New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
Holy Family-Holy Name School is one of the five Catholic Schools in the Greater New Bedford Deanery. A “hidden gem” in a very urban neighborhood, it was established in 1973 when Holy Name School merged with Holy Family School. Since that time, it has provided a safe, loving place where inspired teachers and staff are dedicated to helping children from three years old through Grade 8 reach their academic and social potential as well as become responsible, loving, service-oriented members of society.
In addition, the students can talk to each about their shared faith. They can speak freely and unabashedly about their religion without feeling pressured or making others feel alienated.
Teacher and kids hard at work!
This is one aspect of parochial schools that is different from public schools. Vice-Principal, Ralph Tripp, who has been with the school these past six years stated, “Our school isn’t solely about academics. We provide a rigorous education in a Christian-based environment that encourages respect for and value of every person. We celebrate diversity. The family atmosphere in our school is clearly evident the minute you walk in.
It is extended beyond the school and reaches into the lives of all our students. We are here to help them in time of sorrow or need and we are here to celebrate their happiness and success.” This sense of “family” comes from dedicated and vested faculty and staff who do not have “a job”, but rather, “a vocation.” Their passion is all about children. They were born to do what they do. They strive daily to make sure the whole child is educated, nurtured, respected, valued, kept safe, cared for, and loved. All while receiving a top educational experience filled with interactive activities and just plain fun.
Inspiration for educators like this come from a variety of places, but central to them all is the children. For Cecilia Felix, an educator (at HFHN) for 13 years and the principal here for the last 27 years, it was her family background in teaching combined with highly devoted educators that inspired her. “In elementary and high school I witnessed the importance of their vocation to serve children through education. It was a value I keyed into.
Catholic Education is my vocation and it is a way I can model my deep faith to children. How gratifying it is to watch students grow spiritually and academically in an environment that strives to serve others as Jesus did.” Sr. Muriel Lebeau, an educator for over 50 years, summed it up succinctly, “Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me.’
HFHN provides a rigorous education in a Christian-based environment that encourages respect for and value of every person.
What greater ministry is there?”
Holy Family – Holy Name School is a Christ-centered academic community instilling Catholic beliefs and gospel values; nurturing student’s gifts of faith and intellect by surrounding them with a family of faculty, staff, and volunteers whose vocation is to serve.
While the educators at Holy Family-Holy Name School take their faith-based curriculum very seriously, they also understand the value non-academic events have in helping students form relationships. These school functions let them hone their social skills and gives them a sense of community. There is always some type of special event going on like our annual Cabaret to benefit academic resource needs. Every April, we have a Penny Sale and host a “Spring Fling” which is a night of fun, dancing, raffles, and more. Here is the detail for a Golf Tournament and a form for those interested in hosting a crafting table at the upcoming HFHN Holiday Fair.
These fun occasions have helped us purchase 90 Google Chromebooks for our classrooms. With future funds we hope to add more iPads for use in the younger grades.
In May, we hold an Educational Fair with a musical performance by Junior Choir students followed by classroom displays of themed work, units, and more.
Parenting in this day and age is an extremely difficult job. Holy Family-Holy Name School is cognizant of this fact and works very closely with all of our parents to promote a partnership with them. This team-work, established with trust and mutual respect, ensures that our children know that everyone around them “has their back.” This is confirmed when we receive parental comments like, “Positive character development and education are essential for children to succeed in this ever-changing world. HFHN hits it out of the park on both accounts”, “I chose HFHN for my children because I want them to understand that kindness, compassion, and basic human decency are hallmarks for making the world a more peaceful place”, and “You get an immediate sense of family and community connection as soon as you walk through the doors of HFHN.”
While the educators at Holy Family-Holy Name School take their faith-based curriculum very seriously, they also understand the value non-academic events.
Holy Family-Holy Name’s motto is: “We are a family you can count on to serve as Jesus did.” In this vein, part of our students’ Catholic educational formation is to encourage them to be involved in service opportunities at school and in the community. We want them to see the value and the importance of doing for others.
Holy Family-Holy Name School offers today’s children a way to develop many areas of their life: academically, socially, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It has a well-balanced approach that successfully addresses the complex aspects of all individuals.
The education given and received here at 91 Summer Street is centered on the teachings of the Catholic Church and how Jesus led His life. It engages children and it encourages them to build a strong foundation of knowledge, kindness, tolerance, and service. This foundation will serve them well in the future. Visit us or call us sometime soon. We look forward to welcoming you into our “family!”
Holy Family – Holy Name School is a Christ-centered academic community instilling Catholic beliefs and gospel values; nurturing student’s gifts of faith and intellect by surrounding them with a family of faculty, staff, and volunteers whose vocation is to serve.
91 Summer St
New Bedford, Massachusetts 02740
Office Hours (Mon-Fri): 7:30am–3:00pm
School Day Hours: 8:00am–2:30pm
Phone: (508) 993-3547
Facebook: facebook.com/pages/Holy-Family-Holy-Name-School/352322248282049
Website: hfhn.org/
