students with a familial relationship to an IND alumna to continue their education at two schools that share a deep connection to the IND community.
“Although IND closed its doors, the spirit and legacy of IND live on through its alumnae, IND’s Alumnae Association as a nonprofit, and through the many women whose lives were shaped by a rigorous, Catholic, college preparatory education,” said Debbie Henry, president of the INDAA and a member of IND’s Class of 1993. “These endowed funds are a meaningful way for us to provide immediate impact to students in our communities while also investing in the future, which is something very important to us. We are deeply grateful to Mercy High School and Mount de Sales Academy for helping us extend IND’s legacy to future generations.” For 173 years, the Institute of Notre Dame stood as a premier all-girls Catholic, college preparatory high school in Baltimore committed to developing women of discernment, active leadership, and lifelong learning. The historic campus notably remained a cultural anchor in Baltimore City until the school’s closure in June 2020.
“We are deeply grateful for the Institute of Notre Dame Alumnae Association’s generous gift and for its commitment to keeping the IND legacy alive,” said Mercy High School President Mary Beth Lennon, a member of Mercy’s Class of 1985. “This scholarship will provide meaningful support to students and families while honoring the longstanding relationship between Mercy and IND. We may have been rivals on the basketball court for 54 years, but we will always be partners in Catholic education.”
Principal Sister Ann Dominic, O.P. of Mount de Sales Academy added, “The alumnae of the Institute of Notre Dame are advancing the cause of Catholic education for young women and leaving a lasting legacy through the generosity of this endowment. This gift brings hope and is a testament to the strong sisterhood emblematic of the IND Alumnae. What a blessing to see them put faith in future female leaders.”
The Spirit of IND lives on through the students and families who carry its legacy forward. Admissions teams at Mercy High School and Mount de Sales Academy will work with students whose families are connected to IND beginning with the 2026-27 school year, with the plan to disperse funds in the 2027-28 school year. The endowed funds will provide scholarship support in perpetuity, subject to each school’s additional scholarship policies and criteria.
The Institute of Notre Dame Alumnae Association, Mercy High School, and Mount de Sales Academy are grateful to the many IND alumnae and friends whose generosity makes this investment possible. The INDAA and both schools view these scholarships not simply as financial assistance, but as a lasting tribute to the many generations of women who have received a rigorous Catholic, college preparatory education in Baltimore, and to the enduring bonds of sisterhood formed within our greater community.
About the Institute of Notre Dame Alumnae Association
The IND Alumnae Association is a non-profit organization comprising the graduates of the Institute of Notre Dame. With 8,000 alumnae strong, the organization seeks to preserve the 173-year legacy by fostering a strong sense of sisterhood, remaining committed to faith-based, holistic education and continuing our tradition of service to the community. While the school closed in June 2020, the Alumnae Association is committed to keeping the spirit of IND alive. Since the inception of the non-profit, the INDAA has generously supported schools and the Baltimore community in alignment with its mission. For more information, visit www.indalumnae.org.
About Mercy High School
Sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, Mercy High School is a private, Catholic, college preparatory school for girls in grades 9-12. An International Baccalaureate World School, Mercy provides its students with rigorous academics, enabling them to form habits of lifelong inquiry, critical thinking, and courageous action in a global society. This year, 445 girls will travel from 71 zip codes throughout Central Maryland and Southern Pennsylvania to take advantage of an excellent Mercy education. Founded in 1960, Mercy has more than 8,000 leaders in Maryland and beyond. For more information, visit www.mercyhighschool.com.
About Mount de Sales Academy
Since 1852, Mount de Sales Academy has been providing a Catholic, college preparatory education for high school girls. Administered by the Dominican Sisters of the Congregation of St. Cecilia of Nashville, Tennessee since 1985, Mount de Sales Academy is committed to educating young women in faith, truth, academic excellence, leadership, and service. Guided by the pillars of prayer, study, community, and ministry, Mount de Sales Academy prepares young women to lead lives of purpose, compassion, and service while empowering them to use their gifts in service to God and others. For more information, visit www.mountdesalesacademy.org.
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“Although IND closed its doors, the spirit and legacy of IND live on through its alumnae, IND’s Alumnae Association as a nonprofit, and through the many women whose lives were shaped by a rigorous, Catholic, college preparatory education,” said Debbie Henry, president of the INDAA and a member of IND’s Class of 1993. “These endowed funds are a meaningful way for us to provide immediate impact to students in our communities while also investing in the future, which is something very important to us. We are deeply grateful to Mercy High School and Mount de Sales Academy for helping us extend IND’s legacy to future generations.” For 173 years, the Institute of Notre Dame stood as a premier all-girls Catholic, college preparatory high school in Baltimore committed to developing women of discernment, active leadership, and lifelong learning. The historic campus notably remained a cultural anchor in Baltimore City until the school’s closure in June 2020.
“We are deeply grateful for the Institute of Notre Dame Alumnae Association’s generous gift and for its commitment to keeping the IND legacy alive,” said Mercy High School President Mary Beth Lennon, a member of Mercy’s Class of 1985. “This scholarship will provide meaningful support to students and families while honoring the longstanding relationship between Mercy and IND. We may have been rivals on the basketball court for 54 years, but we will always be partners in Catholic education.”
Principal Sister Ann Dominic, O.P. of Mount de Sales Academy added, “The alumnae of the Institute of Notre Dame are advancing the cause of Catholic education for young women and leaving a lasting legacy through the generosity of this endowment. This gift brings hope and is a testament to the strong sisterhood emblematic of the IND Alumnae. What a blessing to see them put faith in future female leaders.”
The Spirit of IND lives on through the students and families who carry its legacy forward. Admissions teams at Mercy High School and Mount de Sales Academy will work with students whose families are connected to IND beginning with the 2026-27 school year, with the plan to disperse funds in the 2027-28 school year. The endowed funds will provide scholarship support in perpetuity, subject to each school’s additional scholarship policies and criteria.
The Institute of Notre Dame Alumnae Association, Mercy High School, and Mount de Sales Academy are grateful to the many IND alumnae and friends whose generosity makes this investment possible. The INDAA and both schools view these scholarships not simply as financial assistance, but as a lasting tribute to the many generations of women who have received a rigorous Catholic, college preparatory education in Baltimore, and to the enduring bonds of sisterhood formed within our greater community.
About the Institute of Notre Dame Alumnae Association
The IND Alumnae Association is a non-profit organization comprising the graduates of the Institute of Notre Dame. With 8,000 alumnae strong, the organization seeks to preserve the 173-year legacy by fostering a strong sense of sisterhood, remaining committed to faith-based, holistic education and continuing our tradition of service to the community. While the school closed in June 2020, the Alumnae Association is committed to keeping the spirit of IND alive. Since the inception of the non-profit, the INDAA has generously supported schools and the Baltimore community in alignment with its mission. For more information, visit www.indalumnae.org.
About Mercy High School
Sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, Mercy High School is a private, Catholic, college preparatory school for girls in grades 9-12. An International Baccalaureate World School, Mercy provides its students with rigorous academics, enabling them to form habits of lifelong inquiry, critical thinking, and courageous action in a global society. This year, 445 girls will travel from 71 zip codes throughout Central Maryland and Southern Pennsylvania to take advantage of an excellent Mercy education. Founded in 1960, Mercy has more than 8,000 leaders in Maryland and beyond. For more information, visit www.mercyhighschool.com.
About Mount de Sales Academy
Since 1852, Mount de Sales Academy has been providing a Catholic, college preparatory education for high school girls. Administered by the Dominican Sisters of the Congregation of St. Cecilia of Nashville, Tennessee since 1985, Mount de Sales Academy is committed to educating young women in faith, truth, academic excellence, leadership, and service. Guided by the pillars of prayer, study, community, and ministry, Mount de Sales Academy prepares young women to lead lives of purpose, compassion, and service while empowering them to use their gifts in service to God and others. For more information, visit www.mountdesalesacademy.org.
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