The only private, Catholic high school for girls in Philadelphia
Embracing faith, family and education
Student Leadership
At Nazareth, girls have many opportunities to discover themselves as leaders. Through our many clubs, activities, and athletic teams our girls are empowered to make decisions, plan events, and work collaboratively with their teachers and fellow classmates in an effort to advance the mission of Nazareth.
Hey Nazareth! My name is Piper McHugh, and I am so beyond honored to serve as your Student Body President for the 2026–2027 school year! When I was in grade school at St. Cecilia’s, I remember feeling overwhelmed by the thought that one decision could shape the four years ahead of me. But from the moment I walked up those chapel steps, I felt something. I knew Nazareth was where I was meant to be. Four years later, I can honestly say that Naz has become so much more than a school, it has become my home, my family, and a place that has shaped me into the woman I am today. Throughout my time at Naz, I have been involved in Naz News, multiple honor societies, various clubs, Kairos as a leader, and athletics, including swimming and track. I was also so lucky to be Little Miss Freshman, which gave me one of my first opportunities to truly get involved and make memories with my sisters. Outside of school, I dance, love working out and staying active, and my favorite things are spending time with my family and friends and going to the beach. More than anything, Naz has taught me to take risks, try new things, live in the moment, and always look for ways to make the people around me feel loved. It has taught me that kindness is the greatest talent a person can have, and that sometimes the smallest acts of kindness can make the biggest difference in someone’s day. I never could have imagined that the little girl walking up those chapel steps would one day have the opportunity to serve as Student Body President, and I am endlessly grateful that Nazareth gave me a place where that dream could become a reality. My biggest piece of advice is to take risks, try new things, and never be afraid of what is coming, because you never know what could happen until you try. I am so excited for this year, for all the memories we will make, to lead with positivity, and for the chance to give back to the community that has given me so much!
Hi everyone! My name is Francesca Altieri and I am honored to be serving as the Student Body Vice President for the 2026-2027 school year! I previously attended St. Ephrem School in Bensalem and am the first in my family to become a Panda, and it has been nothing short of amazing! From the moment I came to Naz, I felt so comfortable and willing to get involved because of all the overwhelming support from the community. Along with being a Student Council member since my freshmen year I have also been given the oppurtunties of being the Head Senior Editor of The Marygold, a Senior Kairos Leader, a member of multiple honors societies and clubs, Naz News Co-President and anchor, as well as participating in Naz-A-Thon and being an executive my junior year! Nazareth has given me countless oppurtunities to push myself to be my best academically and has shaped me into the confident woman I am today, willing to take on any challenge. Coming to Nazareth has been life changing, and I can't wait for you all to experience it yourselves and love it as much as I do!
Hi, everyone! My name is Meredith Hawkinson, and I am proud to say that I am the Student Body Secretary for the 2026-2027 Leadership Team! Upon reflecting on the past three years I have spent here at Nazareth, I find myself extremely grateful to have the chance to serve my school through this position. Here at Nazareth, I have been supported in every aspect since freshman year. Over the course of multiple semesters, as I have taken various challenging classes and discovered passions for certain subjects, I have been supported by teachers who demonstrate genuine care and interest in my success as a student. Furthermore, I have always been encouraged to participate in numerous extracurricular activities. For example, I am on the swim team and outdoor track team, participate in the fall musical and chorus, am a member of the National Honor Society, and am involved in our senior retreat as a Kairos Leader. Lastly, I personally have found that the most valuable experience I have had at this school is in the strong presence of a sisterhood here. In every class and every extracurricular, I encounter girls who never cease to amaze me through their kindness, hard-working nature, constant support, and individual talents. Therefore, I am forever thankful to Nazareth to providing me with the numerous opportunities, friendships, and chances to learn that have shaped me into the person I am today. As my time here at Nazareth begins to approach the end, I hope to continue to spread this love for our school to all current and future Pandas!
Hi everyone! I am Emma Biederman and I am your treasurer for the 2026-2027 school year. Nazareth is my second home, and there is nothing like the sisterhood here. Nazareth has allowed me to grow as a student, friend, and especially into the person I am today. Some of the things I am involved in are Naz News, Kairos, Naz-A-Thon, prom committee, and more! I’m so grateful for Nazareth and the community.
Student Leadership Organizations
The leadership clubs are a snapshot of the many clubs and activities that Nazareth Academy High School has to offer. These officers of these clubs are recognized as student leaders throughout our school community. The moderators and student leaders of these clubs promote student learning, enhance personal growth, and help students realize their full potential as part of their preparation for leading a satisfying and productive life. At Nazareth Academy High School our girls are more than just students.
The function of the Student Council is to represent student views to the faculty and administration and vice-versa. To accomplish this, members concern themselves with the student concerns, help to develop and maintain school spirit by providing activities and encouraging participation in them, and assist in maintaining discipline throughout the school. Student Council members and officers are elected from the senior, junior and sophomore classes. Homeroom presidents may be called in as ex-officio members of Council. Elected late in the first semester, 12 freshmen become associates and serve as councilors for the second semester.
They are the “face” of Nazareth and the school representation inside and outside of the campus. Their sense of loyalty, responsibility and duty, along with spiritedness and creativity adds to our school atmosphere and makes Nazareth Academy High School a welcoming home for all.
Since 1950, Nazareth Academy High School has been a chartered member of the National Honor Society. As a chartered affiliate of the organization, Nazareth’s Lumen Christi Chapter operates strictly according to guidelines established by the national constitutions. The object of the National Honor Society, on both the national and local levels, is to encourage students to work for high standards of character, service, leadership, and scholarship.
Admission to the National Honor Society should not be looked upon as a reward for what a given student has done. Rather, it should be looked upon as acknowledgment of the fact that the student subscribes to National Honor Society values and acts accordingly. Thus, after induction, each National Honor Society member continues to practice the four qualities which formed the basis for her election. Failure to maintain National Honor Society standards constitute grounds for dismissal from the society.
Nazareth Academy High School’s Community Service Corp (CSC) provides students with the opportunity to live out the words expressed by His Holiness, John Paul II, “Enjoy the privilege of your youth: the right to be dynamic, creative and spontaneous, the right to be full of hope and joy, and above all, the chance to give of yourself to others in generous joyful service.”
For members of the Community Service Corp, service is a year round experience that includes:
- Collecting school supplies for area grade schools
- Gathering winter clothing and food for local shelters
- Serving holiday meals to older adults at senior centers
- Mentoring children in their schools and communities
Other major service projects include Operation Santa Claus, the Thanksgiving Food Drive, and the Bread Basketball program which raises over eight tons of canned vegetables, beverages, cereals, baby supplies, toiletries, and more for those in need.
