History
Saint Dominic Academy is one of the oldest independent secondary schools in New Jersey. It was founded in 1878 on First Street in Jersey City, the “downtown” area which was to remain for many years a gateway for immigrants and a starting community for their life in America. Saint Dominic’s itself was founded by immigrants, Dominican Sisters originally from Bavaria who came to the New York area in the 1850’s to help meet the educational needs of the children of German immigrants.
With the success of the early school and population shifts within the city, the Academy moved to larger quarters on Bergen Avenue in 1915, then to three houses on Bentley Avenue in 1930. These years of growth were accompanied by a growth in the reputation of the school as a well-respected institution for the education of Catholic girls at the high school level and as a place for musical and artistic development. The Academy became identified with its Bergen location so when it moved again in 1942 to its present location on Kennedy Boulevard, just several blocks away, it continued its presence in this section of the city.
The new location had formerly been known as the Carteret Men’s Club. The structure adapted readily to school needs and provided a charming yet functional environment for its new purposes. Growth continued during the prosperous post-war period both in numbers of students and in expansion of the curriculum. In order to accommodate spatial needs, the convent area of the school was converted during the late l970’s to more classroom and office space, with the sister-faculty moving to other convents within commuting distance.
In the mid-1980’s enrollment in the business education electives began to dwindle and, after curriculum review, it was decided to eliminate these courses in favor of expanded college preparatory electives. Around this same time it became apparent that space was once more inadequate. After several years of prudent investigation, the Academy was able to purchase an abandoned property on Fairview Avenue, which was eventually cleared to make room for the school’s expansion. Construction began in 1992 on the “new building” which came to be known as Alumni Hall. The new area provides much-needed classroom space, along with two networked computer labs and excellent chemistry, physics, and biology laboratories.
With the renewed awareness of the role of women in the 1990’s, as well as recognition of the importance of quality education to prepare women for leadership in both the commercial and professional worlds, Saint Dominic Academy finds itself well-positioned to contribute to these developments. As its early years paralleled the origins of an immigrant city, so the growth and strengthening of the Academy today mirrors the emergence of Jersey City’s renaissance at the beginning of this new millennium.
Academics
To learn more about the academics at St. Dominic Academy click on the following link: academics
Board of Trustees
For a roster of the current Board of Trustees, please visit the Board of Trustees page
Administration
To learn more about the administration and faculty click on the following links: Administration Directory and Faculty Directory
Charism of St. Dominic
As Dominicans, we continue to draw upon the Charism of St. Dominic. To learn more about this influence on our preaching and spiritual tradition, please click here: Charism
Contact Information:
Telephone: (201) 434-5938
Mailing Address: 2572 Kennedy Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07304
Admissions: Carolyn Smith, Director of Public Relations and Recruitment
Alumnae/Development: Kate Lillis Magnus, Director of Advancement and Alumnae Relations
Getting to Saint Dominic Academy
Saint Dominic Academy is located on the corner of Duncan Avenue and John F. Kennedy Boulevard (County Route 501) in Jersey City, approximately one mile south of the PATH Journal Square (JSQ) Transportation Center. The mailing address is 2572 Kennedy Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07304.
By Bus: The Number 10 bus from Journal Square Transportation Center stops directly across from the school, as does the Number 99S bus from the Port Authority Terminal in NYC.
By Car from outside Hudson County: Take the New Jersey Turnpike to Exit 15E. Merge onto U.S. Truck Route 1&9 North. Follow U.S. Truck Route 1&9 North for roughly 2 miles. Stay straight on Communipaw Avenue. After 0.7 miles, make a left onto John F. Kennedy Boulevard. Saint Dominic Academy is located at 2572 John F. Kennedy Boulevard.
By Car from Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens: Coming out of the Holland Tunnel, make the first left onto Luis Marin Boulevard. Stay on Marin Boulevard for about one mile (passing Newport Mall). Turn right onto Montgomery Street. Stay on Montgomery Street for a liitle over 1.5 miles. Turn left onto John F. Kennedy Boulevard (Saint Peter's College will be on the corner). Saint Dominic Academy is located at 2572 John F. Kennedy Boulevard.
By Car from Staten Island: Coming off the Bayonne Bridge, follow signs for NJ Route 440 North. Take Route 440 North through Bayonne and Jersey City. At intersection with U.S. Truck Route 1&9 North, turn right onto Communipaw Avenue. After 0.7 miles, make a left onto John F. Kennedy Boulevard. Saint Dominic Academy is located at 2572 John F. Kennedy Boulevard.
About SDA
Fast Facts
Faculty Affiliation:
Sisters of St. Dominic, Caldwell, NJ
Accreditation:
Accredited by Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
Member of the NJ Association of Independent Schools
2008-2009
Student Body: 535
Faculty Members: 42 (50% of faculty hold advanced degrees)
Student/Faculty Ratio: 12 to 1
Enrollment by Grade:
9th - 138
10th - 127
11th - 131
12th - 139
Required Courses:
Computer Literacy - 1 semester
English - 4 years
Fine Arts (Art/Music) - 1 year
Foreign Language - 2 years
Mathematics - 3 years
Physical Education, Health and Driver Education - 4 years
Religious Studies - 4 years (includes 40 hours of Christian service)
Science - 2 years (2 lab sciences)
Social Studies - 3 years (1 year World History, 2 years American History)
4 Electives
Class of 2008 Report Card:
Members of SDA's Class of 2008 were awarded more than $6.8 million in college scholarships
Partial list of colleges include:
- American University
- Boston College
- Cornell University
- Fordham
- John Jay
- Middlebury College
- New Jersey City University
- New Jersey Institute of Technology
- Northeastern
- Oklahoma State
- Penn State
- Princeton
- Rutgers
- St. Peter's College
- San Jose State
- Seton Hall
- Stevens Institute of Technology
- Temple University
- Texas A&M
- University of Miami
- Villanova
- Wellesley
- William Paterson
Fees:
Service Scholarships - awarded on the basis of financial need and past performance; enable students to subsidize their tuition through work; applications accepted annually at the time of re-registration
2006-2007 Tuition and Activities Fees - $7,160 ($6800 tuition plus $360 books and activities)
2007-2008 Tuition and Activities Fees - $7,325 ($6,800 tuition plus $525 in fees)
Mission and Philosophy
Mission Statement
Saint Dominic Academy, a community of academic excellence, empowers women for leadership in our global society. Rooted in Christian values, this Catholic Institution embraces the diversity of its constituents promoting unity through understanding and education.
Philosophy
Founded in 1878, Saint Dominic Academy of Jersey City offers young women a strong intellectual and moral foundation. Sponsored by the Dominican Sisters of Caldwell, New Jersey, our school seeks to develop in each young woman academic excellence, as well as a love for truth, justice and Christian values. Ethnically diverse, our students come from an array of cultural and religious backgrounds. In accord with the multicultural character of our institution, Saint Dominic Academy strives to prepare each student for her vital role in the world community.