About Immaculate Conception School

Educating Young Learners Since 1887 

Educating the whole child in the context of the Catholic faith.

Immaculate Conception School (ICS) is a Catholic Parish school of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Located in Towson, Maryland, ICS educates children in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 8. One of our greatest strengths is our dedication to continually improve the curriculum in accordance with student needs, factoring in the opportunities and challenges presented by technology and life in the 21st century.

Success at ICS is demonstrated on numerous levels:

Focusing our efforts is a core belief that, as Catholic educators, we strive to fulfill our parish mission in leading our students from childhood through adolescence.

We offer a strong academic education, grounded in personal responsibility, within a faith-based environment, recognizing we are all children of God.

We lead children toward spiritual, emotional, moral, intellectual, physical, and social development.

The educational focus of ICS is to provide a solid academic foundation and to develop critical thinking skills.

ICS takes part in Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS). PBIS is a proactive and interactive approach to establish a social culture in a school that supports social, emotional, and academic success. It uses data-based decision making to align curriculum and behavioral supports for students and staff. It is aimed at encouraging safe and effective school environments. At ICS we are Respectful, Responsible, and Kind because CHRIST matters!

We use data-based decision making to align curriculum and behavioral supports for students and staff. It is aimed at supporting a safe and effective school environment.

At ICS we honor Christ and promote respect, responsibility, and kindness.

Accreditations and Accolades

Blue Ribbon

In 2014, ICS was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School. This honor celebrates academic excellence and symbolizes ICS is a school with highly qualified academic practitioners who care for and educate our students.

Maryland Excels

In 2018, our Pre-Kindergarten program was recognized for the second consecutive year with the designation of a “Level 5” Provider with Maryland Excels and the MSDE. The “Level 5” rating is the highest rating available, allowing families to make informed choices when choosing the care and education of their children.

STREAM

Immaculate Conception School is pleased to go beyond STEM to become a STREAM school. The first school of its kind to pursue this distinction, Immaculate Conception School seeks to expand the project-based, inquiry-driven STEM model into the areas of Religion and the Arts. We are proud of being a Catholic school, and this step will help us to more closely align our mission with our Catholic Identity. Additionally, highlighting and furthering the success of our Fine Arts program will help us meet our goal of educating the whole child.

Blue Ribbon

In 2014, ICS was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School. This honor celebrates academic excellence and symbolizes ICS is a school with highly qualified academic practitioners who care for and educate our students.

Maryland Excels

In 2018, our Pre-Kindergarten program was recognized for the second consecutive year with the designation of a “Level 5” Provider with Maryland Excels and the MSDE. The “Level 5” rating is the highest rating available, allowing families to make informed choices when choosing the care and education of their children.

STREAM

Immaculate Conception School is pleased to go beyond STEM to become a STREAM school. The first school of its kind to pursue this distinction, Immaculate Conception School seeks to expand the project-based, inquiry-driven STEM model into the areas of Religion and the Arts. We are proud of being a Catholic school, and this step will help us to more closely align our mission with our Catholic Identity. Additionally, highlighting and furthering the success of our Fine Arts program will help us meet our goal of educating the whole child.

Of the 2021 Graduating Class…

%

Received a high school scholarship

%

Received an invitation to an honors or special program

%

Attend a Catholic or private high school

Attend a total of 16 different high schools

Meet Our Principal 

MRS. HEATHER CUCUZZELLA, PRINCIPAL OF IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL

WHAT ORIGINALLY DREW HER TO ICS

I have to say, my cup runneth over. I first came to ICS as a mom. I loved volunteering here, being a room parent and joining in activities within the school community. Since then, I’ve been a teacher, developed curriculum, worked in tandem on the administrative team, and am an involved member of the parish – I’ve been a part of all the aspects of this school, and have loved every minute of it.

I’ve been here for almost 12 years. My two daughters attended ICS and are now in high school and raising my family in this community has been a blessing.

ABOUT HER LEADERSHIP STYLE AND HOW IT CONNECTS WITH EDUCATORS, STUDENTS, PARENTS AND THE OUTSIDE COMMUNITY

One’s initial thought of leadership is often directive, as if you need to have all of the answers and be the go-to for everything. The humbling reality is the exact opposite. Effective leadership is collaborative. Conversation is extremely valuable as are relationships and feedback. Listening to the insight of everyone, from parents, teachers, staff members to students, allows us to make informed, open minded decisions for our students and our school community.

ICS IS REFERRED TO AS “NOT JUST A SCHOOL, BUT A FAMILY IN THE HEART OF TOWSON” AND MRS. CUCUZZELLA SHARES THAT FEELING

ICS is literally located in the heart of Towson and this has created so many opportunities for our students within the Towson community. We feel like the great things that are happening on our campus – academically, artistically, socially and spiritually- have truly been embraced beyond our campus. Our doors are open for all to enter and at the same time, we are uniquely situated whereas our students enjoy walking field trips to the Post Office, the Court House, the Fire Station, the Bykota Senior Center and the ACTC. We are not only in the heart of Towson, we are part of it, too.

We have smaller class sizes, 18 to 22 students on average, and from 4th grade to 8th, we have even smaller classes when we break into groups for Math and Reading. Every faculty member knows each student by name and embraces each family in our close-knit community. The involvement of our parents every step of this journey is Inspiring, Committed and Spirited. (Coincidentally ICS)

We’ve infused STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) into our curriculum which culminates toward the end of the year with our STREAM Fair. It’s an opportunity for our students to share interdisciplinary learning projects with families and friends within and beyond the school community. We also have a Fine Arts Night, showcasing the artistic skills of each child in all different mediums and disciplines. From academics to the arts and sports, we love to share what we’re doing with the community!

“Prior to sending our daughter to ICS, it was difficult to verbalize to others why we decided to make the commitment to Catholic education – it just felt right and it’s how my husband and I were raised. However, within the first month we were able to clearly state that we valued ICS for the community, as well as the faith-based education that is intertwined in every aspect of the school. We are thankful for the community we are a part of and the character that our daughter is developing as an ICS student.”

—Carolyn Shomali, ICS Parent