Mount Saint Joseph Academy (Flourtown, Pennsylvania)

Mount Saint Joseph Academy

Mount Saint Joseph Academy School Seal
Address
120 West Wissahickon Avenue
Flourtown, Pennsylvania, (Montgomery County) 19031
United States
Coordinates 40°5′43″N 75°13′2″W / 40.09528°N 75.21722°W / 40.09528; -75.21722Coordinates: 40°5′43″N 75°13′2″W / 40.09528°N 75.21722°W / 40.09528; -75.21722
Information
Type Private, Day, College-prep
Motto Spes Messis In Semine
(The Hope Of The Harvest Is In The Seed)
Religious affiliation(s) Roman Catholic
Established 1858
Founder Sisters of St. Joseph of Philadelphia
President Sr. Kathleen Brabson
Principal Judith A. Caviston, Ed. D.
Grades 9-12
Gender Girls
Color(s) Purple, White and Gold             
Team name Magic
Rival Gwynedd Mercy Academy
Accreditation Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools[1]
Publication The Muse (literary & art magazine)
Newspaper The Campanile
Yearbook The Sheaf
Dean of Studies William Rooney
Dean of Student Affairs Connie D'Angelo
Admissions Director Carol Finney
Athletic Director Janet Columbro
Website www.msjacad.org

Mount Saint Joseph Academy, commonly called The Mount, in Flourtown, Pennsylvania is a Philadelphia-area all-female, catholic, college preparatory school within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. It was founded in 1858 by the Sisters of Saint Joseph. The academy was originally located in Philadelphia on the grounds of what is now Chestnut Hill College. Originally a boarding school, the academy began accepting day students in 1911. In 1928, this all girls high school was the first Catholic school to be approved by the Middle States Association accrediting agency.[1] In response to the growth of the school and evolving educational needs, the Mount moved in 1961 to its present site, just outside the community of Chestnut Hill near Philadelphia. Since relocation to the new campus, the school has grown significantly.[2]

Academic Program

After beginning with 20 students in 1858, the Mount has a present-day student body of 560. A private day school for girls in grades nine through twelve, the Mount offers a college preparatory education in a Catholic context.[3] The Mount adopted intensive (block) scheduling in 2001. Students now take three or four credits per term (instead of six or seven) for a total of seven or eight credits per school year. Each class period is 80 minutes long and traditional year-long courses last for 16 weeks (September to January or January to June).

Facilities

The school building, which was constructed during the 1960s, offers classrooms, a cafeteria, 600 seat auditorium, gymnasium, chapel, and choir room. In 1997 a new wing was completed, featuring a library/media center with computer, telecommunications and video capabilities; six classrooms; a computer/writing center, a guidance suite, and faculty areas which allow space for interdisciplinary projects and class preparations. In 2003 the art and theater rooms were renovated with additional space to become a painting and drawing room; a computer classroom with 25 computer graphics systems; separate rooms for ceramics and a kiln; and a classroom for theater arts. At the same time, the gym locker area was renovated to include a new locker room, a health class area, and a fitness center. On the campus grounds are an enclosed courtyard and playing fields. In the Fall 2004 a track field surrounding a soccer field was completed, along with two new softball fields.[3] In 2013, a full renovation of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Wing was completed and air conditioning was added to the academic wings.

Notable Alumnae

Rose Hemingway (née Szczesniak) - performer starring in the 2011 Broadway musical revival of “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" opposite Daniel Radcliffe.[4]

Jennifer Carroll - Chef de Cuisine at 10 Arts by Eric Ripert in Philadelphia. Hit reality television series Top Chef (season 6) All-star.[5]

Devin McNulty - artist

Kate McCauley - actor and mother of actor Anne Hathaway

Chierika Ukogu - Olympic rower for Nigeria in the 2016 Olympic Games

Katie Reinprecht[6] and Julia Reinprecht[7] - members of the United States women's national field hockey team in the 2012 Summer Olympics.

The Mount Musicals

Besides the various talent shows, concerts and events scattered across the school year, The Mount puts on one musical a year in the fall semester. The most recent shows were West Side Story (2014), Legally Blonde (2013), Once Upon A Mattress (2012), Fame (2011), Hairspray (2010), Anything Goes (2009), and 42nd Street (2008). The shows are directed by Maggie and Fran Doyle, choreographed by Kathleen Ochs, and musically directed by Don Holdren.

References

  1. 1 2 MSA-CSS. "MSA-Commission on Secondary Schools". Retrieved 2009-05-26.
  2. ↑ Mount Saint Joseph Academy. Arcadia Publishing. 2009. p. 128. ISBN 9780738562544. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  3. 1 2 "About MSJA". Mount Saint Joseph Academy. Retrieved 6 December 2012.
  4. ↑ Shapiro, Howard. "Rose Hemingway in 'How to Succeed,' succeeding nicely". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 6 December 2012.
  5. ↑ Lear, Len. "Celebrity TV chef, Mount St. Joe". Chestnut Hill Local. Retrieved 6 December 2012.
  6. ↑ "Athletes of Team USA: Katie Reinprecht". United States Olympic Committee. Retrieved 6 December 2012.
  7. ↑ "Athletes of Team USA: Julia Reinprecht". United States Olympic Committee. Retrieved 6 December 2012.
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