Ignatian Scholars

The Ignatian Scholars program recognizes Loyola’s top admissions candidates for their academic achievement and ability to succeed in our most challenging and accelerated courses. Further, it identifies those who will be leaders among their class and within the Loyola community.

Ignatian Scholars will encounter a wide variety of honors and AP level courses during their time at Loyola without a prescribed course of study, allowing choice and resulting in a transcript that the top colleges and universities in the nation covet. Ignatian Scholars embrace all aspects of our mission and embody the hallmarks of a Jesuit education.

SAT Performance

The average SAT score over the past three years for an Ignatian Scholar is 1430. The national average score is 1060. Ignatian Scholars score among the top percent in the nation.

AP & Honors COurses

Ignatian Scholars enroll in an average of 9 AP courses and 10 honors courses over their four years at Loyola. Ignatian Scholars regularly outperform their peers on AP testing, one of the many reasons why Loyola students achieve a score of 3 or more at a significantly higher rate than the Maryland and global averages.

College Acceptance

Ignatian Scholars are recruited by many of the nation’s most prestigious colleges and universities. Over the past three years, our scholars have committed to:

Boston College Clemson University College of William & Mary Duke University Georgetown University Harvard University Johns Hopkins University Loyola University, MD Reed College Rensselaer Polytech Institute Swarthmore College University of Miami	University of Miami University of Michigan University of Minnesota University of Notre Dame University of Pennsylvania University of Virginia UMD Baltimore County UMD College Park US Air Force Academy US Naval Academy Villanova University Williams College

FAQ's

List of 4 frequently asked questions.

How are candidates identified and selected?

Candidates are identified through the High School Placement Test (HSPT) and after an evaluation of their academic record, teacher recommendations, etc. Ignatian Scholar candidates also take part in an interview process in February.
Do Ignatian Scholars receive scholarship awards?

Yes. In our efforts to recruit and retain students who achieve at the highest level, Ignatian Scholar finalists received a merit scholarship award that recognizes their accomplishments, and potential to excel at Loyola.

Students receiving Ignatian Merit Scholarships must maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
Are Ignatian Scholars limited to courses within a defined honors track?

No. Students have access to an accelerated, honors-level curriculum, but do not exclusively enroll in courses that exist within a separate track. We firmly believe that all students benefit from exposure to a diverse set of electives, and that they develop stronger relationships with their peers by avoiding a "school within a school" approach.
What resources are available to Ignatian Scholars?

We are committed to providing the appropriate level of rigor and support necessary for every student to reach his full potential. In addition to resources at the academic department level, we offer support that addresses specific disciplines/topics, as well as strategies to maximize performance on standardized testing including AP exams, ACT, and SAT.

Under the guidance of the Assistant Principal for Academics, Ignatian Scholars are assigned a faculty mentor that serves as a direct resource to navigate their course selections, prepare for the transition to college, and gain access to resources necessary to support both his intellectual ambitions, and pursuit of co-curricular experiences.

Our College Counseling Department also provides specific guidance to assist students in navigating the college search, application, and matriculation process.