Holy Child Academy Launches New “Writers Studio”

By Rupert Deedes

SOURCE: The North Shore Leader

The Holy Child Academy in Old Westbury continues to stand apart as Nassau County’s only private, independent Catholic school, and has just announced a new “Writers Studio.”

Trusted by families for more than 66 years, Holy Child is experiencing a renewed sense of purpose under dynamic new leadership - and a revitalized academic vision.

That renewal began last June with the appointment of Margaret Marchand as Head of School. A former President of the Locust Valley Board of Education and a longtime advocate for parental rights and student-centered education—particularly in civics and core academics—Marchand stepped into her role and immediately got to work.

Marchand’s first major initiative was the complete renovation of the school library, now affectionately known as “the HUB.” Central to this transformation is the newly created McCormick Family Writers Studio, a dedicated space designed to elevate writing instruction across all grade levels.

The Writers Studio focuses on the full writing process in all genres, with a special emphasis on creative writing. Serving students from Kindergarten through eighth grade, the program is designed to strengthen foundational skills while fostering imagination, confidence, and authentic voice.

At a time when New York State has lowered academic benchmarks to address declining public school performance, Holy Child Academy—free from state mandates as an independent school—has held the line for academic excellence.

“Quite the opposite from decline,” declared Marchand. “Our students are thriving in reading, writing, and math. We focus on core academic subjects and take an old-school approach—raising the bar for student achievement while supporting each child to reach their fullest potential.”

Marchand describes Holy Child Academy as a concierge learning experience—one that combines the rigor and standards of a private, independent education with a serene, faith-filled campus environment. 

“We are a place where every child is understood, seen and matters,” added Marchand.  “The result is the perfect combination for children to learn and thrive.”

The Writers Studio is a dynamic, collaborative space where students visit weekly—or even daily, depending on grade level—to learn the craft of writing. Students journal, generate ideas, revise and edit their work, and ultimately publish using the school’s state-of-the-art, in-house printer.

Students serve as their own authors and illustrators, working together and learning from one another in a hands-on, creative environment.

At Holy Child Academy, writing begins with a student putting pen to paper.

Script is taught and used daily, reinforcing fine motor skills and deepening cognitive engagement. In an era where the art of writing has been diminished and truncated in education, Holy Child Academy has intentionally placed it back at the center of learning.

“We understand the value and importance of writing,” Marchand says. “It is not an add-on here—it is foundational.”

With a renewed vision, strong leadership, and a clear commitment to academic excellence rooted in faith, Holy Child Academy continues to prepare students not only to succeed, but to lead.