About Us
Click here to download Mount Saint Joseph Academy's Profile
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 Saint 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 of the school asserts that, "On the education of women largely depends the future of society."
History
Mount Saint Joseph Academy, located in Flourtown, Pennsylvania, has been preparing generations of young women for the challenges of college and life since 1858. Founded by the
Sisters of Saint Joseph, the academy was located in Philadelphia on the grounds of what is now Chestnut Hill College. Originally a boarding school, the academy accepted day students in 1911. In 1928, it 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 situated on 78 acres, just outside the community of Chestnut Hill, an urban village with a cultural life of its own and ready access to downtown Philadelphia. The new home of the academy expanded three times, adding additional classrooms and computer labs for student use.
However, since the construction of the buildings in 1961, student enrollment has more than doubled, the number of full-time faculty has tripled, and the number of course offerings has quadrupled. In order to continue the academy's tradition of excellence, the administration and the Board of Directors embarked on two capital campaigns. As a result of the overwhelming generosity and support of the Mount community, the campaigns have been a tremendous success, resulting in the expansion of the Academy during the 1997-98 school term and again in 2003-2004.
Facilities
Our school building, which won an architectural award when it was constructed during the 1960s, offers spacious classrooms, a modern cafeteria, 600 seat auditorium, gymnasium, chapel, and choir room.
In 1997 a new wing was completed to further serve the educational needs of our students. It features a library/media center with state of the art computer, telecommunications and video capabilities; six new classrooms which offer greater flexibility for course offerings; a fully equipped computer/writing center, a modern guidance suite where students have private space for individual counseling and for exploring college and career choices; 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 an enlarged, airy painting and drawing room; a computer classroom equipped with 25 computer graphics systems; separate rooms for ceramics and a kiln; and an enlarged classroom for theater arts. At the same time, the gym locker area was totally renovated to include a new locker room, a health class area, and a state-of-the-art fitness center.On the campus grounds, you will find an enclosed courtyard and well kept playing fields for our athletic teams, as well as ample student and visitor parking. In the Fall 2004 a track field surrounding a soccer field will be completed, along with two new softball fields.
Academics
The Sisters of Saint Joseph originally opened the doors of the academy as a result of their belief that "on the education of women largely depends the future of society." From its modest beginning with twenty students in 1858, to the present day with its student body of 560, the Mount continues to focus on the importance of women's education. A private, selective day school for girls in grades nine through twelve, the Mount offers a college preparatory education in a Catholic tradition and context.
See what courses we offer.
Intensive Scheduling
The Mount adopted
intensive scheduling. Students now take three or four subjects 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).
Technology
Committed to advancements in education and technology, the Mount has made global information available to students and faculty by technological advances in computers, telecommunications and video capabilities. With a student to computer ratio of two-to-one, faculty members have all received training and are integrating technology into their daily instructional designs. A state-of-the-art fully automated library/media center, equipped with Windows 2000 and Macintosh computers, is the hub of the school's technology. As a result, students and faculty have an exceptional selection of on-line databases and electronic search capabilities. Learning spaces are equipped with 60" interactive Smart whiteboards, overhead projectors, DVD/VCR players, and wireless laptop capability as well as data/voice/video ports for multimedia workstations in every room. Four mobile carts with 12 wireless laptop computers equipped with CD-ROMs and printers travel to the classrooms for in-room instruction. Students and faculty have home access to the school users' folders. High-speed Internet connectivity is available throughout the school from 280 computers.
Learn more about our current technology.
Fine Arts
The Fine Arts Department offers a wide variety of options to assist students in their exploration into the creative potential of art, music and theater. Through a comprehensive, hands-on series of courses, students explore the creative and expressive nature of the fine arts, with an emphasis on performance and practical experience. Whether preparing for a career in the fine arts or not, students enjoy a highly professional and supportive department with organized programs which allow the student to blossom.
Service
Striving to develop people dedicated to improving themselves as well as the world in which they live, the Community Service Corps promotes programs that foster charity, leadership, service, responsibility, social justice, and a concern for others. CSC involves a multitude of people, currently 250 students, several faculty and parents. Membership is open to anyone in the school community willing to put their faith into action, share their time and talents, and accept the responsibilities that come with helping others.
Students help the poor, the homeless, the sick, the dying, children in need and the mentally and physically challenged around the world. Working in conjunction with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, local and international organzations, students are given opportunities to serve others through a variety of organized programs- CSC Elderly, tutoring at LaSalle Academy, ProLife-Respect Life, Operation Smile, CSC Children, and Women of Hope, among others. After 9/11, the students adopted a firehouse in New York City and formed a special relationship with sister school Terra Sancta in Palestine. In addition, several schoolwide charity campaigns are organized by the CSC each year, Thanksgiving Collection, Operation Santa Claus, Volleyball Marathon, and Bread Basketball.
Student Life
Outside of class, our students take part in a wide assortment of school-sponsored activities. Besides being fun, such involvement helps each student round out her education by developing leadership skills and exercising her personal talents.
Clubs and organizations at Mount Saint Joseph Academy span the full range of student interests: service organizations, performing groups, academic interest clubs, honor societies, and more. New groups form easily whenever students take initiative in a new area; thus, our list of activities will normally reflect their current interests.
Highlights of the school year at Mount Saint Joseph Academy include concerts put on by our various music groups - Instrumental Ensemble, Glee Club, and Handbell Choir - as well as theatrical productions and exhibits of student art work. Our student newspaper, yearbook , and literary magazine provide award-winning outlets for students to express themselves in writing or graphic arts.
Attending a day school for girls puts no crimp on our students' social lives! Even though they live in widely scattered areas, many students come back to campus for weekend activities, including dances and mixers with boys from nearby academies and schools.
Athletics
The Mount affords its students a strong, competitive athletic program. Varsity and junior varsity level sports are offered in field hockey, soccer, volleyball, tennis, cross country, golf, cheerleading, basketball, swimming, lacrosse, softball, crew and track. The Mount is currently a P.I.A.A. member and competes in the Catholic Academy and Bicentennial leagues.
Click here for current sports schedules.