| St. Joseph Hill Academy | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
| 850 Hylan Boulevard New York City (Arrochar, Staten Island), New York, 10305 United States |
|
| Information | |
| Type | Private, All-Female |
| Motto | Summum Bonum |
| Religious affiliation(s) | Roman Catholic; Daughters of Divine Charity |
| Patron saint(s) | St. Joseph |
| Established | 1919 |
| CEEB Code | 335385 |
| Chairperson | Sister William McGovern |
| Dean | Maria Molluzzo |
| Principal | Angela T. Ferrando |
| Asst. Principal | Lucy Ginsiorsky |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Enrollment | approx. 460 (9-12) (2010) |
| Campus size | 14-acre (57,000 m2) |
| Color(s) | Blue and White |
| Mascot | Koala |
| Team name | Hilltoppers |
| Accreditation(s) | Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools[1] |
| Publication | "The Peak" |
| Newspaper | "The Summit" |
| Service Director | Madeline Paladino |
| Campus Minister | Sister Denise |
| Athletic Director | Janice Philipps |
| Tuition | $7,300 per year (+ additional expenses) |
| Website | www.stjosephhill.org |
St. Joseph Hill High School is a private all girls school in the Arrochar neighborhood of Staten Island, New York. Located on a scenic 14-acre (57,000 m2) campus (which eponymously stands atop a hill, providing views of the Manhattan skyline), the school serves approximately 400 young women in the 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grades and is accompanied by a coeducational wing for students in pre-K through 8th. Founded and operated by the Daughters of Divine Charity, the school is independent of the Archdiocese of New York. However, a majority of the school population is Roman Catholic.
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The school began in March 1920, with the purchase of the 14-acre (57,000 m2) estate of Mr. William Knauth by Reverend Mother M. Kostka Bauer. In May of that year, the Daughters of Divine Charity arrived on Staten Island and in the fall inaugurated tutoring classes for a group of twenty-five children who had come to them during the summer. These classes led to the institution of the Academy. During the school's early years, it was also a boarding school The first secondary level classes of the Academy were begun in 1930, and the first official Commencement Exercises were held for six high school graduates in June 1934. At that time, the Academy was affiliated with the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. In 1938, the high school department of St. Joseph Hill Academy received its charter of recognition and full accreditation from the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York. Since its foundation, multiple projects have been undertaken to provide for the ever-growing needs of the Academy. The rapid pace of the school’s growth was the prime factor which influenced Mother M. Fidelis Babos, then Provincial Superior of the Daughters of Divine Charity, to formulate plans for the erection of a new high school wing to be added to the already existing elementary school building, which had been dedicated in 1953. Accordingly, on August 26, 1956, the groundbreaking ceremony took place for the erection of the present building. On March 23, 1957, Most Reverend Joseph M. Pernicone, Auxiliary Bishop of New York, laid the cornerstone. The formal dedication of the high school building took place on May 22, 1958, conducted by His Eminence, Francis Cardinal Spellman, Archbishop of New York. A new construction project begun in 1999 was completed during the 2000-2001 school year. A new gymnasium, four additional high school classrooms and a distance-learning lab, to enhance our WITAC program, were added to our facilities. The most recent addition to the institution was made in 2009 with the development of the annex building, Madonna Hall. The building was named after the Virgin Mary although its students joke that it is a reference to the musician. Drivers education classes are also held on campus in this building. [2]
In 1999, St. Joseph Hill Academy met the challenge of incorporating technology into education by designing and implementing the WITAC (Women Integrating Technology And Curriculum) program. The program requires that all students purchase laptops (from a common laptop service provider) for use in each of the major curriculum areas.
In September 2002, another of Hill's technology goals was realized - the installation and completion of a videoconferencing and distance learning center. Short-term, the school will use the center to bring guest-speakers, expert lecturers, and field trips to its students. Long-term, the school intends to form partnerships with other high schools as well as colleges and universities to both provide and receive content and instruction that would otherwise be unavailable to either Hill students or those of Hill's distance learning partners.
Since the beginning of these technological advances, students have been able to expand their knowledge outside of the classroom into other states and museums. Students are able to interact with experts on various subjects that bring them to museums with one of kind artifacts and unique sculptures that they would otherwise not be able to see. It is an easy process that connects students with people who are skilled in what they do. The distance learning lab has opened the eyes of many Hilltoppers to the theatre of Shakespeare to sculptures of World Religions.
The course of studies at St. Joseph Hill Academy is primarily an academic one, designed to fulfill college entrance requirements. It conforms to the directives of the New York State Board of Regents. In accordance with a rigorous college preparatory course of studies, students are scheduled for and expected to earn a Regents diploma with advanced designation.
ELECTIVES: A.P. Art History, Accounting, Creative Writing, Introduction to Law, Sociology*, AP Psychology*, World Religions*, Theology*, Musical Theatre*/Opera*, *may also be taken for college credit.
Regents diploma with advanced designation is earned by scoring 65 or above on the following Regents Examinations: Math A, Global Studies, Living Environment, English, American History, Math B, Foreign Language and Physical Setting (Chemistry) and a minimum 22 credits. Students maintaining a 90% average in these exams will earn a Regents Diploma Advanced Designation with Honors. [3]
The school uniform has not changed much since its inception. Today, it consists of a postman blue skirt and matching blazer with a white shirt, white stockings, and oxfords or saddle shoes. Postman blue pants are worn the winter, with a navy sweater. Black or navy knee-length coats are worn in the winter; and students may only accessorize in white, black, gray, and navy. Accessories are limited to 2 gold or silver posts (earrings), a simple cross (necklace) or religious medal, and a simple hair-tie. Only Juniors and Seniors may wear the school ring and use a moderate amount/shade of lipstick and blush. All other types of make-up/accessories are prohibited.
St. Joseph Hill Academy High School was recognized for Academic Excellence by the National Catholic High School Honor Roll. Hilltoppers won the 2006 Golden Apple Award sponsored by the New York City Department of Sanitation. They won first prize in the city and the award for the borough of Staten Island. The school's Trashbuster team cleaned up the Staten Island beaches and Clove Lake Park, removed graffiti, and cleared litter in the neighborhood around the school on a regular basis. In addition, the girls planted bulbs and plants throughout the year. The $6,000 prize will be used for beautification and educational purposes.
• The St. Joseph Hill Academy School Song is sung at the end of every assembly and awards ceremony:
Come! Join and sing the praises of a school, We never can forget; Though we may wander far, She'll be our guiding star. Let's sing once again the story of the white and blue, Pledging our Alma Mater, ever to be true.
(Refrain) All hail! St. Joseph Hill! Keep her standards flying high. Hail! St. Joseph Hill! May her glory never die. We pledge our loyalty, to her honor tried and true, For there'll never wave any flag quite as brave, As the white and the blue! Long after we have parted, when we leave these old familiar halls; We'll keep the memory, of days that used to be, And though time may bring its measures both of laughter and tears, We'll find our Alma Mater Standing through the years (Refrain) [4]