I am so honored to be the Head of School of such a unique and amazing institution. Alverno Heights Academy was founded by the Sisters of St. Francis in 1960 and was later sold to Immaculate Heart Community in 1978 which continues to sponsor Alverno to this day. The charism of both of these religious orders is alive and well at Alverno. Alverno has always been more than just a progressive, independent, college preparatory school for girls…
School Profile
Grade Levels: TK – 12th
Number of Students: Lower School 150 / Upper School 150
Class Size/Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1
Welcome to Alverno Heights Academy
Julia V. Fanara Head of School
Dear Friends and Family,
I am so honored to be the Head of School of such a unique and amazing institution. Alverno Heights Academy was founded by the Sisters of St. Francis in 1960 and was later sold to Immaculate Heart Community in 1978 which continues to sponsor Alverno to this day. The charism of both of these religious orders is alive and well at Alverno. Alverno has always been more than just a progressive, independent, college preparatory school for girls. It is a place where girls live out our mission and are “empowered to become exactly the person they want to be.” I began working at Alverno in 1990 as an English teacher. Throughout the years, I have assumed many roles: chair of the English department, drama teacher, Dean of Students, Director of Activities, Assistant Head of School, and now Head of School.
At the start of the 2020-2021 school year, Alverno will be embarking on a new journey as we add a TK-8th grade, creating a lower school and upper school all under the name of Alverno Heights Academy. The lower school will be co-ed while the upper school will remain all-girls. We will be one of the few schools in the area offering TK-12 on one campus and the only one in Sierra Madre. The upper school will hold a maximum of 200 girls and the lower school will hold a maximum of 200 students.
The Board of Trustees has been considering expanding the school for several years. In fact, we began doing our investigations way back in the late ‘90s. The benefit of having a lower school on our campus will help to bring a cohesiveness to the educational experience that is hard to find, yet very beneficial. Alverno is a family and we want to extend that special and unique connection to students at a younger age.
For the past 60 years, our amazing young women, under the tutelage of a devoted and committed faculty, have thrived academically, spiritually, physically, and emotionally. Diversity in many different forms is celebrated at Alverno; academic, religious, socio-economic, and ethnic/racial. Alverno is known for its rigorous, yet inclusive academic program which serves the needs of all types of learners – from the extremely gifted (as evidenced by our Academy for Gifted Girls) to those who may struggle academically in a more traditional college preparatory setting. Our teachers use differentiated instruction in order to meet the academic needs of all of our students. Alverno is a Catholic school and embraces the teachings of Gospel. However, we welcome and respect students of all faiths to be part of our student body and recognize that everyone is precious in God’s eyes. We look forward to extending this same philosophy and vision to the children of the lower school in the years to come!
Because Alverno is small our students are given individualized attention. Students are known by name by teachers, staff, and administration. Because they are so much a part of all that happens at the school, they connect to the school in a special way. This not only applies to the students, but to the faculty and staff. The average tenure of faculty and staff is 10+ years and the new lower school will include faculty and staff with long ties to our community. We are excited about the new members of our campus community and look forward to witnessing the growth, excitement and change they can bring to the already rich tradition of Alverno Heights Academy.
As you can see, I am very proud of our school and our students. For those of you who are already part of our community, welcome back. For those who would like to know more about our awesome school, we would love to have you complete an inquiry so we can share more about us!. When you do, be sure to stop by and say hello.
Sincerely,
Julia V. Fanara Head of School
Gallery
School Profile
Grade Levels: TK – 12th
Number of Students: Lower School 150 / Upper School 150
Class Size/Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1
Lower School: COED / Upper School: All Girls School
Special Affiliation (Religious etc): Catholic independent school
Tuition Range [Optional]: Lower School tuition is for 20-21 school year is $6,400 / Upper School tuition for 20-21 school year is $21,550
There are many reasons why students and families chose Alverno Heights Academy for their high school experience. At Alverno, we believe in the ability of every young woman to become exactly the person she wants to be.
Alverno Heights Academy women are compassionate, curious, enthusiastic, intelligent, leaders, and so much more. Through a challenging academic curriculum, variety of student activities, unique student government, and strong Franciscan and Immaculate Heart roots Alverno women are empowered to become women of the world poised to take any challenge handed to them and truly become the person they want to be.
Tuition Information and Calendar
2020-2021 Tuition for Tk-8th Grades: $6,400
2020-2021 Tuition for 9th-11th Grades: $21,550
2020-2021 Tuition for 12th Grade: $22,050 (Includes Graduation Fees)
*There are payment plans available & sibling discounts available
*These amounts will be adjusted for recipients of scholarships and financial aid
All tuition plans require a FACTS Tuition account for payment of tuition and student fees.
“I chose Alverno everyday because I truly believe that they care for my well being. The staff, faculty and students continue to show me that they want me to succeed. They push me to do better and to challenge myself without pressuring me. I feel like the school community always has my back!” Amia Alvarez ’21
“Alverno’s small class setting is a major advantage because you have the teacher’s attention. Asking a question is not embarrassing, nor is it nerve-wracking. The faculty and staff reach out to you if you need help and want to make sure everything is okay. You are embraced by the students and the teachers every day making it a wonderfully nurturing environment. The campus is also stunning. When I breathe the fresh air and look at the breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains as I walk to my classes, I feel so happy and at peace. You truly have the opportunity to be who you imagine at Alverno Heights Academy.” Anais Rallion ‘23
“As an international student, Alverno is my second home. Something has changed within me during the years I’ve spent at Alverno. With the support of my teachers and my peers, I’ve learned to speak up and I’ve challenged myself to become involved in extracurricular activities that I had never done before, such as soccer, choir, running for a government position, taking AP and Honors classes, and starting a club. After two and half years of attending Alverno, I explored, found, embraced, and freed myself through the journey of focusing on others’ needs, searching for the answers, speaking my mind, and enriching my life.” Grace Xia ’21
“Alverno, as cheesy as it sounds, is not just a school to me. It is a place where I can go to escape from anything that might be weighing me down, a place where I can be goofy and silly and laugh about anything, a place where I can be myself. I love that each day on campus I am challenged to learn something new, push myself, see a new point of view, or do something I never thought I could. I love that rather than having just my one biological sister, I have over a hundred. I love that I get opportunities to make a difference. I have been inspired, welcomed, educated, and loved by every single person here, whether it be a teacher, faculty member, coach, or “sister.” Bella Lara ‘20
“I choose Alverno every day because it feels like home to me. The teachers here are incredible and truly want the best for you. Each girl in every class is supportive and encouraging and makes me want to be a better student and a better friend.” Rachel Wheeler ‘22
200 North Michillinda Avenue Sierra Madre, CA 91024
late ‘90s. The benefit of having a lower school on our campus will help to bring a cohesiveness to the educational experience that is hard to find, yet very beneficial. Alverno is a family and we want to extend that special and unique connection to students at a younger age.
