Freshman Registration Exam At Immaculate High School

DANBURY — During the month of March, a new class of Immaculate High School freshman will be enrolling for the 2005-2006 school year. It is the beginning of a well-planned college preparatory experience that leads 95 percent of an average graduating class to further their education at colleges ranging from state school systems to private four-year colleges and institutions like Penn State, Columbia, Dartmouth, and Yale. Two seniors last year were appointed to the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD.

Exposure and interest in the college preparatory experience at Immaculate can begin as early as seventh grade when the school holds the PLUS test given by the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth.

“From the guidance department perspective, this is a school that starts working with freshman students and stays close to them on an individual basis throughout their four years to help them with their personal and career development. As counselors, we attempt to make a very personal and individual contact with each student so that when it comes time to assist with their college search and write letters of recommendations, we have a good understanding of that student’s strengths,” Ms Loya said.

Immaculate High School also makes community service a requirement for graduation. Fr Corey Piccinino, spiritual director/assistant principal responsible for student life, says Immaculate High School “focuses on educating the whole person. In doing this, we actually prepare a student for life. You need to understand your place in the world, the needs of others and have an awareness of the world around us.” He feels this is a hallmark of Catholic education. “Our job is we are our brother’s keepers.”

A recent endorsement of the efforts by the students was demonstrated at the school when they raised $4,100 over the course of nine days of prayer to aid those harmed by the tsunami. Recently, the students traveled with chaperones to New York City to provide food and clothing for the cause Midnight Run for the Homeless. This is the nature of the typical Immaculate High School student. Faculty and staff stay involved to encourage students to go above and beyond to physically remind one another each day to give as much as they can.

All eighth graders or transfer students are welcomed to visit Immaculate High School for a day. Student ambassadors run a “Shadowing Program” that gives a visitor a real experience of the school and helps them feel comfortable with the transition to their new school. Visiting students are asked to report to the Main Office at 7:30 am and can be picked up at 2 pm. Shadowing Days are arranged by calling Fr Piccinino at 744-1510.

All students who are interested in attending Immaculate High School may call or visit the school’s website (www.immaculatehs.org) to get an application form. The next opportunity to join the Freshman Class of 2009 will be on Thursday, April 28, from 9:30 am to noon. This is the next date for candidates to Immaculate to take the Explore Test, one of the criteria for admission. There will be a $35 test fee.