Dear friends of Chesterton, Perhaps surprisingly, April is one of the most rewarding months at Chesterton Academy. Of course, April is busy, as the end of the year and its many important events are hurtling toward us. And it is bittersweet as seniors approach the completion of their studies and prepare to continue their studies in college. What, then, makes April so rewarding?
Over the course of the year, students grow in faith, intellect, and character. This happens through the acquisition of different virtues. A virtue is a distinctively human excellence that makes someone a beautiful person, such as kindness, generosity, wisdom, discernment, eloquence, magnanimity, honesty, and so on. All of the virtues are traits that, when we practice them diligently, become "second nature," as Aquinas puts it.
Thinking about virtue, we might be tempted to think of school as something like training camp. Students work through their school years so that they are ready to graduate and move on to other things. However, classical schools are much more than training grounds. The things students do at Chesterton are the things we hope they will do for life. Worshipping together, reading the great books and seeking the truth, being loving friends, diligently completing meaningful work, striving for excellence in the athletic or artistic talents the Lord has blessed us with: these shape the day-to-day life of someone fully alive and truly free.
Why, then, is April rewarding? Because the day-to-day life of Chesterton is enriched by the fruits of a year of growth. Students do all these things better in April than they could in September. Seminar discussions are richer, more focused, and more full of wonder. Theology classes penetrate more deeply into the mysteries of the faith. Student essays are more eloquent and thought-provoking. Participation at Mass is more reverent and intentional. Dances are freer and friendships are more deeply personal.
April is certainly not the end of our life-long journey toward virtue! But it is a great blessing to see young people grow, to see them doing beautiful things they could not do before, or could not do as well. Thank you for your prayers and support for our community, and we hope you will come visit us for our spring concert this Friday, or simply to see a Chesterton class in action! Rise up, Knights! Gratefully yours in Christ,
Robert Duffy, PhD Headmaster, on behalf of the CAOLH Leadership Team |
Join us for our annual Spring Concert this Friday, May 1st at 6:30pm in the Chesterton Academy Chapel! |
***Save the Date!***
Next Annual Gala
January 28, 2027 |
Welcome, Director of Operations, Yaneli Almonte!
My name is Yaneli Almonte-Arias, and I am honored and grateful to join Chesterton Academy of Our Lady of Hope as the Director of School Operations. As a mother of two and an educator with over 16 years of experience, I deeply understand the trust families place in a school each day.
I earned my Bachelor of Science in Event and Sport Management, with a concentration in Psychology, from Johnson & Wales University. I am also completing my MBA in Organizational Leadership. My professional background spans over a decade in operations and customer service with Gillette Stadium and Showcase Cinemas, as well as leadership roles in education. I served as Director of Before and After School Programs at the YMCA for four years, followed by eight years with the Chariho School Department and three years with the Providence Public School Department. In addition to my professional work, I actively support and collaborate with Stop the Wait RI, a nonprofit organization of parents, educators, advocates, and community leaders committed to amplifying parent voices and advocating for a stronger educational landscape for all children.
Read more here. |
Welcome, Academic Dean, Dr. Robert Gervasini!
Dr. Robert Gervasini is a native Rhode Islander who first discovered the Classics at Providence College, where his love for the Ancient Greek and Christian wisdom traditions was born. After graduating in 2015, Robert earned his MA and PhD in philosophy at the Catholic University of America. He has earned scholarships and distinctions in his scholarly work. Robert has taught undergraduate courses in the history of philosophy, Western Civilization, Ethics, and Ancient Greek language. Robert and his wife Miriam met in Italy and now live in Southern RI. Robert is looking forward to serving as the Academic Dean at Chesterton Academy, where young men and women are formed by their encounter with the Classics. In addition to being the Academic Dean at Chesterton, Robert is an adjunct professor at Providence College.
|
Join us for daily Mass
During the month of April, 10 different priests celebrated Mass at Chesterton. We are so grateful for the continued support of the diocese and these holy men. |
Share prayer requests. If you would like Chesterton families to share in your intention - anonymous or otherwise - let us know, and we will share it in our newsletter. You can also request a Mass intention. |
2026 Lenten Appeal - Thank you for your support!
Thanks to your generosity, we surpassed our goal of raising $15,000 and maximized the $15,000 match, raising over $30,000 during our Lenten appeal. Every gift we receive helps us provide an excellent and affordable Catholic, Classical education right here in Rhode Island. We are so grateful for your support on this mission! |
Chesterton Schools Network Summit
This June, several members of our faculty and staff will be traveling to Ave Maria University for the Chesterton Schools Network Annual Summit where they will attend a multi-day conference designed to enrich and expand their teaching and administrative knowledge, and learn more about how Chesterton Academy of Our Lady of Hope can continue to grow and expand. Please pray for our faculty and staff members and for a fruitful conference!
|
Students in Mr. Magaña's science class use compost to build raised beds on our campus. |
Thank you to all those who joined us for our Work Party on Saturday, April 11th! Your generosity of time and resources helps to strengthen our community and continue to improve our school building and grounds. |
Our Spring Dance was a big success! Thank you to all those who helped put this fun night together for our students! |
On Divine Mercy Sunday, Chesterton students gathered to sing at St. Timothy's Parish Mass celebrated by Bishop Bruce Lewandowski. Thank you St. Timothy Parish, Deacon Andrade, and Fr. Perri for inviting us to perform and helping to raise $1,600 which will be used to fully stock our pews with St. Michael Hymnals! |
|
|
|
Thank you to all the parents who made our Red Robin Fundraiser a huge success! |
Wisdom from G.K. Chesterton |
"[Fairy tales] are not fantasies: compared with them other things are fantastic.” |
|
|
|
|
