Middle School Open House

In grades 6-12, Visitation School focuses on offering a uniquely empowering experience to girls. They learn to speak confidently, lead eagerly and live comfortably in their own skin. They come to see themselves as they are: impressive young women, ready for the world. In Visitation’s all-girls Middle and Upper Schools, we know girls and we know how girls learn best.

Our commitment to all-girls is rooted in something that cannot be measured, but can only be understood in concepts like gratitude and love. In various ways every day, Visitation students and alumnae express how their all-girls’ education has profoundly changed their lives for the better. Graduates of girls' schools are confident learners, critical thinkers, self-starters, and contributing team players. Read the blog or watch videos below to learn firsthand about the impact of an all-girls education. 

At Visitation, we believe in the limitless potential of girls. In our all-girls Middle and Upper Schools, girls hold every leadership position. They participate in classrooms where they are confident to express their opinions, to use their voices and to be their authentic selves. Learning and exploring in an all-girls' environment empowers Visitation students to see themselves as the leaders, innovators, artists, champions and changemakers our world needs. 

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF AN ALL-GIRLS SCHOOL? 

The benefits of an all-girls education are vast. According to the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools, research supports that students at girls’ schools are more likely than their co-educated peers to feel that their contributions are respected and that their classes challenge them to achieve their potential. They are more likely to pursue STEM-related careers and to explore leadership opportunities. They display stronger cultural competency, community involvement and political engagement. They are more likely to publicly communicate their opinions, promote racial understanding, vote in elections, become involved in environmental programs, and much more.

As powerful as the research is, it's not the main reason Visitation remains committed to offering an all-girls education. Our commitment to all-girls is rooted in something that cannot be measured but can only be understood in concepts like gratitude and love. In various ways every day, Visitation students, faculty and alumnae express how their all-girls education has profoundly changed their lives for the better.

According to Grace Conroy '20, "Vis has so many wonderful opportunities to get involved--as an all-girls school, every leadership position is filled by a female. As a younger student, it's incredibly empowering to have female role models in every area. The mentors and advocates I've found among older girls, faculty and friends have pushed me to leave my comfort zone and try things I wouldn't have imagined being a part of.”

Dianne Capecchi Gibbs, an alumna from the class of 1982, says: “The Visitation experience challenges you to develop your individual talents and gives you the confidence to effectively apply those talents as you move forward. Visitation’s all-girls learning environment gave me the opportunity to find my voice and learn to speak up and step up to get things done as a leader.”

And Grace Loonan, a current junior, sums it up as follows: “At Vis, you can literally be anything except invisible.”

THE ALL-GIRLS ADVANTAGE

A Visitation education guides students to develop creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, self-reliance, resiliency and other essential life skills through a rigorous curriculum, versatile opportunities, and heart-to-heart relationships. Young women are encouraged to express themselves fully, lead fearlessly, and develop the close bonds of sisterhood that make Visitation a nurturing, safe and joyful place to learn and grow. 

Visitation students are reminded daily to “be who you are and be that well" words from St. Francis de Sales, co-founder of the Visitation Order. Visitation School is a supportive environment in which young women can discover who they are--not on the surface, but at the truest and most essential level. It is with this strong, unwavering sense of self that Visitation students graduate poised to make a difference in this world.