Established in 1936, The Mary Louis Academy in Jamaica Estates, New York, is a Catholic college preparatory school for young women sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Brentwood, N.Y.

100% of each graduating class receive New York State Regents diploma.

In a world increasingly impersonal and technological, we endeavor to empower each student to realize and value her own spiritual, intellectual, physical, emotional, and social potential.

We encourage our students to use these gifts to become leaders in today’s society.
We create an atmosphere of Christian ideals and values that enrich their lives so they may make positive contributions to the society in which they live.
We foster a climate that welcomes cultural diversity.
We take pride in offering our students a safe and caring environment, one that cultivates tolerance and nonviolence.
We guide our students toward academic excellence, where knowledge is set in the context of faith, so that our graduates may develop a life vision characterized by wisdom.

ACADEMIC PROGRAM – Our goal is to educate the world’s future leaders. We encourage students to recognize and develop their own unique talents and gifts. For this reason, TMLA students enjoy a challenging academic curriculum in an atmosphere that fosters excellence and respect.

• Student-teacher ratio is 13:1.
• Average class size is 25.
• Honors and Advancement Placement courses in every academic discipline. A Fine Arts major is offered in Art and Music.
• An affiliate program with St. John’s University enables seniors to earn college credit while attending classes at TMLA.
• Modern science labs support study in Chemistry, Physics/Earth Science and Biology.
• SMARTBOARDS in all classrooms and resource areas.
• Computers are available in all resources centers, the library, science labs, art studios, guidance complex, faculty work areas and offices.
• Technology courses are part of the 9th year curriculum; advanced courses are offered as electives to upper class persons.
• Library offers computers, Nooks, and 40 online databases with resources that may be accessed in school or at home.
• Students enjoy the support and direction of the same Guidance Counselor for four years.
• Juniors and Seniors have a full-time College Counselor.
• SAT Prep classes are offered at a nominal fee. A program of Ivy/Elite college visits is funded through a special grant.
• Students are consistently among those recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program, National Achievement Scholarship Program, and the National Hispanic Recognition Program.
• Every member of the graduating class earns a New York State Regents diploma.

For more details on our program, see Academics.

OUR GRADUATES – In the Class of 2012, 100 percent enrolled in college. Members of this class won scholarships and grants totaling more than $30 million. For more details on the colleges they attend, click on Profile of Graduates.

SPIRITUAL LIFE – Religious activities at TMLA complement the Religious Studies Program. We attempt to provide an environment and opportunity for spiritual development. Liturgy is celebrated daily in the Chapel at 7:35 a.m. Our Formation Program provides a one-day retreat for all students during the course of the year. Campus Ministry provides opportunities for students and faculty who wish to deepen their relationship with God through prayer, reflection, and sharing.

SERVICE – TMLA students honor the Catholic tradition of community service.
To this end, all students are encouraged to be of service to their community throughout their high school years and beyond. Juniors are required to contribute a minimum of 50 hours of non-salaried volunteer service to a parish or institutional program designed to offer assistance to designated needy individuals.

TMLA has six dedicated service homerooms, two for sophomore year, two for junior year and two for senior year. Each of these homerooms is dedicated to a particular theme, such as Health, Environment, and Justice. Students volunteer to be a part of one of these service homerooms. Education, advocacy, prayer and service are the central themes of all six homerooms. While they share similar mandates, each has its own structures and strategies. Under the direction of the program coordinator and the homeroom moderators, the students plan and carry out varied types of events and service projects designed to increase the school community’s knowledge of these issues and bring about positive change.

DELETE DAY is a completely student developed event led by TMLA Service Homeroom members. On Delete Day over 300 students have come to the computer resource room and have taken the opportunity to change their emails and fix their Facebooks, Twitters, Tumblr, and Instagram accounts to remove anything that showed a lack of respect for themselves or others. With everyone creating a more positive Internet image, peer pressure worked the other way- for the better.

Delete Day has become an annual event at TMLA. Service Homeroom members have also reached out to elementary schools for a Training Seminar.

This event has received media attention, including MTV who interviewed several students. As Ghandi once said “My life is my message.” Delete Day encouraged students to make theirs a message that matters.   Photos from this event may be found in Photo Gallery -Delete Day.

STUDENT LIFE - Our students’ diverse interests and hobbies are nurtured through more than 50 extracurricular activities and clubs, including the Speech and Debate Club, Genesians (theater troupe), Mariel (school newspaper), Glee Club, and Orchestra. The largest all female sports program in the City of New York has resulted in a number of championships for TMLA teams. For more details, see Student Life and Athletics.

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Students must take the Test for Admission into Catholic High Schools, or TACHS Exam. Sign up online at www.tachsinfo.com; the TMLA School Code is 016. ALL choices will be considered, but preference is given to applicants who specify TMLA as a first choice. Full and partial scholarships are based on the TACHS Exam and first choice; CSJ Scholar Incentive Awards are based on the TACHS Exam, first or second choice, and the Application.

ADMISSIONS and FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS – Call TMLA at 718-297-2120 between 9:00 am and 2:30 pm on school days.

The Mary Louis Academy is chartered by the State of New York and accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.