Comments from parents and students, 2012-2013:

I think The Academy of the Holy Family is a great school. It's very family oriented, everyone is really nice and caring towards each other. The class courses are very good; you have a choice of honors classes or college prep. The Academy also has a variety of sports; we have soccer, basketball, and softball. Overall, the Academy is a very good school and you won't regret coming here.

 I greatly value and appreciate AHF because it has helped me grow up and mature into the young woman my mother has always expected me to be. The classes are small which helps me learn more quickly and efficiently. I get a lot more one-on-one time with my teachers than I ever did or would in a regular, large public school. The teachers are very kind and always willing to help when I am or any other girl is having trouble. They are understanding and care for their students and all have religious backgrounds which help us all grow in our own faith.

They offer tutoring and after school help for any girl who needs it and is willing to come for help. If a girl needs help but is too embarrassed or scared to go, the teachers themselves reach out to them which makes the girl not only more comfortable with asking for help but also more confident in that she can do it.

I absolutely love the school and the boarding program and appreciate everything the teachers, Sisters and students have done for me in my past few years here. I would never leave this school because it is what has made me and shaped me into the young woman I am today.

The education is excellent and the boarding program is very fun and structured. Our girls, through a very short amount of time, are able to become like sisters and are there through everything for each other. This has become very evident through the passing of one of our dearest Sisters. We girls have all been there for each other through the hardest time we have ever experienced here at AHF. Thanks to the Sisters pushing us to always be kind to one another and to love each other, we are now able to be there for each other through this very hard time.

Not only are the Sisters considerate, but the teachers are as well. We are taught to be kind, caring and loving and to set good examples for one another by the teachers and Sisters.
Overall, the education can be hard at times, but there is always someone there to help whether it is another student or a teacher. Here, we get the skills and values that we will need for the rest of our lives and I am, personally, incredibly grateful to AHF for giving me these tools for life and know that I am not the only girl who feels this way about the school; we all love and appreciate everything AHF has done for us in our lives and our education.

There are many reasons as to why AHF is a safe and learning environment for my daughter. The most important one is the educational opportunities it provides. I can see my daughter already being twice as active with her homework responsibilities compared to what would occur during the public school she attended. Boarding life has given her a chance to focus more on her homework and study for tests more.

A second reason would be its atmosphere of independence it creates. Being in boarding school, my daughter has learned to value things we would normally do for her because she doesn't have us there to do things for her thus making her more independent.

I think AHF is a great school for me; mostly because it has enriched my Catholic faith in ways that I never thought possible. I grew confidence with all the support of the girls and the Sisters have given me. I have also learned to be more responsible because of the trust the sisters give us. And I know that with more trust comes more responsibility. The support and help the sisters give us is unforgettable.

I am a parent at The Academy of the Holy Family. My daughter has attended AHF since her freshmen year. She is now a junior. I also attended the Academy of The Holy Family back in the 80's. I had hoped she too would enjoy being a part of such a close staff that treats you like family. When my daughter first started the Academy of the Holy Family as a freshman she had some difficulties in her studies & had a bit of an attitude. Only being there with the Sisters and staff a couple of months I saw a big change in my daughter. They taught her with love and compassion, kindness, fairness and to have a faith. Most high schools you don't get this kind of attention due to much larger classes. My daughter and the other students get hands on and close attention from the staff which, I feel is very important for their learning. They offer extra help for every student who may need just a bit of one on one. My daughter now is much kinder, mature, and shows more consideration towards others. She has goals & a positive attitude which I thank the whole staff for all they do for their students. Having boarders from the USA and other countries is a real learning experience for the girls to meet girls from all over the world. They are all able to experience how different cultures live. I feel sending my daughter to the Academy of the Holy Family was one of the best choices I made for her & her education. I highly recommend this school to anyone with a daughter.

During my four years as a boarding student at Academy of the Holy Family, I have grown as a scholar, as a student and most importantly, as a person.   I have become more independent and more confident. I have learned the high school subjects necessary to prepare me for college, such as Math, Science and English.  I have also grown more responsible, living up to my abilities and helping others to do the same.

I have matured these past years, too. I have learned some social and people skills necessary for college and beyond.   I’ve had the opportunity to play sports on the various Academy’s teams. I played both Junior Varsity and Varsity. I even assumed the leadership role of Captain of the softball team.  I had the chance to develop athletic skills, team skills and life skills; all while playing and having fun!

The dorm moms and the administration who are Sisters of Charity of our Lady, Mother of the Church (SCMC) are very caring, dedicated individuals.  Having a Senior Sister and now being a senior sister, doing community service such as Fill the Bus for the less-privileged, participating in school plays even as a stage hand, enjoying the annual Fall Tea, being able to receive extra tutoring when needed by the teachers, sisters, or peers who have similar values and morals have all been a unique, wonderful experience. The atmosphere is friendly and caring.

I have learned school lessons, life lessons and social lessons. When June arrives, I hope to leave as a more solid individual, ready to face college and beyond because of the values of faith and love instilled in me at the Academy.
If I had to pick one word to describe our experience at the Academy of the Holy Family it would have to be “gratitude”. In this fast paced, technologically driven, often materialistic world we live in, we are very grateful that our daughter applied to, was accepted, and attended the Academy of the Holy Family.  The academics are solid, college preparatory courses. The atmosphere is genuinely warm, friendly and family-like. The values are very basic, love of God, love of neighbor, and love of self.

The spirit of community of the Sisters carries over to the students, and cooperation is a key ingredient.  The sports and community service projects rival other much larger institutions.  There is a creative, dramatic and performing arts division if your daughter is interested. Our daughter has thrived and blossomed in the Academy’s environment, surrounded with dedicated, caring teachers, sisters, faculty and staff, in a small, nurturing environment.  I cannot say enough positive things about the Academy of the Holy Family. 

The kind, friendly warm spirit which is the Academy resonates from the walls, from the moment you enter its doors.  If your child is able to attend the Summer Camp sponsored by the Academy prior to her entrance into high school, that will give you a little hint of how very special and wonderful a school the Academy is.  You can expect to consider yourself very lucky and grateful if your daughter attends!

My husband and I value AHF because each student is known on a personal level.  This allows the staff to better serve each and every student to reach their full potential. Another awesome aspect of the unique school is the “melting pot” of girls that come from all over the world to attend.  These girls from other countries and other states in the U.S. for a family. The Sisters of Charity take on a great responsibility.  Not only do the Sisters keep this awesome school open with modest means, but they become physically responsible for these boarding school students who reside at the school year round.  When a good, trusted family invites a boarder home, it gives the students an opportunity to bond even more.  I often pray that it would be God’s will for us to hit the Lotto.  We definitely would not only give generously to AHF, but also to the Sisters of Charity.  My daughter is a senior this year and we are all sad this part of the journey will come to an end, but we will always feel welcome to return.

As you know my daughter joined the class of 2014 at the Academy of the Holy Family in the fall of this year. I would like to share with you what a positive experience this has been for her. First and foremost she has told us she feels”at home” with the Catholic atmosphere of her day. She is very touched by the dedication of the Sisters of Charity in their daily lives. It is more than just being taught religion, math or science. It is about modeling Christ like behavior and mentoring.

The academic experience has been very challenging and that is a good change from her previous school. The teachers are engaged and have an excellent rapport with the students. Lastly but equally important to a teenager, there are many social activities for a young teenage girl to participate in. The drama club, varsity sports and the Pro-Life club are just a few of the many offered. Sr. Loreto I would like to thank you for your leadership at the Academy. It has been so wonderful for our whole family to be part of the Academy through my daughter’s experience as a sophomore at the school. It was so touching to have my oldest daughter take her to the Tea last Sunday. She felt so welcomed by Sr. Christina and felt as if she “belonged” too.  The Academy of the Holy Family is a wonderful school. We are so blessed!

My daughter is a sophomore at AHF. There are many reasons why we like the Academy. The closeness of the students and faculty is a characteristic not seen often in high schools and really helps the students’ self-esteem and feeling of acceptance. The girls attending are from many different walks of life and therefore learn a lot from each other. The faculty genuinely cares for the students and will do anything to help the students in their academic careers or personal situations. The classes offered are challenging and the girls are taught to do their best and be responsible for themselves. There are a variety of opportunities for the girls to be involved in the community and to help those in need. Of utmost importance is that faith and spirituality are encouraged, supported, and taught. As they are learning to prepare for the real world with their education they are also learning how to maintain their faith and serve God in the same world. The entire educational experience is truly unique and is truly a blessing to our daughter and family.

Comments from a recent alumnus::

"AHF has been a source if inspiration to me. It has allowed me to explore myself and the world around me. Without the Academy, I would not be the person I am today. The Sisters and staff have taught me beyond the classroom. They truly care about each and every individual student and that is what made the difference. The Academy is not just any institution; it is special because of the people there. It is because of my experience at AHF that I want to be a teacher. I want to do for others what the Academy has done for me. - A recent graduate of AHF"

Thank yous from several parents whose daughters attended AHF 2011-2012:

Thank you so much for your support and guidance for my daughter for last two years.  AHF has been a dependable bridge for my daughter to explore her life toward the exciting future. We all will remember many things regarding AHF and be proud of being part of the AHF family. God bless you!!!

 I and my husband want to say to you and to all sisters and also to all teachers BIG BIG THANKS. Your school is a wonderful place preparing young girls for life. We enjoy great results that we see – our daughter’s grades, her positive attitude to many things, tolerance, patience and big plans for her future. God bless you!

My husband and I are very grateful for your teachings and dedication to our daughter. We have given our children a love of Catholic principles and now a days with so many difficulties around us is very important for them to follow the Church.  As a family it was a big sacrifice to send our daughter to your school.  The USA schools are very expensive , More importantly  it was the first time she left home ,and we missed her a lot .Now we are very happy we made that decision. She came with a knowledge of the English language and met girls from different parts of the world bringing her view of it.  We thank you again and ask you for prayers for my family.

Parents have been asked why they send their daughters to the Academy of the Holy Family. Their responses are as follows.

“My husband and I chose The Academy of the Holy Family for a few reasons. Our daughter comes from a large family and we have quite a bit invested in our children. It is no longer easy to keep children protected from a lot of the negative influences in the schools and my husband and I are determined to give them the tools and guidance necessary in order to be the best they can be. We knew that by sending our daughter to the Academy, she would feel safe; that she would be surrounded by teachers that deeply care about her education and morals, and that she could be herself and not be concerned with doing things to "fit in.” The friendships she makes over the next few years will be important ones. We have peace knowing that our daughter is surrounded by goodness, and that her Catholic religion is part of her day-to-day activities. The education she receives will be laying the ground work for her future. We know that her opportunities in the future are only increased because of attending the academy.”

“When I was looking for a school to send my daughter to study, I needed it to fulfill certain aspects that for me are very important. I wanted it to be a Catholic School, all girls, in preference to be run by nuns and to have an atmosphere of family and human warmth. When I started to read and learn about the philosophy of the Academy of the Holy Family it gave me the security that it was the best option that I could choose for my daughter and at the present time I am sure that thus it was. “

“Reasons why AHF:
-All women, less distractions for my daughter
-Sports program enabled them to be challenged, grow and develop all their abilities
small so I know that my child is given adequate attention by the teachers
-Christian school- I know the child isn’t being taught anything different from what I teach at home”

“I wanted my daughter to attend the Academy of the Holy Family for many reasons. I think she will do much better in a smaller school .She struggled in middle school which had 800 students .I felt she slipped through the cracks. My daughter has been at the academy for two weeks now and since the first day as she walked down the front stairs to come home she has had a smile on her face. She loves it there! On her first day she came home telling me about all the new friends she made. She didn't want to join anything before starting, She is now on the soccer team. The Sisters and the girls got her right out of her shell . My daughter has the chance to meet wonderful girls from all over the world who board there and learn from them about their culture. I couldn't be happier for her and my choice to have her join the Academy of The Holy Family. The Sisters are always there for the students and the parents. I receive emails all the time as things are happening with the school. We are very informed about everything. I feel it is an awesome school with a great education for the girls who attend. It's the best thing I could have done for my daughter.”

“The Academy of the Holy Family is a unique boarding school. Young women from the US and around the world become family as they study and play hard to prepare for their lives as adults. The discipline and consistent structure provide the framework for fine study and life habits. The Sisters are role models as intelligent, educated women, genuine in their commitment to high standards of academics and Catholic living, and examples of kind and embracing community life.”

“Our daughter (who is in 10th grade) immediately adapted to the rigors of school life and has also mentioned that the field trips are many, varied and fun!”

“A good seed needs good soil and good gardener. When we first saw your website, we could feel love & joy; we made the decision that is the school for our girl.”

“We made the decision to send our daughter to the Academy of the Holy Family for various reasons. For starters, we made the decision to send our daughter to the Academy of the Holy Family because our public school system wasn’t meeting our expectations for our daughter’s education or social life. Our child was not progressing at the academic level we thought she should. We knew by transferring her to the Academy of the Holy Family she would be in a safe environment, where she would be taught success, morals, values and of course, religion. We are very pleased with the open communication with the school staff and the family environment of the academy.”

“An all-girl-catholic high school is hard to find. Away from home in a different country, even harder. After extensive statistical analysis of possible schools for our daughter, we finally decided to accept the recommendation of a friend: healthy secure environment with firm values we share.”

“Girls that have been at the AHF graduate mature and happy!”

“We did not had a chance to physically see the Academy until we (the whole family) dropped off Maria . . . a very pleasant surprise as it exceeded our expectations in every way: order, experience, respect and friendship is everywhere! Although we live in Mexico (90% Catholic) it was very pleasant for us to see a very large group of Sisters helping, greeting, saying goodbye on the patio on our arrival. Wow! So far, the perfect school for Maria!”

“My wife and I chose The Academy because we were disenchanted with the public school system. We wanted our daughter to have a high quality education without the everyday distractions that occur in a public school setting. We felt the AHF atmosphere, combined with the school's track record, provided a positive, nurturing environment that would be conducive to learning and better position our daughter for admittance to a good college or university."

“In response to your query, I'd reply that my husband and I decided on the Academy of the Holy Family because after visiting we felt that the teachers really cared about their students. At the larger schools we looked at there were many nice staff and faculty members, but there seemed to be a lack of individual attention at the other schools.”

“One of the reasons I sent my daughter to the Academy of the Holy Family was because I wanted her to grow spiritually. My daughter told me that the Academy of the Holy Family was her second family. I also knew that the Sisters of Charity were very holy and they would rub off on my daughter. As time went by, I witnessed unity within the girls as they played sports together and helped each other out with their personal problems. So, just a few words I can think of at this moment are: Family-Unity-Spirituality-Holy-Loving-Caring.”

“I home schooled my 15 year old daughter for her entire school career, and thought that I would never find a school which was authentically Catholic and academically challenging, until I discovered the Academy of the Holy Family. The Sisters of Charity of Mary, Mother of the Church offer her example of traditional yet vibrant religious life; the international students offer her close friendships with an international flavor. The all girls environment gives her the confidence to be herself, while providing her the rigorous academics and good study skills needed for college. Lessons in Christian living are learned by the example of the sisters as well as by her own experience of running a pro-life conference, a Christmas party for the neighborhood, and raising money for missions. My daughter’s faith life has blossomed as much as her academic ability and I would recommend Academy of the Holy Family to mothers who want a solid Catholic education for their daughters. "

“I was concerned about the environment in today’s public schools and looking for EXCEPTIONAL education rich in tradition, academics, sports, activities and fun. The Academy of the Holy Family was able to offer small classes, individualized attention and guidance in a private, all girls, Roman Catholic setting in rural New England. Not only is the Academy of the Holy Family where “friends become family”, it is also WHERE YOUNG GIRLS LEARN TO BECOME YOUNG WOMEN… I wouldn’t think of sending my daughter anywhere else!”

From www.greatschools.org: