The Villa Maria academic program is augmented by a number of programs open to a variety of students.
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.
Special Programming Faculty
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Mr. Jimmy Yen
International Student Support Coordinator
Ext. 1409
B.A. Government
Franklin and Marshall College
M.S. Education
Neumann University
TESOL Certificate
University Of Pennsylvania
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Mrs. Diane Mallon
International Student Support
Ext. 1308
B.F.A.
West Chester University
Associate in Specialized Technology; Visual Communications
Art Institute of Philadelphia
Additional Academic Programming
Scholars Program
By invitation, academic scholarship winners may be invited to be part of the Scholars Program, the successful completion of which will lead to the attainment of Scholars’ Distinction at graduation.
Emmaus Experience
The Emmaus Experience is a school-wide service program conducted in January. Meaningful service and social justice experiential learning for students, faculty and staff enriches both the larger community and the Villa Maria community. Hands-on service activities are supported through prayer, education, discussion, and reflection.
Emmaus comprises off-campus service, on-campus projects, and a speakers program. Students travel to organizations including Project Home, IHM Family Literacy Center, Thorncroft Equestrian Center, Dunwoody, Bakers Industries, Habitat For Humanity Restore, St. Mary’s Franciscan Shelter, and more. On campus, students will participate in a program of speakers, reflection, and service projects.
Senior Business Etiquette Conference
The Senior Business Experience helps builds “soft” business skills like interviewing, networking, and attending a business meal. The conference prepares seniors for their upcoming Capstone job shadowing, as well as for any future jobs. Seniors dress in business attite and attend workshops on self-presentation, branding, and job interview and interaction skills. The event concludes with a luncheon at which students network with alumnae mentors.
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 3.3 to be eligible. Course offerings vary from year to year. The 2019-2020 school year includes the following offerings:
- THE 314 / World Religions
- INFO 103 / Data Analytics
- ACC 201 / Accounting and Budgeting
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