Community Corner
Immaculate High School Leads the Pack in Academics
Catholic School Marks 60 Years Delivering a Top Ranked Education
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What makes Immaculate High School the #1 Catholic co-ed day school in Connecticut?*
One of the many key factors is the school’s incredible academics. Immaculate is celebrating 60 years of providing a Catholic college prep education in Southwestern Connecticut and Eastern New York that develops the whole student by nurturing academic, spiritual, moral, physical and social growth.
“Immaculate is just knocking it out of the park when it comes to the education process,” said parent Tony Cirone, who made the decision with his wife Jen to send their four children there. “We couldn’t be happier.”
“We were looking for a faith based education centered on reverence, respect and rigorous academics,” Cirone said. “Immaculate really challenged them and set them up to be successful in college. The Cirones’ son Michael graduated from Bryant College, daughter Lauren graduated from Boston College, daughter Kristen is a senior at Notre Dame and youngest Julia is a senior at Immaculate now.
Perhaps Principal Wendy Neil sums it up best. “At Immaculate, it’s cool to be smart,” she said. “We strive to create a safe learning environment where every student can reach their full potential.”
Neil would know since her four children attended the school. She said the culture cultivated by teachers and administrators plays an integral role in students’ academic success. Plus, an incredible selection of courses challenges students while also encouraging them to explore new areas they may not have studied before.
“I was more of a student who loved history classes,” said Junior Collin McCormack ‘24. “Then, on a whim I took Environmental Science and it has been one of my favorite classes ever! It definitely broadened my perspective, made me more conscientious about the things I use and introduced me to careers in that field.”
As a premier, Catholic, co-ed, college preparatory school, Immaculate offers seven college credit courses, access to 30 Advanced Placement (AP) courses and 45 honors courses. The school maintains a high level of academic rigor and accountability to prepare its students for life beyond high school and the proof is in its 100 percent college acceptance rate.
Signature programs in Graphic Design, Engineering, Environmental Science, and CISCO IT Essentials integrate state-of-the-art technology, labs and real-world experiences. The school also has a nursing program that helps students become Certified Nursing Assistants with the State of Connecticut. Some recent popular course choices with students are Forensic Science, Civil Engineering and Architecture, Mock Trial, Podcast 101 plus Sports and Entertainment Management.
Immaculate students earn college credit through dual-enrollment courses with the University of Connecticut, Quinnipiac University, Fairfield University and Western Connecticut State University. Plus, Immaculate’s SAT scores consistently outperform national and State of Connecticut averages and are the #1 SAT scores in the Diocese of Bridgeport, Connecticut.
The school’s 11 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio ensures students get the academic support they need. Neil also points to the Counseling Department’s key role. “Our low student-counselor ratio is huge,” she said. “Students are working with the same counselor from day one until the day they leave.”
Immaculate’s innovative curriculum and unique culture are precisely what attracted new Dean of Counseling and Student Services, Tim Nash, to the school. “We do a great job helping each student achieve their own personal success and overcome any barriers along the way,” Nash said. “Top colleges and universities are impressed with our students’ academic preparation and that’s crucial.” Academic support services include a new Writing Center and Math Lab.
The Class of 2022 was offered spots at 243 colleges including Yale, Georgetown, Villanova, West Point, the University of North Carolina, Georgia Tech, Boston University, UCONN and Wake Forest to name a few. The most recent graduating class was offered $33.5 million in grants and scholarships from colleges and universities, making Immaculate a great investment.
Outside the classroom, Immaculate’s more than 35 clubs complement academic life. They offer the opportunity to get involved in everything from the National Math Honor Society, to the Business Entrepreneurship Club to CyberPatriots which challenges teams of high school students to find and fix cybersecurity vulnerabilities in virtual operating systems. Immaculate’s team has won the Connecticut state title four times in this competition meant to inspire young people to explore careers in STEM disciplines.
Innovative short-term programs also give students opportunities to explore interests in a new way. Veer Chetal ‘24 credits the Harvard Lawyers Program where professors from the university teach Immaculate students about how to make a legal case and for inspiring him to pursue a career in law. “It was something new for me because I learned what it takes to be a lawyer,” he said. “I loved it and am so grateful I participated in the program.”
Immaculate also has a robust fine arts program and 40 athletic teams, including newly added eSports which is a video game based athletic competition that has been growing nationally and can result in college scholarships. An integral part of Immaculate’s curriculum is community service which promotes student leadership and compassion. An average of 80 students are recognized annually by the Presidential Volunteer Service Program.
This year, Immaculate has embarked on a $4 million Capital Campaign for its sixtieth anniversary which includes a multi-million dollar endowment to provide more financial aid for worthy students.
So, if you’re thinking about where to send your child for a rigorous, faith centered and fun college prep experience, Tony Cirone said you should follow in his family’s footsteps.
“I think one of the things parents think about is the economic investment, and that’s understandable,” Cirone said. “But I can tell you what you’re going to get from an academic and economic perspective pays dividends for life. Plus they grow up and develop as a person at Immaculate to become a really well rounded adult. It’s well worth the investment.”
To learn more about Immaculate High School, click here: https://www.immaculatehs.org The school’s Priority Application Deadline for the 2023-24 school year is November 16.
* According to Niche School Rankings
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