The Academy was started soon after the founding of the Sisters of St. Joseph Rutland community. After they arrived, the sisters began the task of building schools starting with St. Peter's School and, in 1882, the all-girls Mount St. Joseph Academy.
In 1927, the Sisters built a larger facility and opened as a co-educational academy. The academic curriculum remained the same. The advent of boys brought the introduction of a full athletics program. The music program grew to include a marching band and orchestra, with special diplomas offered in piano and violin. Drama was offered.[4]