Caritas Academy

infobox University
name= Caritas Academy
established = 2006
type = Private High School
principal= Dr. Jane Selinske
city = Jersey City, New Jersey
country = USA
colors = Red, White, Black
mascot = Lady Eagle
website = http://www.caritasacademy.com

Caritas Academy is an all-girls private, Roman Catholic high school in Jersey City, New Jersey. It operates under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark.

History

Caritas Academy is a four year Catholic college preparatory for urban young women, sponsored and operated by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, and currently serves the academic needs of 210 students. Founded in the traditions of The Academy of Saint Aloysius and the Academy of Sacred Heart, Caritas opened in 2006 with a commitment to educational rigor and relevance. The Academy of St. Aloysius, one of the precursors to the Caritas Academy, had a long record of educating young women; almost 99% of all ASA graduates went on to college during the majority of the years that the Academy was active.Fact|date=September 2008 The Academy has been accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools since 1954. [ [http://www.css-msa.org/search.php?MODE=VIEW(NJ003)&org=CSS Caritas Academy] , Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Accessed August 10, 2007.] It is a member of The National Association for College Admission Counseling, The College Board, National Association for Independent Schools, New Jersey Student Success, and the Archdiocese of Newark. Caritas accommodates schedules with New Jersey City University for the School of Visual and Performing Arts, and has affiliations with Saint Peter's College and the College of Saint Elizabeth to grant college credits. Unfortunately, At the end of the 2008 school year it will be closing permanently. [ [http://www.nj.com/hudsoncountynow/index.ssf/2008/03/caritas_academy_school_in_jers.html Caritas Academy school in Jersey City to close down] ]

tudent Activities

Caritas Academy is a member of the Hudson County Interscholastic Athletic Association and New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) [ [http://www.hciaa.com/home.html Hudson County Interscholastic Athletic Association] . Accessed July 15, 2007.] and participates in the North Jersey Parochial Girls League.

Student Activities:
Student Government, National Honor Society, Student Ambassadors, Yearbook, Newspaper, Literary Magazine, Math League, Business Club, Art Club, Aids Awareness and Prevention, Multicultural Club, Journaling Group, Choir, Animal Advocates, and Peer Ministry.

Interscholastic Activities

The academy consists of the following sports for their fellow students:

Soccer, Volleyball, Basketball, Softball, Cross Country and Track

Students are responsible for academic prioritization for participation. A Winter Intercession provides opportunities for "mini" courses. All students are encouraged to participate in at least one activity per year to complement their education.

Administration

*Principal - Dr. Jane Selinske
*Vice-Principal - Mr. U
*Director of Admissions - Sr. Carol Anne Lockwood
*Director of Guidance - Mr. J. Semcer

There are 20 professional faculty members, averaging 22 years of experience, with over 50% holding at least one Master's degree. The staff includes one librarian, one nurse, an athletic director, an admissions' director, and one member of the guidance department who holds his Masters in Student Personnel Services.

Big Sister, Little Sister

Every freshman at the academy receives a “big sister” from the junior class to provide academic and social guidance. Big sisters welcome freshmen into their high school experience with special lunches and surprise programs, like Twin Day, where the two sisters coordinate matching outfits.

Alma Mater

The Caritas Academy Alma Mater song is as follows:

"With Charity and Sisterhood,"

"We gather everyday"

"To become the faithful leaders of the future and today."

"We seek understanding"

"To love as God would love "

"And to show ourselves and all the world"

"The beauty of the way."

"O Caritas Academy"

"In service and community"

"With faith and love"

'We lift up our hearts with loyalty."

External links

* [http://www.scnj.org/caritas_academy.htm School Website]
* [http://www.caritasacademy.com]

Trivia

* Assassination of a High School Principal, starring Bruce Willis, his daughter Rumer Willis, and Mischa Barton, began filming on September 9, 2007, using parts of the building of Caritas Academy. [ [http://caritasacademy.com/caritasnews/?p=16 Caritas Academy Article] ]

* On September 13, 2007, three junior students from Caritas Academy have been chosen to participate in the People to People Student Ambassador Program, taking the trip to France, Italy and Malta.
**Senior Mariel Rana is an alumna of the People to People Student Ambassador Program. She has served as an ambassador for the last two summers where she has travelled to the British Isles, and China.
**Senior, Nikole Reyes has travelled to Tijuana, Mexico on a Missions trip with her Youth Group in July 2007.
*** During the summer of 2006 students I'mani Wicks and Samantha Hijos travled to Australia with the People to People Ambassador Program.
* Closing this summer, the school will have only been open for a total of two years.

References