Mission
Saint Dominic Academy, a community of academic excellence, empowers women for leadership in our global society.
Rooted in Christian values, this Catholic Institution embraces the diversity of its constituents promoting unity through understanding and education.
PHILOSOPHY:
Founded in 1878, Saint Dominic Academy of Jersey City offers young women a strong intellectual and moral foundation. Sponsored by the Dominican Sisters of Caldwell, New Jersey, our school seeks to develop in each young woman academic excellence, as well as a love for truth, justice and Christian values.
Ethnically diverse, our students come from an array of cultural and religious backgrounds. In accord with the multicultural character of our institution, Saint Dominic Academy strives to prepare each student for her vital role in the world community.
The following principles encapsulate the vision and identity of Saint Dominic Academy.
PERSON-HOOD:
Being made in the Creator’s image, all persons have intrinsic worth and are entitled to just and respectful treatment.
DIVERSITY:
Reflecting the make up of our global village, we encourage a profound respect for our differences and enjoyment of our varied heritages.
EDUCATION:
We seek to educate the whole individual–intellectually, morally, spiritually and physically–following the traditions of the Church and our Dominican founders.
RESPONSIBILITY:
We challenge each other to live responsibly by employing a curriculum that encourages our students to hold justice as a priority, to practice decision-making through the lens of contemplation and respect the sacredness of all creation.
CREATIVE ENTHUSIASM:
Realizing that the excitement of the learning process is as valuable as the final outcome, we encourage healthy participation, not merely competition.
CHARISM OF ST DOMINIC:
Dominicans all over the world continue to draw upon the charism of St. Dominic in serving as preachers of the Gospel. To be a Dominican is to be part of a family that includes cloistered nuns, ordained and non-ordained friars, religious sisters, and laity. Dominicans are formed throughout their entire lives according to the four pillars established by St. Dominic: Prayer, Study, Ministry and Community.
The Dominican tradition of spirituality is rooted in common life: liturgical prayer and meditation, study, and ministry of the Word. Dominican spirituality is meant to bear the fruit of an active apostolate – one that is very much involved in the world. It is a life of contemplation joined with ministry to one’s neighbor.
Goals
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE INTELLECT
- to encourage an enthusiasm for the active pursuit of truth
- to provide an appreciation for the teachings of the Catholic Church and awareness of their applications in daily life
- to affirm each student’s sense of human dignity and self worth
- to nurture in each individual the gifts of creativity and originality
- to guide each student toward the mastery of critical comprehension and effective communication
- to encourage the faculty to use innovative teaching techniques which reflect current developments in educational research
- to strive to develop an understanding of the interdependent relationships that exist in the world
- to equip each student with the skills to make realistic and creative judgments and decisions that meet the demands of the 21st century.
THE SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY
- to guide each student to an awareness and appreciation of the dignity and rights of all individuals
- to deepen each student’s sense of responsibility for her own actions in an increasingly interdependent world
- to provide opportunities for experiences in communal worship
- to strengthen avenues of communication among all members of the school community
- to sensitize each student to the harm wrought by social injustice, poverty, hunger and homelessness
- to encourage a commitment to world peace in all members of the school community.
THE CHALLENGE OF SERVICE
- to inspire students with the Christian ideals necessary to challenge the value system of a materialistic society
- to deepen each student’s sense of concern and responsibility for the needs of people through service-oriented activities
- to help each student recognize the value of her contributions to the community and the importance of her active response to environmental and societal problems
- to urge students to consistently search for ways to serve the local, national, and global community