Our goal has always been to secure the future of Catholic education on Staten Island and we have seen a great need for a seamless educational experience from PreK 3 through 12th grade that will welcome students of all learning levels and from all communities. In order to honor our mission, we have exciting news to share with our St. Adalbert families!
His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan has approved the creation of a new school, to be known as the Father Vincent Capodanno Catholic Academy. Starting in the 2020-2021 academic year, Holy Rosary will be expanding their current school population by welcoming the families from St. Adalbert School onto the Holy Rosary campus. Mrs. Diane Hesterhagen has been named the leader of the academy.
The larger Holy Rosary campus will allow both school communities to continue to grow and allow us to enhance existing programs and increase community partnerships. Beginning in the 2020 - 2021 school year, we will be exploring the possibility of creating educational opportunities beyond elementary school which will welcome traditional learners as well as those with varying learning styles.
The new academy's namesake, Father Vincent Capodanno, a Staten Island resident, joined the Maryknolls as a missionary at the age of 20, went on to become a military chaplain, and died heroically while administering last rites to a dying soldier on the battlefield during the Vietnam War. Father Capodanno was an ordinary man who did extraordinary things in his life, and the Vatican's Congregation for the Causes of Saints has officially accepted his cause for sainthood. The new name of the school will convey to our students that they must excel in every endeavor and fearlessly accept every challenge, just as Father Vincent Capodanno did.
We have included more information and guidance as well as other resources and upcoming events at https://catholicschoolsny.org/fr-capodanno-academy. Additionally, our regional Director of Enrollment, Diana Gatto, will be reaching out to individual families in the next week to answer any questions and provide updates on how the process will unfold. You can also reach Mrs. Gatto by phone at: (646) 995-9327 or by email at: Diana.Gatto@archny.org. You can also call our bilingual hotline at (646) 794-2885 between 9:00am and 5:00pm Monday-Friday.
Combining the school populations of St. Adalbert Elementary School and Holy Rosary Elementary School will help to create an optimal long-term solution for maintaining a strong and vibrant Catholic school presence in Staten Island. We ask that you embrace all new families with open arms as your brothers and sisters in Christ.
Yours in Christ,
Zoilita M. Herrera Deacon James M. Cowan
Regional Superintendent Chairman
Catholic School Region of Staten Island Catholic School Region of Staten Island
