AHA Fact Book 23-24

We L come to Ho L y a nge L s!

Our vibrant educational community was established in 1879 by the School Sisters of Notre Dame. Over time, the Academy has adapted to meet the needs of each generation, while remaining true to the SSND mission to guide each student to reach the fullness of her potential. Holy Angels is rooted in Catholic tradition, yet serves a diverse student body where all are welcome. Angels succeed in the classroom and beyond. Students explore new and uncharted educational opportunities, participate in clubs and activities, study abroad, and share their unique gifts with others. AHA fosters spiritual, intellectual, social, and physical growth by offering a first-rate education in a nurturing environment. Equal importance is placed on academic excellence, character, moral integrity, and service. We look forward to meeting you in person.

tH e aLL - gI r L a dvantage

AHA’s all-girl educational setting encourages exploration, innovation, and aspiration while promoting leadership and healthy competition. The Academy’s educators consider each student’s personality, interests, abilities, and learning styles.

AHA is a proud member of the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools (ICGS), an organization that serves pre-K–Grade 12 girls’ schools (independent, public, charter, and religiously affiliated) through advocacy, research, professional development, and networking.” (Source: icgs.org) The ICGS reports that 87% of students in all-girl schools feel supported by other students (compared with 73% of girls who attend coed schools). In addition, ICGS reports that 95% of students in all-girl schools feel supported by their teachers (compared with 84% of girls in a coed environment).

s tudents WH o attend g I r L s’ sc H oo L s:

• Express their ideas, and feel they are respected when they do.

• Interact with peer role models and women mentors, who allow them to see possibilities for themselves.

• Help close the gender gap in many careers, including STEM.

• Learn to lead – AHA graduates say they feel confident in their mostly-male college classes and careers.

a cadem I cs

AHA’S core curriculums are tailor made to foster a love of learning while empowering girls to find their voice and share their gifts and talents with others. Included in our rotational eight day schedule is community time, which allows students to balance academic pursuits with social and spiritual needs. Each day, students participate in one or more of the following: prayer service/Mass, club/activity meetings, extra help/office hours with teachers, wellness activities, and study hall/free time.

samp L e course o F stud I es , Grades 6-9

RelIGIOUS STUDI e S

e n G l IS h

S O c I al S TUDI e S

Ma T he M a TI c S

Sc I ence

W OR l D l an GU a G e

aRT /M USI c & cOM p UT e R a ppl I ca TIO n S

pe / h ealT h

Middle School provides young women in Grades 6, 7, and 8 with leadership opportunities that foster collaboration and personal growth. Students receive an individually designed educational program. They define themselves and their potential as they pursue familiar interests and explore new educational pathways.

s amp L e u pper

s c H oo L eL ect I ves

cre Ative writing

woM en o F FA it H

e t H ic A l iSSU e S in todAy’ S world

d igitA l d e S ign

Jo U rn A li SM

P H otogr APH y

PA inting

e nviron M entA l Science

PS yc H ology

H UMA nitie S AbroA d

world religion S

intern Ation A l S t U die S

Upper School students select classes from a wide variety of academic disciplines and electives to complement their personal interests and strengths.

Angels are encouraged to experience personal growth through academic challenges. AHA offers four academic levels, including College Preparatory, Honors, High Honors, and Advanced Placement.

s tudent L IF e

AwA rene SS dAy

Students engage in discussions and workshops that address contemporary topics ranging from personal health to global issues. Dynamic speakers from the local community, area service agencies, and environmental groups contribute to this important day.

b ig Si S ter / l ittle Si S ter Progr AM

Each new Angel is paired with a Big Sister who helps smooth her transition to AHA by guiding her through her first year. Homeroom meetings and Big/Little Sister events strengthen the bond of sisterhood.

Service dAy

Honoring AHA’s commitment to Catholic social teaching, the entire Holy Angels community (students, faculty, and staff) spends a day giving service at more than a dozen locations from food banks to toddler day care centers, nursing homes, and environmental centers.

i ntern Ation A l w eek

This annual celebration explores and celebrates diversity within the school community. Faculty, staff, and students and their families share various aspects of their cultures, including music, dance, recipes, and cultural garments.

g r A nd PA rent S ’ dAy

Held in tandem with the Easter Liturgy, Grandparents’ Day is a favorite Academy tradition. Students and their grandparents attend Mass, enjoy light refreshments, and spend part of the school day together.

From events that are steeped in tradition to clubs that represent our ever-changing world, life outside the classroom encourages inspiration, service, faith, and fun!

outs I de our H a LL s

Learning at AHA happens beyond classroom walls. Students are encouraged to participate in a variety of local, national, and international experiences and service missions that broaden their world view, test their language skills, and immerse them in architecture, art, music, and literature.

b order i MM igr Ation tri P

b e SP oke S t U dy A broA d At ox F ord Univer S ity Service to P U erto r ico

FI ne and per F orm I ng arts

The arts Program is founded on the belief that each student at the Academy has unlimited creative potential. All students are encouraged to explore and develop skills in a variety of artistic outlets including theater, fine art, vocal and instrumental music, and dance.

mI dd L e s c H oo L , J v , and v ars I ty d ance t eam

Our award-winning and nationally recognized dance team offers a comprehensive dance study in a variety of genres including ballet, contemporary, jazz, pom, and hip-hop. The Angels have won countless State Championships as well as consecutive National Titles at the Universal Dance Association High School National Championship in Orlando, Florida. The team has been recognized as a top all-around dance program in the country, exemplifying community service, outstanding academic achievement, and spirit raising activities.

tH e Ater Prod U ction S (MS/US)

voc A l cH oir S (MS/US)

i n S trUM entA l l e SS on S (MS/US)

J A zz e n S e M ble (US)

Ac A de M y o rc H e S tr A (US)

H A ndbell cH oir S (MS/US)

Fine Art S S H ow S (US)

*Upper School Accolades Include:

Sc H ol AS tic Art

A nd w riting AwA rd S

PAP er Mill

Pl Ay H o US e AwA rd S

Metro P olitA n Hig H

Sc H ool tH e Ater AwA rd S

m I dd L e sc H oo L

Students focus on learning physical skills and sportsmanship, and engage in team competitions. Our Middle School Athletic Coordinator oversees the implementation of our sports program and seeks athletic and league opportunities for our students based on shared interests.

u pper s c H oo L

Our athletic program encourages the development of the whole person. Caring coaches provide not only exceptional opportunities for student-athletes to experience the very best of interscholastic athletics, but also the tools they need to grow in spirit and in fitness. Competition is intense, and so is the desire for fair play and integrity with a strong commitment to uphold the ideals of sportsmanship and team work.

AHA’s athletic programs allow students at every level to develop essential skills in a wide range of sports as they build physical fitness, discover the value of healthy competition, and achieve success as individuals and team members.

FA ll

S occer ( v, J v )

volleyb A ll ( v, J v, MS)

c ro SS - c o U ntry ( v, Jv )

gy M n AS tic S ( v )

tenni S ( v, J v )

Fencing ( v, J v )

winter

bAS ketb A ll ( v, J v, MS)

b owling ( v, J v )

F encing ( v, J v )

indoor tr Ack ( v, J v )

SP ring

gol F ( v, J v )

l Acro SS e ( v )

o U tdoor

tr Ack ( v, J v, MS)

S o F tb A ll ( v )

Plus, cheer partnerships with Bergen Catholic and St. Joseph’s *Ask about our middle school spring sports clinics!

a dm I ss I ons process

t he Application Process

Students interested in applying to the middle school or upper school must follow the steps to begin the application process for their entering grade.

1 Create an account to access the Applicant Portal

2 Submit the AHA Admissions Application

3 Take the SSAT Entrance Exam

4 Upload Academic Records

Additional grade-specific steps will appear in the Applicant Portal Checklist after submitting the appropriate application. Applicants will not be reviewed until all steps in the online application process are complete. We do not accept email or hard copies of documents.

transfer Students

Applicants to Grades 7, 8, and 10 are routinely considered as long as there are seats available and a curriculum match. Students applying to Grades 11 or 12 may be considered on a case-by-case basis and only where there are genuine, extenuating circumstances.

i nternational Students

( n on-U.S. c itizen or n on-U.S. Permanent r esident)

In addition to the standard steps in the application process, all international applicants are required to submit English language proficiency test scores from the TOEFL Junior (Middle School) or TOEFL (Upper School).

FI nanc I a L F acts

Middle School, g rades 6-8

New Registration Fee: $500 (non-refundable)

Return Registration Fee: $250

Tuition: $9,750

Technology Fee: $500 (includes Chromebook lease for academic year)

Parent Association Fee: $50

Graduation Fee: $125 (Grade 8)

Upper School, g rades 9-12

New Registration Fee: $700 (non-refundable)

Return Registration Fee: $350

Tuition: $22,000

Technology Fee: $850 (does not include tablet purchase)

Parents’ Guild Fee: $50

Capital Maintenance Fee: $500

Graduation Fee: $300 (Seniors)

*All applications are $35.00

PLEASE NOTE: Holy Angels does not charge any pay to play fees to participate in athletics.

Financial Aid: A financial aid request form is available online at the time of application. Financial assistance is administered through FACTS Grant & Aid and the evaluation of the Academy’s Financial Aid Committee. Parents must reapply each year.

Technology Program

All students in Grades 6-8 lease a Chromebook and new students in Grades 9-12 purchase a tablet though AHA.

Scholarships, Awards & Discounts: Please visit www.holyangels.org for detailed information.

2023 - 2024

Upper School

September 1: Online Application Opens

o ctober 1: Open House

o ctober 6: Angel for the Day begins

o ctober 24: Information Session

n ovember 18: SSAT on campus

d ecember 15: Application Deadline

January 12: Decision Notification

February 10: Registration Deadline

Middle School

n ovember 28: Information Session

d ecember 1: Online Application Opens

January 28: Open House

February 9: SSAT on campus

March 1: Application Deadline

March 15: Decision Notification

April 10: Registration Deadline

Entrance ExamLearn more at www.ssat.org

academy campus

Tw O C HA p ELS I DEAL FO r S MALL G ATHE r I n GS

S T u DE n T C OMMO n S S TAFFED B y Our p r OFESSIO n AL C HEF

L EA rn I n G C OMMO n S (L IB r A ry) w ITH Cu TTI n G - EDGE rESEA r CH A SSISTA n CE

A LL -n E w D IGITAL D ESIG n M AC L AB & ArT S T u DIOS

Fu LL - SI z E Gy M & ATHLETIC C OM p LE x w ITH Tur F F IELD A n D ALL -w EATHE r T r AC k

S T u DE n T- MA n AGED Gr EE n HO u SE A n D G A r DE n

F I v E nE w Ly rES ur FACED T E nn IS C O urTS

u n A nu E D IGITAL wO r LD L A n G u AGE L AB

u p- TO - THE -M I nu TE ST r EAM & S CIE n CE L ABS

nE w STATE - OF - THE - A rT A u DITO r I u M

D EDICATED C HO r AL & Mu SIC rOOMS

oU r cAMPUS

The beauty and serenity of the Academy’s -acre campus in Demarest, NJ, contribute to its college-like atmosphere and support its educational mission. The Academy’s proximity to metropolitan New York provides convenient access to the many cultural and educational resources of the area. All of this and more add up to an experience that empowers young women to lead in academics, arts, athletics, spirituality, and service.

t r A n SP ortAtion

AHA has a student body of close to 600. Current students travel from over 1 towns in NJ (Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, and Passaic counties) and NY (Manhattan, Bronx, Orange and Rockland counties). The Academy's international students hail from China, Korea, Trinidad, the United Kingdom, and more.

First established in NYC prior to Fort Lee, the Academy takes great pride in its Manhattan roots. Just a 22-minute ride from the Upper West Side, AHA is easily accessible from the entire tri-state area.

All r oA d S l e A d to Holy Angel S …

Busing is available from most towns. AHA makes every effort to provide transportation for those students whose towns do not provide busing. Visit our website at holyangels. org/admissions/transportation for a full explanation of all important transportation details. For other questions, please contact AHA's Transportation Coordinator at 201.768.7822 x200.