• To support at-risk, pre-adolescent girls living in a difficult environment and to provide them with the academic skills and the social and mental support to succeed in school, to realize their potential and to develop a sense of commitment to their communities

• To prepare the students for acceptance into highly rated private or magnet high schools

• To provide leadership training, exposure to the arts and athletic activities that enable students to develop the self-esteem necessary to break their cycle of poverty

• To monitor high school progress and to assist with tuition as needed
  

A Comprehensive Middle School

• The Academy's program focuses on girls in the critical middle school years of grades 5 through 8. Maximum class size is 15 students per grade

• The Sisters Academy implements an 11-month academic year including an after-school program

• Nutrition is provided in the form of two meals and one snack per day. Often these meals are the key components of a student's entire diet

• The after-school program is designed to retain students in a favorable environment while presenting the opportunity for tutoring or participation in activities such as computer skills, fencing, basketball and others
  
  
• The summer program includes tutoring, trips for educational enrichment, swimming instruction, sailing, arts/crafts and activities at Georgian Court University
  

• Structured counseling is offered year round to address the students' overwhelming issues related to poverty

• Students receive individual, group and family counseling coupled with training in anger management from qualified masters level social workers

High School and Beyond

• Graduates of Sisters Academy are offered continued help with preparation of high school applications, financial aid forms, and mentoring and tutoring, if required

• Graduates of the Academy accepted at private or parochial high schools are given financial support and scholarships by the Mercy Center

• In return, graduates are expected to donate some time to the Academy to assist with the development of the current students

• Finally, the Academy hopes to develop the capability to assist in the college education of its graduates