Our School

Holy Cross High School is proud to announce the launch of the Science Academy, a distinguished signature program designed to give students the opportunity to explore and excel in the fields of science while fostering critical thinking and intellectual growth. This innovative program will offer a well-rounded, comprehensive educational experience rooted in the finest traditions of the liberal arts tradition while preparing students for success in the rapidly evolving world of science and technology. The Science Academy, under the leadership of Dr. Christopher Ciarleglio ’00, will begin at the start of the 2025-2026 school year after a very successful pilot semester this spring. 

This new venture would not be possible without the generosity of Dr. John T. Wisneski ’73 and his wife, Susan. They established The Wisneski Family Fund to provide vital programmatic and equipment support for the Science Academy Program. With a generous pledge of $100,000 over the next five years, their gift will help sustain and grow the program’s impact. In addition, they have created The Wisneski Family Scholarship Fund, a new merit-based scholarship that will award a four-year annual scholarship to at least one incoming freshman with a strong focus on STEM and the sciences.

The Science Academy’s curriculum is built around the ‘big four’ natural sciences—Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Environmental Science—and their logical integrations with mathematics and technology. Students progress through the main coursework in that order and are highly encouraged to take them at the most advanced levels. They finish their Catholic high school experience at the intersection of faith and science when the Theology Department offers coursework on those topics as well as ethics from the Catholic perspective.  

The Science Academy will present an extraordinary challenge for students, surrounded by like-minded individuals who share a passion for knowledge and excellence. This environment will push students to their limits, preparing them for the complexities of the real world. Students will have the opportunity to earn college credits through UCONN Early College Experience (ECE) classes and Advanced Placement (AP) courses, ensuring they engage with some of the most rigorous coursework across all disciplines without having to sacrifice any of their other academic or co-curricular passions or interests. Holy Cross has a rich tradition of offering a dynamic educational experience that prepares students academically, socially, mentally, physically, and spiritually for their college or university time. The Science Academy also follows this tradition but takes it one step further. Upon completion of this intensive four-year program, students will be well-prepared for advanced college research. 

The Capstone paper is the culminating project of the program, challenging students to independently research and write a thorough literature review. They must orally defend their research in the style of the honors programs found at the finest liberal arts institutions. These papers will even be considered for publication in a prestigious journal at Holy Cross, offering students an opportunity to share their groundbreaking work with a wider academic audience.

Incoming 9th-grade students automatically qualify for consideration in the Science Academy if they are placed in Biology Honors. During their first semester, qualifying students receive an invitation at the discretion of the program director in conjunction with administration. High performing 9th graders may request membership at the end of their first academic year and will be considered based on their performance across Holy Cross coursework. Sophomores may receive consideration for membership based on their overall academic performance, character, and fulfillment of curricular requirements. All participants must pay a membership fee to sustain additional, fulfilling opportunities, both in and out of the classroom.