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

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. Watch the 2023 Science Symposium here.

University in High School Courses

  • Calculus
  • Science Research I, II, and III
  • Spanish IV
  • Spanish V

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
  • United States Government and Economics
  • 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
kkosek@ahns.org

Computer/Technology

COURSES

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

FACULTY

Mrs. Catherine Gibbons

World Languages and Computer/Technology Teacher
Phone: 518.438.7895 x369
Sorbonne Nouvelle Paris III - DEUG LCE - Language & Foreign Civilization in Commercial and Economic English
Academy of Paris - Baccalaureat A1 - Literature and Mathematics
University of Cambridge - First Certificate in English
cxgibbons@ahns.org

Mr. Matthew Baxter

High School Science Teacher, Science Department Chair
Phone: (518) 438-7895 Ext. 375
Hamilton College - BA - Biochemistry/Molecular Biology
mbaxter@ahns.org

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

Mrs. Diane Eller

Middle School English, Social Studies Teacher and Theology Teacher
Phone: 518.438.7895 x360
Russell Sage - MA - Education
Fairleigh Dickinson University - BA - Elementary Education
deller@ahns.org

Ms. Jacqueline Donnaruma

Drama Teacher, English Teacher
Phone: (518) 438-7895 Ext. 356
NYU - MA - Educational Theatre
Wheaton College - BA - Theatre/Literature
jdonnaruma@ahns.org

Ms. Elissa Quinn

English and Speech Department High School Chair
Phone: (518) 438-7895 Ext. 398
SUNY Geneseo - BA - Music, Voice Performance
SUNY Buffalo- MA - Humanities
equinn@ahns.org

Ms. Robin Henderson Tocci '83

High School English/Speech and Drama Teacher
Phone: 518.438.7895 x313
University at Albany - MS
College of Saint Rose - BA
rhtocci@ahns.org

Mrs. Carrie Curvin

AP Literature and Composition Teacher
Phone: (518) 438-7895 Ext. 237
Union College - MA - Teaching
Williams College - BA - English
ccurvin@ahns.org

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 - Language & Foreign Civilization in Commercial and Economic English
Academy of Paris - Baccalaureat A1 - Literature and Mathematics
University of Cambridge - First Certificate in English
cxgibbons@ahns.org

Ms. Natalia Fernandez

Spanish Teacher
518.438.7895 Ext. 322
State University at Albany - MSc - General Education Studies
Universidad del Salvador, Argentina - Licentiate Degree - Psychology
Universidad del Salvador, Argentina - BA - Public Translation
nfernandez@ahns.org

Mathematics

COURSES

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

FACULTY

Jack Maloy

Mrs. Kaitlin Junco

High School Math Teacher
Phone: 518.438.7895 Ext. 214
Saint Leo University - M.Ed - Instructional Leadership
University of Florida - BA - Mathematics
kjunco@ahns.org

Ms. Meghan Devenney

Middle School Math Teacher
Phone: (518) 438-7895 Ext. 355
Siena College - BS - Biology
mdevenney@ahns.org

Mr. Joseph Zaccardo

High School Math Teacher
Phone: 518.438.7895 x214
Niagara University, BA - Mathematics
Niagara University, MA - Education/Mathematics
jzaccardo@ahns.org

Music

COURSES

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

FACULTY

Physical Education

COURSES

Physical Education

FACULTY

Mrs. Molly Pentak

Middle and High School PE Teacher, PE Department Chair
Phone: (518) 438-7895 Ext. 262
SUNY Cortland - BS
SUNY Cobleskill - AAS
mpentak@ahns.org

Science

COURSES

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

FACULTY

Prom at AHN

Mr. Andrew Licari

Science Teacher
Phone: (518) 438-7895 Ext. 320
State University at Albany - MS - Secondary Education, Chemistry
State University at Albany - BS - Chemistry
alicari@ahns.org

Mrs. Deborah Baxter

High School AP Biology Teacher, Biology Teacher
Phone: (518) 438-7895 x303
College of Saint Rose - BA - Biology
dbaxter@ahns.org

Mrs. Linda Rose

Middle School Science Teacher
Phone: 518.438.7895 x371
Hobart & William Smith College - BS
State University at Albany - MA
lrose@ahns.org

Mr. Matthew Baxter

High School Science Teacher, Science Department Chair
Phone: (518) 438-7895 Ext. 375
Hamilton College - BA - Biochemistry/Molecular Biology
mbaxter@ahns.org

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 - MA - Education
Fairleigh Dickinson University - BA - Elementary Education
deller@ahns.org

Mr. Guliano Franzini

Social Studies Teacher, Social Studies Department Chair
Phone: (518) 438-7895 Ext. 352
SUNY New Paltz - MS, ED - Education
Mount Saint Mary College - BA - History
gfranzini@ahns.org

Mrs. Jane Ladouceur '79

High School Social Studies Teacher
Phone: 518.438.7895 x327
State University at Albany - Doctoral Candidate
College of Saint Rose - BS, MA
jladouceur@ahns.org

Mrs. Rhianna Franchini Potocki '14

World History/Religions, Economics Teacher
Phone: (518) 438-7895 Ext. 240
Pennsylvania State University - Ph.D - American Politics and Methodology
Penn State - MEd - Curriculum and Instruction
SUNY Oswego - BA - Political Science
rpotocki@ahns.org

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. Danielle LeBuis-Koenig '94

Learning Workshop Coordinator
Phone: 518.438.7895 x 225
Russell Sage College - BS - Elementary Education and Math
College of Saint Rose - MA - Special Education
dlebuis@ahns.org

Ms. Kathy Witherspoon

Dean of Students
Phone: 518.438.7895 x224
The University of Georgia - MSW
The College of William and Mary - BA
kwitherspoon@ahns.org

Mrs. Emily Rauch

Library Learning Commons Coordinator
Phone: (518) 438-7895 Ext. 216
State University at Albany - MFA
Bennington College - BA
erauch@ahns.org

Mrs. Claire Jacob-Zysman

School Counselor
Phone: 518.438.7895 Ext. 245
Lesley University - MA - Clinical Mental Health Counseling
State University at Buffalo - BFA - Dance
cjzysman@ahns.org

Mrs. Madison Taggart

College Counselor
Duke University - MMS, BA

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

Dr. Joseph Collins

Theology Teacher
Boston College - PhD - Systematic Theology
Villanova - MA - Theology
Manhattan Christian College - BA

Mrs. Diane Eller

Middle School English, Social Studies Teacher and Theology Teacher
Phone: 518.438.7895 x360
Russell Sage - MA - Education
Fairleigh Dickinson University - BA - Elementary Education
deller@ahns.org

INQUIREVISITAPPLY