About

History and Tradition

Our Founders

The Daughters of the Heart of Mary (DHM) were founded in 1790 in Paris, France during the height of the French Revolution by Fr. Pierre Joseph de Cloriviere SJ and Marie Adelaide de Cice. Both dreamed of a new way of living an authentic, vowed religious life in the midst of the world, without any distinguishing sign, habit, or cloister.

Today, the DHM continue to work to build a world in which the primary values are equality and justice for all God's people, endeavor to be a community in which each member's God-given gifts are appreciated and nurtured, and work for an earth that is protected and restored.

Our History

Nardin Academy was founded in 1857 as the first Catholic Academy and free school in Buffalo, NY by Daughters of the Heart of Mary: Ernestine Nardin, Victorine Boucher, and Eliza Smyth. Endeavoring to help educate the children of the diocese, particularly girls, in a faith-based culture, the DHM opened both the Academy during the day and funded a free school for girls without means at night.

While it was officially named "St. Mary's Academy and Industrial Female School," the school was known in the community as "Miss Nardin's Academy." The name was changed to “The Nardin Academy” in 1917 and finally to “Nardin Academy” in 1951.

Throughout Nardin’s history the Daughters of the Heart of Mary have permeated life on campus, both as staff and as guidance on the Board of Trustees.

Following this example, Nardin Academy students develop their talents and cultivate their intellect, character and courage so that they too can make a difference in the world.

Nardin Academy Presidents

Rebecca Reeder (2023-Present)
Sandra Betters (2021-2023)
Marsha Joy Sullivan (2016-2021)
John Thomas West III (2015-2016)
Marsha Joy Sullivan (2008-2015)
Barbara Wentworth, DHM (2004-2008)
Barbara J. Rapier, DHM (1996-2004)
Patricia Lucas, DHM (1992-1996)
Dorothy Baker, DHM (1990-1992)
Harriet Gilles, DHM (1982-1990)
Irene T. Murphy, DHM (1976-1982)
Marie A. Cregan, DHM (1968-1976)
Mary Kammerer, DHM (1961-1968)
Helen Gearity, DHM (1953-1961)
Helen Whissel, DHM (1950-1953)
Alice M. Vale, DHM (1948-1950)
Florence Grupp, DHM (1937-1948)
Eva J. Visner, DHM (1932-1937)
Sarah Mellon, DHM (1928-1932)
Ada Potts, DHM (1922-1928)
Mary Flaherty, DHM (1921-1922)
Odelia St. Pierre, DHM (1916-1921)
Mary C. Hendrick, DHM (1903-1916)
Mary Moffitt, DHM (1902-1903)
C. Schottmiller, DHM (1899-1902)
Margaret Laurent, DHM (1897-1899)
Ernestine Nardin, DHM (1857-1896)

Historical Timeline

List of 25 items.

1851

The Daughters of the Heart of Mary, a society of Catholic women, arrive in America from France.
1857

Miss Ernestine Nardin, Miss Victorine Boucher, and Miss Eliza Smith, DHM, open the first Catholic academy and free school on E. Seneca St. in downtown Buffalo.
1868

The school moves to a building at the corner of Franklin and Church streets. While it is officially named St. Mary’s Academy and Industrial Female School of Buffalo, it is referred to as “Miss Nardin’s Academy.”
1868

St. Mary’s Academy graduates its first upper school student, Miss Katherine E. Conway.
1874

Boys were first admitted to the elementary school.
1883

Miss Eliza Smyth establishes the Alumnae Association and is its first President.
1890

The Cleveland Avenue campus opens for both day students and boarders.
1896

Miss Nardin passes away at age 74. Father Nelson Baker performs her funeral mass, and she is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Lackawanna, NY.
1905

F. Scott Fitzgerald attends the school.
1917

The State of New York is petitioned to rename the school The Nardin Academy in honor of its founder.
1951

The school's official name is changed from The Nardin Academy to Nardin Academy.
1957

Nardin Academy celebrates its 100th anniversary.
1962

A new high school wing and chapel open on Cleveland Avenue.
1963

Miss Irene Murphy, DHM, expands the school by establishing the first Montessori program in WNY.
1996

Mrs. Varue Oishei donates a portion of the former Oishei estate at 700-702 West Ferry Street and plans are made to create a second campus for the expanding Montessori school.
1998

Nardin Montessori opens at the West Ferry campus at 700 West Ferry Street.
2003

The Koessler Family Library and Media Center opens on the 3rd floor of the Cleveland Avenue campus.
2007

Nardin Academy celebrates 150 years of Catholic education.
2008

Marsha Joy Sullivan becomes the first lay president of Nardin Academy.
2010

The "Campaign Today for Nardin Tomorrow" funds an addition which includes professional grade orchestra and music rooms, dance studios, an expanded high school guidance office, a Montessori elementary classroom, as well as the Fatta Center for the Arts, seeded with a leadership gift from Carol Demme Fatta '62 and her family.
2013

Nardin Academy launches Sustainable Nardin, a community wide initiative, in an effort to remain dedicated to protecting God’s earth.
2014

Nardin Academy initiates “Power UP” a 1-to-1 digital device and technology learning initiative.
2016

The Nardin Academy Athletic Center opens.
2020

The Nardin Academy Community Athletic Complex and Gymnasium & Wellness Center open.
2021

The Kevin T. Keane Sports Park is dedicated.

A private, independent, Catholic school in Buffalo, NY, with coed Montessori, Lower and Middle Schools and a college preparatory High School for young women.