The Mary Louis Academy (TMLA), a famed Catholic all-girls preparatory high-school in Jamaica Estates, is set to let go of seven faculty members at the end of the school year. In response to an inquiry from QNS, TMLA’s inaugural president, Livia Angiolillo, responded via email.
In her statement, Angiolillo said the decision was made after evaluating student to staff ratios in relation to enrollment numbers. She said this decision is meant to be “both budget conscious and fiscally responsible.” Angiolillo added that longevity and teaching credentials were taken into consideration during the process. “Given the current size of TMLA, the reductions will have minimal impact on teaching and learning. The TMLA administration, faculty and staff look forward to continuing academic, athletic and extracurricular excellence, while also investing in opportunities to increase college access, selectivity and success,” she said.
According to Angiolillo, these seven faculty members will remain employed by the school until their contracts expire on Aug. 31. She emphasized that none of them were asked to leave before this date.
Angiolillo is set to mark the start of her inaugural presidency at the institution on May 1. The long time educator has an extensive career throughout New York City Schools. Most recently, she served as the managing director at Bold Charter Schools, where she oversaw two campuses of over 500 students. Additionally, Angiolillo served as the principal of the Brooklyn Ascend Charter High School, and, prior to that, she was the Co-Founder and School Leader at Uncommon Collegiate Charter High School.
Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in English and Fine Arts from Amherst College, Masters degrees in Education and Arts, with a focus in Organization and Leadership, from the Teachers College at Columbia University and a Juris Doctor degree from Columbia University School of Law.
TMLA was founded in 1936 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Brentwood, New York, to equip students with college readiness skills and other social and educational programs. For the nearly 90 years, the academy has been recognized as one of the nation’s top college preparatory high schools. The academy boasts over 40 clubs and 29 athletic teams, making it the most extensive all-girls sports program in New York city.
