Ursuline Academy (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Encyclopedia
Ursuline Academy is a private
, Roman Catholic, all-girls high school
and elementary school
(12 grades) in New Orleans, Louisiana
, United States
. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans
. Founded in 1727, the academy is the oldest Catholic school in the United States, and was the oldest continuously operating school for women in the United States until damage from Hurricane Katrina closed it for remainder of the fall 2005 semester; it has since reopened.
An Ursuline education is rooted in a tradition of formation and innovation. It provides a nurturing environment for the learning and development of the whole person, based on a sound foundation of values drawn from the vision and philosophy of Saint Angela Merici, founder of the Ursuline Order in Brescia, Italy in 1535. Ursuline Academy is dedicated to the moral, spiritual, intellectual and social growth of each individual, and these values are validated by our educational approach.
The Ursuline tradition holds many United States firsts in its dedication to the growth of individuals, including the first female pharmacist, first woman to contribute a book of literary merit, first convent, first free school and first retreat center for ladies, first classes for female African-American slaves, free women of color and Native Americans. In the region, Ursuline provided the first center of social welfare in the Mississippi Valley, first boarding school in Louisiana and the first school of music in New Orleans.
Merry Macs- These Scottish terriers dress in plaid; their colors are red, green, yellow, and black.
Scotties- This is the little sister class of the Merry Macs.
Skipperettes- The Skips dress as sailors. Their colors are blue and white.
First Mates- They are the "little sisters" of the Skips.
Leprechauns - Eighth grade class (wears leprechaun/Irish attire).
Red Feathers- They are considered the "little sisters" of the Sioux.
Sioux- Named after the Sioux Tribe, the Sioux dress as Indians; their colors are red and black.
Fight Song and Alma Mater =
Fight Song
Go Ursulions, give them your best!
We've got the power, king of the rest!
With lions' glory let the story
Read that the lions won, ONCE MORE!
Lions are fighters, true royalty
Lions love winning and victory
With lions' pride right at our side
Let's hear Ursulions roar!
ROAR!
Alma Mater
Ursuline, to dear old Ursuline,
We pledge our endless love today.
Ursuline, forever Ursuline,
Though life may lead us far away.
Lamp that lights the flame,
Of all our hopes and dreams.
Beacon bright that guides us,
Onward with its beams.
Happy hours within your sacred halls,
Cherished memories.
Ursuline, to dear old Ursuline,
We pledge our endless love today.
Ursuline, forever Ursuline,
Though life may lead us far away.
Alma Mater beautiful,
Starlike ever shine,
On our paths to guide our faltering steps,
Home at last dear Ursuline.
Private school
Private schools, also known as independent schools or nonstate schools, are not administered by local, state or national governments; thus, they retain the right to select their students and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students' tuition, rather than relying on mandatory...
, Roman Catholic, all-girls high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
and elementary school
Elementary school
An elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar...
(12 grades) in New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans, officially in Latin Archidioecesis Novae Aureliae, is an ecclesiastical division of the Roman Catholic Church administered from New Orleans, Louisiana...
. Founded in 1727, the academy is the oldest Catholic school in the United States, and was the oldest continuously operating school for women in the United States until damage from Hurricane Katrina closed it for remainder of the fall 2005 semester; it has since reopened.
Heritage
Founded in 1727 by the Sisters of the Order of Saint Ursula, Ursuline Academy, New Orleans, enjoys the distinction of being both the oldest, continuously-operating school for girls and the oldest Catholic school in the United States. Convinced that the education of women was essential to the development of a civilized, spiritual and just society, the Ursuline Sisters influenced culture and learning in New Orleans by providing an exceptional education for its women.An Ursuline education is rooted in a tradition of formation and innovation. It provides a nurturing environment for the learning and development of the whole person, based on a sound foundation of values drawn from the vision and philosophy of Saint Angela Merici, founder of the Ursuline Order in Brescia, Italy in 1535. Ursuline Academy is dedicated to the moral, spiritual, intellectual and social growth of each individual, and these values are validated by our educational approach.
The Ursuline tradition holds many United States firsts in its dedication to the growth of individuals, including the first female pharmacist, first woman to contribute a book of literary merit, first convent, first free school and first retreat center for ladies, first classes for female African-American slaves, free women of color and Native Americans. In the region, Ursuline provided the first center of social welfare in the Mississippi Valley, first boarding school in Louisiana and the first school of music in New Orleans.
Rally
Rally began in 1948 as a way for classes to show their school spirit in the areas of volleyball intramurals, skits, posters, songs, and cheers. Each class was given a name (to replace existing sororities on campus) and carried them until they graduated and passed them on to a little sister class. Although many of the names have changed since the beginning of the Rally competition, the Sioux class has always remained. Currently, the other class names are Merry Macs, Skipperettes, and Leprechauns. Recently, an 8th grade class was added to the high school and were given the permanent name of Leprechauns while the Freshmen would acquire a name that was similar to the current senior class' name. For example, when the Merry Macs were seniors, the Freshmen were Scotties, correlating with the Scottish theme.Merry Macs- These Scottish terriers dress in plaid; their colors are red, green, yellow, and black.
Scotties- This is the little sister class of the Merry Macs.
Skipperettes- The Skips dress as sailors. Their colors are blue and white.
First Mates- They are the "little sisters" of the Skips.
Leprechauns - Eighth grade class (wears leprechaun/Irish attire).
Red Feathers- They are considered the "little sisters" of the Sioux.
Sioux- Named after the Sioux Tribe, the Sioux dress as Indians; their colors are red and black.
Notable Alumnae
- Mary LandrieuMary LandrieuMary Loretta Landrieu is the senior United States Senator from the State of Louisiana and a member of the Democratic Party.Born in Arlington, Virginia, Landrieu was raised in New Orleans, Louisiana...
, US Senator - Lurita DoanLurita DoanLurita Alexis Doan , is an African American, conservative commentator on Federal News Radio 1500AM in Washington, DC, and the host of the weekly opinion editorial, Leadership Matters. Doan was formerly the Administrator of the United States General Services Administration from May 31, 2006, to...
, administrator of the U.S. General Services Administration
Fight Song and Alma Mater =
Fight Song
Go Ursulions, give them your best!
We've got the power, king of the rest!
With lions' glory let the story
Read that the lions won, ONCE MORE!
Lions are fighters, true royalty
Lions love winning and victory
With lions' pride right at our side
Let's hear Ursulions roar!
ROAR!
Alma Mater
Ursuline, to dear old Ursuline,
We pledge our endless love today.
Ursuline, forever Ursuline,
Though life may lead us far away.
Lamp that lights the flame,
Of all our hopes and dreams.
Beacon bright that guides us,
Onward with its beams.
Happy hours within your sacred halls,
Cherished memories.
Ursuline, to dear old Ursuline,
We pledge our endless love today.
Ursuline, forever Ursuline,
Though life may lead us far away.
Alma Mater beautiful,
Starlike ever shine,
On our paths to guide our faltering steps,
Home at last dear Ursuline.