Why Academy of Holy Angels?

Our motto is Believe. Achieve. At AHA, this is more than a phrase, it’s the foundation of everything we do. We are passionate about helping our STARS believe in themselves, their potential, and the power of a supportive community. From academics and faith to leadership, service, and the arts, we’re here to guide and challenge our students as they achieve their goals.

We continuously strive to create a welcoming, supportive school environment where every student is seen, known, and valued. At AHA, students don’t just prepare for college, they grow in confidence, character, and connection, shaping a future rooted in purpose.

Our Priority Application Deadline of December 15, 2025, has passed. Applications submitted at this time will be reviewed in our second-round decisions. We encourage families to continue completing their admissions checklist.

★ Feel Welcome from Day One

Award-Winning Culture

Award-Winning Culture - AHA’s positive, supportive culture benefits students and teachers alike. We've been named a Star Tribune Top Workplace, an honor based on staff feedback that reflects the healthy, encouraging environment we've built together. When teachers feel valued and inspired, students thrive.

The AHA Way - Our award-winning program, The AHA Way, fosters a school community rooted in kindness, respect, inclusion, and care. It's more than a philosophy, it's how we treat each other every day, creating a place where everyone feels welcome and supported.

No Cell Phone Policy - AHA maintains a no cell phone policy during the school day to support focus, connection, and meaningful learning. With fewer distractions, students are more engaged in the classroom and build stronger relationships with their teachers and peers. Read More

Make Lifelong Friendships

A Fresh Start for Everyone - AHA welcomes students from 110 different feeder schools, creating a vibrant mix of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Every student enters ninth grade with the opportunity to build new friendships and begin their high school journey with a fresh start.

Everyone is New in 9th Grade - Since AHA does not have a middle school, every student begins their journey here in ninth grade. No large friend groups already exist, making it easier for students to connect, feel included, and build meaningful relationships from the very beginning.

Intentional Transition Support - We’re intentional about helping students adjust and feel at home. Starting in the summer and continuing through the first trimester, AHA provides a range of activities and programs designed to help students get acclimated socially and academically, setting the stage for a confident, successful start to high school.

Small Class Sizes

The Right Size for Connection - With 630 students in grades 9–12 and class sizes ranging from 17–20 students, AHA offers the best of both worlds: a close-knit community where students are known by name and a wide range of opportunities to get involved.

A "Just Right" Fit - Each grade level includes roughly 155–175 students, which we believe is the sweet spot, large enough to offer diverse experiences and friendships, yet small enough to ensure every student is seen, supported, and valued.

Student-Centered Classrooms - Our class sizes are intentionally designed to promote engaged learning, active participation, and meaningful interaction with teachers. Every student is empowered to grow both academically and personally.

Community Diversity

A Welcoming, Inclusive Community - Diversity is one of AHA’s greatest strengths. While 65% of our students are Catholic, we proudly welcome students of all faiths and backgrounds, creating a community that reflects the richness of the wider world.

Culturally Rich and Growing - 31% of our students identify as non-white, and we are honored to serve a growing number of Spanish-speaking families. Our diverse student body brings a variety of perspectives, experiences, and cultures to campus, enriching daily life for everyone.

Committed to Accessibility - AHA is deeply committed to making our education accessible. Each year, we provide tuition assistance to over 50% of our families, helping ensure that students from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds can thrive here. Serving families from all walks of life has always been central to our mission.

★ Thrive in our Classrooms

Committed Teachers

Experienced and Dedicated Faculty - Our teachers bring an average of 12 years of experience to the classroom, with 78% holding advanced degrees. This stability and expertise create a consistent, high-quality learning environment that students and families can rely on year after year.
Beyond the Classroom - Many of our teachers also serve as coaches and club moderators, allowing them to build meaningful relationships with students outside of class. These connections help foster a strong sense of community and support.
Committed to Student Success - Because our faculty engage with students in multiple ways, they are uniquely positioned to understand and support each student’s academic, social, and personal growth.

Supported, Prepared Students

Comprehensive College & Career Support - AHA’s best-in-class College & Career Center (CCC) offers personalized guidance starting in 9th grade. Each student is paired with their own college and career counselor who partners with families throughout high school, guiding students from early exploration to final college admissions.

Strong Academic Support - Our Learning Center offers tailored support through programs like Learning Variations (LV) and Response to Intervention (RTI), helping students succeed academically with structure and ongoing progress monitoring.
Dedicated Guidance Counselors - Every student has a dedicated guidance counselor to assist with schedule changes, social support, and daily needs, ensuring they have the resources to thrive throughout their AHA journey.

Advanced Curriculum

Top-Tier Advanced Placement Recognition - AHA is proud to be one of only 10 schools in Minnesota to earn the Platinum recognition on the 2023 & 2024 Advanced Placement School Honor Roll. This prestigious award, the highest level available, highlights the strength and rigor of our college preparatory curriculum.
Strong Student Participation and Success - In the 2024-25 school year, 307 students completed 648 AP exams, demonstrating our students’ commitment to academic challenge and excellence.
Impressive Exam Results - Of the exams taken, 80% scored 3 or higher, and 115 students were recognized as AP Scholars, underscoring the high level of achievement across our AP program.

★ Be a STAR on our Teams & Clubs

No-Cut Policy

Freshman Friendly No Cut Policy - AHA embraces a no-cut policy for freshmen, ensuring every student has the chance to explore and participate in extracurricular activities from the start of high school.

Encouraging Broad Involvement - This approach is especially meaningful as many students are new to AHA, coming from over 110 different feeder schools. It helps them build new friendships and find their place in the community.
Opportunities to Stay Engaged - Thanks to our ideal school size, many students can participate and compete in their chosen activities all four years. In larger schools, increased competition can limit opportunities for long-term involvement.

Opportunities Abound

Wide Range of Activities - AHA offers 53 different sports, activities, and clubs, providing students with countless opportunities to explore their interests beyond the classroom. We regularly evaluate and expand these options based on student interest.
Proven Athletic Excellence - Over the past three years, AHA has earned 36 conference championships and celebrated 285 student-athletes who received All-Conference honors.
Strong State-Level Performance - Our programs have made 22 state appearances, with 37 students recognized as All-State athletes, showcasing the high level of talent and dedication within our community.

An Engaged Student Body

High Levels of Student Involvement - At AHA, over 90% of students participate in at least one sport, activity, or club, and many are involved in three or more extracurriculars throughout the year.
Well-Rounded Student Experience - It’s common for students to be involved in multiple activities, even within the same season, thanks to our supportive culture and flexible scheduling.
Building Skills for Life - Through their involvement, students build friendships, explore new interests, and develop essential life skills like time management, teamwork, and leadership, all of which prepare them for success beyond high school.

★ Grow in Faith & Service

Service

Service at the Heart of AHA - Service is a core part of life at AHA and is woven into academics, student organizations, and athletics. As part of our commitment to forming compassionate, engaged leaders, every student completes service experiences each trimester that become part of their service portfolio.

Expanding Impact Through Partnerships - Our Campus Ministry Team works with a variety of local organizations to connect students with meaningful volunteer opportunities throughout the Twin Cities.
Inspiring a Lifelong Commitment to Service - By engaging in diverse service experiences, students gain a deeper understanding of community needs and the value of giving back, lessons that stay with them long after graduation.

Campus Ministry Team

Senior Leadership Through Campus Ministry Team (CMT) - Seniors have the opportunity to join AHA’s Campus Ministry Team (CMT), a unique leadership course that empowers students to serve in areas of faith, service, and pastoral care, enriching the spiritual life of our entire school community.
Mentorship and Peer Support - CMT members serve as faith mentors for our ninth-grade students, meeting with them weekly to provide guidance and build connection during their first year at AHA.
Leading with Purpose - CMT students play a central role in planning and leading class retreats, school Masses, and prayer services, offering meaningful experiences that strengthen the faith life of the school.

Daily Prayer & More

Faith Woven Into Daily Life - As a Catholic school, AHA is proud to celebrate our faith throughout the year. Each day begins with a short, student-led prayer, and our entire community gathers monthly for all-school Mass.
Opportunities for Spiritual Growth - Students are invited to deepen their faith through a variety of optional activities, including morning rosary, Faith Club, Liturgy Quad, and more.
Faith in Action, On and Off Campus - Whether in prayer, service, or community, AHA encourages students to live out their faith in meaningful ways, both during the school day and beyond.

Our award winning AHA Way program intentionally create a caring, welcoming, inclusive, and respectful school environment at Academy of Holy Angels

AHA was named a 2021 School of Distinction by Cognia. AHA was one of just 59 schools worldwide and the only school in Minnesota to receive this honor.

AHA was 1 of only 10 schools in Minnesota to earn the Platinum recognition on the 2023 and 2024 Advanced Placement School Honor Roll.

AHA has been name a Star Tribune Top Workplace annually since 2017.

Dan Keller
Director of Admissions
dkeller@ahastars.org
612-798-0764

Joe Berg
Associate Director of Admissions
jberg@ahastars.org
612-798-2624

AHA Need-based scholarships