Study abroad with Academy of the Holy Family

Academy of the Holy Family

The Academy of the Holy Family, an accredited Catholic secondary day and boarding school for young women, AGES 14 - 17, is located in the New England countryside, just two hours from Boston and 2.5 hours from NYC. International students arrive late August and return home in mid June.  Students may choose to remain one year as a study abroad year, or they may choose to study at our school for three-four years and earn a high school diploma. 

Owned and operated by the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady, Mother of the Church, the Academy has a rich tradition of educating young women in excellence for over 130 years. While offering our students a challenging academic program which includes both honors and Advanced Placement courses, the Academy fosters a family spirit within its student body. Young women have opportunities to thrive in this nurturing atmosphere, thus being empowered to reach their full spiritual, intellectual, moral and social potential. Alumnae from all over the world have expressed their deep gratitude for their educational experience at the Academy of the Holy Family. See for yourself the difference the Academy of the Holy Family can make in the life of students!

Courses

• Accounting I
• Advanced Art
• Advanced Foods and Nutrition
• Advanced Painting
• Algebra I
• Algebra II
• Art I
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Clothing I
• Computer Science I
• Computer Science II
• Computer Science III
• Creative Writing
• Drawing
• English as a Second Language
• English I
• English I for ESL Students
• English II
• English III
• English IV
• Foods I
• French I
• French II
• French III
• French IV
• Geometry
• Glee Club
• Health I
• Health II
• Honors Algebra I
• Honors Algebra II
• Honors Biology
• Honors Calculus
• Honors English I
• Honors English II
• Honors English III
• Honors English IV
• Honors Pre-Calculus
• Honors U.S. History
• Honors World History
• Latin I
• Latin II
• Latin III
• Life Skills
• Painting
• Parenting
• Physical Education I
• Physical Education II
• Physical Education III
• Physical Education IV
• Physical Science
• Psychology
• Religion I
• Religion II
• Religion III
• Religion IV
• Spanish I
• Spanish II
• Spanish III
• Spanish IV
• Speech
• U.S. Government
• U.S. History
• World History
• AP Physics
• AP Calculus
• College level courses at Three Rivers Community College through our partnership program
• College level courses approved by the administration and guidance counselor

Accomodation

The dormitory is equipped with double rooms for underclassmen and single rooms for upper classmen.  Student rooms are equipped with beds, desks, chairs, closets, sinks, lamps and a table.  In the center of the dormitory is a TV lounge with couches, chairs and a rug.  Adjacent to this is a snack area that includes tables, chairs, refrigerator, microwave, iron, ironing board and dishware.  Three online computers are available for student use in the dormitory, while online computers are dispersed throughout the Academy for student use.  There is a second lounge area for relaxation as well a work table for projects to be done.   Two Sisters sleep in the dormitory so as to be available to the students as mentors and to meet their needs.

Boarding students use the school cafeteria for most meals.  At other times they eat at restaurants or occasionally  in the dormitory itself.  Laundry may be done by the students themselves through coin operated washer and drier or they may utilize laundry services provided for a fee.  A pay phone is available for student use.  Many students choose to bring cell phones and laptop computers.

Entry Requirements

Students seeking admission to the Academy must be able to follow a regular high school curriculum. The English as a Second Language Program is open to foreign students for one year, or four years for those who are or become proficient enough in English to earn 75% – 100% grades in classes taught in the English language.

Students applying to the Academy of the Holy Family must be responsible, honest, cooperative, demonstrate good character, be respectful of others and willing to live as a member of a dormitory family.

No student will be admitted until all forms from the admissions packet are properly submitted. These include: registration form and fee; 6th, 7th, and 8th grade academic records for incoming ninth graders, or an official transcript from the sending high school for transfer students, admissions essay, recommendation form, a copy of the student’s birth certificate, school health records including immunization record, Connecticut State Physical Form, Emergency Health Form, an emergency card, Non-Aspirin/Aspirin Substitute Form, student information form, a signed tuition management form (or payment in full by August 23rd), and a signed Student Handbook Agreement form.

Students born outside the must provide proper immigration status. International students must have an I-20 form, student visa, an F-1 card, and an Affidavit of Support.

Philosophy

The Academy of the Holy Family has for its specific purpose the education of girls, and their Christian formation according to authentic Catholic teaching. The Academy cherishes the mandate of Christ to the Church to "announce the good news of salvation to all men, and to renew all things in Christ."  (Declaration on Christian Education)  The Academy seeks to provide an instructional environment which fosters self-motivated intellectual development through a structured curriculum which may be tailored to meet individual needs which will prepare the student to meet more effectively the challenges of living a Christian and moral life in today’s society.

The comprehensive nature of this small school enables it to prepare the student for higher education, or in the professional world. This preparation includes an emphasis on personal accountability, integrity, and critical analysis of those exterior stimuli which shape her world, and the ability to respond in an effective Christian manner to her evaluation of those exterior forces by means of a formed and informed conscience.

The Academy accepts as a sacred trust the commitment to serving the poor, and, since poverty knows so many forms, each applicant is evaluated in the light of her academic and personal needs and goals and the ability of the school to meet those needs successfully. Each student should find here the setting in which to develop the richness of her personal worth in an environment that does not perceive material possessions as a qualitative index to a person's true value.  The Academy cherishes its mission to provide a quality educational opportunity particularly for the young woman who perceives the need  for a more structured learning environment with personal attention to her spiritual and intellectual  development.

Because of its commitment to any girl who seeks such an environment, regardless of ethnic background, country of origin, color, creed or the economic status of her family, the Academy makes every effort to maintain as low a tuition base as is possible, making quality Catholic education financially feasible.

Location

The Town of Sprague was incorporated in 1861. We are comprised of three quaint villages, Baltic, Hanover, and Versailles, which make up Sprague, a picture-postcard turn-of-the-century mill town. We are the only town in the area that can boast three post offices: one in Baltic, one in Hanover and one in Versailles. We are known for our great salmon fishing, canoeing and picturesque woods. Our little town is clustered around the banks of the Shetucket River, which flows from Willimantic to Norwich .

Our students can walk to a pizza place, two restaurants, a convenience store, the post office and a small library. 

Baltic is fifteen/twenty minute drive from Norwich or New London; a one hour drive from Hartford or Providence; a two hour drive from Boston and a three hour drive from New York.  Students use T.F. Greene International Airport in Providence, R.I. and Amtrak through the New London, CT train station.

Facilities

The Academy itself is a wing of the Motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady, Mother of the Church.  The original section of the Motherhouse was a hotel before it was purchased by the Sisters in 1874.  Throughout the years various additions were built onto the original structure, resulting in a building that houses the novitiate, Motherhouse, dormitory for infirm Sisters, and the Academy of the Holy Family.

The Academy wing houses the classrooms, computer laboratory, science laboratory, library, lounge, dining hall, chapel and dormitories. St. Michael Center, the large, modern gymnasium in located a short walk away on the campus.  Our gymnasium boasts the highest gym ceiling in Connecticut and hosts international badminton tournaments twice a year.

Residential Program

The residential program makes it possible for the Academy to provide a quality Catholic education for students who live beyond commuting distance. In addition to the academic school day, resident students also have prescribed study periods, week-day activity periods, and week-end activities. This program provides the student with a structure, opportunity to develop independence, and additional guidance to develop spiritually, academically, and socially.

The following is a list of some of the weekend activities:

• Lunch and supper at various restaurants
• Shopping at Crystal Mall, Providence Place, Westfarms Mall, etc.
• Canobie Lake Park, New Hampshire
• Corn Maze
• Mystic Aquarium
• Olde Mystic Village
• Boston- various activities
• Scenic drive in Essex
• Movies at theatres
• Roller Skating
• Ice Skating
• New York City
• Disney on Ice
• Boston Symphony Orchestra
• Hockey Game
• Newport
• Wadsworth Atheneum
• Riverdance at the Bushnell

Alumnae Comments

My experience of being over there was like no other thing- the most precious and happy year of my youth.  (International student)

The Academy is an excellent place for young girls to grow. Being a student there from 1998 to 2002 I was in no way sheltered from learning about diversity, if anything the academy offers a unique opportunity for its girls to excel because of the many different origins attending the school. My time at the academy was the best and prepared me
to reach my goals in college and in graduate school. The academy became my home away from home and my second family. I love the girls that I went to school with and was blessed to have a graduating class of 13 because every single girl I knew and loved.

The Academy of the Holy Family is an excellent school designed to help students reach their goals, whatever they may be. Throughout my time as a student there, I was given the chance to excel and if help was needed, all I had to do was ask. The teachers there are kind, caring and wonderful people who seek to help the students out as best they can and at the same time nurture a sense of respect and independence within the girls attending the school. There are always opportunities for the girls to join sports, drama or any of the other extracurricular activities that the school offers, and having a small attendance record only opens up the opportunity more so for the student, rather than hindering them and fostering a negative feeling of having to compete. All in all, the Academy is a great school and I highly recommend it.

The teachers and students all brought out ideas, customs and thoughts to share with one another on a daily basis. The faculty is caring, compassionate and wonderful. No where else would you find the different backgrounds that you find at this school. No where else will you find friendships forged for years and years to come. The teachers at the Academy care about every aspect of the students and their lives. When I have a daughter, I will certainly enroll her at the Academy. It would be a shame for a young woman to miss out on the wonderful people and learning that can be found there.

I appreciated the nuns and loved them all.  The educational requirements were very high and we were required to excel.  I excelled!

Address

Academy of the Holy Family       
54 W. Main St. Box 691
Baltic, CT 06330-0691 USA

Our Programs

Academy of the Holy Family

Academy of the Holy Family
54 W. Main St. Box 691
Baltic, CT, 6330
Phone: +1 860 822 9272
Fax: +1 860 822 1318