AOL Viewbook - 2022-2023

OUR VISION

Academy of Our Lady lives the Salesian family spirit of reason, religion, and loving kindness and instills in young women the values to live as Catholic Christians, the drive for life-long learning, the skills to succeed as responsible citizens in society, and to work for justice.

OUR MISSION

Academy of Our Lady is dedicated to providing a Catholic environment that encourages growth, creativity, self-discipline, and personal commitment. OUR

A HOME THAT welcomes A SCHOOL THAT PREPARES FOR life

LADY. Academy of Our Lady was founded in 2007 to give young women the opportunity for an exceptional Catholic, college-prep education combined with an innovative academic approach. Offering the traditional pillars of Catholic education, we provide spiritual and moral formation based on our Catholic faith, quality academics based on TOPS requirements to prepare for success in college, and a family-like atmosphere where Academy of Our Lady students feel free to discover who they are and what they are called to become. Our nurturing environment has an academic program to suit a variety of abilities and interests. Academy of Our Lady students find academic success in a challenging curriculum and countless extracurricular activities.

THERE IS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE AT ACADEMY OF OUR

Perhaps the most exciting program offered is Academy of Our Lady’s Program of Academic Majors. Whether students desire a career in the field of medicine, law, science and engineering, fine arts or culinary arts, they have a chance for in-depth study, college credit, and real-world experiences.

Academy of Our Lady lives the Salesian educational philosophy of St. John Bosco, patron saint of educators. As the largest female religious order in the Catholic Church, the Salesian Sisters’ sole mission is the education and formation of young people. St. John Bosco’s educational philosophy—based on reason, religion, and loving kindness—is the foundation of Academy of Our Lady’s school culture.

Academy of Our Lady students experience a holistic approach to education encompassing state-of-theart technology, a dedicated faculty and staff, a challenging curriculum, countless extracurricular activities, and the Salesian family spirit. Our students come to understand the love God has for them and His call to be leaders in their school, church, community, and the world.

BUILDING ON A legacy OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION

Drawing on the strengths and traditions of its two predecessors, Archbishop Blenk High School and Immaculata High School, Academy of Our Lady is a place where the best of both worlds meet.

Archbishop Blenk High School opened in 1962, honoring Archbishop James Hubert Blenk, a Bavarian-born Marist priest who served as Archbishop of New Orleans from 1906-1917. Blenk was originally staffed by Marianite Sisters who were devoted to Our Blessed Mother Mary. Archbishop Blenk provided generations of young women the skills for success. The Salesian Sisters assumed administration in 2006.

Immaculata High School was founded in 1956 as part of Immaculate Conception Parish. IHS began as a co-ed Catholic school in Marrero. Immaculata was served by the Sisters of Notre Dame who taught God’s love and care for each person.

The Salesian Sisters assumed administration of the school in 1979 and built on that foundation of living for the glory of God and enriched by the charism of Saint Don Bosco and Saint Mary Mazzarello. Immaculata prepared young, Catholic students with a strong foundation for life

The deep foundations built by Archbishop Blenk and Immaculata together make the Academy of Our Lady complete. All of the alumni that have graced the halls of our schools strengthen us with a rich history. They have forged the way. We are the fulfillment of the excellence established by our preceding schools. The charisms of the Marianite sisters that led Blenk, the School Sisters of Notre Dame and the Salesian Sisters that led Immaculata live on here. Our school family lives the Salesian mission of Reason, Religion, and Loving Kindness.

OURCAMPUS

The state-of-the-art Academy of Our Lady facility is situated on 22 acres and is located in Marrero. Our campus allows young women to thrive with modern classroom space, STEM centered science labs, and athletic facilities.

The campus includes a chapel, an administration and guidance complex, a classroom building, a cafeteria, a library, a television production studio, an IT suite, five science labs, a health care lab, a culinary arts kitchen, a 1,000 seat gymnasium, a weight room, a softball field, a soccer field, a track, and a fine arts building for music, theatre, and art. Our green space includes a garden, reflective courtyard, activities quad, and space for growth. Academy of Our Lady students are nurtured in the Catholic tradition while gaining all the tools necessary to succeed in the 21st century.

FAITH

WE LIVE THE SALESIAN FAMILY spirit

Academy of Our Lady is devoted to the Salesian spirit of reason, religion, and loving kindness. Our Salesian spirit is one that will serve young women well for a lifetime. Key to fostering this spirit and sisterhood at Academy of Our Lady are four components that are recognized in every Salesian school: a home that welcomes, a school that prepares for life, a playground where friends come to meet, and a church that evangelizes. These are all living expressions of our Salesian Catholic faith.

On Campus

School-wide liturgical celebrations, varied prayer experiences, opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, class retreats and other religious events are a regular part of life at Academy of Our Lady. Our school family offers daily prayer services and adoration in our campus chapel while gospel values and ethical principles are integrated across all disciplines. Popular retreats involve a broad cross-section of our students and faculty. A student points out, “The school is respectful of your religion, even if you’re not Catholic.”

In Our Community

Living their faith also means Academy of Our Lady students are involved in community outreach. Our young women take pride in everything from spirit days to community service. Academy of Our Lady students participate in Salesian Leadership Retreats in New York twice a year. Local Salesian schools gather together during the school year to celebrate feast days. Every year, the Academy of Our Lady family bands together to provide over 10,000 hours of service during our service week. One hundred percent of the student body participates in service-oriented activities each year.

THE DRIVE FOR

LIFE-LONG learning

With a strong belief that every young woman can learn, our faculty and staff is committed to providing a well-rounded education. We offer over 100 courses, including more than 70 electives. Our rigorous curriculum establishes a firm foundation for college academics, professional success, and life-long learning. We offer honor classes in every discipline and dual enrollment classes with universities for college credit.

Technology

Curriculum

We provide young women a learning experience that is continuously adapting to new thinking and best practices in education and teaching, while opening minds and igniting imaginations, through dynamically delivered lessons. Students have the ability to explore disciplines such as art, forensics, and app design; pioneering industry programs such as Culinary Arts, Fine Arts, Healthcare, and Law; and STEM programs with best-in-class lab resources. We offer honor classes in all disciplines and over 16 dual enrollment courses for college credit.

We offer a true technological advantage preparing our students to flourish in a digital world. Wireless internet is available throughout campus. Each student receives an iPad for classwork and homework. The latest technology in the classroom, including 70 inch LED televisions equipped with Apple TV, inspires innovative teaching and learning.

ACADEMICS

ACADEMIC MAJORS

Unique to our curriculum is the Program of Academic Majors. This exceptional program offers Academy of Our Lady students a path of study with a specific concentration. Young women participate in the Program of Academic Majors in conjunction with their college preparatory course load. The Program of Academic Majors gives students hands-on experience, invaluable opportunities to interact with local professionals and experts in their field, as well as the foundation needed to succeed in college. Students that complete the required courses are acknowledged at graduation and recieve an honor cord.

HEALTH SCIENCE

CULINARY ARTS

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)

LAW & CIVIL LEADERSHIP

FINE ARTS (Art, Music, and Theatre)

STEM Major

The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Major prepares young women for an engineering career and enhances their lives as global citizens in a technological society. Academy of Our Lady is one of five schools in Louisiana selected for membership in the Engineer Your World program and one of three schools in Louisiana to offer Engineer Your World II. Applying math, science, and technological content, Academy students who participate in the STEM Major gain hands-on experience completing numerous projects such as building cameras, coding, programming robots, wiring grids, and re-designing products. Students are trained and certified in safety and operation of the tools needed to fabricate industrial robotic components.

NASAOfficial sponsor of the robotics team. Academy of Our Lady’s Powerstruck Girls are NASA’s “home team.”

Health Science Major

The Health Science Major lays the foundation for college coursework in the medical field. Health Science Major students are provided with a curriculum that allows them to explore a variety of health care professions, become comfortable with the language used by health care professionals, practice employability skills, increase their appreciation of the sciences, and learn basic clinical skills.

Our school partners with local health care systems such as Oschner and LCMC to observe doctors and nurses in various medical departments such as the emergency room, medical surgical unit, intensive care unit, and critical care unit. Students perform clinical hours at Our Lady of Wisdom.

Students from the class of 2022 that earned their Certified Nurse Aide license through the health science major.

Law & Civil Leadership Major

The Law and Civil Leadership Major is designed to give students the opportunity to gain knowledge, skills, and abilities that are essential to the practice of law and/or law-related occupations. Students will gain a basic knowledge of the American Judicial System. Attention will also be given to Constitutional issues, including how the law is intended to preserve and protect individual rights and liberties.

Young women who participate in the Law and Civil Leadership Major explore careers in the legal profession, government, and activism. Students will shadow lawyers, judges, arbitrators, court reporters, law enforcement personnel, and have the opportunity for summer internships with local civil leaders. Students also participate in national speech and debate competitions.

Culinary Arts Major

Field study opportunities for law and civil leadership majors.

• Culinary

• ProStart 1

• ProStart 2

• Pastry Arts and Baking

• International Cuisine

• FACS (Family & Consumer Science)

The Culinary Arts Major addresses everything related to the food and restaurant industry. Students are provided the necessary tools to flourish in the culinary world. The Culinary Arts Major includes enrollment in the National ProStart program. Academy of Our Lady is the only Catholic school in Louisiana that participates in this twoyear program which is sponsored by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. Mastering skills that experts identify as critical to success, our students are trained in safety, kitchen and management essentials, communication, leadership, purchasing, inventory, and cost control. Students earn ServSafe certifications as part of the course of study. The Culinary Arts prepares students to pursue this career path in college.

Fine Arts Major

The Fine Arts Major consists of three unique paths: Art, Music and Theatre. The arts are a vital aspect of our lives and this major is designed to give students the opportunity to create and excel in both visual and performing skills.

Arts

Applying elements of art, students experience a curriculum training them in visual and graphic arts as well as 3D printing and creations. Students submit and display their work in local art competitions.

Music

The Music Major includes two pathways: vocal and piano. Students who choose the Music Major are trained in both vocal and piano classes. Students perform both in school and in the community.

Theatre

The Theatre Major focuses on creating strong communicators, building teamwork, and collaboration in various aspects of Theatre. Acting, Movement, Makeup, Costuming, Stage Design, Stage Lighting, and Choreography are a few topics integrated into our program.

PREPARED FOR life

The curriculum at Academy of Our Lady is designed to assure that young women will graduate having met the course requirements for TOPS scholarship eligibility. Our teachers emphasize that preparation during pre-freshman year is just as important as senior year, while energetic guidance counselors assure that students complete scholarship applications. Our challenging curriculum, combined with our forward-thinking teachers, help students reach their highest potential.

$9.9 98% 680+

MILLION

Total received in scholarships by Academy graduating class of 2022.

Academy graduates that go on to attend postsecondary institutions.

Dual enrollment hours earned by the class of 2022.

COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES

Academy of Art University

Alabama A&M

Atlanta College of Art

Ave Maria University

Baton Rouge Community College

Baylor University

Belhaven University

Bethel College

Bethune-Cookman Univeristy

Birmingham-Southern University

Boston College

Brevard College

Brown University

Centenary College

Christian Brothers University

Clark-Atlanta University

Columbia College Chicago

Delgado Community College

Dillard University

Emory University

Florida Institute of Technology

Florida State University

Fordham University

Franciscan University

Franklin Pierce College

Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia Southern University

Hampton University

Harvard College

Hofstra University

Hollins University

Howard University

Indiana University Bloomington

Iona College

Jackson State University

Kentucky Wesleyan College

Langsford College

Langston University

Lewis University

Long Island University Brooklyn

Louisiana College

Louisiana State University

Alexandria Shreveport

Honors College

Louisiana Tech University

Loyola University New Orleans

Honors Program

Maine Maritime Academy

Martin Methodist College

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

McKendree University

McNeese State University

Memphis College of Art

Millsaps College

Mississippi College Mississippi State University

New York University

Nicholls State University

North Lake College

Northwestern State University

Nunez Community College

Our Lady of Holy Cross College

Pearl River Community College

Penn State University

Philander Smith College

Rhodes College

Rice University

Saint Leo University

Saint Mary’s University

Savannah College of Art and Design

Seton Hall College

Shelton State Community College

Southeastern Louisiana University

Southern Methodist University

Southern University of New Orleans

Spelman College

Spring Hill College

Stillman College

Texas A&M University

Texas Southern University

Texas State University

The Art Institute of California-SF

Tulane University

Tuskegee University

United States Air Force Academy

University of Alabama University of Dallas University of Denver University of Georgia

University of Holy Cross University of Houston University of Illinois at Chicago

University of Louisiana at Lafayette University of Louisiana at Monroe

University of Maine

University of Mary Hardin-Baylor

University of Mississippi

University of Nebraska Omaha University of New Orleans University of Rochester

University of South Alabama

University of Southern Mississippi University of South Florida University of St. Thomas

University of Tampa University of Tulsa Washington and Lee University

Watkins College of Art

William Carey University

Xavier University of Louisiana

WE PLAY TO win

Young women who want to have a key part in building championship seasons play for Academy of Our Lady teams. Our Penguins compete in the Louisiana High School Athletic Association. The Penguin, the school’s mascot, exemplifies intelligence, courage, and teamwork.

Academy of Our Lady Cheerleaders are a highlight of parades and campus performances. Our teams participate in local and national competitions, bringing home trophies, and superior ratings.

ATHLETICS

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

At Academy of Our Lady young women not only develop the tools necessary to succeed academically and to become upstanding citizens, they also create friendships that will last forever. The sisterhood at Academy of Our Lady begins the moment a young woman steps foot on campus. Every incoming student is paired with an upperclassman “big sister” who guides her through her first year of high school. Spirit weeks, pep rallys, dances, Powderpuff, and Field Day give students opportunities to have fun and make life-long memories.

CLUBS & SOCIETIES

3:45 Club

Academic Games/Quiz Bowl

Ambassadors Anti-Bullying Bowling Club Campus Ministry

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Culinary Club Culture Club

French Honor Society Health Care Club Key Club

Marian Club Mu Alpha Theta

National Honor Society

National Art Honor Society

National English Honor Society

National Science Honor Society Pet Club Photography Club

Rho Kappa Honor Society

Right to Life Robotics SADD Salesians for Life Science Olympiad

Society Of Women Engineers (SWE)

Spanish Honor Society

Speech and Debate

Stars and Stripes Club

Student Council

Student Union Diversity in Action (SUDIA)

Thalian Society Tri M True Love Waits

Ultimate Frisbee

A HOME THAT welcomes

Academy of Our Lady has more than 30 clubs that promote academic excellence, strengthening of spiritual values, community service, and physical fitness. We are home to eight nationally chartered honor societies. Through participating in extracurricular activities, our students learn to work as a group toward a common goal. Clubs offer students an opportunity to make friends and to pursue their interests and dreams.

“We chose Academy of Our Lady because we knew she would gain the skills to be a leader in our city and the world.”

“I did not walk these halls, but I lived this spirit.”

“I love the family atmosphere at Academy of Our Lady. People are willing to help each other and cooperate with one another to achieve their goals.”

“Salesian Sisters are comfortable to be around. They’re easy to relate to and they connect with the students. It’s an education of which to be proud.”

AN ACADEMY OF OUR LADY ALUMNA

AN ACADEMY OF OUR LADY TEACHER

AN ACADEMY OF OUR LADY PARENT

AN ARCHBISHOP BLENK ALUMNA & MAYOR OF GRETNA, LA

VISIT CAMPUS

Schedule a Campus Tour

Meet with an admissions representative one-on-one to discover how Academy of Our Lady is the difference you’ve been looking for. Your on-campus tour will allow you to explore Academy of Our Lady while learning more about our programs, the student experience, financial aid, and more.

Spend the Day

Admissions Events

Meet our faculty and staff and get an inside look at our various offerings to see if Academy of Our Lady is a good fit for your family.

admissions@theacademyofourlady.org

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Accreditation

Academy of Our Lady is accredited by AdvancED (Cognia) and approved by the Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Membership

Academy of Our Lady is a New Orleans Archdiocesan high school and is a member of the National Catholic Educational Association.

Penguin Preview pairs a prospective student with a current student for an authentic Academy of Our Lady experience. Guests attend classes and lunch with their host and make friends along the way. Penguin Preview is offered on select dates.

theacademyofourlady.org 5501 WESTBANK EXPRESSWAY, MARRERO, LOUISIANA 70072 504.341.6217

The schools of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, Louisiana admit students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at its schools. They do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in administration of their educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.