History of the Academy

A small seed was planted in the soil of France when a young woman named Anne Marie Rivier, began her small congregation on November  21, 1796, during the French Revolution.  At this time of persecution, when all churches and religious communities were disbanding and closing, there flourished a group of women known as the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary.  Mother Rivier’s hope and predictions were that some day her daughters would cross the oceans to other continents to serve and save a multitude of souls.

This dream was realized when a group of sisters arrived in Canada in 1853 and rapidly spread throughout the country and into the United States.  Following many years of ministry in several different areas, such as Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont and Massachusetts, the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary bought the Searles Estate in Methuen in 1957.  Among several buildings on the property were a carriage house and garage.  These were converted into a few classrooms…humble beginnings of the Presentation of Mary Academy.

During his lifetime, Mr. Edward Searles, an advocate of education and advancement, built two schools in Methuen to bring learning and culture to this industrial part of the state.  It would seem only right and fitting that an Academy would find itself on the very grounds of his property.

In 1958, the Academy opened its doors to twenty freshmen.  In 1959, another group of twenty registered.  As more students enrolled, more classes became necessary.  In 1962 a new wing was build to accommodate the increasing number of students.  Also that same year, PMA held its first graduation for twenty-one seniors.

Another wing was added in 1987 providing four classrooms, a library and a cafeteria.  The Academy acquired the former Art Studio in June of 1992, which now houses the Advancement Office, and two small classrooms.  During the summer of 1994, the former cafeteria or multi-purpose room, as it was called, was remodeled into two classrooms, a Campus Ministry Office and a kitchenette.

On October 31, 1963 the Academy received its papers of affiliation from the Catholic University of America.  In December 1998, the school was accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc.

There have been six principals since the school’s foundation.  Sister St. Martina was the first who administered the school with zeal and dedication for eleven years.  In 1969, Sister Helena Laberge, who had taught in the school under Sister St. Martina, replaced her as head of the school and wisely guided it for five years.  Sister Claire Vanasse was the third administrator devoting her services to the school for six years.  Sister Therese Boucher guided the school for 10 years and Sister Rose Marie Dupré worked untiringly for the growth of the Academy for 12 years until she took on the role of President of the School.  Presently, Rose Maria DiFiore Redman, class of 1985 is the school’s sixth and first lay principal.

The teaching staff has grown from three in its earliest stages to 20 full and part-time teachers in order to offer the latest in educational development.  The staff in total exceeds 40.  Student enrollment has grown from 20 to 287, which is close to full capacity.

  As of now, over 1600 young women heave graduated from the school.  A high percentage of the graduates attend colleges and universities throughout the United States.  Many have earned master degrees and several have been awarded doctorates. A wide variety of positions are held by these young women in the professional fields:  lawyers, doctors, teachers, engineers, and artists.  The Academy has led young women of various backgrounds to pursue excellence in their lives, and to benefit their communities.

The humble seed planted almost 200 years ago by Mother Rivier continues to grow, to blossom, and to spread, striving to reach its full potential in beauty and in service.

Congregation of the Presentation of Mary  

The Congregation of the Presentation of Mary Academy is the result of one woman’s sensitive insight to the needs of others.  She possessed the rare ability to merge the past and the future into the present.  Seeking to bring happiness into the lives of others, Anne Marie Rivier, our Foundress, dealt  with the social concerns  of her day through Faith education.  It was during the turbulent times of the French Revolution that her Christian education significantly affected both youth and the adult population.

Influenced and supported by her parents’ staunch Christian background, Anne Marie Rivier’s desire was to serve humanity, and in so doing, she became a sign of peace in whatever situation she found herself.  In looking to Christ as her model and guide, she sought to bring others to a deeper understanding of themselves.  Respectful of individual differences, Anne Marie Rivier’s rule was to accept people at their level, and to develop in them a sound character so essential to the integrated person.  She sought to provide an atmosphere in which moral, social, and theological ideals could take firm root, be nurtured, and shared.

Anne Marie Rivier saw God’s will in all aspects of her life, and humbly submitted to His promptings in laying a solid foundation from which her Congregation grew.  She was a woman caught up with the hopeful vision that future goals could only be actualized through individual efforts united in heart.  As a living witness to her own beliefs, Anne Marie Rivier sought to know, love, and serve Christ according to the Gospel values.

For this heritage left by our Foundress we are grateful, as we strive to meet the needs, problems, and creativity of today’s youth.  It is our desire, as faculty of Presentation of Mary Academy, to live out the spirit of these traditions in all of our educational endeavors.

For more information on the Congregation of the Presentation of Mary, please click here.

About Our Logo

The logo of the Presentation of Mary Academy begins with a circle symbolizing the unity of students, staff, parents and alumnae.   1958 is the year of the foundation and the date was placed within the circle to emphasize that the Academy would continue through the centuries.

“Domina Mea” indicates that the Academy has been placed under the protection and guidance of the Blessed Mother.   The Congregation of the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary who direct the institution was founded by Blessed Anne Marie Rivier and has for their motto “All for God, All through Love.”

The lily represents Mary and the purity of intention under which the school was established.  The pistal/stamen reminds us of the Trinity who enables the staff to proclaim the Gospel message with wisdom and strength to all who pass through the doors of the Academy.  The crown is Mary’s influence and presence in the direction of the school.

In the back ground of the lily is the Searles’ Shield.  The Academy is located on the estate which once belonged to Mary and Edward Searles.  The burning castle relates the legend of the logo.  A rivalry existed between the Stanton’s and the Harcourts of England.  Stanton’s daughter was in love with the son of the Harcourt’s.   When the Stanton’s attacked the Harcourts’ castle and as it was going up in flames, they saw their daughter in the tower of the Harcourts.  You can see two figures in the towers.

Both the lily and the castle are placed in the backdrop of a diamond.  This diamond suggests that the students are prepared for the world with precision and love.

Letter from the Principal

Welcome to PMA! Welcome to a school that promotes "respect, support, and encouragement both in and out of the classroom and where the love of Christ is visible and evident." The staff and faculty of Presentation of Mary Academy are committed to offering a quality education, based on the values of Jesus Christ. We work hard to foster a family-like atmosphere.

Our responsibility to your child goes above and beyond what is taught in the classroom. All of our after school organizations and sports are committed to fostering leadership, excellence and self-discipline. These activities work towards achieving the common good for PMA and the community.

Be assured that the commitment and sacrifices you have made for your son or daughter to attend PMA will be rewarded. PMA is the place where your child comes to learn, to grow and to become an integral part of society.

In closing, please know that my door is always open. If you have any questions or concerns with regards to the school or your child's performance please note that I am only a phone call away.

Respectfully,

Rose Maria Redman
Principal

Mission and Philosophy

Presentation of Mary Academy provides a quality education that seeks to integrate Catholic beliefs and values with academic excellence, thus empowering students to assume roles of leadership and service to family, Church and community.

PMA is a private, Catholic, college preparatory high school, built on the tradition of the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary.

PMA is strongly committed to:

• Welcoming students from a variety of religious, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds in an environment that encourages mutual respect, support and responsibility.

• Providing an environment for students to reach their potential through fostering positive self-image, promoting self-discipline, developing critical thinking skills and enhancing each one's unique talents.

• Offering advanced placement, honors, college preparatory and elective courses that present students the opportunity for intellectual, spiritual and emotional growth.

• Developing students with strong morals and values through the study of the Bible and the teachings of Jesus; these provide the foundation for ongoing Christian growth.

• Encouraging participation in extra-curricular activities and athletics.

• Providing a dedicated faculty and staff, who challenge students to achieve and who serve as role models.

• Maintaining updated facilities to meet evolving educational needs.