The Academy of Mount St. Ursula (AMSU), located in the Bedford Park area of the Bronx, recently earned re-accreditation by the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools, a worldwide leader in accreditation and continuous school improvement for over 130 years.

Sr. Jean Marie Humphries, PhD is the school’s principal. A member of the Order of St. Ursula, she is also a former student of AMSU, having graduated with the Class of ‘89. Sr. Humphries said she is proud to have earned re-accreditation, since she said it serves as an independent validation of the good work done at the school.

Of course, the coronavirus pandemic ensured that this academic year was not a normal one for the students or their teachers. Norwood News caught up with some of them to see how the final semester went, and what the future holds for some of the school’s seniors.

Dannerys Peralta is a student in the Class of ’20. After high school, she plans to study international relations and linguistics at the University of Chicago, with a possible minor in economics. She said the pandemic definitely changed the vision she had for her senior year, and also made it challenging, especially at the beginning.

“At first, I didn’t like remote learning,” she said. “It felt overwhelming that we had just been in school, and now this was supposed to be our new normal. I didn’t like that there was no break in between school and home. Suddenly, I was doing everything from my living room table.”

Despite the upheaval, she said there were some positives to be taken from the experience, which included having more flexibility around completing assignments for some of her classes. “Another good thing that has come out of quarantine has been the time I’ve spent with family, knowing that for the next four years, I will be living in Chicago, so that has been really nice,” she said.

Although events like retreat, prom, and graduation had to be cancelled, Peralta said AMSU was very supportive to the students throughout the whole process.

“Yes, these events are irreplaceable, and ZOOM events don’t compare, but I am thankful in these times that I go to a school such as AMSU because the teachers and staff really know me, and [know] how to support me,” she said.

Being together with her friends in class, and hanging out together after school were aspects of school life that Peralta definitely missed, but she said she was also grateful that they were, at least, able to organize Ring Day, and experience the joy of sharing that ‘senior moment’ together.

Though it’s been a tough semester, Peralta said she feels prepared for college, and everything life has to offer. “AMSU has challenged me in ways I can’t even express,” she said. “I have learned to become a young woman of society, not afraid to speak my mind when I believe in something, and to always think about others.”

Peralta’s interest in international relations was sparked by her four-year participation in the school’s UN Connection Club. “I hope to become a diplomat, supporting human rights, and fostering international relations abroad,” she said.

Though she’s happy with her chosen major, Peralta is also looking forward to taking different courses at the University of Chicago, and is keeping an open mind about new experiences, and meeting new people. “In college, I hope to participate in student government, Model UN, intramural sports, and cultural extracurriculars,” she said.

Model UN is a simulation of the United Nations General Assembly and its other multilateral bodies where students perform an ambassador role while debating topics like gender equality, climate action, global health, and more. Peralta said the University of Chicago has one of the best Model UN teams in the U.S.

Intramural sports are recreational sports usually organized within a particular educational or geographic setting.

Synnie Cao is also a student from the Class of ’20 and after high school, plans to attend Cornell University. Reflecting on the past semester, she said, “Transitioning from the classroom to online classes was definitely not easy”. Cao added, “It took a lot of time for me to adjust but it taught me a lot about time management and independence.”

In the end, she said it was less stressful, especially as she was able to work at her own speed, and learn effectively on her own schedule. “I prioritize my homework and classes in the morning, and use the rest of the afternoon helping my parents and spending time on myself,” she said.

Cao said that because distance learning was something students all across the world experienced simultaneously, in a way, she didn’t feel so alone, though she said the experience did challenge her greatly. “This year, our senior class missed out on many events and momentous occasions because of the current situation,” she said. “Despite this, we still remain optimistic and positive during this time.”

When she first attended AMSU, Cao said she had a lot of goals in mind, ranging from personal to academic, and said that throughout her high school years, the school opened numerous doors for her.

“From helping me attend prestigious medical programs to offering me volunteer opportunities at various hospitals, AMSU has helped me pursue my dreams,” she said, adding that the faculty and students provided her with much support and encouragement throughout her four years of high school.

“Going to an all-girls school has taught me a lot about empowerment and confidence,” she said. “My high school not only prepared me for the academic rigor of college but also life.”

In terms of any positives she took from studying remotely, Cao said it helped to flatten the curve, she was also able to spend more time with her family, and she also used the time to take care of her physical and mental health. “I have found new hobbies as well,” she said. “It is so important to keep yourself busy and stay positive!”

Cao’s chosen area of study could not be more pertinent right now since she plans to study Global and Public Health Sciences, but first she is focused on passing her finals, and ending the semester on a good note. “I want to make the most of my last year in high school with my friends and school community, even if it is not the way we all expected it to be,” she said.

In the future, she looks forward to studying the health problems faced by communities, and learning different ways to improve healthcare. “I plan to attend medical school to become a physician specializing in emergency medicine, and also a health advocate working with undocumented, uninsured, and economically disadvantaged families,” Cao said.

The semester was also a challenging one for teachers. Linda Peri is a modern language teacher and said even though the pandemic allowed her time to catch up on things that she hadn’t the time to do beforehand, she missed the interaction with her students and colleagues, and she’s looking forward to returning to the AMSU campus.

“At first I was intimidated by remote learning, but I am now accustomed to it,” she said. “I am continually impressed with the resilience of all my students and, stressful though the situation may be, I am heartened getting to see them, even though we can’t be in the classroom. Their sense of humor, work ethic and sisterhood has been continually inspiring to me.”

Founded in 1855 by the Ursuline Sisters, AMSU is a college preparatory school (grades 9 to 12) for young women in the Bronx. According to the school’s mission statement, the Academy of Mount St. Ursula is a Catholic high school conducted in the Ursuline tradition, that serves college-bound women of diverse cultures through its programs in Academics, Arts and Service. “By instilling a love of learning and a broader global view, in a safe and nurturing environment, we strive to empower young women for leadership in society,” the statement reads.

Accreditation is a multifaceted evaluation process that schools and school systems voluntarily use to demonstrate they are meeting a defined set of research-based performance standards. The 12 Middle States Standards for Accreditation are: mission; governance and leadership; school improvement planning; finances; facilities; school organization and staff; health and safety; educational program; assessment and evidence of student learning; student services; student life and activities, and information resources.

The accreditation process begins with a self-study that is conducted by the school or school system and requires input from school leaders, teachers, parents and students. Following the self-study, a team of volunteer educators from Middle States member schools conducts an on-site peer review visit to observe school operations and interview various stakeholders.

The visiting team then makes its recommendation to the Middle States Association Commissions, which votes on the accreditation. Based in Philadelphia, the Middle States Association has more than 2,500 accredited schools and school systems in its network, in 39 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and has links to schools in over 110 countries.

“The Middle States accreditation process supports schools in developing a strategic plan for the future that is built upon continuous school improvement,” said Lisa Marie McCauley, Ed.D., president of the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools. “Middle States accredited schools should be commended for their commitment to collaboration, growth and advancing student achievement.”

For her part, Sr. Humphries is determined to maintain AMSU’s accreditation which she said focused everyone’s attention on continuous improvement practices and strategic planning. “[We] look forward to continuing to work with our administrators, teachers, and parents to provide high quality education for all students,” she said.

Meanwhile, Peralta said another thing she learned during the pandemic was what a supportive community looks like. “I am forever thankful for all the opportunities AMSU has provided me with because they have challenged me to think outside the box, see myself as a leader, and to be confident in my own skin, and in my beliefs,” she said.

“I don’t think I would be going to the college I am going to without the help and support AMSU has provided for me.”

For more information about Academy of Mount St. Ursula, visit: www.amsu.org.

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