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A QUEENS COURIER SPECIAL SECTION Communitiesof FAITH, KNOWLEDGE andSERVICE Divine Wisdom Catholic Academy: ‘Preserving the Vision’ So far, things are going according to plan. Last September, the Divine Wisdom Catholic Academy in Douglaston expanded to Bayside, where it opened a second campus in place of St. Robert Bellarmine School. The expansion, which is part of a long-term strategic plan called “Preserving the Vision,” has been very successful, and was a vital step in the Academy’s efforts to grow. Under Preserving the Vision, all Catholic schools in the Diocese of Brooklyn would ultimately convert to an academy model, which would mean that principals report directly to the Board of Directors. “I think it’s gone very well,” said Secretary to the Board Kathy Furlong. “Enrollment has remained steady, which is what we were hoping for, and our goal is to grow into an academy with two classes per grade. That doesn’t just happen overnight, but we’ve invested a lot into this building, and we’re looking to hopefully grow into it even further.” The Divine Wisdom Catholic Academy in Douglaston, which was formerly St. Anastasia until 2009, currently has approximately 440 students, and the new Bayside campus has just over 200. With 20-30 new students enrolled, the Board’s goal of having two classes on each grade level seems easily achievable. In addition to the preexisting facilities, the new campus also features smartboards in every classroom, entirely new furnishings, and a fresh coat of paint. “St. Robert Bellarmine School is no longer there, although the Divine Academy is located in the same building and maintains very close ties with the parish,” explained Furlong. “The parish staff is still very much involved with the education of the students, and things are where we want them to be right now.” The Bayside campus of Divine Wisdom Catholic Academy is located at 56-10 214th street, and more info can be found at www. dwcaonline.org.


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