Signature Programs

Beginning with the incoming Class of 2027, students are eligible for the AHN Scholars Distinction for high-achieving students who, initially, by special invitation, are eligible for opportunities for the highest level of academic rigor at the earliest entry points. These students will also be required to participate in the AP Capstone experience (or commensurate, i.e., the STEM or ARTS Distinction) during their high school years, whereby they will demonstrate authentic research or experience in a desired field of study.

The AP Capstone, STEM or ARTS distinction will be a building block of their demonstrated authentic research and internship possibilities that will culminate in their senior year. This opportunity is unique to the Academy and distinguishes the Academy for its specific mission in elevating young women to the highest level of their academic potential. Individualized attention is given to the curricular pathway for all students.

The Scholars Distinction is the highest academic honor at the Academy, designed for students who pursue the maximum level of rigor across all disciplines. While students are often identified at entry based on placement scores, any student demonstrating exceptional performance may work toward this distinction during her four years.

To best posture our students for high school success, Summer Pathways programming is encouraged, and for some students, may be strongly suggested or even required, in order to jump start the acclimation process to her high school experience. Students will engage in a wide variety of experiences over a two-week window, providing a snapshot of her typical high school experience. These days would include:

• community-building and leadership development activities
• the beginnings of faith formation
• real-time practice in the classroom setting with the Academy technology infrastructure and expectations for classroom usage (including responsible social media usage)
• exposure to content classes with summer reading, content in the social sciences and science, and math.

The goal for our students participating in this program, at a level appropriate for them, would be confidence building, introducing pathways to high school appropriate peer relationships, academic responsibility and cultural awareness and familiarity with the Academy setting. 

Prep courses for first time AP students in various subject areas are also offered and suggested in order for students to get a flavor for the expectations of these courses.

As the Academy works to stand apart as the gold standard in all-girls Catholic education, a signature feature we are working to develop is to engage our students in more authentic workplace experiences.  With the goal of all students participating in some level of independent capstone research, a companion to that experience will be the invitation to participate in a Tampa Bay-area workplace experience. 

Summer internships are available to all students in rising grades 10-12, where they can gain exposure to authentic workplace settings in the vibrant Tampa Bay business community. Additionally, coursework and real-world experiences are available to our students who identify with an interest in healthcare and medical-related fields. These signature opportunities set the Academy apart as a thought leader in all-girls Catholic education.

The Academy’s mission in service, deriving from the charism of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, touches each part of the student’s four year AHN journey.  Students participate in annual retreat and a minimum of four scheduled days of service throughout the year, with the option to participate in external mission trips during breaks and the summer holidays.  The nature of a student’s service activity is intentionally threaded throughout the student’s curricular journey in a way that connects their service activity to the classroom.