History

Queen of Heaven Academy is the direct descendant of Regina Coeli Academy, founded in 1995.   Regina Coeli was part of the first Catholic academic program serving college-bound students entirely from cyberspace.  The academy's student body was largely composed of home-schooled students until 2010, when the home-school program was joined by Thomas Aquinas School, St Paul's Catholic Church in the diocese of Worcester, Massachusetts.

Regina Coeli Academy's creation had been inspired by Mr. Allen Taylor, a parishioner of St. Agnes Catholic Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.   Mr. Taylor encouraged a fellow parishioner to expand her idea of teaching Latin online to creating an entire high school program.  Mr. Taylor himself volunteered to teach science, recruited teachers, and brought Dr. William Marra onto the advisory board.

Several graduate students at Louisiana State University joined the project and created a four-year curriculum.  Prior to offering any classes, Regina Coeli Academy sought and received the blessing of Bishop Alfred C. Hughes (now retired Archbishop of New Orleans).

 Father Toracco, the first chaplain of Regina Coeli Academy

Father Stephen Torraco, an EWTN ‚ "Expert" and Professor of Theology at Assumption College, graciously consented to serve as chaplain and taught Catechism until his untimely death. 

With the support of Assumption’s president, Dr. Joseph Hagan, Father had previously founded the Institute for the Magisterial Teaching of the Church (ISMTC). In 1997, the ISMTC held a conference on the Assumption College campus.  The featured speaker was Archbishop (later Cardinal), John P. Foley,  who, at the time, was President of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications.  Father Torraco and Dr. Hagan invited the staff of Regina Coeli Academy to present the school’s story to the Archbishop and to all of the conference attendees.  Archbishop Foley encouraged the Academy’s exploitation of the new and rather mysterious entity known as “the internet.” 

John Patrick Cardinal Foley was laid to rest in 2011.  Regina Coeli Academy is grateful to ”His Foleyness” for his support both then and now as he undoubtedly continues to intercede for all those who use social communications to further the Gospel.

In 1999, Dr. Hagan met with Pope John Paul II for breakfast in Rome.  He told the Pope of Father Toracco teaching Regina Coeli students the Catechism of the Catholic Church.  At joy of hearing the news, the Pontiff gave his blessing to Regina Coeli Academy.

In 2012, Regina Coeli Academy's management attempted to work with Sts. John Fisher and Thomas More College (Fisher More College) for the 2013-2014 academic year under the name Fisher More Academy. The arrangement was unsuccessful and a new entity, Queen of Heaven Academy, was created. Queen of Heaven (the English meaning of Regina Coeli) endeavors to continue the twenty-year academic legacy of the original academy's proven curriculum taught by experienced online faculty and staff.