TRANSFORMING LIVES EMPOWERING GIRLSCREATING LEGACY

MOTHER CAROLINE ACADEMY

Arlington Catholic High School Fenway High SchoolBeacon Academy Fontbonne AcademyBeaver Country Day School Groton SchoolBedford High School Health Careers AcademyBoston Trinity Academy Lexington Christian AcademyBoston Arts Academy Marianapolis Preparatory School

Boston Latin Academy Matignon High SchoolBrimmer & May School Melrose High SchoolBrooks School Milton AcademyBuckingham, Browne & Nichols Miss Hall’s SchoolCambridge Rindge and Latin Miss Porter’s SchoolCambridge School of Weston Cathedral High School

of Academy students graduate from high school100%

Located in the Grove Hall neighborhood of Dorchester, Massachusetts, Mother Caroline Academy (MCA) is a private, tuition-free school for girls in grades 4-8 from limited financial means. It serves girls of all faiths, races and cultures from Boston neighborhoods. The mission of the school is to provide a high quality education that develops the individual gifts of each student and prepares her for success in competitive secondary schools and college. Rooted in the Catholic tradition that recognizes the dignity of each person, the Academy emphasizes the importance of scholarship, leadership, spiritual, social and moral development. The Mother Caroline community continues to

support and nourish its graduates through their secondary and college education.

For girls living in the communities we serve, many are at risk of falling into the path laid down by poverty, leaving school and likely becoming a mother at an early age. Many live in distressed neighborhoods marked by violence and often face the risk of omnipresent harassment. MCA offers a powerful option that opens a door to lifelong opportunity and interrupts the cycle of poverty. Through an excellent education in a safe environment, MCA girls develop a strong sense of self-awareness, self-worth, and self-confidence in making healthy decisions.

TRANSFORMING LIVES

Saint Joseph AcademyNewton Country Day SchoolChapel Hill-Chauncy Hall Newman SchoolCity on a Hill Public Charter Noble and Greenough SchoolCodman Academy Charter North Cambridge CatholicCommonwealth School Proctor AcademyConcord Academy Prospect Hill Academy

Concord Carlisle High (METCO) Rivers SchoolCristo Rey Boston St. Andrew’s SchoolDana Hall School St. Paul’s SchoolElizabeth Seton Academy Waldorf SchoolEmma Willard School Woodward School for Girls

Rigorous and Integrated Curriculum

Lower School Academic Program (4-5)

High School Prep

Preparation for the rigors of a challenging high school

Math

Rigorous, skills-based math curriculum that results in the ability to apply mathematical concepts and strategies to solve complex problems

Writing

Focus on vocabulary, grammar and critical reading skills; understanding of literary forms; production of critical, descriptive, and narrative essays as well as creative pieces and poetry

Humanities

Development of students’ innate curiosity, encouraging them to ask “why?” and strive for answers related to historical and current events

Upper School Academic Program (6-8)

• Social curriculum for character development

• Rigorous math program to develop computational fluency and problem-solving skills

• Intensive daily reading and writing workshops

• Extended day for support and enrichment

• Integrated arts and music program to enhance academic success

EMPOWERING GIRLS

Teaching Fellows

A hallmark of the Academy is the Teaching Fellows Program. Each year, a group of recent college graduates dedicate two years to teach at the Academy. They share enthusiasm, talent, and a sincere desire to make a difference in the lives of young girls. The Fellows receive room and board, health benefits and a small stipend.

MentoringBeginning in grade 7 and continuing through grade 12 and beyond, the Mentoring Program provides support to current students and graduates as they transition away from the Academy, adapt to high school culture and rigor, and undertake the college selection and application process.

Engaging Co-Curricular Program

Enduring Relationships with Teachers and Mentors

Athletics

• Competitive sports such as soccer, basketball, and softball

• Collaborations with community athletic programs for other athletics such as tennis and running

• Participation in at least one athletic activity each year

Arts

• Arts, drama, and music embedded into academic curriculum

• Afternoon art electives

• Annual student art show

Activities

• Student centered activities such as knitting, yoga, baking

• Collaborations with community programs such as Girl Scouts

Music

• School-wide chorus

• Instrument instruction

• Annual Christmas Pageant featuring student vocalists and musicians

• Annual performances from Handel and Hayden Society

Amherst College Middlebury CollegeBabson College Mt. Ida CollegeBarry University New York UniversityBates College Northeastern UniversityBay State College Ohio Wesleyan UniversityBecker College

Pine Manor CollegeBennett College Providence CollegeBoston College Quincy CollegeBowdoin College Regis CollegeBridgewater State College Roxbury Community CollegeBunker Hill Community College

Salem State CollegeClark Atlanta University Salva Regina University Clark University Simmons CollegeCollege of the Holy Cross Smith CollegeConnecticut College Spelman College Community College of Rhode Island

CREATING LEGACY

Miriam AlvesMiriam Alves graduated from MCA in 2001. After attending Newman Prep, Miriam went on to earn two degrees from Lasell College – a BS in Accounting and BS in Finance. Miriam is currently a Grants Accountant for the Boston Public Health Commission. She oversees accounting and grants management for the Homeless Bureau that is dedicated to providing housing and transitional assistance to men and women of Boston. Miriam is in the process of earning her CPA license.

96% of Academy graduates attend college

Yasmin CruzGrowing up in Dorchester, Yasmin Cruz attended MCA, graduating in 1998. For high school, Yasmin attended Noble and Greenough and graduated from Babson College in 2008. After working several years as a financial analyst, Yasmin is now the Program & Grants Manager for Corporate Responsibility at John Hancock Financial Services. She also serves on the Board of Trustees at Mother Caroline.

Zakiya LewisGraduating from MCA in 2007, Zakiya Lewis went on to Milton Academy. At Milton, Zakiya honed her leadership skills as head of a Christian fellowship group, served on the Board of the Caribbean Student Association, and played on the junior varsity basketball team. Zakiya is now at Harvard College, Class of 2015, where she was recently elected Action Committee Chair for the Association of Black Harvard Women focusing on political and social issues.

St. John’s UniversityCornell University St. Leo’s University Curry College Stonehill CollegeDean College Suffolk UniversityDuke University Trinity CollegeEmerson College Tufts University

Emmanuel College University of Delaware Endicott College University of Hartford Fairfield University University of MassachusettsFisher College Georgia State College University of Rhode IslandGordon College Wellesley College

Hampton University Wentworth Institute of TechnologyHarvard University Westfield State CollegeLake Forest Wheelock CollegeLasell College Williams CollegeLincoln University Worcester State College

Vallerie DePinaGraduating from MCA in 2003, Vallerie DePina attended Milton Academy and graduated from Amherst College in 2002. After leaving Amherst, Vallerie relocated to Spain where she taught English for one year. Vallerie spent the past two summers as a residential counselor at Wediko Children’s Services, a non-profit that provides therapeutic and educational services to children with serious emotional and behavioral challenges. She is currently pursuing a Masters Degree at Boston College’s School of Social Work.

Yesenia VargasYesenia Vargas graduated from Mother Caroline Academy in 2001. She attended Brooks School in North Andover and graduated from Wellesley College in 2009. Yesenia earned a Masters in Education from Boston College and taught ESL in East Boston. She moved to Chile where she currently works as a teacher and also works for a NGO, Ciudadano Global, coordinating a project called Grupo Calle that focuses on changing perceptions held by Chileans about immigration.

MaryCelie DeJesusMaryCelie DeJesus was a member of the first graduating class in 1996. After graduation, she moved back to Puerto Rico for high school. MaryCelie returned to Massachusetts and graduated from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy (Forsyth). She is currently working as a Registered Dental Hygienist and is now a mentor to a student at the Academy.

Michelle Albert, Academy Principal – Middlebury College, Groton Academy, Mother Caroline Academy

515 Blue Hill Avenue Dorchester, MA 02121 (617) 427-1177 www.mcaec.org