TMLA Middle School

The TMLA Middle School Advantage

1️⃣ Empowering All-Girls Environment – Build confidence, grow character, discover your passions, and develop strong socioemotional skills in a supportive and empowering setting designed exclusively for young women.

2️⃣ Personalized Attention & Support – Small class sizes ensure individualized attention, guidance, and encouragement, allowing each student to thrive academically and personally.

3️⃣ A Rigorous, Nationally-Aligned Curriculum with Regents Preparation – Our challenging curriculum prepares students not only for high school but for lifelong academic success. With a strong foundation in STEM, the humanities, and the arts, combined with the values of a Catholic education, students develop critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills to excel at The Mary Louis Academy High School and beyond.

At TMLA Middle School, every 8th-grade student will be fully prepared to take and pass three New York State Regents exams:
✅ Integrated Algebra I
✅ Earth Science
✅ U.S. History
This advanced coursework gives our students a competitive edge in high school, whether they continue at TMLA or pursue other opportunities.

Our nationally aligned curriculum includes:
📖 Wilson - Just Words (Structured Literacy Program)
📚 Great Minds - Wit & Wisdom (Humanities)
➗ Illustrative Math (Mathematics)
🔬 Great Minds - PhD Science (Science)
🌎 Sonrisas Spanish (World Language)

4️⃣ Access to World-Class Resources – As part of The Mary Louis Academy family, middle school students benefit from:
✅ Extensive extracurricular offerings
✅ State-of-the-art facilities
✅ Peer-to-peer mentoring with high school students
✅ Experienced, dedicated faculty
✅ The structure and values of a Catholic education

5️⃣ A Seamless Pathway to High School – TMLA Middle School students receive automatic admission to The Mary Louis Academy High School—no TACHS exam required—removing the stress from the high school application process.

How is TMLA Middle’s program different from other Catholic elementary schools?

Just as TMLA High School focuses on strong college preparation, TMLA Middle is dedicated to exceptional high school readiness.

While some Catholic elementary schools offer Regents-aligned courses, many do not. At TMLA Middle, we are committed to ensuring all 8th-grade students graduate having taken and completed three Regents exams:

✅ Integrated Algebra I
✅ Earth Science
✅ U.S. History

This rigorous academic foundation gives our students a competitive edge in high school admissions—whether they continue at TMLA, attend another Catholic high school, or apply to a specialized public high school.

Additionally, TMLA Middle benefits from its affiliation with our historic high school, granting access to state-of-the-art facilities, advanced technology, and specialized faculty that many middle schools do not have.

Finally, TMLA Middle students receive automatic admission into TMLA High School. This means families can bypass the stress of high school applications, knowing they already have a top-tier option for their daughter's continued education.

How is TMLA Middle School Different from Public Schools?

Approximately 45% of applicants to TMLA Middle School come from public schools. Many families exploring private school options share similar concerns highlighted by New York Family Magazine (February 2025) about why they are choosing alternatives to public education.

At TMLA Middle, families have found that we offer:

✅ Smaller Class Sizes & Individualized Attention
Many public schools in New York struggle with overcrowding and limited resources, making it difficult for students to receive personalized instruction. At TMLA, our small class sizes allow for meaningful engagement and one-on-one support from dedicated educators.

✅ A Safe, Nurturing Environment
Safety is a top priority for families, and TMLA provides a structured, supportive environment where students can learn and grow with confidence.

✅ Strong Academics & High School Readiness
Unlike many public middle schools, all 8th-grade students at TMLA Middle graduate having taken three Regents exams—Integrated Algebra I, Earth Science, and U.S. History—giving them a competitive advantage when applying to high schools, including specialized public schools.

✅ Faith-Based & Values-Driven Education
For families seeking an education that aligns with their faith and values, TMLA Middle provides an academically strong, Catholic-centered experience that emphasizes moral development, leadership, and service.

✅ Extracurricular Activities & Resources
Many public schools often have limited funding for arts, athletics, and extracurricular programs. As part of TMLA’s historic high school campus, our middle school students have access to state-of-the-art resources, clubs, and sports teams many other schools do not offer.

✅ A Stress-Free High School Admissions Process
TMLA Middle students receive automatic acceptance into TMLA High School, eliminating the stress of the NYC high school application process and ensuring they have a top-tier option for their continued education.

📚 Experience the TMLA Advantage and be part of a legacy of excellence in Catholic education! 💙⚜️

What is the Admissions Timeline?

✅ Apply: Rolling admissions throughout the year, based on capacity
✅ Acceptance: Receive an acceptance email within 24-48 hours of applying
✅ Enrollment (before 4/1): If you applied prior to 4/1, please confirm your enrollment by that date.
✅ Enrollment (after 4/1): If you applied after 4/1, but before the first day of school, please confirm your enrollment within one month of receiving your acceptance.
✅ Mid-Year Transfers: Accepted until December 31. 

What Is Required to Enroll?

To Initially Enroll:

1️⃣ Complete the Online Application (Apply Now) - once we receive your application, you will receive an acceptance email within 24-48 hours with next steps to finalize your enrollment.
2️⃣ Submit the $500 One-Time, Non-Refundable New Student Fee (payable through our application portal via e-check or credit/debit card – 3% processing fee).

Once Enrolled, You’ll Need to Submit the Following Before the First Day of School:

📌 Proof of Birth Date (Original Birth Certificate, Passport, or Original Baptismal Certificate)
📌 Updated Health Records (Annual physical dated within the past year, including an immunization record)
📌 For Transfer Students: Last year’s and this year’s Report Card
📌 Optional but Encouraged: NYS and Terra Nova Test Scores (if applicable)

Do you require academic records, personal statements, recommendations, or any additional materials for admission?

No! We believe that middle school is a pivotal time for growth, and with the right environment and instructors, students can make incredible progress—regardless of their starting point. Because of this, we do not require prior academic records, personal statements, or teacher recommendations for admission.

What about transfers into grades 7 or 8? Are previous report cards required?

Yes, we ask for final report cards from any completed middle school years (grades 6 and/or 7) for students transferring into grades 7 or 8. However, these documents are not required for admission and can be submitted after enrollment but before the first day of school. This helps our instructors tailor support and differentiation in the classroom.

Do you accept students with IEPs or 504 Plans?

Yes, we do! We recognize that every student learns differently and strive to create an environment where students can thrive. When applying, please upload a copy of your child's IEP or 504 Plan in the application portal.

While we can accommodate many support services—such as extra time on tests—our staffing model does not currently include Integrated Co-Teaching (ICT) or Special Education Teacher Support Services (SETSS). However, our small class sizes ensure that your child will receive individualized attention to support their learning needs.

Who will oversee TMLA Middle?

✅ TMLA's President & Principal will oversee both the high school and middle school.
✅ A dedicated Dean will lead the middle school in its first year.
✅ For each grade, there will be a teacher for Humanities, STEM, and electives such as Religion, P.E., Fine Arts, and World Languages.
✅ The school also has a nurse, mental health counselors, and a school psychologist on-site for student support.

What enrichment and extracurricular opportunities are available? 

🏐 Volleyball
🏀 Basketball
🗳️ Student Council
🎉 Spirit Week
🐾 TMLA Mascot
🤝 Peer Mentoring with TMLA High School
🎤 Speech and Debate
🎶 Glee
🎭 Genesians (Theater)
🤖 Robotics

What is included in the faith-based education?

The middle school will offer religious education in alignment with the Brooklyn-Queens diocesan curriculum. Students will also participate in liturgies, retreats, and be connected to the Sacrament Seekers program offered at the high school, if requested. 

Where will TMLA Middle be located?

TMLA Middle will be housed in the original convent on campus, a historic building that was once home to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Brentwood, NY, who served as the primary faculty and staff of TMLA for the majority of its history following its founding in 1936.

Similar to how TMLA High School began in the convent before moving to its current main campus, TMLA Middle will initially be located in a dedicated wing of our high school building with a separate entrance. Once renovations are complete, the middle school will transition to its standalone home in the convent, offering a distinct yet connected experience within the TMLA community.

Do you offer transportation to middle school students?

Yes! TMLA Middle School students can ride the same private buses available to our high school students. We currently offer routes in Whitestone, Middle Village, Glendale, Howard Beach, and the Rockaways, with additional routes created based on family demand. Please visit our Transportation page for more details.

For students in Long Island, we offer an LIRR reimbursement for those residing in Nassau and Suffolk County.

Additionally, we provide MetroCards to students who live within a qualifying distance in NYC. To check eligibility or for more information, please email info@tmla.org.

Do you offer an after-school program?

At the moment, we do not offer an after-school program. As we focus our attention and resources on ensuring a strong launch for our middle school, we are committed to providing the best experience for our students from the start.

However, the beauty of being a new school is that we have the flexibility to adapt and grow based on the needs of our families. Should there be a demand for it, we could feasibly offer an after-school program in the future. We welcome your feedback and are always open to new ideas!

What is the cost of tuition?

Tuition is $6,000 annually, paid across 10 monthly installments (one for each month of school), or $600 per month.

Do you offer financial aid?

We are currently exploring options to offer financial aid at the middle school level; however, we do provide sibling and alumna discounts.

Are there any fees beyond tuition?

Yes. There is a one-time, non-refundable new student fee of $500 due after acceptance to finalize your daughter's enrollment. Additionally, there may be optional fees associated with extracurricular activities your daughter chooses to participate in.

Is there an annual fee?

No, there is no annual fee at this time.

How did you determine your rates?

We carefully set our tuition to be aligned with rates offered at other Catholic elementary schools within the Brooklyn/Queens Diocese, ensuring affordability while maintaining the high quality of education that TMLA is known for.