Academy of the Holy Cross
Encyclopedia
The Academy of the Holy Cross, a Catholic
college preparatory school
sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Cross
and founded in 1868. The Academy is located on a 28 acres (113,312.1 m²) campus in Kensington
in Montgomery County
, north of Washington, D.C.
of St. Matthew's set about finding a site. They decided on a lot adjacent to Thomas Circle, at 1312 Massachusetts Avenue, NW. Students and faculty moved in early in 1879.
By the mid-1880s the Academy had a new superior, Sister Mary Angelica. Sister Angelica was to guide Holy Cross for three decades, until well into the twentieth Century. She oversaw not only the growth and development of the curriculum, but the planning and construction of the Academy’s expansion into a new location on Upton Street. In 1898, the campus had to be renovated to allow room for boarding students and the continuously increasing number of applications led the school to lease a nearby property as an annex.
By the beginning of the twentieth century, Holy Cross had outgrown its campus. The school bought a large unused estate west of Rock Creek Park
on Dunbarton Heights in 1904. This site had no water, sewage service, gas or electricity which delayed building until 1909. In June, 1910, the academy’s new structure was finished, and housed Holy Cross until the mid-1950s.
In 1943, the Sisters of the Holy Cross purchased a large parcel of land in Kensington. By 1953 the Upton Street School was no longer adequate. In 1956 the academy moved to Kensington, Maryland
, its present home. The gymnasium was added in 1966.
In November 2001, AHC broke ground for an Arts & Sciences building and Theatre. The addition, which connects to the old building, was opened for the beginning of the 2003-2004 school year. The new wing, which nearly doubles the learning space available for the students, include classrooms, labs, art studios, rehearsal rooms and a 400-seat Theatre.
In 2010, the Academy became an approved International Baccalaureate (IB)
school.
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
college preparatory school
University-preparatory school
A university-preparatory school or college-preparatory school is a secondary school, usually private, designed to prepare students for a college or university education...
sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Cross
Sisters of the Holy Cross
The Sisters of the Holy Cross headquartered on the same grounds as Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, Indiana, is one of three Catholic congregations of religious sisters which trace their origins to the foundation of the Congregation of Holy Cross by the Blessed Father Basil Anthony-Marie Moreau,...
and founded in 1868. The Academy is located on a 28 acres (113,312.1 m²) campus in Kensington
Kensington, Maryland
Kensington is a town in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. The population was 1,873 at the 2000 census. Greater Kensington encompasses the entire 20895 zip code and its population is an order of magnitude larger than that of the town at its center....
in Montgomery County
Montgomery County, Maryland
Montgomery County is a county in the U.S. state of Maryland, situated just to the north of Washington, D.C., and southwest of the city of Baltimore. It is one of the most affluent counties in the United States, and has the highest percentage of residents over 25 years of age who hold post-graduate...
, north of Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
History
The Academy of the Holy Cross was founded in 1868. For the first few years, the academy shared facilities with St. Matthew’s parish school in the District of Columbia. The Academy grew rapidly, but was hindered by lack of money needed to finance a building. In 1877 Sister Mary LaSalette and Father Charles Ignatius WhiteCharles Ignatius White
Charles Ignatius White was an American editor, historian, and Catholic priest. He was one of the leading Catholic publicists in the United States during the second half of the nineteenth century...
of St. Matthew's set about finding a site. They decided on a lot adjacent to Thomas Circle, at 1312 Massachusetts Avenue, NW. Students and faculty moved in early in 1879.
By the mid-1880s the Academy had a new superior, Sister Mary Angelica. Sister Angelica was to guide Holy Cross for three decades, until well into the twentieth Century. She oversaw not only the growth and development of the curriculum, but the planning and construction of the Academy’s expansion into a new location on Upton Street. In 1898, the campus had to be renovated to allow room for boarding students and the continuously increasing number of applications led the school to lease a nearby property as an annex.
By the beginning of the twentieth century, Holy Cross had outgrown its campus. The school bought a large unused estate west of Rock Creek Park
Rock Creek Park
Rock Creek Park is a large urban natural area with public park facilities that bisects Washington, D.C. The park is administered by the National Park Service.-Rock Creek Park:The main section of the park contains , or , along the Rock Creek Valley...
on Dunbarton Heights in 1904. This site had no water, sewage service, gas or electricity which delayed building until 1909. In June, 1910, the academy’s new structure was finished, and housed Holy Cross until the mid-1950s.
In 1943, the Sisters of the Holy Cross purchased a large parcel of land in Kensington. By 1953 the Upton Street School was no longer adequate. In 1956 the academy moved to Kensington, Maryland
Kensington, Maryland
Kensington is a town in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. The population was 1,873 at the 2000 census. Greater Kensington encompasses the entire 20895 zip code and its population is an order of magnitude larger than that of the town at its center....
, its present home. The gymnasium was added in 1966.
In November 2001, AHC broke ground for an Arts & Sciences building and Theatre. The addition, which connects to the old building, was opened for the beginning of the 2003-2004 school year. The new wing, which nearly doubles the learning space available for the students, include classrooms, labs, art studios, rehearsal rooms and a 400-seat Theatre.
In 2010, the Academy became an approved International Baccalaureate (IB)
IB Diploma Programme
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a two-year educational programme for students aged 16–19that provides an internationally accepted qualification for entry into higher education, and is recognised by universities worldwide. It was developed in the early to mid-1960s in Geneva by...
school.
Traditions
- Senior Tea
- Mother-Daughter Communion Breakfast
- Father Daughter Dance
- Alumnae Memorial Mass
- Alumnae Reunion
- Kairos RetreatKairos retreatKairos, adapted to mean "God's time", is a Christian retreat program for high school and college students that takes place around the world.The retreat is a four day, three night residential retreat, that provide participants the chance to contemplate God's role in their lives.-Process:The retreat...
- Big Sister-Little Sister Picnic
- Powder Puff Football GamePowder PuffPowderpuff is a reference to the division of a traditionally male sport reserved for females regardless of the age of the participants.Powderpuff football games are an annual tradition at many high schools and universities in the United States and Canada...
- Senior Project
- Benefit Dinner and Auction
- Junior Ring Ceremony
Admissions
The Academy admits approximately 150 new students to the freshman class and accepts transfer students if places are available.Athletic teams
- Basketball (2007 WCACWashington Catholic Athletic ConferenceThe Washington Catholic Athletic Conference or WCAC is a major high school athletic league for boys, girls, and co-ed Catholic high schools located around and in Washington, DC, USA...
Champions and 2007 Basketball City Title) - Crew
- Cross Country
- Equestrian
- Field Hockey (2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 WCACWashington Catholic Athletic ConferenceThe Washington Catholic Athletic Conference or WCAC is a major high school athletic league for boys, girls, and co-ed Catholic high schools located around and in Washington, DC, USA...
Champions) - Golf
- Ice Hockey
- Lacrosse
- Rugby
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming
- Track and Field
- Tennis (2008 WCACWashington Catholic Athletic ConferenceThe Washington Catholic Athletic Conference or WCAC is a major high school athletic league for boys, girls, and co-ed Catholic high schools located around and in Washington, DC, USA...
Singles and Doubles Champions) - Volleyball
Clubs and organizations
- Adrenaline Dance Team
- Amnesty International
- Archery Club
- Art Club
- Best Buddies
- Book Club
- Cecilians
- Chess Club
- Collage Club
- Computer Club
- Cross and Anchor (Yearbook)
- Crosscurrents
- Environmental Club
- Film Club
- Guitar Club
- Harry Potter Club
- Images (Literary Magazine)
- Improv
- International Club
- It’s Academic
- Kaleidoscope Club
- Kayak Club
- Model United Nations
- National Honor Society
- Onyx
- Performing Arts Club
- Physics Club
- Politics Club
- Pro-Life Club
- S.A.D.D.
- Serendipity Club
- Service Club
- Speech Club
- Spirit Squad
- Step Team
- Stock Market Club
- Tartan Club
- Thespian Society
- Tri-M Music
- Yoga
Graduation requirements
| Religious Studies | 4 credits | Social Science | 3 credits |
| English | 4 credits | Art | ½ Credit |
| Language | 2 credits | Performing Arts | ½ Credit |
| Mathematics | 3 credits | Physical Education and Health | 1 ½ Credit |
| Science | 2 ½ credits | Electives | 3 Credits |
Notable alumnae
- Claire McArdle ('72) - Sculptor
- Martha Manning (’70) - Writer
- Joan Cushing ('64) – Political Satirist/Composer/Playwright
- Helen HayesHelen HayesHelen Hayes Brown was an American actress whose career spanned almost 70 years. She eventually garnered the nickname "First Lady of the American Theatre" and was one of twelve people who have won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony Award...
attended the Academy - Hilary RhodaHilary RhodaHilary Hollis Rhoda is an American model. She is perhaps best known for her work with the brand Estée Lauder and her 2009, 2010, and 2011 appearances in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.-Early life:...
('05) - Model