Our Lady of Mercy Academy (New Jersey)

Our Lady of Mercy Academy
Address
1001 Main Road Newfield, New Jersey, (Gloucester County), 08344  United States
Coordinates	39°32′39″N 74°59′47″W / 39.54417°N 74.99639°W / 39.54417; -74.99639Coordinates: 39°32′39″N 74°59′47″W / 39.54417°N 74.99639°W / 39.54417; -74.99639
Information
Type	Private, All-Girls
Motto	Knowledge and Truth
Religious affiliation(s)	Roman Catholic
Established	1962
Principal	Sr. Grace Marie, DM.
Faculty	19.3 (on FTE basis)[1]
Grades	9–12
Enrollment	244 [1]  (2005-06)
Student to teacher ratio	12.6[1]
Campus	Suburban
Campus size	57 acres (230,000 m2)
Color(s)	Green and Gold
Athletics conference	Cape-Atlantic League
Team name	Villagers
Accreditation(s)	Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools[2]
Newspaper	'The Oracle'
Website	http://www.olmanj.org

Our Lady of Mercy Academy (OLMA) is a college preparatory, all-girls Catholic high school founded in 1962 by the Daughters of Our Lady of Mercy in Franklin Township, New Jersey, United States. Despite its location in Franklin Township, the school has a Newfield mailing address. Located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden, the first class, consisting of 23 students, graduated in June 1965. Its first principal was Sister M. Dolores. The first faculty members were Sisters Gertrude, Dominica, and Matthew Marie; now, most of the faculty is lay.

OLMA is the only all-girls high school in South Jersey. The school grounds span 57 acres (230,000 m²) and include a gym, sports fields, a Chapel and an indoor pool. Its traditions include a senior trip to Florida, a religious retreat for all grades, junior Ring Mass and celebrations of Thanksgiving, Christmas, Three Kings Day, Mary Day, and pi day.

As of the 2005-06 school year, the school had an enrollment of 244 students and 19.3 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 12.6.^[1]

The school colors are green and gold. Green represents hope; gold represents victory. The school motto is "Knowledge and Truth". The school crest features a lamp for knowledge, a globe for truth, a cross for Christianity, an open book "of life" and an "M" for the Blessed Mother.

The school is inspired by the vision of Saint Mary Joseph Rossello, who educated young girls in the 19th century. The school's community service club is named in her honor.

OLMA is a sister school to St. Augustine College Preparatory School, the all boys college prep school in Southern New Jersey, as they share certain amenities such as busing and use of sports fields.

Each year, students, faculty, staff, family, friends, and alumni gather for the traditional Communion Breakfast, a Mass followed by a brunch. On October 2, 2011, this event kicked off OLMA's year-long 50th anniversary celebration, and featured as guest speaker Theresa Grentz of collegiate basketball fame.

Athletics

The Our Lady of Mercy Academy Villagers compete in the National Division of the Cape-Atlantic League, an athletic conference consisting of both parochial and public high schools located in Atlantic County, Cape May County, Cumberland County, and Gloucester County, New Jersey. The Cape-Atlantic League operates under the aegis of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association.

OLMA sports include: Crew, Lacrosse, Softball,Swimming, Basketball, Track, Cheerleading, Winter Track,Cross Country, Tennis, Volleyball and Soccer

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} Our Lady of Mercy Academy, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed August 18, 2008.
2. ^ MSA-CSS. "MSA-Commission on Secondary Schools". http://www.css-msa.org/search.php/. Retrieved 2009-07-31. 

External links

• Our Lady of Mercy Academy
• Data for Our Lady of Mercy Academy, National Center for Education Statistics
• South Jersey Sports: Our Lady of Mercy Academy