Admissions Viewbook 2021

EMPOWERING

GIRLS FROM THE

HEART

Girls who choose IHA are doing more than picking a school.

They are taking the first step toward a lifetime of learning, self-exploration, faith development, and powerful friendships.

By setting their hearts on IHA, they say to the world that they are ready to become confident, compassionate, and independent young women in control of their own futures.

Everyone at IHA expects to work hard, to play hard, and to excel. In the classroom, on the field, on the stage, and in the community, IHA girls Jason Schlereth President respect and support each other. As they conquer challenges, experience growth, and achieve excellence together, they make friends — sisters — they will keep all their lives.

Our positive and demanding single-sex environment empowers young women to focus on developing their unique gifts and pursue their academic, spiritual, artistic, athletic, and social needs. IHA has been named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education and is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. IHA is also a member of the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools (NJAIS).

See for yourself if you should set your heart on IHA. Read on to find out more.

Kerry Carroll’04 Principal

12:1

student-teacher ratio

Founded in 1960, Immaculate Heart Academy enrolls approximately 650 young women in a rigorous academic program that challenges the mind and nourishes the spirit. By instilling in its students a sense of responsibility, confidence, justice, peace, and compassion, IHA prepares its students for life in college and beyond. Our curriculum provides a broad perspective across 10 academic departments, with honors as well as AP courses offered in a wide variety of subjects. In fact, 70% of IHA seniors are enrolled in AP courses.

18

average class size

IHA recognizes the achievements of our students through nine national honor societies in art, French, mathematics, music, science, social studies, Spanish, and theater, as well as overall academic excellence through the National Honor Society. We also enrich the lives and experiences of students through more than 50 clubs and activities, in addition to 15 athletic programs.

EMPOWERING

5O+ HEART

GIRLS FROM THE

electives offered

17

AP courses

EXCELLENCE

THE HEART OF ACADEMICS As a Roman Catholic college preparatory school under the auspices of the Archdiocese of Newark, IHA is committed to graduating savvy critical thinkers who are confident, independent women excited for their futures. We believe in staying ahead of education trends and in nurturing leadership opportunities throughout all aspects of our school curriculum.

Because IHA is a college preparatory high school for young women, a strong theme throughout the curriculum and extracurricular activities is the development of the special gifts that women can bring to society. The interests and needs of women in the areas of academics, spirituality, the arts, athletics, and social interaction drive all of the programs offered at IHA. Challenging classes are offered in all ten academic departments, with honors level courses offered in English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and World Languages.

Additionally, we offer 17 Advanced Placement courses in Biology, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Chemistry, Comparative Government, Computer Science A, English (Language and Composition), English (Literature and Composition), Environmental Science, French Language and Culture, Physics 1, Physics C, Psychology, Spanish Language and Culture, Statistics, Studio Art, and U.S. History.

Parents, teachers, and guidance & college counselors are consulted during the registration process to ensure that students pursue courses that not only fulfill basic requirements, but foster interests, academic strengths, and long-term career objectives.

“My daughter, Katie’17, had a great four years at IHA developing leadership skills and learning to be a strong, independent woman while embracing her faith. My daughter, Riley’21, has grown into her true self in ways I could have only dreamt since starting at IHA. Even though they are very different young ladies, they both had equally valuable and impactful experiences.

IHA celebrates the difference in its students and allows each student to be herself and get the most out of her time there.”

Claire O’Toole P’17, ’21 ...and her family provide the Egan/ O’Toole Scholarship, awarded to one young woman and one young man enrolled in local Catholic high schools in our area.

IHA offers quality college-preparatory education, complete with innovative courses and programs. Classes include everything from TV News Production and Computer Programming to Global Issues, Ecology, and more.

Advanced technology abounds at IHA, from the Information Commons to the science labs.

INNOVATION

THE HEART OF STEM For academically qualified students, we offer an accelerated STEM program. STEM@theheart reflects our commitment to liberal arts education and Christian values by incorporating the four C’s of communication, creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking with advanced study of science, technology, engineering, and math.

By partnering with Project Lead the Way, we have incorporated two engineering courses into our curriculum: Introduction to Engineering Design and Principles of Engineering. Best of all, every IHA student is able to take advantage of the pioneering courses and clubs implemented as part of STEM@theheart.

The Information Commons combines the resources of a traditional library with comprehensive digital information management and retrieval capabilities.

“My goal is to pursue a career in the medical field and the STEM@theheart program is designed to give me the proper foundation to help me reach that goal. The classes and workload are challenging, but I know I am learning important skills that will help me make a difference in people’s lives one day.”

Sanaiya Villanueva’22 …is a senior in the STEM@theheart program, the vice president of Mu Alpha Theta, and a member of the St. Brigid Society, National Honor Society, and Science National Honor Society. She is the president of the Black Culture Club and Book Club and a member of Future Doctors of America, Math League, Computer Science Club, Science Olympiad, Filipino Club, and Go Green Club. Sanaiya serves as a student representative on IHA’s Diversity, Inclusion, & Equity Task Force, where she works to make IHA an inclusive space for all women. She is a competitive gymnast, gymnastics coach, choreographer, and tutor and dreams of becoming a biochemist and surgeon.

21

Science and Technology courses

3

honor societies for art, theater, and music

CREATIVITY

THE HEART OF THE ARTS

Because we understand that self-expression is a crucial part of personal growth, we place special emphasis on The Arts. At Immaculate Heart Academy, art encompasses everything from video production, drama, music, and photography, to graphic design, fine art, dance, and musical theater.

A spacious and innovative 2,600-square-foot Art Studio occupies two sunlit rooms with sizable workstations, a picturesque art courtyard, 24 adjustable drawing tables, two Smart Boards with projectors, nine butcher-block tables, and new iMacs to use in courses that incorporate lessons on digital design and photography.

IHA’s performing arts program has always showcased the incredible talent of our students on stage and behind the scenes. Our girls and students from area boys’ schools present a drama production in the fall and a musical production in the spring that are both enjoyed and celebrated by the community at large. During the school day, IHA students interested in the performing arts can enroll in our Actor’s Studio, Theater Arts, Theater Production, or Musical Theater History and Performance courses.

In addition to The Arts curriculum, a wide range of clubs and activities give students the opportunity to explore visual arts, fashion, singing, photography, creative writing, and more.

“Art has always played a major role in my life, but IHA’s art program has truly challenged me to dive deeper into my artistic abilities and creatively express myself. What I love most is how the teachers promote self-expression and help nurture everyone’s unique artistic styles, encouraging us to be who we genuinely are as artists. No one artist or piece of artwork is the same, yet we are all united in our quest to self-express and share that with our community.”

Sophia Salewycz’24 is a member of the IHA Ski Team, Art Club, Culture Club, and Eagle Ambassadors. She enjoys participating in IHA’s drama and musical theater programs and dances with the ISKRA Ukrainian Dance Ensemble.

She is actively involved in PLAST, an international Ukrainian scouting organization, as a member and troop leader.

The Arts remove boundaries and allow students to explore aspects of life around them in new ways.

COMMITMENT

THE HEART OF ATHLETICS The success of our scholar-athletes at Immaculate Heart Academy is a reflection of the focus, commitment, and team ethic that enrich everything we do. Each year, IHA teams dominate at the league, county, sectional, and state levels, and are recognized with a wide variety of Coach, Player, and Team of the Year awards. In the past decade, more than 1,000 IHA athletes have earned all-conference honors and more than 500 have earned all-county honors. Even more impressive is that our student-athletes perform on and off the field, with some of IHA’s highest GPAs.

“Being a student-athlete at IHA has sharpened my time management and multitasking skills. I find myself being more focused on not just succeeding in my sport, but all aspects of my life. Ultimately, I think these skills have made me a better student and will prepare me for my transition to college.”

Students and athletes alike have access to top-of-the-line facilities at IHA. They train on advanced sports performance and workout equipment in the Vincent Herold Fitness Center, and regularly utilize our full-sized Field Turf™ field and four tennis courts. Through our Soaring to New Heights campaign, we recently completed the renovation and enhancement of our entire athletic field complex for the 2019–20 school year. The surrounding walkway and spectators’ patio, completed in the spring of 2020, offer an elevated view of the field and are ADA compliant so that all fans can access IHA’s athletic complex easily and safely.

Brookelyn Talmadge’23 …is devoted to receiving a strong education while also being a part of the IHA Volleyball team since her freshman year. She began playing volleyball at the age of 8, and has been in love with the sport ever since, playing full-time since she was 12 years old. Brookelyn has been named to the honor roll for all four semesters that she’s been at IHA, and she is also a member of the Black Culture Club.

Physical fitness is an essential part of IHA’s school day, as students consistently participate in challenging physical education classes. Realizing that nutritious food is a vital part of wholesome living, we also offer students fresh, healthy options from sustainable, local resources through our farm-to-school cafeteria service.

SPORTS AT IHA Basketball

Ice Hockey

Swimming

Bowling

Lacrosse

Tennis

Cross Country

Skiing

Track - Winter

Dance

Soccer

Track & Field - Spring

Golf

Softball

Volleyball

It is our mission to develop every aspect of the individual, including the promotion of a healthy lifestyle.

Students put their faith into action, expanding their awareness of God, others, and themselves.

COMPASSION THE HEART OF SERVICE

Students at Immaculate Heart Academy regularly put their faith into action by serving their community and ministering to people in need through a wide variety of service opportunities. By participating in the IHA Service Program, students apply their Catholic values by practicing them in projects that expand the students’ awareness of the image of God in others and themselves. At IHA, everyone serves. It’s not only cultivated, it’s celebrated.

While service at Immaculate Heart Academy looked different for the 2020-21 school year, our students continued to go above and beyond for their communities even amid the pandemic. Our students have earned 204,492 service hours in the last five years and, this year, served 50% more hours than what was required of them. IHA students have accumulated a total of 674 President’s Volunteer Service Awards, 43 in this unprecedented year alone. Due to modified service requirements for last school year, sophomores, juniors, and seniors were responsible for planning and executing a Valor Project. This project allowed our students to use their specific gifts and talents to leave the world better than they found it. One thing that has not changed over the last year is IHA’s commitment to helping its young women grow as “Women of Valor.” Women who, in the spirit of Proverbs 31, recognize the gifts and passions God has given them, take the reins of leadership, and use them to make the world a better place. Our students ran 249 Valor Projects for the 2020-21 school year. Interested students could then submit videos about their Valor Projects for a chance to win The Dorothy Day Valor Project of the Year Contest.

Annually, IHA recognizes and celebrates the amazing service achievements of our compassionate young women at a Service Awards Assembly. In addition to the President’s Volunteer Service Awards recognition, two special awards are distributed at the assembly— the Spirit of Service Award and the IHA Servant Leadership Award. The Spirit of Service Award is given annually (to 43 students since 2016) to students in each grade who demonstrate a dedication to helping others that is core to who they are as people. The IHA Servant Leadership Award is given annually (to eight students since 2017) to one or more seniors whose commitment to leadership and dedication to service are so incredible that they transformed the IHA community.

In 2020-21, our young women: • Completed 50% more hours than what was required of them • Provided 300+ Christmas gifts to children in need • Provided 200+ Easter baskets to children in need • Created an “interview closet” with new business outfits for women in crisis • Were honored as recipients of 43 President’s Volunteer Service Awards

$51 MILLION

Class of 202 1 scholarships

YOUR FUTURE

THE HEART OF COUNSELING Four guidance counselors and two college counselors apply a developmental approach to each student’s progress through her four years at IHA. Guidance counselors advise and equip students to realize their future educational goals. They keep students apprised and prepared for standardized tests, such as the SAT I, SAT II Subject Tests, and ACT, as well as Advanced Placement testing. Our guidance counselors are also available to students and parents to aid in both personal and social development.

100% college acceptance rate

College counselors maintain ongoing relationships with higher education institutions and act as liaisons to representatives who visit IHA. They work with students for four years, helping them navigate through college applications and the sometimes overwhelming admissions process. They meet with students individually and in groups, and host routine parent meetings to keep parents up-to-date with how to best assist their daughters in the ever-changing landscape of college admissions.

IHA graduates go on to excel at leading colleges and universities across the nation.

SISTERHOOD THE HEART OF IHA

In a single-sex environment like IHA, there’s no pressure on our young women to fulfill gender stereotypes. They have enhanced access to leadership opportunities, achieve greater academic success, become more confident and assertive, and are more likely to pursue studies in fields traditionally considered male-dominated. We empower our students to believe their hopes and dreams will become their reality.

For 57 years, IHA alumnae have told us, again and again, that the friends they made in our hallways and classrooms are still the closest friends in their lives. The sisterhood effortlessly cultivated at Immaculate Heart is enduring, and the bonds students form here last a lifetime.

Life After IHA The IHA environment provides our girls a level of independence, accountability, and confidence that becomes a tremendous advantage in their college years. In a recent survey, more than 90 percent said IHA had given them above-average or superior preparation in effective time management, writing, and critical thinking — the very areas with which so many college students struggle. As one alumna wrote, “The teachers I had at IHA were incredible. They were so caring and dedicated. Although the work load was always hard and heavy, my transition to college was simple.”

The momentum IHA girls bring to their colleges and universities remains with them. More than 50 percent of our alumnae reported taking on two or more undergraduate internships, 57 percent pursued post-graduate coursework related to their degrees, and 22 percent pursued doctoral studies. As one of our teachers recently said, “You can always identify the IHA girl in a meeting. When she speaks, people listen and take note.”

10,722 IHA alumnae

“Going to IHA gave me the confidence and courage to really figure out who I was and who I wanted to be. The teachers create a supportive environment where students feel empowered to speak up and take risks. It was easier to find success in a creative field because of the four years I spent here, learning to value my own voice.”

Tracey Wigfield’01 …is a comedy writer, producer, and actor who most recently developed the Saved By The Bell revival for Peacock.

Previously, she won an Emmy Award, along with Tina Fey, for writing the series finale of 30 Rock. Tracey was also the creator and showrunner of the sitcom Great News, which ran on NBC for two seasons, and was a co-executive producer, writer, and actress on the FOX and HULU comedy, The Mindy Project.

She lives in California with her husband and two daughters.

Carly DePhillips’18 & Ellie DePhillips’21 Sisters in life and @theheart.

IHA ADMISSIONS T

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SEPTEMBER—DECEMBER

WHY I CHOSE IHA...

“I chose to come to IHA not just for the academics, but also because of the warm and welcoming environment that exists here. The excellent reputation of the school, great school spirit, and the bond of sisterhood made me realize that this was the perfect school for me. IHA provides countless opportunities for students to exceed and grow, and I am forever grateful that IHA has shaped me into the person I am today.”

Schedule a BLUE EAGLE FOR THE DAY visit to see what a typical school day is like firsthand.

Attend an OPEN HOUSE to get a look at the opportunities that IHA offers.

Sit for the HSPT Archdiocesan Entrance Exam.

Complete your ONLINE APPLICATION.

Make sure your school submits your TRANSCRIPTS from 6th, 7th, and 8th grades.

Mia Grossman’21 …was the Student Council Executive Board president, vice president of the International Thespian Society, and a member of the National Honor Society and St. Brigid Society as a senior at IHA. She was also involved in C.A.R.E., Junior State of America, and was a Peer Mentor and Eagle Ambassador. Mia continues to be involved with numerous community service organizations and loves the performing arts both inside and outside of school.

She is currently attending The George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

JANUARY— FEBRUARY

DECISION notifications are mailed and emailed.

Attend our ACCEPTED STUDENTS’ RECEPTION.

MAY—JUNE

Enroll as an IHA student at REGISTRATION DAY.

Take your Math and Language PLACEMENT TESTS.

Meet your future classmates at the ICE CREAM SOCIAL.

FAST FACTS • Founded in 1960 as the first regional high school for girls in the Archdiocese of Newark • Approximately 650 students enrolled

Accreditations and Memberships — Blue Ribbon School of Excellence — Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools — New Jersey Association of Independent Schools (NJAIS)

Academics

— Psychology

— National Honor Society

— Student-Teacher Ratio – 12:1

— Spanish Language and Culture

— National Art Honor Society

— Average Class Size – 18

— Statistics

— 73% of faculty and staff hold advanced degrees

— Studio Art

— Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society

— U.S. History

— Science National Honor Society

— 50+ electives offered

17 AP Courses

Class of 2021

— Biology

— 1 National Merit Finalist

— Calculus AB

— 8 National Merit Commended Students

— Calculus BC

— 1 National Hispanic Scholar

— Chemistry

Demographics

— Comparative Government

— 56% of students are from public elementary schools, and 44% from Catholic

— Computer Science A

— Approximately 90% of students are Catholic

— English (Literature and Composition)

— Students reside in Bergen, Hudson, Passaic, Essex, and Morris Counties in N.J. and Rockland and Orange Counties in N.Y.

— Environmental Science

— 10,722 total IHA alumnae

• 70% of seniors enrolled in AP classes — Spanish Honor Society (Reina Sofia Chapter)

— English (Language and Composition)

• Statement of Class Rank – Considering the quality of the student body and the rigorous college prep course of study, Immaculate Heart Academy does not rank its students.

National Honor Societies Sponsored by IHA

— French Language and Culture

— French Honor Society

— Physics 1

— Mu Alpha Theta (National Mathematics Honor Society)

— Physics C

— International Thespian Society (ITS)

— Tri-M (Modern Music Masters)

Guidance and College Counseling — 4 Guidance and 2 College Counselors — 100% College Acceptance Rate — $51 Million in scholarships earned by Class of 2021 graduates

Athletics and Activities — 15 athletic programs offered — More than 50 Clubs and activities

Service — 204,492 service hours in the last five years — 674 President’s Volunteer Service Awards since 2015

FROM THE HEART Phone: 201.445.6800

www.ihanj.com

Immaculate Heart Academy 500 Van Emburgh Ave. Township of Washington, NJ 07676