2016-17 Admissions Viewbook

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

FROM THE HEART Phone: 201.445.6800

www.ihanj.com

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 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).

Patricia Molloy President

See for yourself if you should set your heart on IHA. Find out more inside.

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ACADEMICS

As a Roman Catholic-inspired, 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.

“My daughter is developing a really strong work ethic and discipline. She’s learning a respect for herself and for other people, and has developed very high standards for herself. Because this is a single-sex school, the girls get a lot more leadership opportunities and, during school hours, they’re not worried about boys. They are free to focus on what they are here to focus on.”

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.

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.

In addition to subject area curriculum, IHA asks students to participate in Christian Service as a graduation requirement. Our girls unfailingly go above and beyond our expectations to embrace the Gospel call for service.

Jason Schlereth Principal

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

IHA offers quality college-preparatory education coupled with a warm and supportive Christian community.

Television Studio

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

Advanced technology abounds at IHA, from the Information Commons to the Science Labs.

State-of-the-art 3-D printers help creativity take shape in our STEM Lab — one of the major science facility enhancements in recent years. Two new biology classrooms, two general-purpose classrooms, and a computer lab are the proving grounds for tomorrow’s leaders in engineering, science, and technology.

By partnering with Project Lead the Way, we have incorporated two new engineering courses for the 2016-17 school year: 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 our STEM program.

“I have always known that I wanted to become a doctor, and being a member of the STEM program at IHA has only strengthened my desire. I know that the rigorous course work is preparing me for the future and it has given me the confidence to pursue my dreams. Numerous opportunities have been presented to me due to the program, and I could not be more grateful to be a part of it.”

Rebecca Nadler’19 …is a member of the Student Council and the Go Green and Future Doctors of America clubs. She is on the Varsity Dance Team and has embraced IHA’s spirit of volunteerism as a member of the Christian Service Board. As a research assistant for a world-renowned allergist and immunologist, Rebecca hopes to become a researcher and physician.

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 2015-16 school year, IHA ranked as one of the top five athletic programs by the N.J. State Interscholastic Athletics Association for the 11th consecutive year. In 2016, NJ.com ranked three of our teams within the state’s top 25 High School Sports Dynasties of All Time.

“As a scholar-athlete, I have a challenging academic work load and athletic schedule, but there’s a huge benefit to doing both. Between the academics and the athletics, you’re always being challenged to be your best. It’s never just about the test next week or the quiz tomorrow. It’s always about understanding everything and being able to bring it to bear in college and afterward.”

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 newly renovated tennis courts. Even more impressive is that our student-athletes perform on and off the field, with some of IHA’s highest GPAs.

Reagan Bossolina’17 …is a true competitor and an IHA scholar-athlete, devoted to both her studies and to her lacrosse and tennis teammates.

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

SPORTS AT IHA BASKETBALL BOWLING DANCE CROSS COUNTRY GOLF ICE HOCKEY LACROSSE SKIING SOCCER SOFTBALL SWIMMING TENNIS TRACK - WINTER TRACK & FIELD SPRING VOLLEYBALL 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.

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

ARTS

“I have studied art since I was seven years old. The art program here is better than I could have imagined. My favorite part is learning the background and history of the art itself. Now that I know about their backgrounds, I want to go to Italy and study Raphael and Michelangelo.”

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 encompasses two sunlit rooms with sizable workstations, a picturesque art courtyard, 24 adjustable drawing tables, two Smart Boards with projectors, nine butcher-block tables, and eight new iMacs to use in courses that incorporate lessons on digital design and photography.

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. In fact, there are more than 50 active clubs at IHA, offering something for virtually every interest.

Julia Bertussi’18 …is in the advanced art track at IHA. She began helping her father, a construction contractor, choose colors for his business at age seven, and plans to apply her artistic gifts as an interior designer.

Clair

SISTERHOOD 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 maledominated. We empower our students to believe their hopes and dreams will become their reality.

For more than 50 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.

“IHA has prepared me to be the best. It’s been such a great experience and there are so many different paths you can take. The teachers are always looking to help you out.

IHA is an environment anchored in sisterhood.

As a freshman, I built some great bonds with upperclassmen! I love it.”

Erin Jackson’18 …plays bass for the all-girl IHA rock band, and is deeply involved in the music program, Mock Trial club, golf team, and school TV station, heartTV.

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

SERVICE In addition to coming together as women of faith to celebrate Mass, attend retreats, and partake in the sacraments, students are challenged to live out their Catholic experience as women of service and social awareness. Last year, more than 700 students gave 34,000+ hours of service to more than 40 organizations.

In 2015-16 alone, our young women: • Sponsored more than 25 student-led service groups • Provided 225 Christmas gifts to children in need • Distributed more than 2,000 meals to the hungry • Provided Easter baskets to 300+ children in need who would have otherwise gone without • Formed a group of 350 students that volunteers for several special needs programs • Cooked 40+ meals for local assisted living • Collected more than 500 children’s books for local underprivileged students • Wrote 200 letters to detainees • Piloted the first-ever music therapy program for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients • Ran robotics courses for students at Oasis — A Haven for Women & Children • Gave more than 1,000 collective hours to Camp Acorn

GUIDANCE & COLLEGE COUNSELING Three 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. IHA’s 13 AP courses include Biology, Calculus AB, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Statistics, English (Language and Composition), English (Literature and Composition), French Language and Culture, Psychology, Spanish Language and Culture, Studio Art, Computer Science A, and U.S. History.

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.

What girls learn at IHA stays with them for life. They’ll always be from the heart.

“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.”

LIFE AFTER IHA The Immaculate Heart Academy Class of 2016 had a 100 percent college acceptance rate, and many of the colleges our graduates attend are listed among the top 100 schools in the U.S. News & World Report national ranking.

Equally important, each of our alumnae is uniquely prepared, not just to conquer the challenges of higher education, but to become a leader among her peers. The IHA environment gives 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 of our graduates 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.

Tracey Wigfield’01 … is a comedy writer who won an Emmy Award, along with Tina Fey, for writing the series finale of 30 Rock. She has also written and performed with The Upright Citizen’s Brigade and is currently a writer for The Mindy Project. ®

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.”

Members of the Class of 1965 pay a visit to their Alma Mater.