This has been an amazing small community-driven school. Parents and families are very involved,…read moreand wouldn't have it any other way! Even though it is small, the academics are challenging, yet there are so many opportunities to get help that there is really no reason for anyone to fall too far behind. The kids are great, kind to each other - no bullying at all, no gangs, no drugs, which is really saying something in a high-crime area like Tucson which definitely has these problems in the majority of schools. Administration and teachers are wonderful, clearly mission-focused on education of the whole student. The athletics program is small but robust, with teams that usually place very competitively. Graduation rate is 100%! We've been very very happy here!

Dear Reverend Mother: I reside in the United States in…read moreTucson, Arizona. I am writing to you regarding the Immaculate Heart Academy School in Tucson. I have two daughters who have attended Immaculate Heart Academy from Pre-k to Preschool to present. They are both now currently in 7th and 8th grade. I am coming to you now and humbly ask for your direction and guidance with a situation my wife and I are no longer able to keep quiet. This has to do with the direction and lack of leadership the school has had in the hands of Sister Alice Martinez and Sister Veronica Loya. For the most part in past years I believed the school was thriving and my daughters were on the right path, both educationally and religiously. For the past 3 years I have witnessed a downfall in care and quality of education in the middle school. What was once pride in education and vocational direction now has become money induced greed and how little the school can do to gain more. Disguised and powered by the elementary grades who need so little and who have quality teachers. I have had numerous encounters in the last few years with both Sister Alice and Sister Veronica regarding these issues and concerns and was met with a less than united front from both Sisters. When I brought the quality of education and lack of teaching staff and accreditation by the Science and Math programs it was told to me by Sister Alice that Sister Veronica was to blame. It became more about blaming than action more about insignificant things than addressing my valid concerns. I was told that Sister Alice warned Sister Veronica on her hiring of teachers and how there was a lack in knowledge and education. When Sister Veronica addressed my issues and concerns I was met with the same destained manner. Sister Veronica was very cold and dismissing of my concerns about the quality of teachings in 6th, 7th and 8th grades. Tutoring does not exist in the school. It is left up to the teachers who mostly work part time and are able to dismiss the kids with their needs if it does not meet their personal agendas. My oldest daughter, has made 1st Honors every grade since elementary and I believe and despite the lack of knowledge and energy in the teachers she continues to thrive in middle school. I can no longer keep quiet. I went to the diocese and asked for guidance and was told that the Sisters run the school but that the Reverend Mother is head of all things and I could get in contact with her. When I asked Sister Veronica who I can go to higher who may be able to help me with my concerns above her since I was not being helped and was being very dismissed, her response to me was asking what it was I wanted to do? Did I want to get someone fired? Did I want to get her fired. This is not ok and is not what I expected or how I've ever felt being affiliated with Immaculate Heart. She then went on to suggest maybe she should retire. Completely dismissing any help or guidance. My daughters have attended Immaculate Heart Academy since they were babies and now at the age of 13 & 14 are feeling like the school is not the same school they grew up in. In 2020 my family and I lost our home and had to relocate and live with family members. I have since defaulted on my financial responsibilities although each year that defaulted I was never once contacted or approached by Sister Veronica or her office staff to let us know of the amounts that were owed each year since 2023. This year after my encounters with the Sisters, Sister Veronica had approached me with what I was going to do about my financials with the school to which I responded each and every time to let her know of what my plans were. It has been a difficult few years for us this was the first time in all our years with the school that I have been approached and now I received a letter from Sister Veronica telling me that me and my family were not welcomed back for my youngest daughters last year with Immaculate Heart. My youngest will be in 8th grade next year. My oldest will be graduating 8th grade this year. We are extremely heartbroken and feel that we need guidance and for you to intercede with these issues and concerns. I speak for other parents as well when I say that it feels very money hungry with extreme lack of support or care for quality education. The teachers that are hired by Sister Veronica fail to meet high quality standards and accreditation that is falsely flaunted and you would see lack of knowledge in subjects they are being in charge of grading our students. Transcripts speak for themselves and you will see multiple kids who normally receive high honors failed in there grades as they get into middle school and I strongly believe it is the quality of teachings and lack of support and energy Sister Veronica is allowing the teachers to have towards studies and students. Reverend Mother, if you could please intercede and give me some guidance on this, I would be most appreciative. Respectfully