Connelly School of the Holy Child is a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school for young women, grades 6 through 12, in Potomac, Maryland. Founded in 1961 by the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, the School is a member of the Holy Child Network of Schools in the United States and a part of the larger community of Holy Child schools that includes Europe and Africa. Our foundation is the educational philosophy of Cornelia Connelly (1809-1879), whose ideas even today are advanced in individualized compassionate education: the teacher and parent lead pupils by love rather than by fear; the teacher and parent take the time to study the character of each child; the teacher and parent trust and support each student to develop her own style; the teacher and parent provide time for recreation and a stimulating variety of learning experiences. Within this caring environment and with attention to the dignity of each young woman as a whole human being, the student will take responsibility for herself, her education and her life.