High School

At Holy Names, there are no bystanders – only participants. Student are given every opportunity to participate, grow and excel.

Our small classes make it possible for each student to engage and explore. Our teachers encourage questions and invite discussion. Students get involved in the learning experience and because we educate only girls, they feel especially free to be themselves and share their thoughts and feelings.

Here’s what students achieve at Holy Names:

The ability to lead
The confidence to succeed
The kind of academic success that gets noticed by the top colleges

We make this happen through small classes where you are heard and personally challenged, and through a comprehensive guidance program that will help you put together an academic plan that fits who you are and where you want to go.

In courses that carry college credit, see below, students see how they can rise to the next level. In fact, course work and projects across all departments encourage students to develop college-level research, writing and speaking skills. Students accomplish this challenging academic program with a strong support network.

We’re all in this together. The sense of shared commitment to each student’s success is a hallmark of Academy of the Holy Names.

At Academy of the Holy Names, we don’t just teach, we guide and nurture. We recognize that our students are individuals and so we treat them that way. We want them to develop a love of learning, to carry with them for a lifetime.

Academic Options

Advanced Placement Courses

Calculus
Literature and Composition
European History
US History
US Government and Politics
Biology
Computer Science Principles

Internships

Internships available to our seniors in a variety of workplaces, that provide them a special opportunity to explore career choices, as well as develop the responsible work habits required for success.

Science Research

Our Science Research program that offers a structure in which students can conduct real-world research and chase their passion with the support of mentors who are experts in their fields.

University in High School Courses

Calculus
French IV
French V
Psychology
Science Research I, II, and III
Spanish IV
Spanish V
Women in Literature

The Program for Grade 9

World History
Science
Mathematics
Speech Composition and Presentation
The Paschal Mystery/The Church
Language
Physical Education
Introduction to Computers and Technology
Service
Elective

The Program for Grade 10

World Literature II
World History II
Science
Mathematics
Speech Composition and Presentation
The Paschal Mystery/The Church
Language
Physical Education
Introduction to Computers and Technology
Service
Elective

The Program for Grade 11

American Literature
Language
Mathematics
Social Studies
Science
Catholic Moral Theology/Sacraments
Junior Guidance
Physical Education
Service
Elective

The Program for Grade 12

Literature
Language
Mathematics
Participatory Government
Economics
Science
Social Justice and Gospel Values
Religions of the World
Senior Guidance
Physical Education
Service
Elective

Departments, Courses & Faculty

Art/Photography

COURSES

3D Art Sculpture and Ceramics
3-D Sculpture and Design
Advanced Placement 2D Art and Design
Fashion Vision and Design
Digital Imaging I & II
Multicultural Art
Photography I & II
Portfolio Preparation
Pottery I & II
Studio in Art I & II

FACULTY

Ms. Kate Kosek

Art Teacher

Phone: (518) 438-7895 Ext. 309

Georgia State University - MFA
SUNY New Paltz - BFA

Computer/Technology

COURSES

Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles
Advanced Applications
Advertising Design
Computers and Technology
Desktop Publishing
Introduction to Computer Science

FACULTY

Mr. Matthew Baxter

High School Science Teacher

Hamilton College - B.A.

Mrs. Catherine Gibbons

World Languages and Computer/Technology Teacher

Phone: 518.438.7895 x369

Sorbonne Nouvelle Paris III - DEUG LCE
Academy of Paris - Baccalaureat A1
University of Cambridge - First Certificate in English- LOWER

English/Language Arts

COURSES

English Seminar
Topics in English Studies: Women and Literature (UHS)
Advanced Placement Literature and Composition
African Literature
American Literature
Creative Writing
Drama Through the Ages
Eastern Literature
English as a Second Language
English Seminar
Film as Literature I & II
Irish Literature
Journalism
Level I, II, III, & IV Writing
Literary Masterpieces
Literature and Human Suffering
Shakespeare
Shakespeare Encore
Short Works
Women and Literature
World Literature I & II
Writing Center Peers

FACULTY

Ms. Jacqueline Donnaruma

Drama Teacher, English Teacher

NYU - MA Educational Theatre
Wheaton College - BA Theatre/Literature

Mrs. Diane Eller

Middle School English, Social Studies Teacher and Theology Teacher

Phone: 518.438.7895 x360

Russell Sage - M.A.
Fairleigh Dickinson University - B.A.

Ms. Robin Henderson Tocci

High School English/Speech and Drama Teacher

Phone: 518.438.7895 x313

The College of Saint Rose - B.A.
University at Albany - M.S.

Ms. Kelly Leonard

English and Speech Department High School and Drama Chair

Phone: 518.438.7895 x398

Siena College - B.A. The College of Saint Rose - M.S.

World Languages

COURSES

French I
French II
French III
French IV
French V
Introduction to Italian
Spanish I
Spanish II
Spanish III
Spanish IV UHS
Spanish V UHS

FACULTY

Mrs. Catherine Gibbons

World Languages and Computer/Technology Teacher

Phone: 518.438.7895 x369

Sorbonne Nouvelle Paris III - DEUG LCE
Academy of Paris - Baccalaureat A1
University of Cambridge - First Certificate in English- LOWER

Mathematics

COURSES

Advanced Algebra
Advanced Placement Calculus
Algebra
Calculus UHS
Financial Algebra
Geometry
Pre-Calculus Mathematics
Statistics

FACULTY

Ms. Meghan Devenney

Middle School Math Teacher

Phone: (518) 438-7895 Ext. 355

Siena College - Bachelor's Degree

Mr. Christopher Johnson

High School Math Teacher

Phone: (518) 438-7895 Ext. 326

Concordia University - MAT with certification
Portland State University - B.S.

Mrs. Nancy Manning

High School Math Teacher, Math Department Chair

Phone: 518.438.7895 x214

State University College of New York at Oneonta - BS
State University of New York at Albany - MS

Music

COURSES

Beginning Voice Tech Class
Choral Ensemble
Instrumental Ensemble
Music Theory
The History of Women in Music

FACULTY

Ms. Theresa Moran

Music Teacher and Campus Minister

Phone: 518-438-7895

College of Saint Rose - Certificate of Advanced Study
Walden University - Masters of Science
Hartwick College - Bachelor of Science

Physical Education

COURSES

Physical Education

FACULTY

Mrs. Molly Pentak

Middle and High School PE Teacher, PE Department Chair

Phone: 518.438.7895

State University of New York at Cobleskill - AAS
State University of New York at Cortland - BS

Science

COURSES

Chemistry Honors
Physics Honors
Food for Thought
Advanced Placement Biology
Biology
Chemistry
Chemistry for Science Majors
Current Topics in Science
Earth Science
Environmental Issues
Physics
Physics for Science Majors
Science Research (UHS)
Science Research I (UHS)
Science Research II (UHS)

FACULTY

Mrs. Deborah Baxter

High School AP Biology Teacher, Biology Teacher, Science & Department Chair

Phone: 518.438.7895 x303

College of St. Rose - BA Biology

Mr. Matthew Baxter

High School Science Teacher

Hamilton College - B.A.

Mr. Andrew Licari

Science Teacher

University at Albany - M.S.
University at Albany - B.S.

Mrs. Linda Rose

Middle School Science Teacher

Phone: 518.438.7895 x371

Hobart & William Smith College - B.S.
SUNY Albany - M.A

Social Studies

Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics
Historical Documentary Production
Advanced Placement European History
Advanced Placement United States History
American Studies
Current Issues
Participatory Government
Survey of Economics
World History I & II

COURSES

FACULTY

Mrs. Diane Eller

Middle School English, Social Studies Teacher and Theology Teacher

Phone: 518.438.7895 x360

Russell Sage - M.A.
Fairleigh Dickinson University - B.A.

Mr. Guliano Franzini

Social Studies Teacher

SUNY New Paltz - M.S. ED.
Mount Saint Mary College - B.A.

Ms. Colleen Jones

Social Studies Teacher

Phone: 518.438.7895 Ext. 301

University at Albany - Master's in Education: Social Studies, 7-12
University at Albany - Bachelor's of Science (Major: History- U.S. Concentration; Minors: Psychology and Africana Studies)

Ms. Jane Ladouceur

High School Social Studies Teacher, Social Studies Department Chair

Phone: 518.438.7895 x327

College of Saint Rose - B.S.
College of Saint Rose - M.A.
State University at Albany - Doctoral Candidate

Speech/Drama

COURSES

Professional Communication
Broadway Bound
Introduction to Public Speaking
Acting
Intermediate Speech
Play Production

FACULTY

Student Services

COURSES

Junior Guidance
Health and Wellness
Homeroom 10
Leadership in Ministry
Learning Workshop
Math Lab
Retreat Team
Senior Guidance
Sophomore Guidance
Writing Center
Writing Workshop

Student Services

FACULTY

Ms. Melissa Bruno

Library Media Specialist

Ms. Danielle LeBuis-Koenig

Math Lab Coordinator

Phone: 518.438.7895 x 225

Russell Sage College - Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Math
College of Saint Rose - Masters in Special Education

Mrs. Annemarie McGarry

Director of College Counseling

LeMoyne College - BA
Alfred University - MS in Ed

Ms. Theresa Moran

Music Teacher and Campus Minister

Phone: 518-438-7895

College of Saint Rose - Certificate of Advanced Study
Walden University - Masters of Science
Hartwick College - Bachelor of Science

Theology/Religion

COURSES

A Survey of Sacred Scripture
Catholic Moral Theology
Christology
Church History
Religions of the World
Sacraments
Service 9, 10, 11, and 12
Social Justice and Gospel Values
Social Justice: Independent Study
The Church
The Paschal Mystery

FACULTY

Mr. Shawn Allen

Theology Teacher

Phone: (518) 438-7895 Ext. 307

University at Albany - Doctoral Student - Philosophy
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium - M.A. - Theology and Religious Studies
University of San Francisco - B.A. - Philosophy

Mrs. Diane Eller

Middle School English, Social Studies Teacher and Theology Teacher

Phone: 518.438.7895 x360

Russell Sage - M.A.
Fairleigh Dickinson University - B.A.

Ms. David Perritano

Theology Teacher

Phone: 518.438.7895 Ext. 351

The College of Saint Rose - B.A. University at Albany - M.S.