Immaculate Heart Academy

For 57 years, Immaculate Heart Academy (IHA) has prided itself on being an excellent choice for those interested in attending a Catholic, allgirls regional high school in Bergen County, New Jersey. At IHA, young women learn in an atmosphere that encourages academic excellence, artistic immersion, athletic competition and Christian Service. By cultivating both the traditional Christian values of the Roman Catholic Church and upholding exceptional college preparatory standards, IHA offers a unique and unmatched private educational experience.

IHA is a regional high school under the Archdiocese of Newark which accepts students of all faiths from Bergen, Passaic, Morris and several other counties in New Jersey as well as from Orange and Rockland counties in New York. IHA incorporates faith-based learning in a variety of ways. Mrs. Tara Hopfenspirger, Director of Communications, explains, “All students take classes as part of our Religious Studies curriculum. Additionally, students attend school-wide Masses and liturgies during celebrations throughout the year. Our girls are also incredibly involved in our Christian Service and Campus Ministry programs, growing their relationship with Jesus outside of the classroom with various volunteer opportunities, Catholic conferences, and more.”

The school is designed specifically to address the needs and talents of young women. All of IHA’s classes, programs, and policies reflect its commitment to empowering young women. By instilling in its students a sense of responsibility, confidence, justice, peace and compassion, IHA prepares students for life throughout the twenty-first century.

IHA has a rich curriculum, welloutfitted classrooms, an array of extracurricular offerings and a small class size, averaging 18-20 students. IHA’s STEM@theheart program includes more than just the disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and math. With the school’s liberal arts education and commitment to Christian values, STEM students use world language, social studies, language arts, and science to understand the world they live in; math and technology to harness, chronicle, and make sense of that information; and critical thinking skills to engineer solutions for the betterment of the human experience.

IHA has a fully developed art program with a beautiful, new art studio that includes state-ofthe-art materials and technology. Additionally, it is known for its fall musical productions and spring dramas which IHA has been offering local audiences for decades. Future journalists and filmmakers can take advantage of IHA’s state-of-the-art television studio and courses in broadcast journalism, TV and film production and editing. All teachers and students have MacBooks, and all classes utilize technology in instruction and class activities. Students also have access to iPads and various computer programs, available in the beautiful Information Commons (IHA’s library).

Students can participate in a variety of activities including a highly acclaimed athletic program, robust theater and drama offerings, and a wide variety of honor societies, service clubs, and social activities based on special interests and talents. “We have everything from Book Club, Wellness Walkers, and Culture Club to Fashion Merchandising & Design, Go Green club and Peer Mentoring,” says Hopfenspirger.

Hopfenspirger notes, “Another aspect that sets us apart is the recent introduction of our College Counseling Department. This department has, as its sole purpose, to guide students through the sometimes-daunting college admissions process beginning their freshman year.”

President Patricia Molloy explains the IHA benefit: “Immaculate Heart Academy provides young women with an experience of Christian community, an excellent academic curriculum, and a variety of positive experiences grounded in our commitment to Gospel values. Our students share a sisterhood that is life-long.”

IHA is still accepting students for the 2018-19 school year and will host a Spring Open House on May 2 from 6:30-8:30 pm. Interested parents and students can register online at www.ihanj.com and walkins are also welcome.

For more information on Immaculate Heart Academy, visit www. ihanj.com, or call (201) 445-6800.