Inaugural AHA Middle School Open House Earns Top Ratings

Sixty-four families attended the inaugural Academy of the Holy Angels Middle School Open House, and reacted by giving AHA excellent survey ratings. The April 21 event included in-person campus tours in the afternoon followed by an online information session.

“Both events were well attended by families whose daughters have been accepted to the middle school and as well as prospective families beginning the school search,” said AHA Director of Admissions Michèle McGovern.

Here is what three prospective AHA families had to say:

• “My husband, daughter, and I were really impressed with the campus (and) the plans for the middle school and are hopeful that she will be able to call this her school the following school year!”
• “We cannot wait to enroll our daughter. This is very exciting for our family. Thank you for all you do!”
• “The school administration and staff were heartwarming and welcoming. We hope and pray that our daughters will be given the opportunities to become Angels. God bless.” This family also expressed appreciation for the tour provided by Angel Ambassador Patsy Coleman.

Angel Ambassadors, all of whom are current students, provided information-packed tours of Kelleher Hall, where the middle school will be located, and the main school building. Ambassadors provide a unique, firsthand look at life at the Academy. Tours began in the Student Commons and ended in the Learning Commons (AHA’s library), where families had an opportunity to talk with AHA President Melinda Hanlon, AHA Middle School Dean Traci Koval, and AHA Assistant Director of Admissions Jennifer Bullis. Families left with grab-and-go snacks, including individually packaged cupcakes decorated in blue and white, AHA’s signature colors.

AHA Middle School will be open to young women in Grades 6, 7, and 8 this September. The middle school, which renews the Academy’s tradition of educating young girls, will be located on the first floor of Kelleher Hall.

AHA Middle School inspires young women to cultivate a life-long love of learning and empowers them to navigate the challenges of adolescence, find their voice, and share their unique gifts with others.

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.