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Mission Rooted in the Catholic faith, Padua Academy offers young women a transformational college preparatory education, challenging them to live Christ-centered lives of leadership and service.
For more than 60 years, Padua Academy has provided generations of young women an education rooted in the Catholic faith, built on the dedication and experience of the area’s most talented educators, and focused on ensuring the success of each student in college and far beyond. At the heart of that education are four tenets— Spirituality, Scholarship, Service, and Sisterhood. In classrooms, on athletic fields, and in community centers, these principles power each young woman’s Padua experience from freshman orientation to graduation. That commitment to educating the complete student has earned the school recognition
from education associations like the Cardinal Newman Society and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. But more important, we have repeatedly earned high regards from our most important constituents – our students and their families: “ The transformation I have seen from my daughter during her years at Padua is nothing short of amazing. The shy, timid little girl has turned into a confident, responsible, and amazing woman.... The decision to send her to Padua was the best decision we could have ever made for Annabelle.” – Beth Burke, mother of Annabelle Burke ’15 and Lily Burke ’19
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Spirituality “At Padua Academy we are surrounded by the power of spirituality.... Spirituality is second nature. It is encouraged and celebrated by everyone at Padua.” — Emily Paolucci ‘15 Valedictorian
As a community rooted in the Gospel
and modeled on the values of our patrons,
students the ability to make moral decisions, and fosters in students the desire to embrace
St. Francis de Sales and St. Francis of Assisi,
the Christian lifestyle as a life-long journey of
Padua Academy takes great responsibility in
faith. By teaching and living the Gospel of
supporting the faith development of our
Christ, we help our students develop strong
students. Our religious education program
spiritual habits and enthusiasm for a
prepares students to accept responsibility for
God-centered life.
their mission of living the Gospel, nurtures in
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Scholarship “Each teacher I have had has shaped me into who I am today.
They have taught me to value learning, rather than simply achieving good grades. I looked forward to going to classes, knowing that my teachers genuinely wanted me to succeed. They set high expectations for me, enabling me to accomplish things I could have never thought possible.” — ANNA SMITH ‘15
As a college preparatory school, Padua Academy readies students for success at the university level and beyond. Our academic programs and activities stimulate students’ critical thinking, creativity, and intellectual curiosity.
new technology and software to enhance Padua’s rigorous educational program. Our unique schedule provides each student with individual attention and the opportunity to engage in academic discourse with both faculty members and peers outside of the classroom.
Padua is committed to providing dynamic learning opportunities. Curriculum offerings evolve based on the ever-changing academic and technological landscape. Students and faculty members continually research and pilot
Students graduate from Padua with the intellect, confidence, and determination to succeed. Colleges and universities consistently report that Padua graduates are among their best prepared incoming students.
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The 170 members of Padua’s Class of 2016
earned more than $19.4 million in academic and athletic scholarships from colleges and universities across the country.
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Service “It is in giving that we receive.” — St. Francis of Assisi
Padua’s motto, Suaviter Sed Fortiter, translated as “Softly but Strongly,” embodies the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi, who dedicated his life to the service of humanity. This philosophy of servant leadership is the core of Padua’s mission. At Padua, students learn the importance of actions as a reflection of faith. Service projects instill leadership, self-discipline, and social cooperation; furthermore, they encourage students to develop effective
decision-making skills and personal accountability. Beyond the doors of Padua Academy, each student is given an opportunity to serve members of the local community who are in need. Padua’s Students In Action program, which matches students with service projects, consistently earns recognition through The Jefferson Awards - Deloitte Youth Service Initiative.
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Sisterhood “Padua has given me more than 600 new sisters. That is something I will hold onto forever.” — Mary Gallo ‘15
At Padua, our school community is truly a family, and our top priority is each young woman who enters our halls. From the moment you first visit Padua, you will immediately notice that there is something special here — the love, the warmth, the genuine caring. This is the Padua sisterhood. We have many special traditions and activities, all of which are rooted in the bond of sisterhood. This unique experience begins the summer before freshman year with activities such as the Freshmen In Transition
(FIT) program, Freshman Fun Nights, and the Big Sister/Little Sister Summer Social. All of these activities are designed to welcome each girl to the Padua sisterhood so she feels confident and secure, prepared for her first day of school. By choosing Padua, you are joining a network of Padua alumnae who remain connected beyond graduation, reuniting professionally and personally to support and celebrate one another throughout their adult lives.
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Sports At Padua, it’s more than just a game. Our extensive athletics program promotes intelligence, leadership, sportsmanship, cooperation, and self-discipline. Padua’s student-athletes approach all endeavors with a Padua Academy’s Division I athletics program features - Basketball - Cheerleading - Crew - Cross Country - Dance - Field Hockey - Golf - Indoor Track
- Lacrosse - Soccer - Softball - Swimming and Diving - Tennis - Track and Field - Volleyball
commitment to excellence and an expectation of success, whether on the field, in the classroom, in the community, or at home. 2015-2016 Athletic Achievements • Padua runners again earned their sport’s rare “triple crown” — winning state championships in cross country, indoor track, and track and field. • Padua’s cheerleading team won the 2016 Competitive Cheerleading State Championship and the school’s third national title.
• Lydia Olivere ‘18 was named Gatorade Delaware Cross Country Player of the Year. • Mackenzie Scully ‘16 was named Delaware’s Soccer Player of the Year and an All-American. Empowered by their experiences in our program, many of our student-athletes are recruited by and awarded athletic scholarships to colleges and universities across the country.
• Ranked 2nd in the nation, Padua’s soccer team won its fifth consecutive state soccer championship.
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Student Life “Be who you are and be that well.” — St. Francis de Sales
Padua is a place where a young woman can truly make her mark. At Padua, students can embrace leadership opportunities and contribute to the school community. Future students, join Padua and • Lead one of our 50 clubs or activities — or start your own. • Serve as an officer of Student Council or National Honor Society. • Become a student ambassador, team captain, or committee chair. • Discover the world through our Global Education program.
• Volunteer through our nationally recognized Students In Action initiative. • Develop a news story for padua360.com or a PATV broadcast. • Showcase your talents in the fine arts gala. • Take center stage in a musical or drama production. • Cheer with friends at a Spirit Assembly, pep rally, or Homecoming game. Becoming a Padua student opens a world of possibilities.
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School Spirit “I cannot imagine not being a Panda! I always love bragging about our school because it has shaped me so much.” — Brittany Pham ‘15 Salutatorian
School spirit is a way of life at Padua Academy, where Padua students have a sense of pride in the heritage and identity of our school. That pride inspires our students to accept with grace and integrity the responsibility of caring for the school and one another. Our students and faculty are a diverse group with a common bond — loyalty to Padua. School spirit unites us and motivates all of us to work harder in the classroom and
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in the community. Encouraged by teachers and administrators, students demonstrate their Padua pride in unique ways as reflections of their own talents and interests in the realms of academia, athletics, activities, and the arts. Years after graduating, our alumnae reflect fondly on their time at Padua and the lasting memories they made with friends here, and they maintain a strong devotion to their alma mater. Once a Panda, always a Panda!
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Success “On that first day of school, they come in unsure of themselves. But we look at them with eyes that see potential. A Padua student comes in as a little girl, but in four short years, she will leave as a very confident young woman, ready to take on the world.” — Cindy Hayes Mann, Head of School
“Of course I thought I’d be leaving with outstanding academics and going to the college I want to, but I’m leaving with 600 sisters, which is something I never imagined.” — Catherine Moloney ‘15
“Padua has turned me into the vision of the woman I hoped to become. It’s helped me to learn to believe in myself.”
“As a Padua graduate, I am leaving with far more than a diploma. Padua has given me my own voice. I now have the confidence to speak fearlessly in any situation. Padua has taught me to lead softly but strongly. It has given me strength and poise, power and grace. Attending Padua Academy prepared me not only for college but for life.”
— Brianna Williams ‘15
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— Anna Smith ’15
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Suaviter Sed Fortiter S o f t l y
b u t
S t r o n g l y
905 NORTH BROOM STREET WILMINGTON, DE I9806 302.421.3765 – PADUAACADEMY.ORG –