The Academy of the Holy Cross

What The Academy of the Holy Cross does

The Academy of the Holy Cross is a private Catholic college-preparatory school for young women in grades 9-12, founded in 1868 by the Sisters of the Holy Cross and sponsored by the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross. The school operates from a single campus at 4920 Strathmore Avenue in Kensington, Maryland, with direct Metro access to Washington, D.C. It serves approximately 72 staff and a student body drawn from 60+ zip codes across Maryland, D.C., and Virginia, plus an international applicant pool. The institution's mission centers on forming women of 'courage, compassion, and scholarship' through faith-based formation, leadership development, and college-preparatory rigor.

The school's core educational offering is built around a portfolio of signature programs layered on a standard college-prep curriculum. These include the Sancta Crux Honors Program (with Spes Unica Humanities and Gillespie STEM pathways culminating in a senior capstone), the Madeleva Scholars service-and-justice program, Project Lead the Way (the only all-girls school in Maryland to offer PLTW), a five-course dual-enrollment partnership with Marymount University, a 50+ year mandatory 60-hour senior internship program (with hosts including The Washington Post, NASA Goddard, NIH, and ATF), the Saint Mary's Program for students with mild learning disabilities, and the Moreau Options Program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The underlying technology stack is conventional EdTech: Blackbaud for enrollment and tuition management, Finalsite for the public website, SMARTTRACK for college-funding planning, SCOIR for college counseling, and PLTW's curriculum platform. Athletics compete in the WCAC, and the school operates the Summer Stock performing-arts camp and an ESF summer-camps partnership.

The business model is tuition-driven with philanthropic supplementation. Annual tuition for 2026-2027 is $35,402, with mandatory fees (enrollment deposit, technology, parent association) and optional scholarships (Presidential, Principal's, Performing Arts) layered on top. The school offers annual, semi-annual, and monthly payment plans through Blackbaud Tuition Management. A substantial share of revenue and capital is supplemented by fundraising through the Holy Cross Fund, planned giving, endowed gifts, the benefit auction and gala, the golf classic, employer matching gifts, and the Empowered Girls capital campaign tied to the upcoming St. Angela Athletic and Wellness Center (20,000 sq ft, opening Fall 2026). Marketing is direct-to-consumer via the school website, social channels (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube), open houses, the Tartan for a Day shadow program, prospective-parent information nights, and program-specific events such as STEM-O-Ween Night and Fine Arts Night. The school also accepts international applicants on a rolling basis with TOEFL/Duolingo and visa support. Governance is via a Board of Trustees with day-to-day leadership delegated to President/CEO Emily Kasof and Principal Kathy Hannah.

Name

The Academy of the Holy Cross

Legal name

The Academy of the Holy Cross

Website

https://academyoftheholycross.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1868

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Academy of the Holy Cross is a private, Catholic, all-girls college-preparatory school in Kensington, Maryland, serving grades 9-12 with signature STEM, honors, dual-credit, internship, and inclusive-education programs, operating as a tuition-and-donation funded nonprofit under the Sisters of the Holy Cross.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Kensington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition Revenue: Primary revenue stream from tuition payments. Annual tuition for 2026-2027 is $35,402. Additional fees include enrollment deposit ($1,200 for new students), technology fee ($420), parent association fee ($100), and books (approx. $130). Payment plans available including one-time annual payment, semi-annual payments, and monthly installments.
2. Summer Programs: Revenue from summer programs including Summer Stock performing arts camp for students entering grades 6-10.
3. Donations and Fundraising: The Holy Cross Fund, benefit auction and gala, golf classic, planned giving, endowed gifts, and matching gifts from employers. The school also receives contributions through the Empowered Girls campaign.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Academy of the Holy Cross is a private, Catholic, all-girls college preparatory school for grades 9-12 in Kensington, Maryland. The school delivers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum combined with signature honors programs (Sancta Crux, Madeleva Scholars), STEM education through Project Lead the Way, dual-enrollment courses with Marymount University, a 50+ year required Senior Internship Program, inclusive support programs for students with learning differences, College Counseling, Fine Arts, Athletics, and faith-based spiritual formation.

Product overview

The Academy of the Holy Cross is a Catholic college-preparatory school for young women in grades 9-12. The institution offers a comprehensive educational platform comprising honors programs (Sancta Crux with Spes Unica Humanities and Gillespie STEM pathways, plus Madeleva Scholars), STEM education including the only Project Lead the Way program at a Maryland all-girls school, dual enrollment through a Marymount University partnership, and a required Senior Internship program. Support services include the Saint Mary's Program for students with learning disabilities, Moreau Options Program for inclusive education, Freshman Advisory Program, and personalized College Counseling. The institution also offers Fine Arts (visual arts, theater, choral, dance), Athletics, Summer Stock performing arts camp, and spirituality/retreat programs. The school is constructing the St. Angela Athletic & Wellness Center (opening fall 2026).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sancta Crux Honors Program An honors program fostering academic leadership with two pathways: Spes Unica Humanities and Gillespie STEM, featuring mentorship, rigorous coursework, experiential opportunities, and a senior capstone project. For high-achieving students at the Academy.
• Project Lead the Way (PLTW) A nationally recognized STEM program offering hands-on learning in engineering, biomedical science, and computer science. The Academy is the only all-girls school in Maryland to offer PLTW. For students seeking STEM pathways.
• Marymount University Dual Enrollment Partnership Dual enrollment partnership allowing juniors and seniors to earn college credit through five dual-credit courses taught by Holy Cross faculty who are also Marymount adjuncts. Additional access to any Marymount introductory course starting summer before senior year. Credits may transfer to other universities.
• Senior Internship Program A 60-hour off-site internship required of all seniors for over 50 years, providing real-world experience in potential careers. Recent internships at The Washington Post, NASA, ATF, and NIH.
• Madeleva Scholars Program Service-focused honors program rooted in Catholic Social Teaching, inspired by Sisters of the Holy Cross, committed to advancing justice through meaningful community service with a four-year capstone project.
• Saint Mary's Program College preparatory program for students with mild learning disabilities featuring structured academic support, skill development, guided accommodations, executive functioning lessons, and access to Math Lab, peer tutoring, and writing enrichment.
• Moreau Options Program Inclusive education initiative for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, partnering with Catholic Coalition for Special Education. Provides one-on-one support, personalized schedules, and certificate of completion at graduation.
• Freshman Advisory Program Program meeting twice weekly to build skills in communication, stress management, and time management through advisor, counselor, and specialist-led activities including study sessions and personalized guidance for incoming ninth-grade students.
• College Counseling Program Individualized college guidance including personalized college lists, one-on-one counseling meetings, family meetings, and comprehensive support through all four years of high school. The Class of 2025 was accepted to 275 unique colleges with $18M in scholarships.
• Fine Arts Program Comprehensive arts education including Visual Arts, Theater and Film, Choral Music (Glee Choir, Madrigal Singers), and Dance (Adrenaline Dance Team). Performances at venues including Basilica of the National Shrine and Washington National Cathedral.
• Athletics Program Comprehensive athletic program featuring fall, winter, and spring sports with teams competing in the WCAC. Home games at Ridgway Field. New St. Angela Athletic & Wellness Center opening fall 2026.
• Summer Stock Two-week summer performing arts camp for students entering grades 6-10, featuring classes in Musical Theatre Singing, Dance, Acting, and Improvisation, culminating in a full musical production.
• Spirituality and Retreat Programs Catholic faith-centered programs including peer-led retreats, Kairos four-day senior retreat, Campus Ministry Committee, Peer Ministry course, daily prayer, weekly Mass, and Reconciliation services.

Quantifiable outcome

• 93% of girls' school graduates say they were offered greater leadership opportunities than peers at coed schools, and 80% have held leadership positions since graduation
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Marymount UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDual enrollment partnership allowing Holy Cross juniors and seniors to earn college credit through five dual-credit courses taught by Holy Cross faculty who are Marymount adjuncts. Credits may transfer to other universities. Students can also enroll in any Marymount introductory course starting summer before senior year.
• Catholic Coalition for Special EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the Moreau Options Program, an inclusive education initiative for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The program has become a model for inclusive education.
• International Coalition of Girls' SchoolssupportingOthersMembership organization dedicated to elevating women's leadership worldwide by educating and empowering students to be ethical, globally-minded changemakers.
• FACTS Grant & AidsupportingOthersFinancial aid assessment service used by Holy Cross to evaluate family financial need. School code 10856.
• SMARTTRACK College FundingsupportingOthersPartnership with SMARTTRACK College Funding High School Initiative providing free resources to help families plan and pay less for college.
• SCOIRsupportingTechnology or IntegrationCollege counseling platform used by students and counselors for managing college lists and college search process.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart: All-girls Catholic college preparatory school in Bethesda, MD (within 5 miles of Holy Cross) serving grades 1-12. Direct competitor for the same pool of DC-metro Catholic families seeking single-sex Catholic education with similar tuition tier.
• Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School: All-girls Catholic college preparatory school in Washington, D.C. (grades 9-12). Direct peer on mission, single-sex model, college-prep focus, and DC-metro Catholic family target market.
• Connelly School of the Holy Child: Catholic all-girls college preparatory school in Potomac, MD serving grades 6-12, sponsored by the Society of the Holy Child Jesus. Direct peer on faith-based single-sex model, similar size, and overlapping DC-metro market.
• Elizabeth Seton High School: Catholic all-girls college preparatory high school in Bladensburg, MD. Comparable single-sex Catholic model with slightly more accessible price point, making it a likely substitute for tuition-sensitive families.
• National Cathedral School: All-girls Episcopal college preparatory school in Washington, D.C. (grades 4-12). Direct peer on elite single-sex college-prep model and DC-metro family market, though faith affiliation is Episcopal rather than Catholic.
• The Madeira School: Independent all-girls college preparatory school in McLean, VA. Direct peer on single-sex college-prep mission and DC-metro market, though non-Catholic — competing for similar family profiles.
• The Holton-Arms School: Independent all-girls college preparatory school in Bethesda, MD (grades 3-12). Competes directly for DC-metro families seeking elite single-sex college-prep education, often considered alongside Holy Cross in admissions decisions.

Broad incumbents

• Sidwell Friends School: Elite coed Quaker college preparatory school in Washington, D.C. — one of the most selective private schools in the DC market. While coed, it competes for the same high-achieving, mission-driven DC-metro families who are also considering Holy Cross.

Emerging players

• Georgetown Preparatory School: All-boys Jesuit Catholic college preparatory school in North Bethesda, MD. Competes for the same Catholic DC-metro family market though for sons rather than daughters; together with Holy Cross they form a key Catholic secondary pair for many DC Catholic families.

Regional players

• The Bryn Mawr School: Independent all-girls college preparatory school in Baltimore, MD (grades K-12). Comparable single-sex college-prep model and similar tuition tier, serving an adjacent but distinct DC-Baltimore corridor market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/AHCNews/feed
• Facebookfacebook.com/academyoftheholycross
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/academy-of-the-holy-cross
• Instagraminstagram.com/ahctartans
• Xx.com/ahc_news

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Academy of the Holy Cross