2024 Viewbook by Immaculate Heart Academy

BE EMPOWERED

GIRLS WHO CHOOSE IHA ARE DOING MORE THAN PICKING A SCHOOL.

They are taking the first step toward a lifetime of learning, self-exploration, faith development, and powerful friendships. By setting their hearts on IHA, they say to the world that they are ready to become confident, compassionate, and independent young women in control of their own futures.

Everyone at IHA expects to work hard, to play hard, and to excel. In the classroom, on the field, on the stage, and in the community, IHA girls respect and support each other. As they conquer challenges, experience growth, and achieve excellence together, they make friends — sisters — they will keep all their lives.

Our positive and demanding single-sex environment empowers young women to focus on developing their unique gifts and pursue their academic, spiritual, artistic, athletic, and social needs. IHA has been named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education and is the only Catholic school in Bergen County that holds dual accreditation by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and New Jersey Association of Independent Schools (NJAIS). This impressive dual accreditation was obtained in the Spring of 2023 after a year-long self-study process and on-site visit and evaluation by an NJAIS/Middle States team.

See for yourself if you should set your heart on IHA. Read on to find out more.

Founded in 1960, Immaculate Heart Academy enrolls approximately 650 young women in a rigorous academic program that challenges the mind and nourishes the spirit. By instilling in its students a sense of responsibility, confidence, justice, peace, and compassion, IHA prepares its students for life in college and beyond. Our curriculum provides a broad perspective across 10 academic departments, with honors as well as AP courses offered in a wide variety of subjects. In fact, 85% of IHA seniors are enrolled in AP courses.

IHA recognizes the achievements of our students through 10 national honor societies in art, French, Italian, mathematics, music, science, social studies, Spanish, and theatre, as well as overall academic excellence through the National Honor Society. We also enrich the lives and experiences of students through more than 60 clubs and activities, in addition to 16 athletic programs.

85%

IHA seniors enrolled in APs

12:1 student-teacher ratio

17 average class size

16 athletic programs

Kerry Carroll ’04 Principal

Jason Schlereth P’27, ’28 President

IHA offers quality college preparatory education, complete with innovative courses and programs. Classes include everything from Digital Photography and Theatre Production to Calculus BC, Narrative Medicine, and more.

BE ENGAGED

As a Roman Catholic high school under the auspices of the Archdiocese of Newark, IHA is committed to graduating savvy critical thinkers who are confident, independent women excited for their futures. We believe in staying ahead of education trends and in nurturing leadership opportunities throughout all aspects of our school curriculum.

Because IHA is a single-sex college preparatory high school, a strong theme throughout the curriculum and extracurricular activities is the development of the special gifts that women can bring to society. The interests and needs of women in the areas of academics, spirituality, the arts, athletics, and social interaction drive all of the programs offered at IHA. Immaculate Heart offers an intensely rigorous academic program with all core courses offered at College Preparatory Enriched and Honors levels. Enriched classes provide academic challenge above our excellent college preparatory level and help students to prepare for success in honors and eventually AP classes. Additionally, we offer 21 Advanced Placement courses in Biology, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Chemistry, Comparative Government, Computer Science A, Computer Science Principles, Language and Composition, Literature and Composition, Environmental Science, European History, French Language and Culture, Italian Language and Culture, Physics 1, Physics C, Pre-Calculus, Psychology, Spanish Language and Culture, Statistics, Studio Art, and U.S. History. Parents, teachers, and guidance & college counselors are consulted during the registration process to ensure that students pursue courses that not only fulfill basic requirements, but foster interests, academic strengths, and long-term career objectives.

AP Courses

PROFILE

“I have witnessed first-hand through my three daughters that IHA transforms and empowers young women. The girls learn to not only fend for themselves, but also to fiercely advocate for others. They learn to hold a conversation, defend a thesis, and become strong, independent, faith-filled leaders. At IHA, you can be an artist, an athlete, a service leader, or all of the above. You are given the assets, the encouragement, and the confidence to change the world – one kind deed at a time. IHA is a community, a family, a tight-knit sisterhood built on the foundation of women empowering women.”

Joan Bertussi P’18, ’19, ’25

...is a wife and mother of five including three Blue Eagles, past and present. A licensed professional engineer, she also manages the care of her elderly parents and practices random acts of kindness every day.

Immaculate Heart Academy launched its Scholae@theheart Program in the 2022-23 academic year. This program allows students to investigate areas for postsecondary education and receive additional extracurricular experiences to support their discernment and learning. All of the scholae share a common liberal arts core curriculum that provides the foundation and skills that universities expect from top tier applicants. The program serves all students with emphasis classes available at every academic level and provides in-depth study opportunities for all core disciplines.

Students enrolled in one of the six scholae offered at IHA will benefit from guided course selection, exposure to community professionals within the chosen emphasis field, afterschool enrichment opportunities, and the experience of developing a capstone synthesis presentation in their senior year. All successful scholars receive a designation on their transcripts. The initial scholae, named after female saints, include:

· The St. Hildegard Arts Schola

· The St. Clare of Assisi Communications Schola

· The St. Barbara Engineering Schola

· The St. Catherine of Siena Humanities Schola

· The St. Gianna Molla Life Sciences Schola

· The St. Zelie Martin Business Schola

Our novel Scholae@theheart Program enhances IHA’s superlative college preparatory curriculum by providing increased opportunities for specialization and recognition in areas that capitalize on students’ strengths and interests.

BE PASSIONATE

Scholae@theheart FAQs

Q: Do students need to apply?

A: Students submit a statement of intent.

Q: Is a certain GPA required?

A: Students of all academic levels can participate in any of the scholae.

Q: Are students “locked in”?

A: No, students can withdraw at any point prior to course selection for 12th grade.

Q: Are students required to join a schola?

A: No, they are completely optional.

“Scholae@theheart acknowledges and celebrates students’ hard work in specific fields of study, allowing IHA’s young women to deepen their knowledge in certain subjects about which they feel passionate. There is truly no other program like it, as it completely sets IHA women up for what they may want to pursue in and after high school. Being part of Scholae@theheart allows students to advance their knowledge in selected fields of interest, display their passions in a more challenging environment, and set themselves up for successful futures.”

Sophie Morales ’24

...served as the vice president of the Class of 2024 and the social justice chair on the Christian Service Executive Board. Sophie was also a member of the Winter Track and Spring Track Teams as a pole vaulter. Throughout her time in high school, she costumed more than six shows at IHA, Don Bosco Prep, and St. Joseph Regional. She was also a very involved member of both the Mock Trial and Law Society Clubs. Sophie plans to study finance and attend law school to become a corporate attorney. The IHA environment has made it possible for Sophie to pursue all her interests simultaneously.

PROFILE

THE ARTS

Because we understand that self-expression is a crucial part of personal growth, we place special emphasis on The Arts. At Immaculate Heart Academy, art encompasses everything from video production, drama, music, and photography, to graphic design, and fine art.

A spacious and innovative 2,600-square-foot Art Studio occupies two sunlit rooms with sizable workstations, a picturesque art courtyard, 24 adjustable drawing tables, two Smart Boards with projectors, and nine butcher-block tables. Students in our digital art classes also have use of a dedicated iMac design lab.

IHA’s performing arts program has always showcased the incredible talent of our students on stage and behind the scenes. Our girls and students from area boys’ schools present a drama production in the fall and a musical production in the spring that are both enjoyed and celebrated by the community at large. During the school day, IHA students interested in the performing arts can enroll in our Introduction to Acting, Theatre Arts, or Theatre Production courses.

In addition to The Arts curriculum, a wide range of clubs and activities give students the opportunity to explore visual arts, singing, photography, creative writing, and more.

13 fine/performing arts classes

BE CREATIVE

The Arts remove boundaries and allow students to explore aspects of life around them in new ways.

“From watching a movie to seeing a painting displayed on a museum wall, art elicits a wide variety of emotions from its various genres. As such, art is an essential part of who I am as it allows me to have a deeper understanding of my emotions while opening my mind to fresh ideas and experiences. IHA’s art program has given me the ability to reflect on not only my personal values and beliefs but also provides a glimpse into the thoughts and emotions of my peers. Our classes and extracurricular activities provide a platform to voice our feelings, thoughts, and identities while providing sheer enjoyment in the mediums we love. I am fortunate to participate in such an inspiring program that helps communicate our inner ideas and feelings as a creative expression of our own personal journey.”

Riley Marino ’27

…is a member of the IHA Soccer Team, the Christian Service Board, and is a group leader for the Christian Actions Reaching Everyone (C.A.R.E.) network that strives to target and address a wide variety of service needs in the surrounding community outside of IHA. Riley also enjoys participating in Mission Gratitude, The Dog Whisperers Club, Mission Smiles, and the Bake-in Club.

PROFILE

BE DEDICATED

It is our mission to develop every aspect of the individual, including the promotion of healthy competition, dedication, and teamwork.

ATHLETICS

The success of our scholar-athletes at Immaculate Heart Academy is a reflection of the focus, commitment, and team ethic that enrich everything we do. Each year, IHA teams dominate at the league, county, sectional, and state levels, and are recognized with a wide variety of Coach, Player, and Team of the Year awards. In the past decade, more than 1,000 IHA athletes have earned all-conference honors and more than 500 have earned all-county honors. Even more impressive is that our student-athletes perform on and off the field, with some of IHA’s highest GPAs.

Students and athletes alike have access to top-of-the-line facilities at IHA. They train on advanced sports performance and workout equipment in the Vincent Herold Fitness Center, and regularly utilize our full-sized Field Turf™ field and four brand new tennis courts, renovated in the Summer of 2022. IHA is also excited to enhance our campus with brand new golf simulators during the 2024-25 school year. Through our Soaring to New Heights campaign, we completed the enhancement of our entire athletic field complex for the 2019–20 school year. The surrounding walkway and spectators’ patio, completed in the spring of 2020, offer an elevated view of the field and are ADA compliant so that all fans can access IHA’s athletic complex easily and safely.

Physical fitness is an essential part of IHA’s school day, as students consistently participate in challenging physical education classes. Realizing that nutritious food is a vital part of wholesome living, we also offer students fresh, healthy options from sustainable, local resources through our farm-to-school cafeteria service.

PROFILE

“Being a student-athlete at IHA has helped me improve my time management skills and taught me the importance of balance and being able to multitask. I can apply my knowledge of balance, not only to school but throughout my life. These skills have made me a better student, athlete, and overall person and I know I am better prepared for the future.”

Kayla Rodriguez ’25

...has been a part of the IHA Swim Team since her freshman year. She began swimming when she was five years old as a member of the Scarlet Aquatics. Her love for the sport is like no other; she has been swimming competitively for eleven years and devotes a lot of her time to the sport. At IHA, Kayla is also a member of the Filipino Club, Future Doctors of America, and the Knitting and Crocheting Club.

Service at Immaculate Heart isn’t just something that is required; it’s a central part of who we are. IHA students put their faith into action by serving their immediate community and ministering to people in need through interactive service opportunities. By participating in the IHA Service Program, students apply their Catholic Christian values by practicing them in projects that expand their awareness of God, others, and themselves. Based on this call to action, IHA requires students to complete hours in two categories: Social Justice and Volunteerism

Over the last year, our students served a total of 28,000+ service hours. On average, IHA’s young women serve double the amount of hours required of them. The highest achieving class in the 2023-24 academic year was the Class of 2024, with nearly 11,000 hours. Additionally, IHA students have accumulated a total of 904 President’s Volunteer Service Awards, with 81 this year alone. The President’s Volunteer Service Award, founded in 2003 by the United States President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation, recognizes the important role of volunteers in America’s strength and national identity. This award honors individuals whose service positively impacts communities in every corner of the nation and inspires those around them to take action too.

“Service at Immaculate Heart Academy is such a formative part of our high school experience. It gives our girls the opportunity to see the importance and beauty of serving God’s children with love both in and outside of school,” said Isabelle Bertussi ’25. “Our mindsets shift, not from what we can do for ourselves, but what we can do for others. Service is one of the driving forces that makes IHA unique and I am so grateful and proud of what our program continues to accomplish!”

PROFILE

BE GENEROUS

Students put their faith into action, expanding their awareness of God, others, and themselves.

“Attending service trips with my church and going on Sacred Heart school charity drives with IHA has taught me the importance of serving those in need. Seeing the smiles of everyone I helped on my service trips and receiving hugs and gratitude from the students at Sacred Heart truly strengthened my passion for service. I am so blessed to be a part of the IHA community as it has introduced me to the value of volunteerism that I will foster for life.”

Zoe DePhillips ’26

...is an Eagle Ambassador and the treasurer of the Student Council executive board. She is a member of the Christian Service executive board and the National Art Honors Society, and is also secretary of the Italian Club. In addition, Zoe is on the IHA Tennis Team, as well as the Winter and Spring Track Teams. Outside of school, she is a youth group leader at her church and a camp counselor for a summer CCD program. Zoe also enjoys babysitting, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.

BE MENTORED

IHA graduates go on to excel at leading colleges and universities across the nation.

COUNSELING

Four guidance counselors and two college counselors apply a developmental approach to each student’s progress through her four years at IHA. Guidance counselors advise and equip students to realize their future educational goals. They keep students apprised and prepared for standardized tests, such as the SAT, SAT II Subject Tests, and ACT, as well as Advanced Placement testing. Our guidance counselors are also available to students and parents to aid in both personal and social development. College counselors maintain ongoing relationships with higher education institutions and act as liaisons to representatives who visit IHA. They work with students for four years, helping them navigate through college applications and the sometimes overwhelming admissions process. They meet with students individually and in groups, and host routine parent meetings to keep parents up-to-date with how to best assist their daughters in the ever-changing landscape of college admissions.

$45

million in scholarships earned by the Class of 2024

100%

college acceptance rate

PROFILE

“The IHA counseling departments are truly personalized to every individual’s needs and enable each student to follow a distinct academic path that is collectively created. Every counselor cares deeply for his/her students and aspires to provide them with the best services. The Guidance Department helps students not only academically but also emotionally and socially; I can openly share my struggles, concerns, and accomplishments and receive honest feedback and support. IHA provides a positive environment to pursue our passions and set us up for a successful future.”

Julia Sobilo ’25

…is a member of the IHA Varsity Volleyball, Swim, and Track & Field Teams. Julia plays for the Digs Volleyball Club and travels around the country with her team. At IHA, she is involved in Future Doctors of America, Applied Engineering, Ping Pong Club, and the Traffic Safety Squad. Julia aspires to one day work in the medical field.

The sisterhood cultivated at Immaculate Heart is enduring, and the bonds students form here last a lifetime.

BE CONNECTED

“The teachers, staff, and coaches at IHA truly invest their time and energy into building up independent and intelligent women. My time at Immaculate Heart helped me to develop a strong sense of self, but also how to foster lifelong friendships with supportive women. I truly believe that the sense of community I experienced at IHA has helped me to forge strong relationships both personally and professionally.”

Kathleen Donohue Wright ’07

...is the director of production operations for Macy’s. Her responsibilities include the production of iconic Macy’s events including the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks as well as localized in-store holiday activations and the Macy’s Flower Show. After graduating from IHA, she attended Fordham University and studied communications and media studies. She lives in Manhattan with her husband, Jimmy.

In a single-sex environment like IHA, there’s no pressure on our young women to fulfill gender stereotypes. They have enhanced access to leadership opportunities, achieve greater academic success, become more confident and assertive, and are more likely to pursue studies in fields traditionally considered male-dominated. We empower our students to believe their hopes and dreams will become their reality.

For 60 years, IHA alumnae have told us, again and again, that the friends they made in our hallways and classrooms are still the closest friends in their lives. Including the Class of 2024 graduates, 11,188 young women proudly call themselves IHA alumnae.

Life After IHA

The IHA environment provides our girls a level of independence, accountability, and confidence that becomes a tremendous advantage in their college years. In a recent survey, more than 90 percent said IHA had given them above-average or superior preparation in effective time management, writing, and critical thinking — the very areas with which so many college students struggle. As one alumna wrote, “The teachers I had at IHA were incredible. They were so caring and dedicated. Although the work load was always hard and heavy, my transition to college was simple.”

The momentum IHA girls bring to their colleges and universities remains with them. More than 50 percent of our alumnae reported taking on two or more undergraduate internships, 57 percent pursued post-graduate coursework related to their degrees, and 22 percent pursued doctoral studies. As one of our teachers recently said, “You can always identify the IHA girl in a meeting. When she speaks, people listen and take note.”

IHA ADMISSIONS

TIMELINE

SEPTEMBER—DECEMBER

Schedule a BLUE EAGLE FOR THE DAY visit to see what a typical school day is like firsthand.

Attend an OPEN HOUSE to get a look at the opportunities that IHA offers.

Sit for the HSPT Archdiocesan Entrance Exam.

Complete your ONLINE APPLICATION

Make sure your school submits your TRANSCRIPTS from 6th, 7th, and 8th grades.

JANUARY—FEBRUARY MAY—JUNE

DECISION notifications are mailed and emailed.

Attend our ACCEPTED STUDENTS’ RECEPTION.

Enroll as an IHA student by the REGISTRATION DEADLINE. Take your Math and Language PLACEMENT TESTS.

Meet your future classmates at the ICE CREAM SOCIAL

• Founded in 1960 as the first regional high school for girls in the Archdiocese of Newark

• Approximately 650 students enrolled

Accreditations and Memberships

Blue Ribbon School of Excellence

Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools

New Jersey Association of Independent Schools (NJAIS)

Demographics

59% of students are from public elementary schools, and 41% from Catholic

Approximately 87% of students are Catholic

Students reside in Bergen, Hudson, Passaic, Essex, and Morris Counties in N.J. and Rockland and Orange Counties in N.Y.

11,188 total IHA alumnae

Academics

Student-Teacher Ratio – 12:1

Average Class Size – 17

73% of faculty and staff hold advanced degrees 50+ electives offered

21 AP Courses

Biology

Calculus AB

Calculus BC

“I chose to come to IHA because of the excellent academics. I know the hard work I put into my classes now will help me to succeed in college and beyond. Immaculate Heart is also the right choice for me because of the competitive athletics that I’ve always loved. I feel confident that IHA is where I was meant to be.”

Riley Ng-Knepper ’25

...is a senior honors and AP student, and recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award. She is on IHA’s Lacrosse and Soccer Teams, and is a member of Student Council, National Honor Society, Future Doctors of America Club, Flag Football Club, Irish Club, and the Business Club. Outside of IHA, Riley plays guitar, coaches for Mad Dog Lacrosse, works as a ski instructor, and is a member of the Food Allergy Research Education Teen Advisory Group.

Chemistry

Comparative Government

Computer Science A

Computer Science Principles

Language and Composition

Literature and Composition

Environmental Science

European History

French Language and Culture

Italian Language and Culture

Physics 1

Physics C

Pre-Calculus

Psychology

Spanish Language and Culture

Statistics

Studio Art

U.S. History

• 85% of seniors enrolled in AP classes

Class of 2024

7 National Merit Commended Students

• Statement of Class Rank – Considering the quality of the student body and the rigorous college prep course of study, Immaculate Heart Academy does not rank its students.

National Honor Societies