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Mary Help of Christians Academy

Mary Help of Christians Academy (MHCA) located in North Haledon, NJ is owned and operated by the Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco, a community of Roman Catholic religious women dedicated to the service and education of youth. Founded in 1940, MHCA provides young women with a comprehensive, college-preparatory education, complete with a multitude of electives and extracurricular activities, including clubs for every interest and an established athletic program. In addition, MHCA offers unique workforce-readiness internship programs such as the Health Care and Business Connections and opportunities to earn college credit, all in a safe and family-oriented environment guided by the Salesian principles of reason, moral values, and loving kindness.

As of the 2007-2008 academic year:

68% of students come from inner-city Paterson and its surrounding areas, one of the poorest communities in the state of New Jersey, where the per capita income is barely $14,000.
81% of students are eligible for the Federal Low-Income Lunch Program.
Over 45% of students come from single parent households headed by women.
82% of all MHCA students are from low-income households; 76% are of minority descent.
Over 70% of students are first-generation Americans and speak English as their second language.

MHCA is proud to report that 100% of the class of 2008 went on to pursue higher education. The graduates won a total of $2.8 million in merit scholarships to the many colleges they applied. Other recent accolades also include the title of Star School, the Best Practices Award from the Diocese of Paterson for innovative strategies to promote high student achievement and addressing students' educational needs, and re-accreditation by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, of which MHCA has been a member in good standing since 1978.

Mary Help of Christians Academy (MHCA) stands apart from other schools not only in the quality of its educational program, but also for its accessibility. The financial reality: At MHCA, the cost of education per student tops $10,500 but the annual tuition charged per student for the 2008-2009 academic year is $6,300. This is in contrast to other local private schools, whose annual attendance fees range anywhere from $7,000 to $25,303. By maintaining one of the lowest tuition rates in the state of New Jersey, MHCA is working to make a college-preparatory curriculum possible for all students, regardless of the financial challenges their families may face. For 2007-2008, 130 students applied for financial aid, and all were awarded financial aid, ranging from partial subsidies to full scholarships. The Salesian Sisters are committed to serving young people from all backgrounds, and particularly those in need.

To find out more about MHCA, visit their website at www.maryhelp.org

If you would like to help educate these young women please:

Click here to go to our online donation page.
Or download the form by clicking here, fill it up and send it to the attention of Sr. Mary Rinaldi at 659 Belmont Ave, North Haledon, NJ 07508.