Mount Saint Joseph Academy (Flourtown, Pennsylvania)
Encyclopedia
Mount Saint Joseph Academy, commonly called The Mount, in Flourtown
, Pennsylvania
is a Philadelphia-area all-female, catholic, college preparatory school. 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. 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.
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).
Within an environment that fosters excellence tempered by gentleness, individual students are recognized and valued. Academically challenging programs, which are teacher-directed and student-centered, ensure a well-rounded education with an emphasis on social responsibility.
Committed to preparing women for leadership roles, Mount Saint Joseph Academy enables students to meet the moral and ethical challenges of an ever-changing society and a technological future. Trusting in the wisdom echoed by an early Constitution of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, the mission asserts that “On the education of women largely depends the future of society.”
Premised on the tenet that “on the education of women largely depends the future of society” (Constitution of the Sisters of Saint Joseph. Rpt. in “Mount Saint Joseph Academy Mission Statement”)
We believe that
1. Respect for self and others is at the heart of “unity and reconciliation” (“Mission of the Sisters of Saint Joseph”);
2. Single-sex learning environments cultivate strong women leaders, independent in mind and spirit, socially responsible, and intellectually and personally courageous;
3. This school community, impelled by Christian values, emboldens young women with passion, confidence, and competence to found a future committed to justice and peace;
4. Nurturance of the deep, mature faith and prayer life of individuals spiritually energizes and enriches the entire community;
5. Gospel values enlighten developing individual consciences that inform moral and ethical life decisions;
6. The desire to respond actively to the needs of the “the dear neighbor” (Sisters of Saint Joseph Documents) empowers each student to assume her responsibilities as a citizen of a global community;
7. Education demands the encouragement of intellectual curiosity and creative problem-solving;
8. Comprehensive, challenging curricula enable each student to realize her fullest academic potential;
9. Innovative, technologically-rich, as well as traditional instructional strategies, maximize the potential academic growth of each student;
10. Gentleness with self and others must temper the drive for excellence.
(née Szczesniak) - performer starring in the 2011 Broadway musical revival of “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
" opposite Daniel Radcliffe
.
Jennifer Carroll - Chef de Cuisine at 10 Arts by Eric Ripert in Philadelphia. Appeared on the 2009 hit reality television show, "Top Chef."
Kate McCauley - actor and mother of actor Anne Hathaway
Katie and Julia Reinprecht - members of the 2012 Olympic field hockey
team
The most recent shows were Fame (2011), Hairsrpay (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.
Flourtown, Pennsylvania
Flourtown is a census-designated place in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States, with a ZIP code of 19031. Flourtown is adjacent to the Philadelphia neighborhoods of West Oak Lane, Mt. Airy, and Chestnut Hill...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
is a Philadelphia-area all-female, catholic, college preparatory school. It was founded in 1858 by the Sisters of Saint Joseph
Sisters of St. Joseph
The title Sisters of St. Joseph applies to several Roman Catholic religious congregations of women. The largest and oldest of these was founded in Le Puy-en-Velay, France...
. The academy was originally located in Philadelphia on the grounds of what is now Chestnut Hill College
Chestnut Hill College
Chestnut Hill College is a coeducational Roman Catholic college in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. It was founded in 1924 as a women's college by the Sisters of St. Joseph. It was originally called Mount Saint Joseph College and assumed its current name in 1938. In...
. 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. 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
Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Chestnut Hill is a neighborhood in the Northwest Philadelphia section of the United States city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.-Boundaries:Chestnut Hill is bounded as follows:...
near Philadelphia. Since relocation to the new campus, the school has grown significantly.
Academic Program
Academic excellence is fostered at the Mount through the fusion of a challenging and supportive academic program and an extensive extracurricular program which extends beyond the parameters of school life. As a college preparatory school, the Mount prepares young women to realize their fullest potential spiritually, academically and socially.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).
Mission and Beliefs
As a college preparatory school, Mount Saint Joseph Academy prepares young women to realize their fullest potential. The Mount is imbued with a spirit of unity and reconciliation, the special charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Dedicated faculty are committed to a holistic education enriched by the values of the Catholic church.Within an environment that fosters excellence tempered by gentleness, individual students are recognized and valued. Academically challenging programs, which are teacher-directed and student-centered, ensure a well-rounded education with an emphasis on social responsibility.
Committed to preparing women for leadership roles, Mount Saint Joseph Academy enables students to meet the moral and ethical challenges of an ever-changing society and a technological future. Trusting in the wisdom echoed by an early Constitution of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, the mission asserts that “On the education of women largely depends the future of society.”
Premised on the tenet that “on the education of women largely depends the future of society” (Constitution of the Sisters of Saint Joseph. Rpt. in “Mount Saint Joseph Academy Mission Statement”)
We believe that
1. Respect for self and others is at the heart of “unity and reconciliation” (“Mission of the Sisters of Saint Joseph”);
2. Single-sex learning environments cultivate strong women leaders, independent in mind and spirit, socially responsible, and intellectually and personally courageous;
3. This school community, impelled by Christian values, emboldens young women with passion, confidence, and competence to found a future committed to justice and peace;
4. Nurturance of the deep, mature faith and prayer life of individuals spiritually energizes and enriches the entire community;
5. Gospel values enlighten developing individual consciences that inform moral and ethical life decisions;
6. The desire to respond actively to the needs of the “the dear neighbor” (Sisters of Saint Joseph Documents) empowers each student to assume her responsibilities as a citizen of a global community;
7. Education demands the encouragement of intellectual curiosity and creative problem-solving;
8. Comprehensive, challenging curricula enable each student to realize her fullest academic potential;
9. Innovative, technologically-rich, as well as traditional instructional strategies, maximize the potential academic growth of each student;
10. Gentleness with self and others must temper the drive for excellence.
Notable Alumnae
Rose HemingwayRose Hemingway
Rose Hemingway is an American actress, performer and singer, known for performing in musical theatre productions.- Early life :She was born and raised in Philadelphia, with "strict Catholic" parents...
(née Szczesniak) - performer starring in the 2011 Broadway musical revival of “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying is a musical with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock, and Willie Gilbert, based on Shepherd Mead's 1952 book of the same name....
" opposite Daniel Radcliffe
Daniel Radcliffe
Daniel Jacob Radcliffe is an English actor who rose to prominence playing the titular character in the Harry Potter film series....
.
Jennifer Carroll - Chef de Cuisine at 10 Arts by Eric Ripert in Philadelphia. Appeared on the 2009 hit reality television show, "Top Chef."
Kate McCauley - actor and mother of actor Anne Hathaway
Anne Hathaway (actress)
Anne Jacqueline Hathaway is an American actress. After several stage roles, she appeared in the 1999 television series Get Real. She played Mia Thermopolis in The Princess Diaries...
Katie and Julia Reinprecht - members of the 2012 Olympic field hockey
Field hockey
Field Hockey, or Hockey, is a team sport in which a team of players attempts to score goals by hitting, pushing or flicking a ball into an opposing team's goal using sticks...
team
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 Fame (2011), Hairsrpay (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.