Holy Family Academy Reviews

24 reviews

It's a small Catholic private school. The academics are very advanced, in a good way, the school has good teachers. There's a lot of one on one time since the school is small as well.

Classic curriculum. Strong faith-based teaching. We have two children with different styles of learning and they are well accommodated. Small school. Tight knit community. Kindness pervades all aspects of life at this school; from teachers who care genuinely about their pupils mastering the subjects as well as applying the socratic method to debate and understand. The kids are well adjusted, kind, inclusive, confident and gracious. Multi-cultural, multi-racial mix. Everybody pitches in to make the school successful - parents as coaches, organizers, volunteers, board members, school leadership playing similar roles. Relaxed, tolerant environment. HFA feels like a different world than the lop-sided, oversensitive, angry and judgmental world we live in. A real breath of fresh air, if you want your child to be a child and learn for learnings' sake. Highly recommend it.

We chose Holy Family Academy at the recommendation of one of its founders, a priest friend of ours. We wanted an authentically and enthusiastically Catholic school for our four youngest children. Since we began enrolling them, they have benefitted from daily mass, a classical education, a Eucharistic chapel in the school, regular opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and learning through the socratic method which engages them in classroom round table discussions. Holy Family Academy is also on the Cardinal Newman Honor Roll list of Catholic high schools. Two of our daughters have graduated and are now attending Walsh University in Ohio where they study nursing and sociology/psychology. Our two youngest children are in 7th and 9th grade.

Review Holy Family Academy

Moving here from Ohio four years ago, I called and interviewed many Catholic schools in MA and NH. I was and remain so grateful to have discovered HFA. Two of my children are currently attending and one graduated from this excellent school. At HFA, Classical education and faith formation go hand in hand--reminding me of this beautiful statement by Saint John Paul II: "Faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth..." Many teachers use the Socratic method to engage the students- this discussion-based method hones their critical thinking skills, their ability to express themselves clearly in public settings, and their ability to retain what they've learned. The atmosphere is joyful, the students friendly, and the teachers supportive. It may not have all the bells and whistles as some other schools, but it has far deeper substantive principles which prepare my children in every way for their journey forward.

When I was at the school, it was very academically rigorous with a tight knit community. It has a very conservative Catholic culture. It is very small, so there may not be all the opportunities of a larger high school. However, students receive more attention from their teachers and can have lots of discussion in class.

Private, authentically Catholic middle & high school. The teachers and students cultivate a community conducive to academic, spiritual, and athletic growth.

I’ve been going to this school for 5 years and there is really nowhere else like it. It has a truly Catholic identity, as well as rigorous academics and a diverse student body.

My students were academically prepared for college upon graduation. They made lifelong friends. A small Catholic school with a huge impact on the life of a young person!

Holy Family Academy is the best choice for a truly Catholic experience. It celebrates its Catholic identity with constant prayer, daily Mass, and weekly confession and spiritual direction. It is a close-knit community where everybody knows everybody. Its academics are outstanding and I felt truly prepared for any college after graduation. The teachers and faculty are qualified, helpful, and kind. Holy Family Academy is not only a rigorous academic school but a true family.

This is the best school that my child has ever attended. Coming from public school the change I've seen is drastic. They are now excited to learn and go to school, trust me it's the biggest change. It deserves more credit then it gets. The community is amazing and incredibly welcoming. The staff are so kind and care about every student. They really try to connect personally with each student and are really doing amazing. The school also handles every incident that comes up with the upmost respect and dignity. If you are looking to switch to a private school you MUST look at Holy Family and go on a tour. This is a very amazing opportunity. Coming from a different school system, I love how HFA has handled learning. They teach your student to know how to to be accountable, and most importantly be a good person.

Holy Family Academy is an excellent school for those who are enthusiastic about their Catholic faith. The small, welcoming community of joyful students and dedicated teachers and staff create a welcoming environment. Students feel that their teachers really care about not only their success academically, but mentally and spiritually.

It was lit and amazing you learn a lot and iT is so much fun!! its also in a sketchy area of manchester

The small school and class sizes allows students and teachers to know everyone. I think it gives a very unique persepective combining 7 through 12 grades instead of the traditional 9-12 grades.

The catholic formation is next to none. Students attend mass everyday & take multiple religion courses. Students pray multiple times a day & there is a family-like atmosphere among the students. While the english, philosophy, & theology classes are great the STEM courses are out dated & under-resourced to say the least. While the school does the best they can if your child is looking into a field that is heavily STEM, I might rethink it. The school is very catholic & conservative, if your family leans another way, the student may feel isolated I feel the school helped me grow in my faith & make some great friends but would I say I felt prepared going into college.. no. The school knows it is under-resourced & is doing their best to fix that. There are no APs IBs or honors courses offered all grades of about 15 students travel to each class w/ the same students. Great for 1:1 attention! There is not a ton of guidance when it comes to college searching and no guidance counselor.

As an "old school" student (I attended at their old campus):
There were many ups and downs to Holy Family, but I enjoyed my short time there. The Catholic faith is extremely vibrant and orthodox. Strong liberal arts program, but science and math not so much. The only sports are basketball and soccer, although I've heard they've added track in recent years. I attended Holy Family when they were located at their old campus on Ashland Street, but now they've moved into the extra space at St. Marie's on the other side of Manchester.

I've heard that many things about the school have changed in recent years, namely sacrificing some of their academic rigor and Catholic orthodoxy in order to expand the school and attract more students. I don't think it's nearly as academically difficult as it used to be, but it's still a good school for the right kind of person.

It's not good at all I want to leave so badly but my parents won't let me

They don't know how much I hate it there

I think that Holy Family is a great school, and that the people I know that go there have received a quality Catholic education. Most of my friends have developed a love for their faith while attending this school, and it makes me happy to see them living out their lives to the fullest.

Review Holy Family Academy

Good, Catholic identity to the school. The curriculum really educates you about the faith. The challenging work prepares you well for college. One downside to the school, however, is that the sports were not very competitive.

I feel pretty prepared for college - I can argue with the best on a subject I know and I can write a good essay easily. I am still apprehensive, but I am going into the unknown.

Teachers who have been there for years are amazing! As for the new teachers, I prefer it when they know more than I do going into the class.

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