Two new courses have recently been added to the series of enrichment classes that will be offered at Villa Maria this summer: English Readiness (for incoming Villa 9th graders), and Studio Art (for rising 7th - 9th graders). 

English Readiness, which will be held the week of June 26th, is designed to build confidence to bridge the skill gap from 8th to 9th grade. The course covers writing mechanics, usage, grammar, literary analysis, and essay writing. 

Studio Art, which is also held the week of June 26th, offers four days of creativity, exploration, and fun. Students will create original drawings, paintings, and collages while exploring a range of artistic styles.

Villa's Summer Series also includes athletics camps for students of all ages. 

Visit Summer Series page

On Wednesday evening, March 1st, Villa Maria held our annual Scholarship Reception in the Theresa Maxis Student Union. Hosted by the Admissions Team, the lovely prayer service and awards presentation in Parsons Chapel was followed by a dessert reception in the dining hall. The scholarship recipients are members of Villa's incoming Class of 2027. Scholarships were awarded for: IHM Charism, Academic Scholars, Academic Scholarship, Music, Art, Dance, and STEM. Congratulations to all, and welcome to Villa Maria!

Villa alumna Helen Ryan Dobrowski '01, a senior producer and co-director with Sarah Colt Productions, visited Mr. Cucinella's Freshman Scholars class on Friday, February 24, 2023.

Ms. Dobrowski has helped produce multiple documentaries for PBS's American Experience, such as Billy Graham and The Gilded Age. She shared her knowledge of the documentary filmmaking process; specifically about turning research into a compelling documentary that tells a story.

The students are in the process of creating original short documentaries throughout the course of this semester.

Updated 3-3-23.

Villa varsity basketball will play Rustin in the Division 1 5A Championship at Temple University on March 4th at 12:00 noon. Click for additional information and ticket link. 

Villa's basketball, swimming and diving, and indoor track and field teams have each had strong seasons, and the excitement continues this weekend.

On Friday, February 24th, Villa basketball will play Bishop Shanahan in the District 1 5A Semifinal game at 7:00 p.m. The winner will play either Gwynedd Mercy or Rustin in the final on March 4th at Temple University. Purchase tickets here. 

The swimming and diving team sent eight Villa athletes to the District 1 Championships in York, PA, taking place on Friday, February 24th and Saturday, February 25th. Congrats to swimmers Natalie Ade, Brinley Beck, Keriann Collison, Ainsley Ingram, Riley Meriwether, Ava Meyers, Riley Mulhern, and Graciella Schofield.

On Sunday, February 26th, three Villa athletes will compete at the Indoor Track and Field State Championships at Penn State University. Pole vaulters Maddy Kelley and Mary Cate Doughty, and high jumper Talia Davidson will compete. 

Roll canes!

Villa's summer enrichment and athletics camps kick off in June, and registration is now open! Secure your spot at the session(s) of your choice by registering today!

Information & Registration 

Villa Maria junior Mackenzie Duffy has been selected Student of the Week for February 13-19. 

Read Main Line Times Article 

With the big game just days away, Villa's chorus show their Eagles spirit by performing a beautiful rendition of the fight song.

Watch performance
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This week at Villa Maria we celebrated Catholic Schools Week, starting with liturgy on Monday morning. The remainder of the week was spent showing and expressing our appreciation for our parents, faculty, staff and students, through social media messages, spirit days, a faculty/staff breakfast, and an ice cream treat at lunch. 

"Since 1974, National Catholic Schools Week is the annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States...Schools typically observe the annual celebration week with Masses, open houses, and other activities for students, families, parishioners, and community members. Through these events, schools focus on the value Catholic education provides to young people and its contributions to our church, our communities, and our nation. - NCEA.org/csw 

Villa Maria celebrated DEI Week during the week of January 23, 2023. A highlight of the week was Tuesday's assembly, which featured Villanova graduate and STEM professional, Michelle Ducombe. 

Ms. Ducombe, Senior Product Manager with Comcast, inspired students with her professionalism, humor, and important messages about STEM careers and building relationships by understanding other cultures. 

DEI Week also included informative workshops, coordinated and hosted by the DEI Committee, and a service project that benefitted the Mother of Mercy House in Kensington, an IHM Mission. 

View photo gallery

On Friday, January 20th, Villa Maria students gathered on campus for an early-morning prayer service, and then boarded buses and traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in the annual National March for Life. 

"The right to life is a human right. Our defense of that right is a joyful witness to the beauty and dignity of every human person.

The March for Life is an inspiring, peaceful, vibrant, and joy-filled rally of women, men, young people, and children from all across the country. Every year, tens of thousands of pro-lifers converge on the National Mall and march on Capitol Hill on the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling..." - marchforlife.org

Updated 1-17-23

"A good coach can change a race. A GREAT COACH can change a life. Thank you Coach Cathy Hay for inspiring us to be the best we can be."

The Villa swim and dive community came out to celebrate the retirement of Coach Cathy Hay before the meet in Saturday, January 14, 2023, at Malvern Prep. Those gathered to celebrate Coach's Hay career and retirement included her family, friends, students, team members, alumnae, faculty, and staff. VMA is grateful to Coach Hay for her many years of service and guidance. We will miss you!

Updated 1-26-23

As of January 26, 2023, varsity basketball holds a record of 16-2. 

The Villa Maria varsity basketball team has gotten off to a strong start this season, with a record of 12-0 after defeating Gwynedd Mercy on Thursday, January 12th. 

The City of Basketball Love website featured VMA in two recent articles:

December 29 Villa Maria stays unbeaten with big goals in mind
January 12 Villa Maria locks down Gwynedd Mercy in battle of unbeatens

Main Line Media News, publisher of the Main Line Times & Suburban, regularly highlights Villa Maria students in the "Student of the Week" and "Athlete of the Week" features. On this first week of January, 2023, two Villa students have been selected for special recognition. 

Kenya Cook, a VMA senior, is Student of the Week. The Main Line Times article includes details about her extensive involvement at VMA, including a discussion of her goals as Vice President of the National Honor Society, her role as President of Villa's orchestra, and her favorite books.

Read full article 

Villa senior Marah McHugh is Athlete of the Week. The Main Line Times article includes a discussion of Marah's start in basketball, fun facts (like her favorite pre-game pump-up song and her favorite course at VMA), and her mentors. 

Read full article

Villa Maria Academy High School offers our warmest wishes for a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Enjoy our Merry Christmas video! 

On Wednesday, December 21, 2022, Villa students, faculty and staff gathered in the Marian Center for the Christmas Liturgy. Father Kevin Gallagher from St. Denis in Havertown was the celebrant at the beautiful Mass, which included traditional Christmas songs, a blessing of the junior class rings, and a rousing rendition of "In Old Judea," sung by the student body, as the recessional. 

This is the students' last day of classes before Christmas break. We wish the entire Villa community a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. 

View photo gallery

View recorded live-stream

Villa Maria's Music Department presented a preview of the annual Christmas Concert last Friday, to the delight of students, faculty and staff. 

View the photo gallery

The livestream from Friday evening's Christmas Concert is now available. View the livestream. 

The following update is provided by Kathy McCartney, Director of Advancement at VMA.

The Ostrowski Performance Center

Today at Villa Maria we broke ground on the Jeff Ostrowski Performance Center. Located on the back of the gym, this will be a place where students and faculty can go to rehab from injury or proactively avoid injury through workouts.

In November 2020, the Villa community lost Jeff Ostrowski, father of Carly '17, and husband of current volleyball coach, Peggy Evans. Jeff was a renowned physical therapist who wanted to help folks live functional, pain-free lives after injuries or illness. Jeff was the co-founder of Excel PT.

Thanks to the generosity of his coworkers at Excel and the deep commitment of his own family and friends, this project is fully funded, and Jeff's legacy will forever be part of Villa Maria.

Villa is so grateful to Excel and to Peggy Evans for their commitment to the health and well being of everyone in the Villa community.

Tennis Court Installation

The installation of new tennis courts at Villa Maria was part of our Honoring Our Past...Building Our Future campaign. Through the generosity of our donors, these courts are fully funded and will be built in the spring. They will be ready for the 2023 tennis season.

Carol and Ring is a Villa tradition that coincides with the Christmas season. Students gather on stage to sing classic songs, and then each junior receives her ring from Principal Sister Regina Ryan. 

The event was held on Wednesday, December 7, 2022 in the Marian Center Auditorium.

Watch the recorded livestream 

A photo gallery of images from Villa's fall play, Around the World in 80 Days, is now available. Revisit the wonderful adventures of Phileas Fogg and his faithful companion, Passepartout, as they set out to circle the globe in an unheard-of 80 days. The play was presented by VMA Theatrical Production and Design on November 18 & 19, 2022. 

View photo gallery

The week of November 14th-18th was National French Week! French Club members enjoyed French pastry lessons at Strawberry Bakery in Malvern, making croissants, mini-baguettes, macarons, and cupcakes. On campus, the French Honor Society hosted a crêpe sale during lunches, proceeds going to purchase fresh produce for our Thanksgiving baskets. Thanks to World Languages Department Chair and French Teacher, Mrs. Goddard, for your enthusiasm in leading the efforts. Bon appétit!

View Photo Gallery

Seven new members were inducted into the National Honor Society on November 30, 2022. Congratulations to the following Villa seniors: front row: Gabriella Yacovelli, Madeline Sirianni; back row: Brianna McDonald, Emma Chapman, Marin Rosser, Morgan Prasalowicz, Kirstin George.

Congratulations to Maddie, who has been selected as Student of the Week for November 28 - December 4, 2022. Read the article here. 

November 22nd was a special day at Villa Maria. Students, faculty and staff came together for a beautiful Thanksgiving Liturgy. Following the liturgy, the senior class debuted their senior song, written by Jordi De Jong, Clare McGill, Anjana Mosakowski, and Natalie Young. Seniors were presented with white roses and gathered for pictures outside. The liturgy and senior song were livestreamed, and the recording is available for viewing. Happy Thanksgiving! 

View Thanksgiving Liturgy and Senior Song Debut 

Main Line Media News has named Villa senior Gia Whalen as Athlete of the Week for November 21-27, 2022. Read the article here. 

On November 10th, the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary celebrated Founders’ Day. On behalf of the Villa Maria community, we honor and thank the sisters for their dedication to love, fidelity, and creative hope. On November 10th, Villa students, as well as many faculty and staff members, engaged in service projects and activities both on and off campus. The inspiration of the sisters guided and motivated us. Happy Founders’ Day! 

Emmaus 2022 featured two speakers, both on-campus and off-campus service opportunities, and a film viewing followed by small group discussions. Carly Aquino ‘14 returned to Villa to share her work as a former Peace Corps Volunteer in Benin as well as her current position as a Cultural Orientation Specialist who works with newly arrived clients on adjusting to life in the United States. Carly is passionate about building strong, inclusive communities that celebrate diversity, justice, and equitable access to opportunities.

Junior Mackenzie Duffy shared her work with Pamoza International. Mackenzie has started a programcalled Girls Rise which organizes and facilitates educational programs for girls in Malawi. On-campus service opportunities included education and activities with the following organizations:

Achieve and Believe Foundation
Butterfly Baskets
Camilla Hall
Cardz for Kids in English and Mandarin
Girls Rise
Project Ensonga – Days for Girls
Off-campus service opportunities included the following service sites:
BVSPCA
Cradles to Crayons
St. Mary’s Franciscan Shelter
Stoneleigh, Natural Lands
Sunrise of Paoli
Thorncroft Equestrian Center
Variety

Students viewed the film The Biggest Little Farm which follows a couple and their dog on their journey from city dwellers to sustainable farmers outside of Los Angeles. The film was followed by small group discussions and a reflection on Villa’s day of service and social justice.

View Emmaus Day of Service Photo Gallery 

VMA Field Hockey Update

Next game: Wednesday, November 16th vs. Mechanicsburg at 7 pm, Governor Mifflin HS, Shillington. 

Get Tickets

Go Hurricanes!

On Friday, October 28th, Villa students, teachers and staff members came to school in their Halloween finest. The senior class dressed as Vector from "Despicable Me!" Happy Halloween!

View photo gallery

Congratulations to Villa junior Miriam Knutson, who has been named Student of the Week by the Main Line Times.

Read the article here!

The week of October 17-21 was Respect Life Week at VMA. Hosted and organized by Villa’s Respect Life Club, the week was designed to spread awareness, inspire important conversations, gain understanding, strengthen friendships, and support others. Activities and events included an assembly, a diaper and wipes drive, a movie and pizza day, a Butterfly Baskets service opportunity, and information sharing with the Respect Life club at lunches.

The mid-week assembly featured a presentation by Ryan Bomberger, the co-founder and Executive Director of The Radiance Foundation, a life-affirming organization that creatively illuminates that life has purpose.

The Villa community answered the call when asked to donate diapers and wipes during the week, donating 6,101 diapers and 371 packages of wipes.

Many thanks to Mrs. Rightley and the VMA Respect Life Club for their hard work in planning an important and engaging week.

Congratulations to Villa's soccer and volleyball teams. They are both AACA Conference Champions!

Villa Maria has been empowering young women to lead lives of spiritual growth, intellectual inquiry, and Christian service for 150 years, and the Villa community has spent the year celebrating this tremendous milestone. A highlight of the anniversary year happened on Friday, September 30, as the Villa Maria community came together for mass at Parsons Chapel on campus, followed by a reception and concert at People's Light in Malvern. The concert featured Anna Wilson '90, and her husband, Monty Powell, both of whom are successful artists, songwriters and musicians. The duo alternated between performing beautiful songs and telling entertaining stories, with Anna sharing memories about her time as a Villa student. 

Additional reading: On Stage Extra: Villa Maria celebrates 150th anniversary with concert, The Unionville Times, September 30, 2022

Congratulations to Villa senior Mary Cate Doughty, who has been named Student of the Week by the Main Line Times.

Read the article here!

Villa Maria held our annual Fall 7th & 8th Grade Open House on Sunday, October 2, 2022, as the remnants of Hurricane Ian swept through the area. Not even the storm could dampen the spirits of Villa students, parent volunteers, faculty and staff as they provided tours, answered questions, and talked about what makes Villa Maria Academy so special. 

8th grade students who wish to enroll at for the 2023-24 school year and/or be considered for scholarships are required to take the Entrance-Scholarship Exam at Villa Maria on October 16 or October 22, 2022. Register today.

Villa Maria welcomed this year’s peer ministers with an induction ceremony in the Marian Center on Friday, September 23. This group of seniors forms a community of Christian leaders who engage in private and shared prayer and who are trained in communication skills. Members help to plan retreats, including the writing of retreat talks and facilitating discussions and activities.

Other service groups inducted were DEI, Mission and Ministry, and Eucharistic Ministry. The freshmen and anyone new to Villa Maria received their Children of Mary medals, the oldest and most treasured tradition at Villa Maria.

"Passionate leaders, generous donors, dedicated hearts, and willing hands have brought us to this day, a day of blessing - opening the doors of Villa Maria's Theresa Maxis Student Union."

On August 26, 2022, as Villa Maria Academy High School students arrived for their first full day of school, the Villa community gathered for a blessing and ribbon cutting at our new building. 

Villa students, faculty, staff, alumnae, supporters and friends joined us on campus for the 8:30 a.m. ceremony, which included a blessing by Father Vincent E. Smith, OSFS, a ribbon cutting by Principal Sister Regina Ryan, IHM, and the singing of Villa Maria's Alma Mater. 

Following the ceremony, attendees enjoyed tours of the new building and light refreshments. 

The Theresa Maxis Student Union is located in the center of campus, between the Marian Center and St. Joseph Hall. It is the new home to Villa's Administrative Offices, Connelly Commons, the Raymond Family Memorial Garden, the Counseling Center, the Holloway Dining Hall, the Nurse's Suite, the Hewes Family Terrace, and Parson's Chapel. 

Villa’s Marian Masques delighted us with Mary Poppins last spring. The club is excited to announce their 2022-2023 productions. 

AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS

Fall Play: November 18-19, 2022

In 1872, on a gentleman's wager, Phileas Fogg and his French manservant Passepartout attempt to traverse the globe in just eighty days. The two encounter strange new countries, colorful (and at times hostile) characters, and even love. A faithful, swift adaptation of Jules Verne's classic adventure novel.

INTO THE WOODS

Spring Musical: May 19-21, 2023

This 1987 musical is based on the book by James Lapine and features music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The musical intertwines the plots of several Brothers Grimm fairy tales, exploring the consequences of the characters' wishes and quests. 

The 2022-23 school year is here! Our transfer students arrived on Tuesday, the Class of 2026 last Wednesday, and all students on Friday, August 26.

Students enjoyed returning to campus to many changes. The new Theresa Maxis Student Union will be a hub of activity, as it houses the school administrative offices, counseling center, Parsons Chapel, the nurse's office, and the Holloway Dining Hall. The Hewes Terrace offers comfortable seating for an outdoor lunch option. The former cafeteria, in Regina Mundi Hall, has been transformed into a large, multi-purpose room and a conference room.

Looking forward to a great year at Villa.

After more than five years of planning, two years of capital campaign development, and one year of construction, Villa Maria Academy High School is pleased to announce the opening of the Theresa Maxis Student Union, just in time for the start of the 2022-23 school year.

Located on Villa's ring road between the Marian Center and St. Joseph Hall, the Theresa Maxis Student Union features the new Parsons Chapel, a bright and welcoming cafeteria, the counseling center, and the school's administrative offices.