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Why Ursuline?

Each day, over 350 young women come to Ursuline from nearly 60 communities around greater Boston. Here, known and nurtured by a dedicated faculty and staff, each student is encouraged to reach her fullest potential – as individuals, scholars, artists, athletes, and as young women of faith who will engage in our world with presence and purpose. Our students explore new things, discover their passions, cheer each other on, and have fun while doing it. This is a community rooted in Catholic social teaching and Gospel values, where lifelong friendships are formed and where we live with faith, courage, and joy.

The Ursuline Order, founded in 1535 by Saint Angela Merici, is the oldest religious teaching order of women in the Catholic Church dedicated exclusively to the education of young women. Ursuline Academy in Dedham was founded in 1946, and we celebrate more than 75 years of educating young women in grades 7-12  to prepare them for the world they will inherit.

1. An Exceptional Value 

Combining the intimacy of a small, private school with the resources and opportunities of a much larger community, Ursuline offers the best of both worlds and is a remarkable value when compared to other private, Catholic schools in the area. A full 100% of our graduates find placement at competitive colleges and universities throughout the country, a testimony to our graduates’ exceptional poise, self-confidence, and ability to tackle life’s challenges with enthusiasm.  

2. The All-Girls’ Advantage

At Ursuline, our sole focus is the development of young women. At Ursuline, girls participate in every class, take every leadership role, captain every team and club. They are the priority in every decision made. We encourage exploration and self-discovery and give students the tools to navigate their world, so that in these years of transformation, as young women shape their individual identities, Ursuline students shine. They speak confidently, lead eagerly, and live comfortably in their own skin.  They come to see themselves as they are – impressive young women, ready to make a meaningful impact on our world.

3. Learning with Joy! 

Our curriculum is designed to inspire each student’s natural curiosity. Our faculty encourage their love of learning, of reading, and scholarly exploration in pursuit of truth. We deliver education on a personal level, so extra help – or an extra challenge – are equally available to any student who needs it. An Ursuline education promotes excellence in writing and presentation skills across all subjects, and cultivates a student’s ability to think critically, reason carefully, and communicate persuasively to master the challenges of university work.   

4. Growing in Faith

Centuries ago, Saint Angela Merici dedicated her life to forming a company of young women engaged in bettering their communities, known today as the Ursulines. We are inspired by St. Angela’s legacy at Ursuline and challenge our students to uphold these same Catholic values: to form their conscience in relationship to God, to adopt the principles of Catholic social teaching, and to be Christ to one another in today’s world. The values of our Catholic community are truly universal and we welcome community members of all faiths. 

5. Serviam: "I will serve"

For graduates of Ursuline Academy, this is not merely a school motto, but a way of life.  Our students collectively provide over 24,000 hours in volunteer work each year, and seniors participate in a focused service project during their final weeks of school.  Every Ursuline graduate is shaped by their experience of Serviam, which is a source of great pride and inspires them to engage in meaningful work throughout their adult lives.

At Ursuline Academy, we invite you to defy expectations. 

Consider this: It’s possible to be both bold and compassionate. It’s possible to learn with joy.  It’s possible to lead by serving. Consider what you aspire to, how you might surprise yourself, what your future might be, and then think about every other possibility. At Ursuline Academy, we both invite you – and challenge you– to write your own story.  What will your story be?