Since 1909, Leonard Hall Junior Naval Academy has provided the tri-county area with graduates who have gone on to become leaders in the military, business, and the community.

The Xaverian Brothers opened the doors of Leonard Hall to parochial students on September 19, 1909.  The school was established on the Loker Estate that had been purchased by the Jesuit Fathers.  The Brothers purchased the building and grounds in December, 1910.  Leonard Hall, named in honor of Leonard Calvert, became the first Catholic school for boys in the original Calvert proprietary.

Leonard Hall was primarily an agricultural school at first.  However, since there were too few local students, resident students from other counties were accepted, and a liberal arts course was introduced.  The agricultural course was dropped in 1928, and all students took a college preparatory curriculum.

When a fire destroyed the original school building in 1920, a large main building was erected.  This three-story edifice contained offices, student clubs, and dormitory accommodations. 

Dark days fell upon the school during the Depression.  Leonard Hall fought for its existence.  The school dropped the college preparatory courses and initiated an elementary school curriculum in 1932.  The military program was adopted in 1941, and Leonard Hall became a Junior Naval School.

Little by little the small school grew and flourished.  In 1960, a new drill hall was constructed.  Seven years later the new school building was built (it is the current Leonard Hall Junior Naval Academy).  There were over 200 students enrolled in 1968 – all but 40 were boarding students.

The next several years saw a rapid decline in the enrollment of resident students as well as a steady increase in the costs of operating a boarding school.  As a result, the Xaverians closed Leonard Hall School in June, 1972.  With that announcement, a group of day students’ parents met to discuss ways to continue Leonard Hall.  These parents formed a corporation, Leonard Hall Junior Naval Academy, Inc., and leased the school buildings and property from the Xaverian brothers.  Leonard Hall opened as a day school in September, 1972, with an enrollment of 80 students from throughout the tri-county area. 

The following year, the Xaverian Brothers sold the school property to St. Mary’s County.  A new lease was agreed upon between Leonard Hall’s Board of Trustees and the county government, which allowed Leonard Hall Junior Naval Academy to remain open – and that agreement continues to this date.

 Today, Leonard Hall Junior Naval Academy is flourishing.  With a non-denominational Christian, co-educational, military, college-prep program and an enrollment of 120 students in grades 6 through 12 (with a waiting list in some grades), the school continues to provide a focused and disciplined environment.  Still serving the tri-county area, Leonard Hall proudly maintains high academic standards and instills the discipline, respect for authority, self-confidence, and leadership which the Xaverian Brothers initiated nearly 100 years ago.