Ann-Chloe Noel, 14, was enrolled at St. Mary of the Hills School in Milton after her family relocated to Massachusetts from Haiti. Ann-Chloe is one of the school’s many success stories, excelling academically and deepening her faith. Next year, she plans to attend Fontbonne Academy. (Photo Courtesy St. Mary of the Hills School)
MILTON — When she first arrived at St. Mary of the Hills, Ann-Chloe Noel admits she shied away from social interaction and was not the strongest student. After relocating here with her family from Haiti, in order to seek a better life, she was out of her element and stranded far from her childhood friends.
“I’d say I was reserved,” said Ann-Chloe, looking back at herself in the fourth grade. “I didn’t talk to many people. My classmates had to come up to me if I was going to talk to them. I was quite weak in a few subjects, like math and science. I was really sad to leave Haiti and all my friends there. I came to a completely new place.”
Now having completed her time at St. Mary of the Hills School, Ann-Chloe is more outgoing while remaining humble, finishing among the top 20 students for academics in her class at the Catholic school in Milton. While at St. Mary of the Hills School Ann-Chloe joined the school’s STEM Club, allowing her to learn about the inner workings of machines and robotics, and she has also considered becoming a lawyer.
During her time at St. Mary of the Hills School, Ann-Chloe developed exceptional artistic abilities, forming a bond with Laurinda O’Connor, the late art teacher at St. Mary of the Hills, who helped cultivate her creative talents. Now, whenever the school has a need for graphic design work, such as a flyer for an upcoming event, Ann-Chloe is quick to hop on her computer and cook something up.
“At first I was quite nervous, and I still am. But I made more friends, and I became more comfortable and tried hard at my work,” said Ann-Chloe, whose eighth-grade graduation ceremony was held on Friday, June 6. “I really appreciate the community. It was a nice experience. I think I’ll look back at it gratefully, thankful for all my teachers have done for my academic journey and also my social journey. Now I feel a lot more comfortable around people.”
Ann-Chloe is one of the many success stories to come out of St. Mary of the Hills School, a culturally diverse Catholic school teaching preschool through the eighth grade, with 35 full-time faculty instructing 268 students drawn from over 25 communities.
Valuing academic excellence and spiritual growth, St. Mary of the Hills School inspires kids to dream big as they grow in understanding of the world around them, providing a transformative educational experience that instills self-confidence, inspires leadership and sets students up for a lifetime of success.
“When I think of Ann-Chloe, I just see the virtues we teach here,” said Principal Suzanne Banach. “She lives them out quietly. She doesn’t get much fanfare. She’s just a humble student. When other students look at her, she leads by example. She’s the epitome of a positive role model for the younger children and her classmates. They’re very lucky to have her.”
Ann-Chloe, now 14 years old, also deepened her faith during her time at St. Mary of the Hills. She credited her teacher, Nicholas Letts, for demonstrating that faith and reason, science and Christian theology, are compatible.
“It was because of him I learned how science and religion really do go together,” Ann-Chloe said. “He showed the connection between the two. I really liked religion classes. The school has helped me expand a lot in my knowledge of religion. I ask questions and my teachers always answer me with great detail and help me understand.”
Looking ahead to next school year, Ann-Chloe will be attending Fontbonne Academy, a private, all-girl, Catholic college preparatory high school in Milton.
“I’m quite excited. I know a lot of my classmates are going there, too,” Ann-Chloe said. “I’m planning to get a lot more involved in clubs. Maybe I can start some.”
Yet she leaves behind a lasting impact at St. Mary of the Hills, including charity work and a legacy of love. Ann-Chloe spearheaded a fundraiser in honor of her former art teacher, Laurinda O’Connor, following her death in September 2024, donating the proceeds to the Milton Animal Shelter. Ann-Chloe also wrote a dedication to her former art teacher in the school yearbook.
From Principal Banach’s perspective, it’s been amazing to see Ann-Chloe grow throughout her time at St. Mary of the Hills, offering compassion for others, focusing diligently on academics and “doing the little things” without wanting praise for any of it.
“I know her family well. It was very difficult for her to leave Haiti,” said Principal Banach, explaining that her father worked there as a doctor and her mother as a dentist. “That was hard. She had a good life there. It was an adjustment. It’s taken her time. But she’s found a home here and she has been very successful. She’s a wonderful student.”
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