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The Mary Louis Academy
Location
Jamaica Estates, Queens , NY USA
Information
Type	Catholic
Motto	Fidem Servavi (I Have Kept the Faith)
Religious affiliation(s)	Sisters of St. Joseph
Established	1936
Principal	S. Kathleen McKinney CSJ, Doctor of Education
Faculty	100
Enrollment	1,000
Average class size	25 students
Student to teacher ratio	25:1
Color(s)	Blue/Gold
Mascot	Penguin
Website	www.tmla.org

The Mary Louis Academy, also known as TMLA, is a highly selective Catholic academy offering the full course of secondary college preparatory education for young women in the New York City metropolitan area. The Mary Louis Academy is situated in the idyllic neighborhood of Jamaica Estates at the top of one of the highest hills in Queens, hence TMLA's interscholastic nickname "The Hilltoppers" as well as the colloquialism "Snob Hill" a reference to TMLA's history as "THE school for girl's to go". The Mary Louis Academy was founded in 1936, by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Brentwood, NY, as the fruition of their General Superior, Mother Mary Louis's, dream to found an academy for young women in Queens. Archbishop Thomas Molloy personally had a hand in the birth of TMLA due to his strong conviction that the girls of the Diocese of Brooklyn deserved an academy that would foster their talents and guide them to success. To this very day TMLA contines to uphold the reputation for excellence which both Mother Mary Louis and Archbishop Thomas Molloy so wholeheartdly believed in.

History

For over seventy years, the Academy's tall, brick and limestone Collegiate Gothic main building has been a distinctive part of the Queens skyline. Despite the increasing number of buildings, it is a landmark that can be seen clearly from the Long Island Railroad. This is very appropriate because tradition has it that while traveling on the Long Island Railroad in the early 1930's, Mother Mary Louis, General Superior of the Sisters of St. Joseph, first gazed upon the untouched hilltops of the countryside of Jamaica Estates and selected that as the site for a school. Although Mother Mary Louis passed away on May 22, 1932, her dream of establishing an academy for young women in the urban enclave of Jamaica Estates lived on in the hearts and minds of her congregation of sisters.

When the decision was made to build an academy for girls in Queens, the Sisters of St. Joseph came upon an obstacle, this property had already been purchased by the Passionist priests of Immaculate Conception Parish, with the intent to build a high school for boys upon the spot. Archbishop Molloy personally intervened and convinced the Passionists to sell the property to the Josephites, for exactly what they had paid themselves. Thus began Archbishop Thomas Molloy's intense belief in the importance of TMLA.

The Sisters of St. Joseph officially aquired the hilltop property, and the existing Adikes Mansion became the convent for the Sisters who were to staff this "Private School for Girls." The academy was initially to be named Mother Fontbonne Academy, in honor of the foundress of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Le Puy, France. Archbishop Thomas Molloy stepped in with the suggestion that the new academy be named in honor of Mother Mary Louis, who had been such a driving force for education in the Diocese of Brooklyn. Sister Mary Angelica Clarkin, PhD, the first principal, applied for the official school charter in the name "Mother Mary Louis Academy." When the charter was delivered, it arrived with the first two letters, as well as the last, in the word MOTHER conspicuously absent from its name. Whether a slip of a clerk's pen or an act of divine providence, the word "The" was permanently affixed to the name of The Mary Louis Academy.

The first students were fifty-seven young women who were greeted by a faculty of eight sisters on the first day of school on September 14, 1936. Classes were held in the Mary Louis Convent, which currently adjoins the school, while plans for the permanent academy building were formulated.

The completed academy building, housed at the address of 176-21 Wexford Terrace in Jamaica Estates, New York, took shape over a period of two years and finally opened its doors on October 16, 1938. The original building, now known as the "Main" building, constructed in the stunningly beautiful Collegiate Gothic style, was and is a structural testament to both art and architecture, one that has witnessed more than seven decades.

The stated purpose of the Academy was to educate young women to take their places in society and contribute to the world. To achieve this purpose, a demanding academic program was introduced. This program included many of the subjects taught today, with the notable exception that Latin was required for all students. To this day TMLA is one of the few schools in Queens who offer a rigorous course in Latin.

The reputation for academic excellence at TMLA quickly spread. So many young women sought to be educated there, that within twenty years of its founding, the school's population had outgrown the building. All available space - the Alumnae Room, the lay faculty dining room, and several music rooms had already been converted to classrooms. But, it was not enough.

In 1955 construction began on an addition, ever after known as "The Wing." When, in 1956, the new wing was opened, the capacity of the school was doubled. The old cafeteria, "DeChantal Hall", became the Music Complex, and many classrooms, a new Biology Laboratory, a new cafeteria, a Home Economics Complex and a locker room were added.

During the 1960's and 1970's, the Academy knew many more changes in curriculum and the use of physical space. These came as a response to the educational climate of the times and the revision of the secondary school curriculum by the New York State Department of Education. Resource Centers were created, a new Art Studio was built on the campus, and the architecturally exquisite Library was enlarged.

As a response to the needs of the 1980's, Computer Science was introduced, and a Computer Room was created. The school applied for and was granted accreditation by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The original Board Room was renovated and designated as the Chapel to provide a sacred space that welcomes faculty and students.

In the 1990's, focusing their vision toward the education of today's student who must meet the challenges of the 21st century, two state-of-the-art computer laboratories were added and the Chemistry and Physics/Earth Science Laboratories were completely refurbished. In addition to the new laboratories, computers had been added to resource centers, classrooms and the Library. Technology plays an ever-expanding role in the pedagogical practices at Mary Louis today.

During this new millennium, the Auditorium, where many students and alumnae have their fondest moments of the academy, has been refurbished with restored lighting, a state of the art sound system, refinished stage, new floor, cushioned seats and air conditioning. The General Office has also been completely redesigned and historically renovated.

In 2004, due to the ever increasing demand for an academically rigourous education for young women, TMLA expanded once more, absorbing one wing of the original convent building. This expansion provided more classrooms as well as additional academic and counseling offices.

In 2008 the entire campus was rewired for the most state-of-the-art technological ability. As a result TMLA is the only school in Queens with Smartboard technology in every single classroom. In addition TMLA also boasts EBeam Interactive Whiteboard Technology and ELMO visual presenters.

Each year has brought some advancements and changes. A visitor who had not seen the school for twenty years or more would behold a familiar place that has undergone many evolutions.

In the mid-1930's it was considered a heroic act of faith to establish a school. In the midst of The Great Depression, when the prevailing spirit was one of pessimism, building an academy was a statement of belief in the future, and in the contributions of Catholic education and women of vision to that future. The founders of Mary Louis were women of great faith and vision. They saw the women who graduated from Mary Louis as a force for good in society. The Mary Louis woman would make a difference, and she does!

Notable Alumnae

• Mary Gordon, The Official New York State Author 2008-2010, in addition to being the prestigious McIntosh Professor of English at Barnard College.
• Susan Kropf, President and Chief Operating Officer - Avon Products Inc
• Helena Kane-Finn, Ph.D. - U.S. Foreign Minister to Germany - United States Department of State
• Kathleen Comerford, Professor of History - Georgia Southern University.
• Jennifer Moran, Principal - Academy of the Holy Angels
• Patricia Hynes, President - New York City Bar Association
• Laura Cook, Executive Vice-President - Twentieth Century Fox
• Patricia Fili-Krushel, Executive Vice-President - Time Warner
• Patricia Skarulis, Chief Information Officer - Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
• Regina Pitaro, Managing Director - Gabelli Asset Management
• Nancy Matta, 1st Vice President of Investments - Merrill Lynch

It is like the best school on the planet!

I attended this school and it seems like it sucks while your there but it helps when you get to college, because you do so much work at TMLA that college seems easyyyy