The Academy of Saint Joseph, in Brentwood, New York, was a Catholic college-preparatory school for Kindergarten to Grade 12, single-sex for girls grades 9 - 12. The Academy was founded in 1856, by the Sisters of Saint Joseph. At the request of the Bishop of Brooklyn, Mother Austin Kean came from Philadelphia to Brooklyn to found what is now the Sisters of St. Joseph of Brentwood, New York. She was accompanied by Sister Baptista Hanson and Sister Theodosia Hegeman from Buffalo.