Dear Friends & Families-

Holy Family Academy is proud to continue the tradition of Catholic education by serving the Greater Gardner area. We believe that each child is a unique, unrepeatable gift from God. We are passionate about our vocation of partnering with families in their child’s education and we aim to support each child to flourish into the human being God designed them to be.

Our curriculum and community is built on the teachings of the Catholic Church and Jesus Christ.  As a ministry of Annunciation Parish, we are committed to supporting whole child development and challenging students intellectually, spiritually, and morally.  The dedicated staff and faculty at Holy Family Academy integrate our faith-based teachings and values into all of our curriculum, further supporting children to become the best version of themselves.  

We design school and parish events and projects around opportunities to instill a sense of service and importance to “love thy neighbor” in our students.  We model high standards and have high expectations as to how our students should treat others with kindness, respect, and compassion. 

All of our students receive their education in warm and inviting classrooms.  We aim to instill a sense of wonder and curiosity in our students so that their love of learning continues lifelong.  Our K-8 students attend a weekly school Mass and are taught and supported to serve as readers, gift bearers, altar servers, and music accompaniment.  Our K-8 curriculum is designed to progress students from contained classrooms to a middle school environment where they change teachers based on subject matter to prepare them for life after graduation from HFA.  Our middle school curriculum includes French foreign language classes, STEM, and Skills Development classes to dedicate additional time to core study skills, English Language Arts skills, and math skills.  

Our highly demanded PREK programs provide caring instruction to support each child as they prepare to enter kindergarten.  All of our PREK-8th grade students are provided with classes in physical education and the arts, including weekly music, art, and gym classes.  We also provide computer lab instruction for grades K-5 to prepare our students for increased technology use in the classroom in middle school. To support diverse learners, we offer Title I academic support services and the services of HFA tutors who go into classes to support instruction and also work 1:1 with students, as needed.

Our school is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. We work closely with our advisory board regarding administrative oversight, fundraising, and strategic planning.  We have a multidisciplinary School Improvement Team designed to continuously assess and make recommendations for improvements for the betterment of our students, and our Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is led by dedicated and caring parents who work to strengthen the community of HFA. 

The school works closely with our Headmaster and our School Chaplain, Father Steve and Father Thiago, to provide sound spiritual support consistent with the Catholic faith to our students, faculty, and all community members.

We believe that the work we do to support the development of our students outside of the classroom is just as important.  At Holy Family Academy, you will find many opportunities to enrich the lives of your children and families through athletics, arts, academic support, and community events and service.  These opportunities include the following:

• Cross-country running
• Girls on the Run
• Basketball
• Ski/Snowboard Club
• Spring Musical
• Chorus
• Chess Club
• Middle School Homework Club
• Fall Bazaar, Spring Gala, Golf Tournament
• Family Events
• Service projects to support the St. Vincent de Paul efforts and other Parish initiatives

To support working parents, we offer a flexible before and after school program.  This program is led by caring staff and provides a balance of structured time, as well as free play time. While we believe that Catholic education is a worthwhile investment in your child’s life, we recognize that families sacrifice to afford tuition.  As such, we are pleased to offer financial aid and scholarships from both the Diocese and the local school/parish.  

As a school leader, I value transparency, communication, and fostering a culture where we continuously strive to improve our entire community and the services we provide to our students and families.  When a family joins Holy Family Academy, they don’t just join a school.  They become a valued member of our faith based community.  

In addition to being the Principal, I am also a parent at Holy Family Academy.  I am truly grateful to the entire community of this Parish and school and I invite you to come and learn more about the difference that HFA can make for your family.

Sincerely,

Colette Goguen
Principal & Parent