Mount Sion Cbs
Waterford City, Waterford
Key facts
- DEIS
- Boys
- Pupils enrolled
- 494 smaller than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 64930I the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Mount Sion C.B.S. is a secondary school for boys that forms part of the Edmund Rice Schools Trust network. Situated on a historic site in Waterford, the college has been delivering a Catholic‑based education for over two centuries, emphasising compassion, inclusivity and the holistic development of each learner. The school’s ethos centres on caring for the needs of all students, fostering high academic standards while providing robust pastoral support throughout the six‑year programme. The curriculum is complemented by a wide range of extra‑curricular activities, encouraging pupils to explore sports, music, debating and community service. Recent investment in a new school project, currently in the architectural planning phase, demonstrates a commitment to modern, purpose‑built facilities that will enhance learning environments and accommodate future growth. The college also benefits from strong links with the wider Waterford community and the Edmund Rice educational tradition, promoting values of justice, charity and lifelong learning.
History
Mount Sion C.B.S. traces its origins to the charitable work of Blessed Edmund Rice, who arrived in Waterford in 1779. At the age of forty, Rice sold his business interests and opened a school for poor boys in a stable on New Street, later establishing a permanent monastery and school at Ballybricken. This pioneering institution became the first Edmund Rice school in the world and has continued to provide education to boys from the local area for more than two hundred years. The school’s history is closely linked with Rice’s commitment to justice, compassion and the education of disadvantaged youth, a legacy that remains central to its mission today.
Applying to Mount Sion Cbs
For a September 2027 place, a school's formal admissions process cannot begin before 1 October 2026. The school sets its own opening and closing dates in its annual admission notice.
National term dates 2026/27
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide post-primary school dates apply broadly to Mount Sion Cbs. Individual schools set their own discretionary closure days, confirm exact dates with the school.
- October Mid-Term Break: Mon 26 Oct – Fri 30 Oct 2026
- Christmas Holidays: Wed 23 Dec 2026 – Tue 5 Jan 2027
- February Mid-Term Break: Mon 15 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027 (primary schools: Thu 18 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027)
- Easter Holidays: Mon 22 Mar – Sun 4 Apr 2027
Primary schools close for the last two days of the February mid-term week and may use discretionary days to take the full week, so their break can be shorter than post-primary schools'.
Frequently asked questions about Mount Sion Cbs
How many pupils attend Mount Sion Cbs?
Mount Sion Cbs has 494 pupils enrolled. That makes it smaller than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Mount Sion Cbs a DEIS school?
Yes. Mount Sion Cbs is part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme called Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools. DEIS schools serve communities at risk of educational disadvantage and receive additional supports, which can include smaller classes, extra teaching posts and funding for books and meals.
What is the ethos of Mount Sion Cbs?
Mount Sion Cbs has a Catholic ethos. It is a boys' post-primary school.