When Mount Alvernia High School Grades 7-12 (MAHS) opened in 1935 in Chestnut Hill and moved its campus to 790 Centre Street 50 years ago, we did so with the goal of educating young women who would be a force for good in the world. Today, we write to share the bittersweet news that we are entering a new chapter in the history of MAHS.
At the conclusion of the 2022-2023 academic year, MAHS will close its doors at 790 Centre Street and continue in partnership with Fontbonne Academy, a private college preparatory high school and early college for girls in Milton that shares in our Catholic tradition. Fontbonne is aligned with our culture and commitment to developing the full person, and the school believes deeply in cultivating women of courage who are ready to create their own individual future. Together with Fontbonne’s leadership, the MAHS team established this partnership to ensure students and families are able to continue their education at an all-girls Catholic high school with an exceptional reputation.
This change comes after our founders who own the property, the Missionary Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (MFIC), have decided that they are no longer able to continue living on the 790 Centre Street campus. As they move, it will be unsustainable for MAHS to continue alone, and the property on which the school sits will be sold. The MAHS Board of Directors worked tirelessly to explore all options, including maintaining the MAHS community in a new location, if at all possible. In considering these options, we firmly believe our students will have the best opportunity to continue to receive the high-quality education MAHS has provided for nearly 100 years by becoming a part of the Fontbonne family.
First and foremost, we want it to be clear that this is not an immediate closure and that MAHS will continue to operate as normal through June 13th. We also want to assure you that any student in good standing will be admitted to Fontbonne and, while specific details are still being finalized, MAHS, the MFIC, and Fontbonne are arranging for student transportation to make this transition as accessible as possible to our student body.
We are reviewing possibilities in hopes that members of our current faculty may be able to join our students in this new setting where our students will continue to learn the skills and develop the characteristics they need to thrive as exceptional students and human beings.
We understand that this news will bring significant change for everyone in our community, and that each person will be impacted differently. Throughout this transition, our students will remain our top priority and we are committed to doing everything we can to minimize any stress this decision may cause and help them as they move forward in their academic careers.
Moreover, we are committed to speaking individually with anyone who has specific questions about how this change may impact them or their family. Community members with immediate questions are invited to email mahsboard@mountalverniahs.org.
Please be aware that there will be no academic classes on Thursday, March 9th. However, MAHS will be open from 7:00 am – 11:00 am with support counselors and some student activities available. Students are not required to attend, but we encourage them to take advantage of this support, as needed. Classes will resume on Friday, March 10th, and the semi-formal will occur as planned. In the coming weeks, MAHS leadership will host virtual meetings to help our families and students in each grade level navigate these changes.
As we look ahead to the next few months, we are committed to the MAHS traditions that make us who we are. Together as a community, we will celebrate our students at each event, such as Prom Fashion Show, Foundress Day, Junior and Senior prom, Senior Symposium and more.
We thank you for your ongoing support.
