St. Joseph Hill Academy High School Brochure

SAINT JOSEPH HILL ACADEMY An All-Girls Catholic College Preparatory High School

850 Hylan Boulevard Staten Island, New York 10305 (718) 447-1374 ext. 9100 admissions@stjhill.org www.stjosephhillacademy.com

Our Mission St. Joseph Hill Academy, a Catholic high school, in keeping with Christian values and the traditions of the Daughters of Divine Charity, seeks to educate and empower young women to be confident, independent thinkers with strong character and leadership qualities, who stand ready to meet society’s challenges.

THE HILL EXPERIENCE EXCELLENCE

ENRICHMENT

15:1 Student to Teacher Ratio 2 Pathways STEM and Humanities 11 AP Courses 27 College Credit Courses All Religious Backgrounds Welcome

EMPOWERMENT

$59.2 Million in Academic Scholarships for 141 Class of 2021 Graduates 100% Received Academic Scholarships for College in Past 3 Years 99% Passing Rate on the New York State Regents Exams 14 Athletic Teams

29,000 Hours of Community Service

40 Student Clubs

ACADEMICS St. Joseph Hill Academy has a long tradition of offering challenging curricular programs that seek to meet the individual needs of students. We do this by providing a highly customizable experience. With a selection of College Preparatory, Honors, College, and AP Courses, Hill is equipped to challenge students of varying abilities.

Every Hill student will complete four years of core academic subjects and all students are programmed to earn an Advanced New York State Regents Diploma. In addition to the core courses, applicants can choose between our STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Pathway or our Humanities Pathway. The Pathway forms the foundation for each student’s academic program.

Hill is a technology-forward high school with each student obtaining a laptop beginning freshman year.

ACADEMICS ALL HILL STUDENTS TAKE FOUR YEARS OF CORE ACADEMIC SUBJECTS Mathematics Science History/Economics

English World Languages Religion

AP Capstone Diploma Program Hill provides the choice of an AP Capstone Diploma by offering the AP Seminar (grades 10 & 11) and AP Research (grades 11& 12) courses. These courses use an interdisciplinary approach to develop critical thinking, research, collaboration, time management, and presentation skills, all of which will be invaluable to students in college.

AP Seminar and Research courses compliment both STEM and Humanities AP and college level courses (see pages 6-7).

"HILL IS ABOUT CHOICE. Academics are challenging at Hill, but there is a support system in place to help each student choose a program that emphasizes her strengths, while still providing her with a foundation that will guide her through life."

Mrs. Maria Molluzzo Principal

STEM PATHWAY The STEM program of study immerses students in science, mathematics, engineering and technology, while emphasizing critical thinking and ingenuity. Beginning freshman year, students will engage in 3D Computer-Aided Design (CAD), introductory programming, and robotics. This forms the foundation for selecting higher-level coursework detailed below. The program is balanced with numerous arts and humanities electives including a two-year sequence in fine arts as well as courses in theater, music, psychology, law, and language studies.

STEM College and Advanced Placement Courses: College Algebra & PreCalculus, Anatomy & Physiology, AP Biology, AP Calculus, University Calculus I, Advanced Chemistry, AP Computer Science Principles, Computer Programming, Digital Electronics, Engineering Design, Biomedical Engineering, Environmental Sustainability, and AP Physics.

HUMANITIES PATHWAY The Humanities program of study encourages learning from multiple perspectives, enabling students to make connections across disciplines. This Pathway emphasizes developing critical readers, effective writers, and articulate speakers through the study of literature, art, social studies, communications, and theater arts. Beginning freshman year, students will refine their speech and writing, paying particular attention to persuasive, analytical, journalistic, and dramatic techniques. This will prepare students for the challenge of higher level coursework listed below. The program is supplemented with a 2-year sequence in fine arts or music appreciation and balanced with a range of STEM electives.

Humanities College and Advanced Placement Courses: American Literature, AP Art History, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Government and Politics, Italian, Law, Business, Marketing, Musical Theatre, Psychology, AP Psychology, Sociology, Spanish, AP US History, AP World History, and World Literature.

SPIRITUALITY “Try first to do yourself whatever you expect others to do.”

Mother Franziska Lechner, Foundress of the Daughters of Divine Charity

Following the mission of the Daughters of Divine Charity, Hilltoppers strive to “Make God’s Love Visible” in everyday life.

Mass is planned by students working with Campus Ministry.

Students can also personally interact with the Sisters by becoming Junior Lay Associates. Additionally, all students attend annual off-campus retreats for each grade level.

Unique to high schools on Staten Island, Hill offers two separate four-day off-campus Kairos retreats for juniors and seniors.

Kairos retreats are known as “God’s Time.” They are grounded in the Catholic faith but all faiths are welcome. Kairos retreats are led by senior student leaders and adult leaders including Hill faculty and alumnae who have experienced a Kairos retreat. It is a way to build community with others and grow in your relationship with God.

SERVICE

Hill takes Catholic Social Teaching beyond the classroom and into the community.

Service is an integral part of a Hill student’s experience, and the student body completes over 29,000 hours of community service each year. Known as Hill’s Angels, our students actively volunteer their time and talents to several charitable endeavors including: Kids for Kids, Special Olympics, Project Hospitality (pictured below), Trashbusters, the Friends of Staten Island Organization (FOSI), the American Cancer Society, Habitat for Humanity (pictured above), and the Seton Foundation for Learning.

The sense of purpose and maturity the students gain from these endeavors is invaluable.

Covid-19 changed how Hill's Angels served their community but it never stopped them. In May 2021, Hill's Angels won the Sophie Matthew's Memorial Award for supporting Project Hospitality's feeding ministry by "sending gifts of food" (Esther 9:22). For over a year, Hill's Angels organized 600 sandwiches per week coordinating 3 drop-offs per week at different outreach sites.

ATHLETICS Hill Athletic Teams compete in the New York Archdiocese Catholic High School Athletic Association. Our interscholastic program provides our students with the opportunity to develop physical, emotional, intellectual, and social skills.

FALL Cheerleading Cross Country Soccer Tennis Volleyball

WINTER Basketball Bowling Indoor Track Swimming

SPRING Flag Football Golf Lacrosse Outdoor Track Softball

In the past several years, over 15 students received Division I and II scholarships in swimming, basketball, track, soccer, and golf, adding to Hill's strong athletic history that includes Varsity Club and Jaques Award Winners.

Hill prides itself on our exceptional dedication and sportsmanship in addition to our athletic accomplishments. LET'S GO KOALAS!

STUDENT LIFE Hill has 40 student clubs moderated by faculty members spanning an array of student interests and hobbies.

Here's a sampling: Science and Technology Robotics Team and Science Club Culture - Spanish, Italian, and Asian Clubs Writing - “The Peak” (literary magazine) and "The Hilltopper" (yearbook) Public Speaking Forensics and Mock Trial Communication - Hill TV and "The Summit” (newspaper) Arts - Drama Club, “Hill Singers”, Dance Team, and Art Club Hill Traditions Color Wars and Airbands Senior Trip to Disney World Christmas Coffeehouse Green Fashion Show Senior Tree Planting Freshman Tea Junior Ring Ceremony Spirit Week

Student Government - Hill Student Council International Affairs - Girls Learn International Service and SpiritualityProject Hospitality, Tunnel to Towers, Campus Ministry and more listed previously.

Coming this Fall 2021: HELM (Hill’s Educational Leadership in Medicine Institute)- a partnership with Staten Island University Hospital Northwell Health where students 16 years and older are immersed in the real-life activities of healthcare professionals.

THE HILL ADVANTAGE COLLEGE COUNSELING & ADVOCACY Hill ensures successful college admissions for our students, academic achievement in college, and career success for our graduates. Hill has established itself with college recruiters as a premier New York City high school. Hill students are guided by Mrs. Kerry Sullivan, Esq. (Hill Class of 1981) as the Director of College Counseling.

College guidance begins in freshman year, when students and parents are invited to create an individualized plan to meet college and career goals. This includes assistance with the development of talent-based portfolios in art, music, theater, communications, and graphic design.

Student athletes are carefully guided through the Posse and QuestBridge Scholarship programs that yield full-tuition scholarships.

Many Hill graduates have saved a year or more in college tuition expenses because of the variety of AP and College credits they received while at Hill.

CLASS OF 2021 141 GRADUATES $59.2 MILLION DOLLARS CLASS OF 2020 119 GRADUATES $42.3 MILLION DOLLARS CLASS OF 2019 121 GRADUATES $42.5 MILLION DOLLARS

THE HILL ADVANTAGE ALUMNAE The value of a St. Joseph Hill Academy education does not end at graduation in your senior year. Hill graduates join a long line of proud and loyal alumnae that have left our hallowed halls with confidence, leadership skills, and a love of learning.

"Hill instilled strong values that I "Hill gave me the opportunity to carry with me in everything that explore my creativity... and I do today — a strong work helped me develop a great ethic, discipline, and motivated work ethic which I use to come lifelong learning. At Hill, I was up with ideas at The Tonight constantly challenged to be my Show. Hill gave me the best self and gained the environment to explore what confidence to be a female made me laugh and taught me leader." how to give back to others."

Donna Alison Chan, Hill '98 Head of Cybersecurity & Information Security Audit (MUFG Union Bank)

Becky Krause, Hill '05 Sketch Comedy Writer for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

Hill Alumnae play an integral role as career mentors to current students. From February-April 2021, the Development and Alumnae Relations Office along with the College Counseling Office launched a Career Conversations: Alumnae Panel Series with a number of speakers covering the professional fields of Construction, Engineering, and Technology; Business and Finance; Mental Health and Wellness; Law and Government; and Nursing.

WHY ALL-GIRLS? St. Joseph Hill Academy High School is a school for girls. Hill students foster leadership skills by taking on key roles in every position throughout student life. Our academic programming is tailored to how girls learn best and, after four years, it instills the confidence in them to go out into the world and excel in whatever field they choose to pursue, including traditionally male-dominated fields. Hill is a safe environment for girls to learn and develop academically, mentally, spiritually, and socially.

Girls find their voice at Hill. They speak their mind and substantiate their ideas with real evidence.

Research proves that graduates of girls’ schools: Display stronger community involvement, greater cultural competency, and increased political engagement.

Are 6 times more likely to consider majoring in math, science, and technology and 3 times more likely to consider engineering compared to girls who attended coed schools.

Foster girls’ voices and encourage girls to exercise their voice at a young age.

A national survey also found that nearly 87% of girls’ school students feel their voices—their opinions—are respected compared to 58% of girls at coed schools.

The bond Hill students develop is one of mutual respect and admiration for each other. Our students support one another.

They develop rich friendships at Hill that last a lifetime.

ADMISSIONS TIMELINE 2021-2022 AUGUST 23- Registration for TACHS Exam is open

DECEMBER 1- Scholarship Exam

SEPTEMBER & OCTOBERAdmissions events will include Elementary School visits, Shadow Day, and Private Tours with Student Ambassadors

JANUARY- Admissions notices shared via email and letters mailed

OCTOBER 24- In-Person Open House and final day to register for the TACHS Exam.

NOVEMBER 5- TACHS Exam.

Remember, Hill’s TACHS exam code is 223.

JANUARY- Class of 2026 Accepted Students’ Night FEBRUARY- Class of 2026 responses due MARCH- Class of 2026 Registration

How Hill Alumnae Describe Hilltoppers

For more Admissions Information Visit: www.StJosephHillAcademy.com Email: Admissions@stjhill.org Call: (718) 447-1374 ext 9100 Follow us on: Instagram (@stjhill) and Facebook (SaintJosephHillAcademy)