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Seeking a Faithful School From Across the U.S. and Across the World
Families Came From 14 States and 3 Countries
Donahue Academy welcomed 80 new students to school this year—our largest one-year enrollment increase so far—made possible by the upper school expansion that added four new classrooms. The new students and their families came from across the United States and from across the world, many moving to Ave Maria so that their children can attend Donahue Academy and receive its authentically Catholic, classical education.
The Schroeder family had searched in the US, Mexico and Paraguay for a Catholic school that would be both academically rigorous and faithful. When the school in Paraguay was not working out, Mariana SchroederIbarrola began searching in Florida. She found Donahue Academy and knew she had found her school—one that was unapologetically Catholic. “Wow, they have the guts to say it!” she thought, “and to teach the students to defend their faith!” Their family visited on the feast of the Annunciation, and from there, all the logistics fell into place “by the grace of God,” she adds. “Donahue Academy is what my heart was yearning for. It is a miracle!”
The Spengler family moved from Germany to enroll Josephina ‘24 and Magdalena ‘25 in Donahue. Mom Berlind said, “The girls are enjoying this incredibly great experience of education and Christian faith every day. Their classmates and teachers are very supportive. And their English is getting better day by day!”
Donahue’s current students have enjoyed making new friends and welcoming them into the Donahue family. Along with new friends they are getting a new perspective on their school. Seeing families willing to make great sacrifices just to attend your school instills a deeper appreciation of how unique Donahue Academy is and what a gift a truly Catholic education is.
