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I am a former McAuley student from '03-'05 and despite many of the stellar reviews from parents, I would not recommend this school. I made many wonderful friends at McAuley, but the overall atmosphere was overbearing and stifling. I found the academics to be rigorous but devoid of content. I learned to work hard at meaningless tasks for meaningless reward, and learned painfully. McAuley puts more effort into maintaining an image than in living up to it. The individual is only valued if that person fits into the mold of a 'proper' young woman. Those who don't are discouraged, discredited and even put down. In some karmic way, I sure McAuley was good for my character. I just wish I could have learned these lessons in a less depressing way.
To begin with, McAuley was not my school of choice, but my mom told me I had to go because she believed in the whole single-sex education ideal, and also my sister had gone there before me. I remember dreading Freshman orientation, but I loved it. I had the time of my life and I met my best friend that day. The girls at McAuley while I was there were amazing. They were always supportive of eachother in good times and in bad. I never really experienced the whole 'clique question' because I was friendly with everyone in my class. In middle school I was kind of shy and scared because I had switched schools halfway through 7th grade, but that persona disappeared at McAuley. I find myself able to connect to others easily, and McAuley definitely prepared me for college in countless ways. I loved this school and the sisters!
Our oldest daughter, now a sophomore in college, is studying nursing. The education she received at mcauley allowed her to be a chemistry tutor and to be on honor roll. She not only received a stellar education, but she became a confident young woman, able to be herself in a time where we have lost focus on the importance of this issue. Our second daughter, is a sophomore, and is very successful at mcauley. She is a leader on the field, in the classroom and on the stage. She is celebrated for all of her acheivements. The faculty is caring and wants each student to be successful, it is a college prep school, the academics are vigorous.At mcauley young women are leaders because they have to....They are the student body president, the captain of the debate team, the editor of the school paper, the lead in the school play...It's where girls belong...
After putting our two eldest girls through CMHS, this year we have elected to send our youngest daughter to Cheverus for high school. I, as a parent, feel that CMHS did little to step out side the relm of 'traditional' and 'by route' education (the three R's so to speak). Little, or no emphasis was placed on technological education, and the variety of studies were lacking. Also, I found the depth of study of the material somewhat less than what I expected of college-prep level course work. It seemed that the excessive time focused on religious studies could be better spent by exploring academics in greater depth. This could be improved by hiring more experienced educators who endorse a more rigorous academic approach, and be willing to compensate them financially. Also, the students are excessively clique-ie.
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