FAQs

You Have Questions. We Have Answers.

We have compiled a list of some of the most frequently asked questions from prospective families throughout the admissions process and provided answers to them below. If you have a question that isn't covered on this page, please feel free to contact our Admissions Office at (443) 841-3684.

General Questions

List of 3 frequently asked questions.

What distinguishes Loyola from other schools in the area?

For more than 175 years, Loyola Blakefield has formed young men in the Catholic, Jesuit tradition of education. Here, students are known and challenged as individuals while developing intellectually, spiritually, and personally. Guided by our mission to form men for others, Loyola prepares students not only for the rigors of college, but for lives of purpose, faith, leadership, and service to others.
How does Loyola develop boys spiritually?

Through daily theology classes, annual retreats, and regular opportunities to perform service in the community, Loyola students have the opportunity to nourish their spiritual side—one present in all young men. Centuries ago, the Jesuits realized that, in order to teach, they first needed to learn the language of those whom they meant to instruct. In the same way, conversations about faith and spirituality and the tenets underlying them—tenets like integrity, honesty, and faith—are the means by which experienced instructors translate theology for our young men. Throughout their years at Loyola, students are continuously challenged to discuss, explore, reflect, and express their individual core beliefs. By graduation, students will have developed a bedrock understanding of their own creed upon which they can build the remainder of their lives and through which they can, in the words of St. Ignatius, "Go forth, and set the world on fire."
How do you incorporate technology into the classroom?

Loyola Blakefield is a 1:1 campus, providing each student with a tablet PC starting in the 6th grade. Each faculty member is also equipped with a tablet PC, which connects seamlessly to the wireless projectors and sound systems within our state-of-the-art classrooms. Our teachers implement their tablet PCs into their classroom instruction, professional development, and professional and personal productivity. As a part of 21st century education, our teachers create rigorous, technology-enhanced lessons with cutting-edge web tools, websites, software, and resources that complement how and what our students learn.

Our campus also houses a Digital Media Lab with iMacs and top-of-the-line photography, graphic design, and video production software, as well as a makerspace in our Engineering Lab equipped with various tools including woodworking saws and 3D printers.

Students are always able to connect and utilize available technology and equipment before, during, and after the school day.

Middle School

List of 4 frequently asked questions.

Is there a dress code?

Middle School students have the option to wear a Loyola-issued polo shirt in place of dress shirt, tie, and sport coat. The shirts are available for purchase at our School Store.
How will Loyola help my son adjust to a new school?

Starting at a new school is a big transition, and at Loyola, we work to ensure every student feels known, supported, and part of our community. While Loyola offers the opportunities and resources of a larger school, our Catholic, Jesuit approach to education emphasizes care for the individual.

Students are encouraged to find their place at their own pace—academically, socially, and personally—while being supported by teachers, advisors, counselors, coaches, and classmates along the way. From the moment they arrive, our goal is to help each young man feel at home and discover the many opportunities available to him as a member of the Loyola community.
Do you provide after-school care?

Our school policy restricts all middle school students from remaining on campus after 4:30 p.m. unless they are attending an after-school activity, or accompanied by a parent.

Students in grades 6 and 7 are allowed to stay after school in our Learning Commons with fellow students until they are picked up. All students must be picked up by 4:30.

If you have any questions regarding this after-school policy, please feel free to contact Mrs. Kelly Williams.
In what kinds of activities can my son participate after school?

Because Loyola seeks to form the whole man, students are led to recognize the contributions and talents of each member of the community. Students are encouraged to become involved in one of our many extracurricular activities including athletics, visual and performing arts, speech and debate, intramurals, and robotics.

Students can find a variety of options to satisfy their own interests through presentations from club moderators and leaders as well as our annual Student Activities Fair held early each school year.

Upper School

List of 5 frequently asked questions.

Is there a dress code?

Upper School students are required to wear a button down shirt, tie, belt, dress pants, and dress shoes. Sportscoats are only required from October-April.”
What is the average class size?

Class sizes may vary from 10 to 24 depending on the course and student needs. However, Loyola deliberately forms smaller class sections in those disciplines in which collaboration is most essential. For example, some freshmen English classes, in which the craft of quality written expression begins, may be as small as 10 students per class. By contrast, in those classes where a variety of opinions expressed leads to greater appreciation and learning of the subject matter, such as history or religion, larger classes are formed.
How well prepared are the boys for college?

Our college counseling department helps each student find a school that best fits his needs. Administrators and professors at many colleges and universities tell us that they know almost immediately when they have encountered a Loyola Don, both by his respectful manner and by his academic prowess. Most especially, they recognize Loyola graduates by their writing proficiency. Alumni describe their freshman experience at some of the best universities as “easier than they expected” and that they felt no intimidation by the rigor or expectations. Though many are drawn to continue their Jesuit experience at the university level, recent graduates are attending Princeton, Harvard, Yale, Duke, Dartmouth, Virginia, Penn, Hopkins, Notre Dame, and many more.
How do the boys new to the school mix with those rising from the middle school?

Creating a unified freshman class begins before the first day of academic classes. For those interested in participating in team sports, fall tryouts begin each year in August. There, students have the chance not only to make new acquaintances and friendships, but also to share in the achievement of a common goal.

The entire freshman class becomes better acquainted during Orientation, which occurs one week prior to the start of school. Each day, students are re-grouped and then participate in shared activities like study skills classes, social service work, and team building at a challenge course. As the school year begins, there are several grade-specific events and community homerooms that continue to help promote unity.
What's a typical freshman schedule?

All students through 11th grade complete courses in each of the six core curricular areas: math, English, history, science, foreign and classical languages, and theology. As such, most freshmen enroll in Algebra I, English I, World History, Biology, Ignatian Theology, and a foreign language. In addition to these, freshmen complete courses in physical education, studio or performing arts, and computer science.