TYNGSBOROUGH– School officials at The Academy of Notre Dame were pleased to learn this week that the school is a recipient of a million dollar donation, which is part of a multi-million-dollar pledge that will go toward the school’s upcoming Strategic Plan.This week’s donation is the largest single gift the school has ever received.

The Strategic Plan is being brought forth by the school’s new Headmaster Vittoria Pacifico, who joined the team in July with a new vision for the school.

Pacifico will be leading the school on a 24-month Strategic Plan, which will eventually evolve into a five-year plan.

“We are in the middle of a strategic plan right now and this million dollars couldn’t have come at a better time,” Pacifico said Thursday.

“I’m very excited after being here for three months to receive this gift. I believe this will allow for additional gifts to come in and this just opens the doors up,” she added.

The generous gift was given by a donor who choose to remain anonymous, but who has been “inspired by (the school’s) community-engaged strategic planning process,” according to school officials.

Pacifico said the donor has pledged that it is a multi-million dollar pledge, which means there will be more coming that will be attached to the plan.

“This gift will allow us to ask for additional funds from our donors, from our community, apply for our grants this is certainly a great catalyst,” Pacifico said.

She added, “There are a lot of great things going on and for me, it’s about investing in our teachers, investing in our curriculum, investing in our building.”

Pacifico said right now the strategic plan is in draft form, with three pillars and 11 goals, which will be presented at the school’s Board of Directors’ November meeting. Once it is finalized, the money will be distributed.

“With any strategic plan, we will have a master plan of things that we want to invest in, things that we want to advance,” Pacifico explained.

The school will also be participating in a campaign, where they will be asking for additional money, in the future.

The donation speaks to the school’s community.

“For me, I’ve been here for a few months and there’s a sense of community –it’s family. People that have gone through this academy, they have a great love for the academy they are very committed. There’s legacy,” Pacifico said.

Pacifico is hopeful for the future.

“At the 2022 homecoming, the school will be celebrating the 95th anniversary of the Tyngsboro campus and, I believe, a resurgence of families enrolled at (Academy of Notre Dame)for its academic excellence, strong sense of community and commitment to Catholic values,” Pacifico stated.

Grace Pecci may be reached at 603-594-1243 or gpecci@nashuatelegraph.com