Special Programming

Maria Faragalli December 12, 2016

Supported Learning

Students, who we believe will meet success in fulfilling the Villa Maria Academy High School curriculum and identify as having learning differences, may have alternatively scripted programming, depending on the needs of the individual.  The philosophy of our supported learning program is to empower and not enable.  Thusly, students who are accepted in this band must follow the specific curricular recommendations set forth by the Academic Team, which includes a commitment to summer readiness work, with the end goal that all will meet the curricular targets of the Villa Maria Academy diploma.

International Student Support

Academic Mentors work to support international students in the cultural acclimation process and to develop readiness skills for the private, independent high school setting.  English Language Learning support is included along with opportunities for cultural sharing.

Scholars Program

By invitation, academic scholarship winners may be invited to be part of the special Scholars Programming, the successful completion of which will lead to the attainment of Scholars’ Distinction at graduation.

J-Term Experience

Developed as a natural extension to our move to intensive block scheduling in the 2015-16 school year, the inaugural January Term or ‘J Term’ was launched in January 2017.  The program enables students to explore coursework and experiences that the regular school schedule would not otherwise allow.  By offering these “deep dives” into curricular interests, service projects and creative outlets, J Term provides students what the research shows are the keys to student learning: choice, relevance, meaning, and dare we say fun.  The program is divided into three distinct days: a full day of campus-wide service, a whole class experience day, and the culminating “Choose Your Own Adventure” day, where students pick from an array of on and off campus “adventures” that allow them to stretch their minds, muscles and memories.

A cornerstone of the whole class experience day is the Senior Business Experience, where senior students spend a day preparing for and simulating the demands of the working environment.  Workshops on resume building, interview skills, and business dress and decorum are included with the experience.

Dual Enrollment

Beginning in the 2017-18 School Year, Villa Maria Academy High School began an articulation agreement with Immaculata University to offer dual enrollment college credits on Villa Maria’s campus.  Taught by Immaculata’s faculty, students pay a $300 fee, and through successful completion obtain 3 college level credits per course to accompany their high school level transcript.  Students must have an overall GPA of 3.65 to be eligible.  Course offerings vary from year to year.  The 2017-18 school year included the following offerings:

  • Theology 314/World Religions
  • Communications 228/Women and Media
  • Fashion and Merchandising 127/Introduction to Product Development

Students enrolled in Dual Enrollment courses must purchase any required materials through the resources at Immaculata University.

Parent Education

Villa Maria Academy High School prides itself on delivering instruction aligned with best practices and current research.  As we are able, we take great pride in sharing those research resources with our families.  Recent and planned experiences include:

JoAnn Deak, Ph.D.  Adolescent Girls and Brain Development http://www.deakgroup.com/our-educators/joann-deak-phd/

Thom Stecher and Associates:  Raising Confident Daughters:  The Courage to Parent in the 21st Century https://www.thomstecher.com/

Coming on March 22-23, 2018:  Dr. Jean Twenge, author of iGen:  Why Today’s Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy–and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood.  www.jeantwenge.com