OLMA Vision 2025 & Beyond - Our Lady of Mercy Academy

Education and opportunity have the power to change the lives of young people, especially young women. For the past 60 years, Our Lady of Mercy Academy has prepared students for success in life as women of faith, committed to service in the world.

Our history here at OLMA is strong; those who came before have molded the very foundation that we stand on so firmly today. I personally am so thankful for the incredible women that came before me, and I am privileged to have the opportunity to further the work that they began. To continue OLMA’s mission in ways that pay tribute to those who have led and inspired us, we have engaged in a process of exploring a course for our future.

Our Capital Campaign, Vision 2025 & Beyond, was created in partnership with many OLMA community members. This campaign will guide our path forward by advancing our position as an academic innovator and launch pad for principled leaders, enhancing our learning environments, and ensuring our long-term financial viability. Most importantly, in the spirit of the Daughters of Mercy, we will continue to do all that we can to ensure that every young woman who wishes to have an OLMA education has access to one.
Brooke A. Coyle, Head of School

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Through our Vision 2025 & Beyond Capital Campaign, OLMA strives to sustain and develop faculty, facilities, and programmatic opportunities committed to our mission, vision, and educational philosophy. To move OLMA along a continued path of excellence, innovation, and continued vitality, our strategic priorities fall into eight areas.

Leadership Center

OLMA believes in the need for strong female leadership and the potential for women to lead a world of change. Through our Leadership Center, OLMA will be well-positioned to empower the next generation of female leaders to find their voice and support girls in developing the knowledge, skills, and qualities for life-long leadership.

OLMA believes in the need for strong female leadership and the potential for women to lead a world of change. Through our Leadership Center, OLMA will be well-positioned to empower the next generation of female leaders to find their voice and support girls in developing the knowledge, skills, and qualities for life-long leadership.Goal - Transform the old pool area into a 21st century space with intentional programming, innovative curriculum, and meaningful development.

Faith, Cultural Fluency & Community

OLMA is preparing young women to enter the real world with strength of character, grace, and confidence. We will continue to nurture the spiritual development of our students in the OLMA tradition, rooted in the Catholic faith and guided by the spirit of Saint Mary Joseph Rossello. Impactful opportunities will be made available to students and faculty by cultivating partnerships that promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Goal - Establish a speaker program tied to academic and co-curricular programs that strengthen connection and mentorship between alumnae, community members, and current students. Broaden the curriculum to create a culture of belonging for all students, grounded in the Gospel and OLMA’s values.

Tuition Assistance

Our institutional progress is contingent upon a robust student body, a supportive school community, and a fiscally sound operational plan. To increase accessibility to an OLMA education, we seek to strengthen our development program to energize giving towards our tuition assistance funds and scholarships. It is our belief that every young woman who desires an OLMA education should receive it, regardless of her economic situation. Currently, 45% of our students receive tuition assistance. Goal - Better communicate the need and goals for tuition assistance. Increase the number of tuition assistance gifts and endowed scholarships offered to students for need and merit. Evaluate and allocate funds based on prioritized identified needs.

Science Labs & Art Room

With a tradition of academic excellence, OLMA is at the forefront of female education. The creation of modern science labs and an updated art room will help prepare our students to not only be leaders but also innovators. Well-equipped science labs will support the school's mission of high-quality holistic education for women in the field of math and science, while an updated art room will provide a creative and inspiring area for OLMA students.Goal - Renovate and upgrade the current Science Labs as well as create a new lab and a new art room in existing classrooms.

Faculty and Staff Development & Retention

Our faculty and staff provide powerful role models for our young women. OLMA will further advance plans to hire and retain a more diverse faculty and staff. In order to continue OLMA’s top-notch instruction, innovative programs, and variety of activities, we will also offer competitive salaries and benefits that will attract and retain faculty and staff.Goal - Develop and maintain a competitive and comprehensive benefits program. Provide resources for meaningful professional development.

Turf Fields

Athletics is more than competition. It's about building resilience, instilling confidence, committing to yourself and to your team, and pushing limits to discover your personal best. With more than 75% of OLMA’s student body involved in athletics, our athletic facilities are vital for us to be competitive in attracting our student-athletes. A new field will provide a much-needed space for practice, games, summer camps, and clinics.Goal - Install a new turf field that can be used by several athletic teams. This addition will attract and retain student-athletes who want to maximize their ability to perform at OLMA and, for some, to further develop their potential for playing at the collegiate level.

ADA & Mobility Access

Accessible education empowers students with disabilities to develop the same skills and achieve the same level of knowledge as their peers. While OLMA has made strides in ADA accessibility, more work needs to be done to assure the ease of access for students who need these features and accommodations.Goal - Update areas in the school to increase ADA and mobility access. This includes creating convenient elevator access.

Technology Upgrades

Across all grade levels, technology extends the curriculum, allowing students to work individually or collaboratively to think in new and exciting ways. The pandemic showed the need for access to technology to ensure that our students' education is not disrupted even in unexpected circumstances. Improved technology will provide access to countless online resources, encouraging our young women to carry out research and therefore become more independent.Goal - Upgrade technology to ensure a campus that advances current and future technology for students and staff. Update workstations to help faculty and staff integrate new technologies and tools into their classroom. Train educators in technology innovation.

For more information on our Vision 2025 and Beyond campaign, please click the links below.

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Naming Opportunities

Campaign Leadership Vision 2025 & Beyond Cabinet

Campaign Leadership Vision 2025 & Beyond Cabinet

Rosemary “Rockie” Angelo, 1968
Trisha Baylock, P ‘25
Christina Bernhardt, P ‘21, ‘24
Keith Bernhardt, P ‘21, ‘24
Carmine Catalana, P ‘04, ‘12
Dana Catalana, 1978, P ‘04, ‘12
Andrew Catanese, P ‘26, ‘24
Tara Catanese,P ‘26, ‘24
Brooke Coyle, P ‘23
Sandy D’Onofrio, 1967, P ‘98, ‘00
Christy DiLeonardo, P ‘24, ‘26
Beth DiRienzo, P ‘25, ‘26
Patrick DiRienzo, P ‘25, ‘26
Mary Ellen Dragone, P ‘23
Giuseppe Dragone, P ‘23
Margaret Durham, P ‘15, P ‘17
Clarisse Edwards, P ‘24
Richard Edwards, P ‘24
Kenneth Figgs, Board Member
Maria Gallelli, P ‘23
Rocco Gallelli, P ‘23
Megan Hargrave, P ‘22 ‘24
Heidi McDonough, P ‘24
Mark McDonough, P ‘24
Karen McKeaney, Friend of OLMA
Anita McMahon, P ‘22, ‘24, ‘26
Bill McMahon, P ‘22, ‘24, ‘26
Helen McMenamin, P ‘24
Tom McMenamin, P ‘24
Anthony Meduri, P ‘19
Maureen Meduri, P ‘19
Laurie Musial, 1979, P’15
Frank Ryan, P ‘21
Kathy Ryan, P ‘21
Dave Schad, Board Member
Doug Stefano, P ‘21, ‘23, ‘27
Kathy Valla, 1968, P ‘03
Debbie A. Wallace, 1975

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