What is Nancy Flaherty’s Fund?
This photo features Alejandro, a dedicated student from our 8th-grade Swamy Class, at our High School Fair last fall. He explored over ten high schools across New England, ranging from trade schools to private institutions, in pursuit of the best fit for the next phase of his academic journey. We are thrilled to share that Alejandro has been accepted to and will be attending the prestigious Worcester Academy this fall— and this is where you come in…
In the 2024-2025 school year, 100% of Nativity Worcester’s graduates in their senior year of high school graduated in four years. This compares to the national average of an 80% graduation rate for students from under-resourced communities. We could not have helped guide these students on these strong educational paths without the support of Nancy’s Fund, which provides critical financial aid to each of our graduates in high school.
The Real Impact of Nancy’s Fund
“I have loved being able to walk students and families through this journey while incorporating each individual’s needs and desires for the future. I have found a lot of personal satisfaction in seeing the boys’ wins and going through their losses with them, reassuring them that everything will work out the way it is supposed to in the end. Students, families, teachers, and I are on one team with the same goal: to help them land at a high school at which they will succeed and thrive, knowing that they will always have Nativity’s support behind them.” -Brittany Como, Director of High School Placement and Support
Our students continue to be accepted into and attend many of the area’s best private high schools, including Worcester Academy, Bancroft School, Saint John’s High School, and others. While our students receive financial aid from these institutions, there is always a funding gap.
Together, we fill this gap through Nancy’s Fund, making it possible for students to accept their admissions offers and continue pursuing academic, social, and extracurricular excellence. We provide a minimum of $1,800 to each high school student annually, which equates to $90,000 to cover tuition fees for all of our graduates. Additionally, Nancy’s Fund provides financial assistance to ensure that Nativity graduates are able to purchase breakfast or lunch during the school day. Your commitment to Nancy’s Fund ensures that our students can continue to experience holistic educational opportunities after they graduate from Nativity Worcester.
Finding My Right Fit: Dan’s Story
“Finding more information about high schools helped me and my parents decide what high school I wanted to attend. In my research, I would find something new that I am interested in that a school offers while a different school offered something similar. That made me want to do more research about the pros and cons of what they each offered and choose the best that matches my personality and what I want from each school. That’s why I chose Bancroft School for my high school.” -Dan, Member of the Swamy Class of 2025
On behalf of all the scholarship recipients, their families, the Board of Trustees, and the entire Nativity Worcester community, please know how grateful we are for your support. With the help of Nancy’s Fund, our students are able to work towards their own unique aspirations and grow under our four pillars of strength, scholarship, service, and character.
With the start of our Girls Division in July of 2024, we have more students than ever. By 2027, we will be graduating twice as many students each academic year (from 17 to 34). To expand our mission requires your continued partnership and generosity. We are excited to spread our mission wider than ever before, and we hope you will join us by making a gift to Nancy’s Fund!