find YOURSELF
here
prove Y O U R S E L F
Fulfill your true P O T E N T I A L . Learn to handle social, spiritual, and intellectual C H A L L E N G E S with G R A C E and SELF-CONFIDENCE.
Show the world, and
those who love you, W H AT Y O U C A N D O – at The Academy of the Holy Cross. As a Catholic school founded by the Sisters
Beyond the classroom, Holy Cross girls are
of the Holy Cross, we have educated young
encouraged to grow and excel in many ways.
women of courage, compassion, and scholarship
You can develop your physical strength and
since 1868. You can count on our caring teachers
competitive spirit through our outstanding
to help you succeed and shine academically,
sports program. Christian Service projects will
and you can take your scholarship to new
show you the power you have to make a difference,
levels by participating in honors courses,
and our Campus Ministry program will support
Advanced Placement courses, the Madeleva
you in expressing and deepening your faith. In
Scholars program, and the International
all these ways, and many more, we are here to
Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme.
help you do your very best, in school and in life.
T HE A CA DE MY O F THE HO L Y CR O SS
push Y O U R S E L F
IMAGINE
how much you could
achieve as a Holy Cross girl – in your FAV O R I T E C L A S S E S
and A C T I V I T I E S ,
as well as your T O U G H E S T S U B J E C T S and N E W E N D E AV O R S . At Holy Cross, you will be part of a caring,
you on and encouraging you to reach new
supportive community that helps girls
heights. It takes courage and confidence
stay focused and motivated. Your teachers,
to embrace challenges and try new things.
counselors, and coaches will always be
But as you push yourself to grow and learn
there for you, giving you the guidance and
to step outside your comfort zone, you won’t
personal attention you need to succeed.
be alone. You will be surrounded by people
Your classmates will be there, too, cheering
who believe in you.
— 2 —
ANNIE / class of ’15
My teachers support me, challenge me to my highest limits, and make sure that I master difficult material. HOLY CROSS HELPS ME BELIEVE IN MYSELF.
Did You Know? IN 2017, HOLY CROSS WILL CELEBRATE ITS
150th ANNIVERSARY!
— 4 —
T HE A CA DE MY O F THE HO L Y CR O SS
RAFIAT / class of ’13
I knew I was smart and a pretty good singer. Now I’m also an actress, dancer, basketball champion, archery lover, and student leader. I CAN TRY ANYTHING I WANT TO TRY.
surprise Y O U R S E L F
Think of yourself as a jewel, with many FA C E T S that can catch the light. What are your H I D D E N TA L E N T S ? Are you ready to discover N E W A B I L I T I E S and S H I N E in unexpected ways? We know you are eager to pursue the subjects
sports. You can also pursue new hobbies
and activities where you already excel, and
and interests in more than two-dozen
we’re here to help you do that. But high
student clubs, ranging from archery to
school is also a time to expand your horizons.
filmmaking. Maybe you’re a math whiz
Start with your faith. As a Catholic school,
with an undiscovered gift for poetry.
Holy Cross is a place where you can grow in
Maybe your confidence on the court would
your faith and practice Christian leadership,
serve you well on the stage. Maybe you’re
including opportunities to read at Mass and
the quiet type but will find your voice by
train to be a Eucharistic Minister. When it
serving on the Student Council. You probably
comes to sports, Holy Cross offers something
have more abilities than you realize.
for everyone: we field 26 teams in 17 different
Why not try something new?
T HE A CA DE MY O F THE HO L Y CR O SS
— 8 —
Did You Know? EVERY HOLY CROSS GIRL COMPLETES A
60 HOUR
senior project TO EXPLORE A CAREER THAT INTERESTS HER
T HE A CA DE MY O F THE HO L Y CR O SS
know Y O U R S E L F
SELF-KNOWLEDGE
and S E L F - C O N F I D E N C E
go hand in hand. At Holy Cross, you will have many O P P O R T U N I T I E S to gain a deeper sense of your STRENGTHS,
your S P I R I T U A L I T Y, and
your P U R P O S E in the world. Part of knowing yourself is appreciating and
annual retreats, culminating in a four-day
cultivating your academic talents, as well
senior Kairos retreat. At each grade level,
as learning how to succeed in those subjects
you will cultivate your capacity for compassion
that don’t come as easily. But self-knowledge
through regular Christian Service. Reaching
reaches beyond the classroom to your role
out to people in need will expand your horizons
in the community. As a Holy Cross girl, you
and show you the difference you can make in
will strengthen the bonds you feel with your
your community. As you learn more about the
classmates and deepen your faith during
world, you will learn more about yourself.
— 10 —
TAYLOR / class of ’13
Holy Cross has taught me that serving others is a way of life, not just an academic requirement. I HAVE A PASSION FOR SERVICE. T HE A CA DE MY O F THE HO L Y CR O SS
— 12 —
Did You Know? THE STATUE OF THE BLESSED MOTHER WAS FIRST PLACED AT HOLY CROSS IN
1924 WHEN OUR CAMPUS WAS LOCATED ON UPTON STREET
T HE A CA DE MY O F THE HO L Y CR O SS
MARIBETH / class of ’14
When I first walked into Holy Cross, it felt like I was at home. In every class and activity, I am supported and respected. I LOVE FEELING CONFIDENT AND HAPPY.
enjoy Y O U R S E L F
Be part of wonderful T R A D I T I O N S , and create some new ones of your own. Your high school years should be full of SMILES
and L A U G H T E R , in a school where
you can make lasting M E M O R I E S and lifelong F R I E N D S . Our students take their studies seriously,
sometimes means feeling happy in a
but the school year is full of fun, too. From
quiet way. Every day at Holy Cross offers
traditions like Holy Cross Day, to coming
opportunities for simple joys and positive
together to cheer for our many sports teams,
energy, from giggling with good friends in
our girls are known for their incredible school
the courtyard, to reaching out to someone
spirit. Enjoying yourself sometimes means
in need, to quiet moments of prayer and
jumping up and down (Go Tartans!) – and
contemplation in the chapel.
T HE A CA DE MY O F THE HO L Y CR O SS
— 16 —
Did You Know? CLASS RINGS ARE BLESSED AND PRESENTED TO JUNIORS AT A RING CEREMONY THAT CELEBRATES
CLASS UNITY and SISTERHOOD
T HE A CA DE MY O F THE HO L Y CR O SS
be Y O U R S E L F
We can’t wait to get to know you! We think school should be a place where all the things that make you special are C E L E B R AT E D and C H E R I S H E D . Discover W HO Y O U A R E – and W H O YOU WA N T T O B E
–
at The Academy of the Holy Cross. Holy Cross is a place where you can always
the day you graduate, the entire Holy Cross
be yourself. After all, how can you focus on
community will be there for you – the real you.
preparing for college and pursuing your
We’re here to support you on your personal
dreams if you’re pretending to be somebody
journey to becoming a young woman of
else? From your first day on campus until
courage, compassion, and scholarship.
— 18 —
m e s s a g e T O PA R E N T S
We know you want for your daughter what she wants for herself: the opportunity to achieve her full potential in a supportive, challenging environment that prepares her for success in college and beyond. Here are a few aspects of Holy Cross that we know matter most to parents. OUTSTANDING ACADEMICS Holy Cross offers excellent value for your educational dollar with a rigorous, comprehensive curriculum that provides girls with an exceptional foundation for college success. Our campus facilities support academic excellence across disciplines, from the sciences to the performing arts, including a beautiful library, a computer lab, science labs, art studios, a dark room, a kiln room, and a state-of-the-art 400-seat theatre. In 2010, we became an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, and the academically demanding IB Diploma Programme has proven popular with our students.
PERSONALIZED COLLEGE ADVISING When the time comes to apply to college, our college counselors will guide you and your daughter through the college application and financial aid process, step by step. For the class of 2012, we assisted 138 students in completing 977 applications to 248 colleges and universities, with an average of seven applications per student. The class of 2012 was awarded more than $14.2 million in scholarships over four years. Over a five-year span (2008 to 2012), 76 percent of graduating seniors were awarded some type of scholarship or honorarium.
college team. We are equally proud of our outstanding performing arts and fine arts programs, which allow girls to discover and develop their talents – from singing and dancing to painting and photography – while laying the groundwork for a lifelong appreciation for the arts.
SUPPORTIVE ALL-GIRL ENVIRONMENT Some girls are immediately attracted to the idea of attending an all-girls school. Those who are less sure soon realize the advantages of single-sex education once they are immersed in studies and social activities at Holy Cross. If your daughter has questions, encourage her to talk to Holy Cross girls, past and present, to get their perspectives. Many of our faculty and staff are alumnae, and our students are always our best ambassadors.
EMPHASIS ON FAITH AND COMPASSION Holy Cross is a Catholic, college-preparatory school with a faith tradition that reaches back to our founding in 1868 by the Sisters of the Holy Cross. Our four-year Christian Service program connects each girl with meaningful, rewarding opportunities to make a difference in the lives of others, and our Campus Ministry program provides spiritual support and fellowship.
ROBUST EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES One of our goals is to help girls mature into well-rounded young women, and we offer an array of activities to appeal to a wide range of interests and abilities. We are proud of our diverse and highly competitive sports program. We field 26 teams in 17 sports, ranging from basketball and field hockey to golf and crew, and compete in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference. From the class of 2012, 10 percent of graduates were signed to a
SAFE, CONVENIENT CAMPUS Holy Cross is located on a 28-acre campus just off Rockville Pike, two miles north of the Capital Beltway (I-495) and a short walk from the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro Station. The school is also served by several bus lines. Students spend their days on a beautiful, secluded campus that features plenty of green space, including two enclosed courtyards.
We encourage you to visit our campus if you have not already done so. We offer tours, an annual open house, and shadow visits. As you endeavor to choose the very best high school for your daughter, we stand ready to answer any questions you may have. Please be in touch, and thank you for considering The Academy of the Holy Cross.
T HE A CA DE MY O F THE HO L Y CR O SS
To Connecticut Avenue/ Route 185
Strathmore Avenue
To Rockville Pike/ Route 355
15 16
THE ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CROSS 1
Main/Entrance 1
12 Gym
2
Visitor Parking
13 Gym Lobby/Entrance 3
3
Chapel
14 Entrance 4
4
Library
15 Field 1
5
Courtyard
16 Field 2
6
Cafeteria
17 Softball Diamond
7
Auditorium
18 Field 3
8
Statue of the Blessed Mother
19 Field 4
9
Moreau Hall
20 Field 5
10 Theatre
21 Staff/Faculty Parking
11 Theatre Lobby/Entrance 5
22 Senior Parking
— 20 —
19
17
20
18
9 10
11
8 3 14
4 5
12
7 1
13
6
2
22
Shortcut to Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro Station
All-Girls
Grades 9–12
4920 Strathmore Avenue
301.942.2100
Kensington, MD 20895
AHCTARTANS.ORG
The Academy of the Holy Cross is sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Cross.