Overview

Immaculate Heart Academy was founded in 1960 as the first regional high school for girls in the Archdiocese of Newark. Its mission both at the time of foundation and today is to provide quality Catholic education to young women in an atmosphere characterized by respect for the individual, Christian community, and a high level of family involvement. A strong theme throughout the school’s curriculum and extra-curricular activities is the development of the special gifts that women can bring to society. The interests and needs of women in the areas of academics, spirituality, the arts, athletics, and social interaction drive the programs offered at IHA. The emotional and psychological development of young women is fostered by the positive, supportive, and affirming attitudes of the administration, faculty, and staff.  Click here to view a video highlighting our extraordinary history of empowering young women.

IHA is a vital and vibrant college preparatory school that is proud to be accessible to students of various demographics. The make-up of the student body has remained remarkably stable with one exception: our students now come from not only Bergen County, but also Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, and Sussex counties in New Jersey; and Rockland and Orange counties in New York. The percentage of non-Catholic students has increased to 18% in 2026 and the number of students who attended public elementary school has increased from less than 1% in the early years to 60% today.

Morale is very high, student enrollment has been steadily increasing, SAT scores have risen, and state-of-the-art technology changes and room renovations have been made. Recognized repeatedly as the Best Private School in Bergen County, IHA enjoys a reputation as an academic, artistic, and athletic powerhouse with one very outstanding characteristic: the friendly, family atmosphere of the all-girls school is its trademark, and one of the main reasons why students choose to attend.