History

Presentation Academy, founded in 1831 by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth and located at 861 South Fourth Street, is the oldest continuously operating high school in Louisville. A Catholic, college-preparatory high school for girls, Presentation Academy emphasizes excellence in academics, leadership and personal development. The programs at Presentation are designed to enhance the student’s academic, physical, cultural, spiritual and social growth, thus preparing her to become a mature Christian young woman and a responsible citizen.

Located in the heart of downtown Louisville, Presentation Academy provides a unique opportunity for students to experience firsthand the business, social, religious, and cultural attributes which only a downtown school can offer. Presentation attracts students from over 50 different zip codes throughout Jefferson, Oldham, Bullitt and Shelby counties as well as southern Indiana. With students coming from a wide variety of geographic, economic, social and cultural backgrounds, a Presentation Academy educational experience is truly a broadening one.

Mission Statement

In the spirit of Catherine Spalding and the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, Presentation Academy strives to create a diverse educational community that challenges young women to develop their greatest potential as leaders in a global society.

Vision

Presentation Academy enriches students, faculty and the community spiritually, physically, socially, and intellectually by advancing the tradition of academic excellence and innovation in a vibrant, diverse, embracing and inclusive institution.

Core Values

Presentation Academy’s core values create a unique learning environment for young women. They include:

Faith – We will develop women of faith whose values guide their lives.

Excellence – We will pursue excellence in all that we do.

Social Justice – We will cherish a socially just society in which every group has a voice, every culture receives respect, and every individual has equal access to resources and the means to communicate.

Respect – We will treat each person with whom we come in contact with dignity and respect.

Honesty and Integrity – We will act with truth, honesty and openness in all of our dealings. We will deal fairly with everyone.

Tradition – We will balance the rich tradition of our past with innovation and creativity for the future.

Diversity – To prepare students for living and leading in a diverse and complex world, we welcome students, families, faculty, staff and trustees with differences, including race, color, ethnicity, religion, age, gender, family structure, nationality, and economic background.

Family and Community – We will preserve family values and service as key ingredients in the student learning experience.

Women of the World – Through our excellent education program we will prepare each young woman to improve her own life and contribute significantly to the future of our global society.