 MissionFontbonne Hall Academy is a Roman Catholic 6 through 12 college preparatory school for young women. It is rooted in the vision and
values of Jesus Christ and inspired by the charism of the Sisters of
Saint Joseph. Providing challenging educational opportunities,
Fontbonne instills in its students the skills and values that will
empower them to create their future in an ever-changing world.  History of Fontbonne Hall AcademyUntil its purchase in 1937 by the Sisters of Saint Joseph, as the home for Fontbonne Hall Academy, the original 1895 building located at 9901 Shore Rd. had a storied past which included its use as a speakeasy and casino. Named in honor of Mother Saint John Fontbonne, who led the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph during the dark days of the French Revolution, the Academy opened in September 1937, welcoming forty students. Behind the original building, there was a carriage house that was renovated to accommodate classrooms and a meeting room. Sister Dolorita, the first Superior and Principal, planned the use of both buildings, allocating areas for the school and those for housing the first Sisters assigned to Fontbonne. As Fontbonne’s reputation for academic excellence grew, so did its enrollment and the need for more space. Currently the campus consists of five building: an auditorium/gymnasium built in 1940; the Sacred Heart Building completed in 1951; the Ita Ford building erected in 1980, and later named in memory of Maryknoll Sister Ita Ford (FHA 1957) who was martyred in El Salvador. The Ita Ford building boasts a state-of-the art science and robotics lab, making FHA a leader in STEAM education in the NY Metropolitan Area. Most recently, the 1st floor classrooms of the old carriage house, recently renamed Visitation Hall, were completely renovated to house The Visitation Program, a middle school program for young ladies. With the addition of a middle school in September 2024, Fontbonne Hall Academy is recognized and chartered by the NY State Board of Regents as a 6-12 Academy for the education of young women. We continue to provide a rigorous academic program as well as a nurturing environment where young women can grow spiritually, emotionally, and socially. We have been empowering young women for over 80 years and are proud of our heritage. Our alumnae, women of faith and confidence, bring their Fontbonne acquired skills and values into a variety of professions to contribute to the common good and make the world a more just place for all.  History of the Sisters of St. JosephThe Sisters of Saint Joseph were founded in Le-Puy France in 1650. They were ordinary women
of their time, without habit or cloister, who shared an extraordinary desire for union with God
and the “dear neighbor.” From the beginning, they were “sisters of the neighborhood” who
looked at the problems and sought to cure them.” The growth of the Congregation was
interrupted by the outbreak of the French Revolution (1789-99). Caught in the social and
political turmoil of the times, the Congregation was disbanded. Some Sisters were guillotined;
others went into hiding or returned to their families.
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