History and Mission
Celebrating the Past. Embracing the future.
The Academy of the Holy Angels, the oldest private school in Bergen County, was founded in 1879 in Fort Lee, New Jersey, by Sister Mary Nonna Dunphy a School Sister of Notre Dame. At that time, AHA was a boarding and day school for girls in kindergarten through Grade 12. The cross-surmounted dome of the Academy, erected in 1910, remained a landmark in Fort Lee until the Academy moved to a new facility in Demarest in 1965.
Although the Academy’s campus relocated, their vision, interest in a global curriculum, and focus on the empowerment of young women in remain steadfast. The Academy is part of a global network of SSND schools in the United States and around the world.
Our Third Century
The Academy looks forward to the future with faith and hope to continue to educate young women in the conviction that the world can be changed through the transformation of persons.
For a further look at the history of Holy Angels, please view the work done in the Autumn of 2000 by S. Rita Goodman ’50, SSND. Academy of the Holy Angels: Spanning Three Centuries by S. Rita Goodman, SSND
AHA Mission Statement (May 2020)
The Academy of the Holy Angels is an independent Catholic preparatory school dedicated to excellence in the education of young women. Rooted in the charism of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, AHA empowers each student to define and achieve the fullness of her own potential. Our students are called to be leaders who recognize the dignity of all persons and promote justice and peace and care of all of God’s creation.
Philosophy & Goals
SSND Sponsorship
Grounded in the gospel message and in the tradition and charism of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, the Academy welcomes students from many different communities, ethnic backgrounds, and religious affiliations.
The School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) were founded in 1833 in Bavaria, Germany. Today, School Sisters of Notre Dame are found in 30 countries around the globe. The Academy is part of a global network of SSND schools in the United States and throughout the world.