Academy of Our Lady, Glen Rock | Fees, Rankings, Address, Admission, Vacancies, Reviews & More

Our two sons attended Academy of Our Lady from their pre-K years. When our youngest son graduates this Spring we’ll complete our 14th and final year as an AOL family.

If you asked me to tell you about what makes AOL special, I would certainly mention its impressive list of extracurriculars. Our boys at one time or another have been a part of chess, lego club, Academy Ambassadors, Smile Club, student government, the school newspaper, the band, the spring musical, robotics, mock trial, basketball, track, and Cub and Boy Scouts. There are a number of other activities based on your child’s interests.

I would point to the amazing parental community. Parents play a very active role in the life of the school, serving as coaches, moderators and class parents. They spend time together at traditional school socials and develop great friendships. They raise funds to support the educational experience and to defray tuition costs so a Catholic education is available to as many families as possible.

Speaking of that education, the School offers small class sizes–an average of about 15 students. This promotes strong student-teacher relationships, individualized learning, and close friendships. This school year the small class size has allowed AOL to open for in-person learning from day one in September. The faculty and administration have done an incredible job of keeping the school open, while still offering virtual learning to families who choose it.

Of course I would mention academics. AOL offers a top notch primary education. Students learn to think, to analyze and understand, to communicate. They also learn critical self-help skills such as organization, self-discipline, and teamwork. AOL is a National Blue-Ribbon School. Its students earn numerous academic awards and distinctions. For example, the last two eighth grade classes have won first place at the Scholastic Olympics held annually at St. Joseph Regional High School. Students from some 20 local parochial schools compete there across all subject areas. Each year AOL graduates are accepted at and earn hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships to many of the best high schools in our area. AOL alumni go on to attend many of the best colleges and universities in the country.

Finally, I would mention faith. Each day begins with group prayer and includes religious instruction. The students participate in school liturgies and prayer services. Perhaps most importantly, our Catholic faith is embedded in everything the students learn and do. We look back on our time at AOL with tremendous gratitude knowing that the dedicated and talented AOL teachers and staff have assisted and supported us in our most important mission as parents: to try to raise children who will understand and live their faith as adults.

My husband and I cannot say enough positive things about Academy of Our Lady! Throughout our many years with children at the school (since 2008), we have witnessed a loving and caring environment, rigorous academics and a camaraderie that goes well beyond the walls of the school. Over the past school year, Academy has implemented many systems in order to make the school a safe learning environment for our children. And most importantly, Academy of Our Lady offers the essential groundwork for our children to succeed academically and grow spiritually.

We love Academy of our Lady and cannot say enough good things about the school and its community. Our son has been a student there since he was in preschool and he is now in 5th grade. The school provides him with strong academics, enrichment activities, sports programs but most important it has been a wonderful faith filled environment for him to grow in. It truly is a home away from home for our entire family. Even in these unprecedented times Academy of our Lady has been able to academically and emotionally support the students and families.