Academy of Our Lady, opened in August, 2007, draws on the strengths and traditions of both Immaculata High School and Archbishop Blenk High School. These two schools joined to create the Academy, a place where the “best of both worlds” meet to instill in young women the drive for life-long learning, the skills to succeed in society, and the values to live as Catholic Christians.

Immaculata High School opened in 1956 as part of Immaculate Conception Parish and was served by the School Sisters of Notre Dame until 1979. At that time, the Salesian Sisters accepted this ministry and have since been the heartbeat of the school. Through the years, additions and renovations to the campus have been added. The Chapel, which has been designated the West Bank Shrine to Mary Help of Christians, was added in 1984.

Archbishop Blenk High School opened in 1962 and was dedicated to the life and memory of Archbishop James Hubert Blenk. Born in Bavaria in 1856, he became a Marist priest and his religious career led him to the Archdiocese of New Orleans in 1905. His episcopacy was marked by a program of expansion and organization in the Archdiocese that included the construction of parochial schools in suburban areas of New Orleans. The school was originally staffed by Marianite Sisters and was eventually led by lay personnel until the Salesian Sisters accepted the administration in 2006.

Under the Salesian Sisters, the Academy seeks to educate the whole person, drawing its inspiration from St. John Bosco’s educational system of reason, religion, and loving kindness. St. Mary Mazzarello became his partner and extended this philosophy to young women.