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Mission Statement

Trinity Catholic Academy, a Pre-K to Grade 8 STREAM school, promotes academic excellence, the arts, athletics, and character through respect, compassion, and service, among our diverse family, inspired and guided by the wonder, beauty, and power of the Holy Trinity.   

History of Trinity Catholic Academy

The first Catholic school in the Southbridge area was opened by the pastor of Saint Mary’s Parish, Fr. John Drennan invited the Sisters of Saint Joseph to teach in the former Saint Peter’s church in 1889.

For almost forty years the reconditioned church served as the parish school. In 1936, Fr. Mullins, the pastor of the parish then completely renovated the school, providing such modern conveniences at the time as electric lights and clocks.

In the years that followed there were double grades for the elementary school on the first floor and the high school occupied the second floor, complete with a science lab housed in a tiny room over the main doorway.

New Changes

The next major change came in 1959 when the parish broke ground next to the school in what had been used as a ball field to build a modern high school. The new Saint Mary’s High School welcomed its first students in 1961 and the first class completely through the new school graduated in 1964.

The following year the school merged with Notre Dame High School and was known as Marianhill High School, a diocesan institution.

Three Schools into One

In 1988, Marianhill High School and Saint Mary’s Grammar School, along with the recently opened Saint Mary’s- Marianhill Junior High School merged into a single institution to be run by the diocese. These three schools now a unit were obviously named for the Trinity: Trinity Catholic Academy.

For various reasons, among them financial, the high school closed in 1991. The following year the grammar school moved into the high school building and eventually out of the home it had known for over a century.

That building was tragically lost in fire in December 1999.

However, the power and gift of Catholic education is solid and strong in the building that now houses Trinity Catholic Academy.

School Facts

  • TCA is a family where mutual respect, encouragement, and genuine interest in the educational development of our students is fostered and expected.
  • Accredited academic excellence. Trinity Catholic Academy is fully accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) with membership in NCEA and NECACE.
  • Offering students the advantage of over 120 years of excellence in Catholic education.
  • We are a private independent learning institution serving children and their families from Pre-Kindergarten through the 8th grade.
  • Graduating students are accepted to high schools of their choice including Bancroft School, Holy Name, Marianapolis, Notre Dame Academy, St. Johns, St. Peter-Marian, St. Mary’s, Worcester Academy, Pomfret Academy, Woodstock Academy and Bay Path Regional Vocational.
  • Offering full day Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten
  • Offering students an opportunity for prayer and patriotism by gathering every morning as a school to pray, pledge allegiance, and sing as well as many other opportunities for prayer.
  • 21 faculty and staff with 7 having advanced degrees.
  • Favorable teacher to student ratio
  • Busing is available to all Southbridge residents who meet the mileage requirements as stated by the town.

Faculty & Staff

Fr. Ken Cardinale, Pastor

Saint John Paul II Parish
508-765-3701

Fr. Wilmar Ramos, Associate Pastor

Saint John Paul II Parish
508-765-3701

Mrs. Josie Citta, Principal

[email protected]
508-765-5991
Extension 102

Mrs. Josie Citta was born and raised in Newburgh, New York.  After graduating from Newburgh Free Academy she went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts Degree at Mt. St. Mary College in Newburgh and graduated Magnum Cum Laude.  She spent three years teaching Math and Social Studies at the Bishop Dunn Memorial School, the campus school of Mt. St. Mary College and started her graduate work at the State University of New York at New Paltz.

In 1982 Mrs. Citta moved to Massachusetts after getting married and continued her graduate work at Worcester State College while raising her family.  In 1987, she received her Master of Education Degree.  During the years of her graduate education, Mrs. Citta was a member of a History Honor Society called Phi Alpha Theta.

In 1994 Mrs. Citta began her long and pleasurable career as a Social Studies teacher and later as the fifth grade teacher at Trinity Catholic Academy.  During those years, Mrs. Citta served on a Teacher Advisory Board that had as its purpose the revamping of educational curriculum at Old Sturbridge Village and attended numerous professional development workshops in many subject areas.  In the summer of 2011, she was part of a group of Catholic school teachers who participated in the Intel Math course offered by the Worcester Diocese at the College of the Holy Cross.

Mrs. Citta served as Assistant Principal during the 2012-2013 school year.  She is currently the Principal of Trinity Catholic Academy.  In her role as principal, she completed work with the Roche Center for Catholic Education at Boston College through the Emmaus Series, a series of workshops for principals designed to educate principals in all aspects of their position as heads of school.

In July, 2015, Mrs. Citta completed a two-year long principals’ certificate program through Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska.  Creighton University’s Catholic School Leadership certificate program certifies Mrs. Citta as a Catholic school principal.  It has provided vast knowledge in the areas of faith leadership, strategic and political leadership, educational and managerial leadership, as well as a deep understanding of the history of Catholic education in America.

Mrs. Citta lives in Charlton with her husband, Sal, and is the mother of two grown sons and grandmother to two beautiful little boys.

Mrs. Angela Symock, Asst. Principal | Grade 3

[email protected]
508-765-5991
Extension 108

Angela Symock was born and raised in Southbridge, MA. She had always dreamt of being a teacher and after a career change from insurance to education, she received her initial teaching licensure in 2000. Angela graduated from Anna Maria College with a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education in 2005 and earned a Certificate for Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) in 2015 and is SEI (Sheltered English Immersion) endorsed through the Massachusetts Department of Education.  She has worked for Trinity Catholic Academy since 2000.

She believes in a strong school community and works hard to organize different activities such as the Father Daughter Dance, Mother Son nights, and Breast Cancer Awareness. She and her husband have been married since 1996 and have two wonderful children.

Mrs. Paula Letourneau, Admin. Assistant

[email protected]
508-765-5991
Extension 101

Paula Letourneau was born and raised in Southbridge and has lived in the community all her life. She attended Notre Dame Elementary School until they closed in her 8th grade year. She is a strong believer of Catholic education.

She received her Associates Degree from Bryant College in Smithfield, RI with a degree in Secretarial Accounting. Paula and her husband Conrad raised two children who both attended Trinity Catholic Academy and have gone on to successful careers.

Mrs. Melissa Hilli, PreK

[email protected]
508-765-5991
Extension 104

Melissa Hilli is a life-long resident of Southbridge. She attended college in Longmeadow, Massachusetts where she earned her under-graduate degree. She is active in the local business, church and school community.

Melissa and her husband Ted celebrated their 25th year anniversary in 2016 and have two children who attended Trinity Catholic Academy preschool through grade 8. Their children are now attending Northeastern University in Boston where they are concentrating their studies in electrical engineering and forensic psychology.

Melissa was an aide in the preschool room for 12 years before becoming the lead teacher 4 years ago. Melissa is a certified preschool teacher with the State of Massachusetts. Melissa is also a Level 1 certified teacher in the Catechesis of the Good Shepard.

Mrs. Sandra Lomme, PreK Aide

[email protected]
508-765-5991
Extension 104

My name is Sandra Lomme and I am the preschool aide. I have lived in Southbridge since I married my husband Sam thirty-four years ago. Previously, I grew up in Sturbridge. We have three sons, Matthew who is married and has two beautiful children with his wife Tammy. Bryan, who is also married and lives in Braintree with his wife Nicole and a third son, Timothy .

My three boys attended Trinity Catholic Academy and have done very well. I myself attended the school when it was known as St. Mary’s Elementary School. I previously worked at Trinity while my two older boys attended as the school secretary and am happy to be back working in the Pre-School.

Mrs. Alejin Del Valle, Kindergarten

[email protected]
508-765-5991
Extension 105

Alejin Del Valle is a resident of Southbridge, MA and a member of St. John Paul II Parish. In 2009 she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Education & Care from the University of Massachusetts – Amherst.

Mrs. Del Valle is SEI (Sheltered English Immersion) endorsed through the Massachusetts Department of Education. She is also pursuing her Master Catechist Certificate through Dayton University.

Prior to working at Trinity Catholic Academy, she worked in a preschool program for 17 years. She and her family are happy to be part of the Trinity Catholic Academy family where they can share their faith and love in God.

Mrs. Shauna McManus, Grade 1

[email protected]
508-765-5991
Extension 106

Shauna McManus is a lifelong resident of Auburn and a member of North American Martyrs Church. She attended Assumption School in Millbury for her elementary education and then transitioned back to the Auburn Public School System graduating in 2001. 

Mrs. McManus obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Worcester State College and her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Anna Maria College in 2010. 

In 2019 Mrs. McManus began her first year teaching first grade for Trinity Catholic Academy. Prior to this she spent her last ten years working with children in the Auburn Public School System in various roles. Mrs. McManus is currently enrolled in the SEI Endorsement Course offered through French River Education Center. 

Mrs. McManus has been married to her husband Andrew for nine years. They have a son Joshua who is in the second grade. He will be making his first communion this spring. They also have two dogs named Sophie and Sadie. 

Ms. Deborah Curran, Grade 2

[email protected]
508-765-5991
Extension 107

Deborah Curran grew up in Shrewsbury. She now lives in Sturbridge, Massachusetts. She is also a graduate of Holy Name Central Catholic High School. Ms. Curran is a 1982 graduate of Assumption College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. She received her teacher’s certificate from Worcester State College in 1984.

Ms. Curran has taken Master’s courses and also continues her education through a variety of workshops and courses. She currently is pursuing her Master Catechesis certification through the Diocese of Worcester and is SEI (Sheltered English Immersion) endorsed through the Massachusetts Department of Education. Ms. Curran has been teaching at Trinity Catholic Academy since 1987. She taught twelve years in first grade before moving to second grade.

Mrs. Lori Primavera, Grade 4

[email protected]
508-765-5991
Extension 109

 

Lori Primavera was born in Southbridge. She is a graduate of Marianhill Central Catholic High School. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Secondary Education from Worcester State College and was a member of the National Biological Honor Society. She began as a Physical Education teacher in 1998 at Trinity Catholic and has been the Grade 4 teacher since 2005. She is married and has a son and a daughter who both graduated from Trinity Catholic Academy. Her son is currently a sergeant in the US Army and her daughter is a registered nurse.
Mrs. Primavera received the Tri-Community Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the year award in 2000.

Mrs. Primavera is pursuing her Master Catechesis certification through the Worcester Diocese. She also continues her education through a variety of workshops and courses and is SEI (Sheltered English Immersion) endorsed through the Massachusetts Department of Education.

She was the camp director for the Bancroft School Summer Camp for over 10 years.

In 2013, Mrs. Primavera became a part of the Harvard Forest Schoolyard Long Term Environmental Research program.

Mrs. Primavera has coached the girls’ basketball teams for many years. She is also a co-advisor to the Student Council.

 

Mrs. Karen Ehrhard, Grade 5 | Grade 6 Religion/Social Studies

[email protected]
508-765-5991
Extension 110

Mrs. Ehrhard grew up on the south shore of Boston and graduated from Milton High School.  She went on to study at the University of New Hampshire, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.  After college, Mrs. Ehrhard went on to spend a few years working in downtown Boston for an international steamship company.  At that same time, she decided to pursue a Master’s Degree in the field of education.  Mrs. Ehrhard earned a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education in 2001 from the University of Massachusetts at Boston.  Her student teaching was done at The Condon School in South Boston.  Following student teaching, Mrs. Ehrhard spent the following school year subbing in the Boston Public Schools, completing short term and long- term assignments. 

                After moving to Worcester at the time of her marriage, Mrs. Ehrhard worked for two years at St. Bernadette School in Northborough teaching fifth grade.  At the end of her second year there, she made the choice to stay home for a number of years once her first child was born.  After her children were all in school, she went back to subbing throughout her community.  During that period of time, she decided that she wanted to be back in the classroom on a fulltime basis.  In 2017, Mrs. Ehrhard was hired to teach grade six at St. Stephen School in Worcester.  She spent two years working in this position.  

                Mrs. Ehrhard currently resides in Sturbridge with her husband, James, and their three children.  She is a member of St. Anne and St. Patrick Parish.  She is a volunteer baker for her church and has cotaught CCD classes at St. Anne and St. Patrick Parish four times.  

Ms. Heidi Weber, Grade 6 | Middle School English and Literature

[email protected]
508-765-5991
Extension 111

Mrs. Heidi Weber attended 12 years of Catholic primary and secondary school education, which she attributes as the reason for getting accepted to the University of California, Los Angeles, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in English. After working for three years as a counselor for disabled adults and meeting her husband (who is also a teacher), she was inspired to become a teacher.

Having always wanted to go to the East Coast, she earned a Master of Arts in Teaching English, grades 5-9, from Boston University, graduating summa cum laude. She worked at Cathedral High School in Boston while finishing her education, teaching American and British Literature and Spanish I. After four years of teaching high-school English at a public school in the suburbs of Los Angeles together with her husband, they both determined they missed the East Coast and returned. While continuing to teach English at Millbury Junior/Senior Memorial High School, Mrs. Weber earned a Juris Doctorate from Suffolk University Law School, concentrating in International Law with a focus on the environment. She became licensed to practice law in several states to properly represent tribal members in public-interest service, but found that teaching was much more fun. Currently she has been happily retired from the practice of law for five years, during which time she has enjoyed teaching English to middle school students. She is still active in her local church, primarily singing in the choir, stitching, and volunteering at the community Food Shelf. She and her husband have been happily married for twenty years, enjoying the company of two brindle greyhounds and two unpredictable cats.

 

Ms. Caroline Galvinhill, Grade 7 | Middle School Math/Technology

[email protected]
508-765-5991
Extension 112

Caroline Galvinhill is a resident of Rutland, MA.  During high school she taught church school and discovered a love for teaching.  She attended College of the Holy Cross, where she majored in mathematics, and was accepted into the teacher education program. In 2018, she completed an honors thesis and graduated magna cum laude with high honors in mathematics.

Ms. Galvinhill is SEI (Sheltered English Immersion) endorsed through the Massachusetts Department of Education.

Ms. Galvinhill student taught in the fall of 2018 and worked as a long-term math and science substitute teacher at a Catholic middle school. She is excited to be at Trinity Catholic Academy.

 

Ms. Colleen Casey, Grade 8 | Middle School Science and Religion

[email protected]
Middle School Science
7th & 8th Religion
508-765-5991
Extension 113

Ms. Colleen Casey was born & raised in Worcester, MA, and now resides in Holland, MA. She attended Catholic schools, graduating from St. Mary elementary and St. Peter-Marian Central Catholic High School. She attended Rivier University in Nashua, NH where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education. She taught for one year at Marta Christi School in Burlington, VT before coming home and began working at Trinity in 1992. She received her Master of Science degree in Education from the University of New England in Biddeford, ME in 2001. She continues her education through courses and workshops and is SEI (Sheltered English Immersion) endorsed through the Massachusetts Department of Education. Ms. Casey has been an adjunct professor of biology at Quinsigamond Community College since 2015. She was a Program Director of Bancroft School summer camp for over 20 years.

Ms. Casey is currently pursuing her Master Catechesis certification through the Diocese of Worcester. She has been working with Harvard University with Harvard Forest since 2013 on a schoolyard research program with the 4th and 5th graders to study climate change.

Ms. Casey was recognized by the “Salute to Women Who Follow in the Footsteps of Founding Women Religious Educators” at Rivier University in 1998. She was nominated for Disney Teacher of the Year in 2000. She was the Tri-Community Area Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year for 2001. She was nominated to and was accepted into the Who’s Who of American Teachers.

Ms. Casey is a co-advisor to Student Council and volunteers on many committees. She is a member of and participates in accreditations for the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, a member of the National Catholic Education Association and the National Science Teachers Association and serves on the Worcester Diocesan science fair committee. As a member of St. Anne-St. Patrick parish, she is a Eucharistic Minister, teaches religious education and works with the youth group.

Mrs. Maureen Carragher, Media Center Aide

[email protected]
508-765-5991
Extension 114

Maureen Carragher was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA. She attended St. Joseph’s College in Chestnut Hill, PA and taught Grade 3 for five years at St. Hugh’s in Philadelphia. After getting married she taught Grade 2 at St. Joan of Arc School in Marlton, NJ for one year.

She moved to Massachusetts and stayed at home to raise her three sons. The boys attended St. Mary’s School in Southbridge where she was very active being President of the PTA for several years. She worked at Harrington Memorial Hospital for 35 years while being active in her home parish, St. John Paul II.

She serves as a Eucharistic Minister and President of the St. Anne Sodality. She is thrilled to be a member of the Trinity Catholic Academy family since 2011.

Mrs. Tanara Tolomio, Spanish

[email protected]

508-765-5991
Extension 103

 

Ms. Brittany Dyer, Music

[email protected]
508-765-5991
Extension 261

Having grown up in Hyannis, MA, Liz Rossi privately studied piano and organ performance for over ten years.  In 2016  Ms. Rossi graduated Magna Cum Laude from Anna Maria College in Paxton, MA with her B.M. in Music Education and a minor in Psychology. During her tenure at Anna Maria, Ms. Rossi completed two full length solo recitals for voice and organ.
Since completing her undergraduate degree, Ms. Rossi has worked as the pianist and organist at several different churches in the Diocese of Worcester.  Currently, Ms. Rossi serves as the Director of Music at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Webster and as a group leader for the Guild of St. Agnes in Worcester.

Mrs. Donna Nagelschmidt, Art

[email protected]
508-765-5991
Extension 260

Mrs. Nagelschmidt earned her degree in Elementary Education from Salem State University.

Always interested in the arts she minored in Theater Arts, apprenticed at the Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC, and has taught art and music at several schools in her career.

Mrs. Nagelschmidt traveled for over twenty years with her family wherever the US Navy sent her husband.   She has taught in five dioceses making Trinity her fifteenth school.

Mr. Anthony Santilli, Physical Education

[email protected]
508-765-5991
Extension 115

Anthony Santilli graduated from Southern Connecticut State University. He taught in the Southbridge Public School System for 33 years.

He has coached football, basketball and baseball at the high school level and college football at Holy Cross. He has 2 children, a daughter Tiffany and a son, Timothy.

Ms. Nadine Casey | Nurse

[email protected]
508-765-5991
Extension 116

Nadine Casey was raised in Worcester, MA and now resides in Holland. She attended Catholic schools graduating from Holy Name Central Catholic High School and St. Vincent School of Nursing.

Ms. Casey is volunteering as the nurse since retiring after 24 years from school nursing in the public schools. She served as the president of the Worcester School Nurses Union. She also serves as a Nursing Supervisor at Harrington Hospital in Southbridge. She has experience in pediatric and psychiatric medicine.

Ms. Casey’s daughter graduated from Trinity in 2008 and went on to graduate from Bancroft School in Worcester and Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME. Her daughter is currently continuing her education at University of California at Davis while residing in Cork, Ireland.

As a member of St. Anne-St. Patrick, she volunteers as a religious education teacher and Eucharistic Minister. She is also an associate member of the Little Sisters of the Assumption.

Mrs. Nicole Ladd | Music and Movement

 [email protected]
508-765-5991

Nicole Ladd is a native of West Virginia. She attended Shenandoah Conservatory of Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia in pursuit of a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance. In 2000, she married and moved to Connecticut, where she continued studying flute with Greig Shearer, principle flutist of the Hartford Symphony.

In addition to performing, Mrs. Ladd has maintained a private flute studio in her home for twenty years. She has served on the faculty at Miss Porter’s School in Farmington, Connecticut and The Hartt School Community Division in West Hartford, where she instructed students of varying ages and skill levels, organized student recitals, and taught flute ensemble for the summer masterclass program.

Mrs. Ladd served for several years as an Activity Director at Renbrook Summer Adventure, an award-winning day camp in West Hartford, Connecticut. There she created a Music and Movement program for children in preschool through second grade.

Most recently Mrs. Ladd taught Music and Movement, recorder, and flute lessons at St. Edward School in Stafford Springs, Connecticut until the school’s closure in 2016.

Mrs. Ladd is thrilled to join the Trinity Catholic Academy community, where she will be teaching Music and Movement to students in pre-kindergarten through second grade as well as offering flute class and private lessons for students fourth through eighth grade.

Mrs. Ladd resides in Stafford Springs, Connecticut with her husband and two children. She is a member of St. Edward the Confessor parish, where she serves as cantor and teacher of children’s liturgy.

Advisory Board

Dr. David Perda, Superintendent

Rev. Ken Cardinale, Pastor

 

Rev. Wilmar Ramos, Associate

Mrs. Josie Citta, Principal

Mrs. Angela Symock, Secretary

 

Mr. Michael Guillet, Chairman

Mr. Joseph Keyes

Dr. Patricia Martin

Mr. Brendan Murray

Mrs. Genevieve Pioppi

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Trinity Catholic Academy Alumni

After graduation, our students have gone on to many prestigious and excellent high schools, colleges and universities.

High Schools

  • Bancroft School
  • Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School
  • Holy Name Central Catholic High School
  • Marianapolis Preparatory School
  • Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science
  • Notre Dame Academy
  • Pomfret Academy
  • St. John’s Preparatory
  • St. Mary’s High School
  • St. Peter-Marian Central Catholic High School
  • Shepherd Hill Regional High School
  • Southbridge High School
  • Tantasqua Regional High School
  • Woodstock Academy
  • Worcester Academy

Colleges & Universities

  • Air Force Academy
  • Anna Maria College
  • Annapolis
  • Assumption College
  • Babson University
  • Bentley University
  • Bowdoin College
  • Bryant University
  • Embry-Riddle University
  • Liberty University
  • McGill University
  • Providence College
  • Rensselaer  Polytechnic Institute
  • Roger Williams University
  • Salve Regina University
  • Tufts University
  • UConn
  • University of Hartford – Hart School
  • University of Maine at Farmington
  • UMass
  • URI
  • Westfield State University
  • Worcester State University
  • Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Global Citizenship

  • Food Drives for St. John Paul II  Food Pantry
  • Partnering with Abby’s House
  • Catholic Charities Toys for Tots
  • Festival of “Giving Trees”
  • Adopting Families at Christmas
  • Anointing Mass and Luncheon
  • Pink Hair for Breast Cancer
  • Jump-Rope-A-Thon for Heart Association
  • Singing at Nursing Home
  • Comfort Bags for Cancer Patients
  • Basic Needs Bags for Homeless
  • Partnersip with St. Luke’s House

St John Paul II Parish

 
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