RUTLAND -- Mount Saint Joseph Academy, with the approval of the

Rutland Catholic Schools Board, is proud to announce that it has

embarked on a commitment to a new diversity scholarship program. This

program intends to increase racial and ethnic diversity within the MSJ

community.

The program will be open to students from any geographic location who

are interested in any and all aspects of the MSJ experience and who

can provide racial or ethnic diversity to the school.  The program

will aim to provide financial assistance to an equal number of new

male and female students.

Since its founding, MSJ has always provided a rich and dynamic

educational experience to those who desire it.  Throughout its

history, MSJ has opened its doors to students from local communities,

as well as international students.  In addition, for a period of time,

a number of MSJ students came from out-of-state and boarded on Convent

Avenue.  In recent years, MSJ has welcomed out-of-state students from

New York, Massachusetts, and Minnesota and, following the 2010

earthquake in Haiti, two displaced students from that country were

welcomed into the MSJ community.

MSJ has always reached out to those most in need by providing the

economically challenged with an opportunity to receive the best

education possible.  Two donors have stepped forward and challenged

the community to raise funds to support the MSJ diversity scholarship

program.  The donors are willing to match, dollar for dollar, any

donation to the program of $1,000 or more.  These donors have

committed to match a total of $25,000.  For more information about the

diversity program, please contact the MSJ Development Office at

development@msjvermont.org.

Mount Saint Joseph Academy is a college preparatory Catholic high

school located at 127 Convent Ave., Rutland, Vermont, specializing in

educating the mind and spirit for more than a century. MSJ's tradition

of academic excellence in the Rutland region dates back to its

founding by the Sisters of Saint Joseph in 1882.  For more

information, visit www.msjvermont.org

or call (802) 775-0151.