Be you At
Holy Child
& Start Your
Journey
Today
At Holy Child, we believe an individualized, challenging, and joyful approach to education creates the next generation of female leaders. Connelly School of the Holy Child is a Catholic, college preparatory school committed to the intellectual, spiritual, artistic, physical, and social development of young women in grades 6-12. We welcome students and families of different faiths and diverse backgrounds. In keeping with the philosophy of our founder, Cornelia Connelly, Holy Child values the uniqueness of each individual and fosters a life of service to others.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Academics
Holy Child offers a rigorous, innovative, and engaging academic program of studies. With our 7:1 student/teacher ratio, students and teachers develop close relationships that create a supportive environment, and a positive and uplifting school culture. Our unique school culture helps foster optimal learning for each individual ensuring that she will realize her true potential.
A student must earn a minimum of 24 credits over four years. A credit is earned for every year-long course that meets four times per five-day rotation. Credit may be accrued on a partial basis if class meetings are less than four times in a five-day rotation or are semester in duration.
Experiential Learning
Holy Child offers students a unique experiential journey through enhanced classroom learning allowing our students to develop as leaders, global citizens, and women of Actions Not Words.
SHCJ Network School Exchange
Available to sophomores, the Society of Holy Child Jesus (SHCJ) Network School Exchange allows students to experience Cornelia Connelly’s vision for her schools on a global scale. Students can attend the Holy Child School in Killiney, Ireland or Mayfield Senior in Pasadena, California from February – March. Those that host our students then visit our school in Potomac in April.
Global Learning
Holy Child students have the opportunity to immerse themselves in another culture to learn the language, experience a different community, and bring back learnings to their peers. Most trips also include a service component. Our global learning programs are available in: -Nice, France -Italy (Venice, Florence, Rome) -Costa Rica (San Carlos, Guanacaste, San Jose) -Ecuador
Project-Based Learning
Project-based learning is a dynamic classroom approach in which students actively explore and identify real-world problems and challenges and then work together to develop a solution. Critical life skills are gained as well as a deepening of knowledge.
National Gallery of Art Museum Makers: Exploring Art and Museums
Over the past five years, Holy Child has been a proud partner of the National Gallery of Art by having one student each year complete the Museum Makers program. Students who participate in this program explore art through observation, sketching, in-gallery group discussions, independent research on a work of art of their choice, and visual journaling. Behind-the-scenes visits with museum professionals introduce career possibilities, from curating and education to architecture and security.
Harkness
Harkness discussions require an encouraging and open-minded environment which pairs beautifully with our school culture. This method of instruction allows students to construct meaning instead of being told the meaning. A deeper understanding is created by students asking for clarification, sharing facts and details, defending their ideas, making connections and analyzing concepts.
Junior Entrepreneurship
Holy Child’s Junior Social Entrepreneur Program is a seven-day seminar that is designed to inspire our juniors to lead with passion, purpose, and a strong voice to problemsolve some of our world’s global concerns. Students will learn cross-disciplinary skills necessary to build effective and efficient business-based solutions to some of today’s most challenging social problems. Through case studies, team ideations, and group dialogue, they develop a deeper understanding of the social entrepreneurship sector and the skills necessary to fund, launch, and administer such a venture. The program culminates in a thoughtful and engaging “Shark Tank” competition where each team presents their business plan and how it will impact a social concern through the development of a product or service. Industry experts serve as our judges who evaluates each group, challenges each group to defend their product or service. The top three teams win based on the quality of product or service, strength of their business plan, product research, marketing, and the team’s ability to present a compelling case for the need for their product or service.
Senior Internship
The Holy Child Senior Internship Program is designed to give senior students an opportunity to explore their career interests and gain experience working in a professional environment. It is a graduation requirement for each senior and must consist of a minimum of 30 hours or 4 work days performed on-site at a business or non-profit organization.
Culture & Community
In addition to dynamic classroom learning, Holy Child encourages students to explore interests like athletics, the arts, clubs, theater, service, and travel. Because of this, our school is made up of athletes that double as cast members in the play, instrumentalists that spearhead service organizations, and photographers that serve as student government representatives. We believe in providing our students with opportunities to try new things, develop their strengths, and reach their fullest potential.
Campus Ministry: Creative prayer and lively
worship are central to our life as a Holy Child community. We always like to quote the saying, “singing is praying twice,” and it epitomizes how we approach the spiritual part of the Holy Child experience. Our campus ministry office helps with prayer, retreats, liturgies, and sacramental life.
Clubs & Organizations: Join one of our
many student organizations on Holy Child’s campus in a leadership role and/or a club member. Clubs include Best Buddies, Model Organization of American States (MOAS), Onyx (Holy Child’s yearbook), Christ Child Society Club, and more.
Traditions: As a Holy Child student, you will
join a sisterhood founded on faith and tradition. Through events like Opening Day, Ring Day, and Spirit Week, “you’ll hear the Holy Child spirit calling you.”
Athletics: At Holy Child, we believe that the
seeds sewn on the athletic field yield strong, confident young women. Our student athletes learn sportsmanship, teamwork, and leadership skills while participating in the thirteen different sports that we offer. We believe that the valuable lessons learned on athletic field translate into success in every other facet of our students’ lives.
Leadership in Action: In addition to holding a leadership post in one of our many clubs or athletic teams, students may be elected to lead as a member of Student Council, or get chosen to be part of our Student Ambassador Leader Program. There are numerous other opportunities within classroom settings and schoolwide events to take charge: our National Honor Society members (juniors and seniors selected by faculty vote), for example, take on myriad important roles, from tutoring to running charity fundraisers and our blood drive. In every case, students learn how to communicate with both their peers and faculty members to achieve a desired goal.
Arts: Holy Child’s Visual and Performing Arts Program allows each student
to develop her skills and passion for the arts. Our founder, Cornelia Connelly, reminded us throughout her teachings that the fine arts are a vital part of a Holy Child education, stressing the art of observation in acquiring knowledge–of the world, and of ourselves. Since our students face rigorous academic schedules, we encourage them to get truly engaged in their fine arts courses, to take full advantage of the opportunity to escape and expand their individuality in a completely different way.
By the Numbers
Are you wondering which path you will take on your
340 total students 160 upper school athletes
222 students
participating in the visual and performing arts
7in scholarships million for the class of 2019
5,000 community service
hours completed by students last year Connelly School of the Holy Child is part of a network of 10 schools in the U.S. and a community of more than 30 in the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, a congregation founded by Cornelia Connelly in 1846. You can find schools in England, France, Ghana, Ireland, and Nigeria.
7:1 student/teacher ratio
Holy Child journey?
Find out more about Holy Child below and come visit us! Experience for yourself the joy of learning and community of kindness that you’ve heard so much about!
Want to start your
Holy Child journey? Here’s what to do.
SET UP A VISIT Go to our website www.holychild.org and set up your visit through our admissions portal APPLY Complete and submit your application through our admissions portal on our website DEADLINE Applications to 9th grade are due on December 8, 2019 FINANCIAL AID Holy Child offers need based financial aid. All financial aid applications are due on December 8, 2019. You can find the steps to apply listed on our website under the admission tab. MERIT AWARDS Holy Child offers the opportunity for applicants to apply for awards based on merit. We recognize, strong character, servant leaders, artists, academic excellence and more. You can find additional information about merit awards on our website under the admissions tab. CONTACT US We’d love to hear from you! Call 301-365-0955 or email admissions@holychild.org with any questions.
Athletics
Athletics
More than 65% of our student body participates in athletics, and many of those students are multisports athletes. The qualified coaching staff at Child consists of both teaching and non-teaching staff who have a passion for athletics and heart for the Holy Child community. We are proud to compete in the Independent School League (ISL) and many of our student-athletes have received All-ISL and All-Met honors for their efforts. The goal of the Holy Child Athletic Department is to maintain fully competitive sports programs that encourage teamwork, commitment, self-discipline, perseverance, and leadership. Sports Offered by Season: Fall: JV/Varsity Volleyball, JV/Varsity Field Hockey, JV/Varsity Soccer, JV/Varsity Equestrian, Varsity Tennis, Varsity Cross Country Winter: JV/Varsity Basketball, Varsity Swimming, Varsity Ice Hockey, Club Ice Hockey Spring: JV/Varsity Lacrosse, Varsity Softball, Varsity Tennis, Club Tennis, Varsity Track & Field, JV/Varsity Golf Non-Cut Sports: Cross Country, Swimming, Club Ice Hockey, Spring Tennis, Track & Field
Arts
Arts
Our founder, Cornelia Connelly, reminded us throughout her teachings that the fine arts are a vital part of a Holy Child education, stressing the art of observation in acquiring knowledge–of the world, and of ourselves. Our visual and performing arts instruction is deeply rooted in the hands-on exploration of each discipline. We have created a climate that nurtures and celebrates each student’s individual diversity and talent. Our goal is to enhance the students’ lifelong appreciation of the arts, bring joy to their process, and to challenge their ability to grow in personal expression, and overall achievement. Each student is given every opportunity to advance as a young artist in the following disciplines: -Visual Arts -Vocal and Instrumental Music -Music History -Theatre – Acting and Technical -Dance
Global Learning
Global Learning
“The whole world is my country and heaven is my home.” – Cornelia Connelly
Holy Child offers unique opportunities to study in the United States and abroad. Our global learning programs are designed to not only provide unique and enriching experiences for our students to learn, study, and serve communities around the world, but also to come back to the classroom and share these experiences. Global trips focus on areas such as community service, cultural immersion, historical education, curricular connections, and more. NETWORK SCHOOLS: -Locations: https://www.holychild.org/global-network/ -Description: As a part of the Society of Holy Child Jesus network, our students are given the opportunity to learn at another Holy Child school in the United States, Europe, and Africa through our Holy Child Exchange Program. GLOBAL LEARNING: -Locations: Nice, France; Italy (Venice, Florence, Rome); Costa Rica (San Carlos, Guanacaste, San Jose); Ecuador -Description: Our study abroad programs allow students to immerse themselves into a culture, attend classes at international schools, and experience the environment around them.
Campus Ministry & Service
Campus Ministry & Service
Our founder, Cornelia Connelly, reminds us to “be yourself, but make that self all that God wants it to be.” Campus Ministry provides Holy Child students opportunities to retreat, to pray and receive the sacraments, and to serve the wider community, in order to help each girl become all that God wants them to be. The Campus Ministry Department supports all members of the school community - students, faculty, parents, and alumnae – in deepening spiritual growth and a personal faith commitment. We develop student leadership in these areas, teaching students about elements of liturgy, training them as retreat leaders and Eucharistic Ministers, and encouraging them to explore ways to serve the wider community, to become leaders in the area of Christian service. Prayer - We begin each school day and community gathering with prayer. We also gather weekly as a whole community for “prayer blocks”, student-led spiritual assemblies held in the gym. These introduce students to a variety of ways to pray – through worship, song, meditation, traditional prayer, study of the saints and liturgical seasons. Retreats - Each class participates in an annual retreat to reflect, pray, laugh, and be together as a community. Each has a theme for that grade and is an opportunity for personal spiritual growth. Our retreat program spans from sixth to twelfth grade and includes student leadership, with students in older grades serving as retreat leaders and mentors to younger students. Liturgies - Dynamic presiders and beautiful music enhance our monthly Eucharistic liturgies. Students play roles as readers, cantors, choir members, altar servers, gift bearers, and Eucharistic ministers, as well as the all-important role of being the liturgical assembly. Christian Service – our students complete at least 5,000 hours of community service each year. Through our partnerships with Potomac Community Resources and Best Buddies, Catholic Charities, Christ Child Society, among others, our students serve people in need in our local community. Students complete required service hours during their time at Holy Child, to give them opportunities to share their gifts