Future Angels Appreciate AHA’s Personal Approach to Open House

Prospective Angels and their families gave the Academy of the Holy Angels excellent ratings for the October 3 Fall Open House. Survey respondents said they appreciated the personal approach, which included tours led by Angel Ambassadors, current students who provide firsthand knowledge of life at the Academy.

Families also appreciated the Academy’s respect for their time. The new event format permitted visitors to register for one of four presentations by the administration and campus ministry. Afterward, families enjoyed a campus tour, and an opportunity to speak with faculty and administrators. In the evening, families participated in a virtual presentation.

Admissions Director Michèle McGovern and Assistant Director Jennifer Bullis organized this successful program. In order to keep the event COVID-safe, campus tours were only available to eighth graders and one or two family members.

“Nicely done Open House,” a parent shared. “I love that each family gets a ‘personal’ guide who is a current student of the school.”
 
Another visitor said, “Our guide did a wonderful job, and it was helpful to speak with another student later regarding the music program.”
 
Ninety percent of guests who responded to the survey gave the event an “excellent” rating, and the balance said the experience was “good.” Overall, families described the event as very well organized and implemented, and one person said the day was “not only informative, but also cheerful and inspiring.”

Speakers included AHA President Melinda Hanlon; Principal Jean Miller, an AHA alumna; Academic Dean Carmen Quiñones, whose daughters are AHA alumnae; and Director of Mission & Ministry Joan Connelly. President Hanlon extended a warm welcome and led the opening prayer. Mrs. Connelly spoke about the School Sisters of Notre Dame, AHA’s foundresses and sponsors, and their goal of helping each young woman reach the fullness of her potential. Principal Miller outlined some of the opportunities Holy Angels offers, and Dean Quiñones discussed recent examples of AHA alumnae who are sharing their gifts around the globe.
 
“Thank you for wording what I have tried to describe to others,” one parent said.
 
Perhaps the best review of the day was, “The school and the young ladies we met were amazing, and my daughter doesn’t want to look any further.”
 
Founded by the School Sisters of Notre Dame in 1879, the Academy of the Holy Angels is the oldest private girls’ school in Bergen County. While AHA is steeped in Catholic tradition, this prestigious school serves young women from a broad spectrum of cultural and religious backgrounds. Over time, thousands of women have passed through AHA’s portals. Many go on to study at some of the nation’s best universities, earning high-ranking positions in medicine, government, law, education, public service, business, arts, and athletics. The Academy’s current leaders continue to further the SSND mission to provide each student with the tools she needs to reach the fullness of her potential—spiritually, intellectually, socially, and physically, by offering a first-rate education in a nurturing environment where equal importance is placed on academic excellence, character development, moral integrity, and service to others.