Academy of the Holy Angels

Academy of the Holy Angels was established by the School Sisters of Notre Dame in 1879 in New Jersey. The school was originally located in Fort Lee, New Jersey, but was moved to a 24-acre campus in Demarest, New Jersey, in 1965.

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AHA Pays Tribute to Foundresses at Angelic Evening!

The Academy of the Holy Angels dedicated Angelic Evening 2024 to the School Sisters of Notre Dame, the school's foundresses and sponsors. The SSND established AHA on October 2, 1879, and continue to support the Academy nearly 145 years later. The yearly scholarship/financial aid fundraiser hosted by the AHA Parents' Guild, drew 225 guests, including our SSNDs!

AHA Junior Hosts Prom Dress Drive

Prom is a rite of passage for many high school students, but a super-chic dress may be out of reach for some girls. That’s why Academy of the Holy Angels junior Lily Cossio decided to host a Prom Dress Drive.

Angels Attend Commission on the Status of Women

Four Academy of the Holy Angels students seized an incredible opportunity by joining 12,000 international leaders, Sister Joan Connelly and international studies teacher/Model UN Moderator Jennifer Cucchisi, at the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.

Inspiration from Operation Smile Mission in India

Annika Castillo, an aspiring medical doctor from Cresskill, New, Jersey, made a significant choice during her first year at the Academy of the Holy Angels: She joined the Operation Smile club.

A Story of Survival

Human trafficking survivor Theresa Flores shared her chilling story at the Academy of the Holy Angels Upper School on February 7. Her program included important details about how traffickers find victims and how students can protect themselves, recognize signs of trafficking, and take action to halt this second most prevalent crime in America.

Sustainability Projects Get ‘Green’ Light at AHA

Two Academy of the Holy Angels seniors have spearheaded two different projects that support sustainability on the Demarest campus.

STREAM Curriculum Inspired AHA Alumna

Demitria “Demi” Poulos thought a career in engineering was out of reach, until she experienced the nationally-acclaimed STREAM curriculum (STEM plus religion and art) and supportive faculty at the Academy of the Holy Angels. Today, Poulos (AHA ’17) is the only female Ph.D. candidate in the biomedical engineering program at the University of Tennessee.

Donation for Haiti Is Highlight of AHA Thanksgiving Service

Student leaders from the Academy of the Holy Angels' Solidarity with Haiti organization came together to make a significant donation of $1,500 to our AMSSND Haiti Fund.

Rho Kappa’s Alice Paul Chapter Welcomes 2023 Inductees

The Alice Paul Chapter of Rho Kappa convened on November 15 for the organization’s twelfth annual induction ceremony.

Academy of Holy Angels Alumnae Weekend

On Alumnae Weekend 2023, the Academy of the Holy Angels’ Classes of 1948, 1968, 1973, 1978, and 1983 reunited for landmark anniversaries. The two-day celebration also drew enthusiastic alumnae from many different classes and several states.

News from AHA- Week of November 6th 2023

Keep up with news from Notre Dame Prep! This week news on Operation Smile, Angels showing excellence in sports and and Jacqueline Garcia bringing water wells to women in Burkina Faso.

Sister Catherine Green Kindness Award 2023

For the first time, students from AHA Middle School received the Academy’s Sister Catherine Green Kindness Award alongside students from AHA Upper School. Students who receive this award continue the abiding kindness for which S. Catherine Green, SSND, was known.

Bullying Survivor Speaks at AHA

Jodee Blanco, bullying survivor and author of The New York Times best-seller “Please Stop Laughing at Me,” brought her message of hope and forgiveness to the Academy of the Holy Angels on October 31. Her powerful, heartfelt seminar, “It’s NOT Just Joking Around,” focused on bullying survival and prevention.

AHA Foundation Day Celebration 2023

The Holy Angels community celebrated the 190th anniversary of the establishment of the School Sisters of Notre Dame on Foundation Day (October 24, 2023). Angels in Grades 6-12, faculty, staff, and several School Sisters attended the morning prayer service that honored the origins and continuing ministries of AHA’s foundresses and sponsors.

AHA Music Mentors Get Ringing Endorsement

First-year handbell ringers from the Academy of the Holy Angels Middle School are receiving expert tips and hands-on assistance from experienced eighth graders. The sixth graders clearly enjoy getting one-to-one assistance from the older Angels as they learn to play the bells and chimes.

Newest Members of AHA Community

The Academy of the Holy Angels just welcomed several new faculty and staff members. Please enjoy reading more about these dedicated professionals.

AHA Summer Experience - Five Days That Make a Difference

In just five days at the Academy of the Holy Angels, an enthusiastic group of Summer Experience participants learned to use binary code to decipher messages, explore color theory, write their own myths, and more!

Group of Sisters standing with hands outstretched blessing Sister Henrice on 100th Birthday

Sister Henrice Eckert Marks 100th Birthday

Sister Carole Tabano, with the help of many others, celebrated the 100th birthday of Sister Henrice Eckert, who was born on June 23, 1923, and has been a School Sister of Notre Dame for nearly 80 years!

Sister Mary Foley, SSND, and SSND Associate Kathleen Sylvester Retire from AHA

The month of June brought several changes to the Academy of the Holy Angels, including the retirements of several key staff members. Those who are leaving their posts include School Social Worker Sister Mary Foley, SSND, and campus ministry director and SSND Associate Kathleen Sylvester.

Academy of the Holy Angels' 143rd Graduating Class

The Academy of the Holy Angels’ Class of 2023 engaged in a joyful celebration of individual and collective accomplishments and enduring friendships at the June 2 graduation exercises. The school community, family, and friends gathered to witness the 143rd Commencement and Baccalaureate Mass, which were held at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark.

AHA's Eva Zazzali Earns bergenPAC Executive Producer's Award

Eva Zazzali, a sophomore at the Academy of the Holy Angels, just won the inaugural bergenPAC Executive Producer’s Award. Zazzali was recognized for her portrayal of Viola in AHA’s spring 2023 production of “Twelfth Night the Musical.” Awards were presented May 22 at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood.

AHA Artists Earn Scholarships

This year's Angels in the Arts celebration included scholarship presentations to graduating seniors AND the first induction for AHA's new chapter of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts. Academic Dean Carmen Quiñones, Performing Arts Director Dan Mahoney, and Theater Director Katie Collins were on hand to congratulate the honorees.

AHA Celebrates at 25th Annual Angelic Evening

Angelic Evening turned 25 this year, and the Holy Angels community celebrated with touches of silver decorations and gift bags. The Academy hosts this spectacular signature celebration each spring, demonstrating appreciation for AHA’s steadfast supporters while showing everyone a wonderful evening of prizes, dinner, and dancing

AHA Service Day - Building a Better World TOGETHER

Service Day (May 3) was packed with opportunities for members of the Academy of the Holy Angels community to work together to improve the environment and assist people in need. Service Day is not just about hard work. Those who lend a hand do it with smiles, camaraderie, and generous hearts.

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