VILLA WALSH ACADEMY STUDENT/PARENT HANDBOOK 2015 - 2016 MORRISTOWN, NEW JERSEY WELCOME TO VILLA WALSH ACADEMY The student handbook has been published for your benefit. Please familiarize yourself with the contents to ensure a pleasant and productive academic year. SCHOOL PHONE CONVENT PHONE 973-538-3680 973-538-2886 973-538-0861 FAX 973-538-6733 E-Mail Address: [email protected] Website: www.villawalsh.org SCHOOL ADDRESS 455 Western Avenue Morristown, NJ 07960 2015 - 2016 MISSION STATEMENT The Mission of Villa Walsh Academy, a college prepara- tory Catholic school, is to inspire our young women to expand their intellectual breadth and depth and to enhance their sense of local and global concern, empowering them to influence their world in a Christian manner. INTRODUCTION Villa Walsh Academy, conducted by the Religious Teachers Filippini, is a college preparatory Catholic school for young women from grades seven through twelve desiring an exceptional academic background for higher studies. The Academy offers diversified academic programs with participation in student-oriented activities wherein each student may acquire a rich cultural background in the liberal arts. The administration and faculty comprise a highly qualified staff of religious and lay teachers. Students are offered a well-balanced program of academic, cultural, social, physical, and Christian moral training which will enable them to achieve their fullest potential. Fully equipped science laboratories, computerized classrooms, and resource media centers are all connected via a state-of-the-art local area network which continues to bring Villa Walsh Academy into the technological age. Through religion courses and liturgical worship, students acquire the knowledge and insights necessary to give witness to their Catholic faith. Within Catholic theology courses, students of other faiths develop wholesome moral values in keeping with their own religious beliefs. The Academy seeks to offer quality education in order to better prepare citizens who will, as adults, accept responsibilities, thereby creating a better community for the good of society. -3- PHILOSOPHY Villa Walsh Academy is committed to the belief that all per- sons, being richly endowed by God with gifts of intellect and spirit, have a unique opportunity and obligation to develop these qualities to the fullest in accordance with His plan of creation. The Academy is further committed to the philosophy and practice of the threefold purpose of Catholic education, namely to teach the Good News of Jesus Christ, to build Christian community, and to serve the needs of others. Villa Walsh Academy is committed to actualizing this vision by: •Preparing its young women to proclaim the Good News and to translate this proclamation into action. •Inspiring faith which will enliven the knowledge students gain of the world, of life, and of humankind. •Providing learning experiences that nurture self-esteem and encourage self-discipline. •Communicating ideas and values in a manner that encourages creativity, reflection, and intellectual curiosity. •Providing programs of studies which help to form young women committed to Christian principles and values. •Providing programs of studies which develop knowledge of American democracy and promote those civic virtues necessary to its preservation. SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT Every effort is made to provide students with faith experi- ences directed toward a realization of Christianity as a way of life that will enhance their values, judgments, decisions, and actions. The students are encouraged to actualize their Christian belief and spirituality through classroom interactions, school-related activities, and volunteer service. Prayers are said during homeroom period and at the beginning of each class. -4- St. Lucy Chapel is available to the students during the school day. Eucharistic liturgies are celebrated for the school community approximately once a month. Parents and friends are always welcome to attend. The students help plan these liturgies with the guidance of their theology teacher in order that they may learn the elements of appropriate Liturgical worship. The sacrament of Reconciliation is also offered to the students. Class retreats are scheduled annually so that each grade level has the opportunity to spend the day together in prayer and reflection. PROFILE OF A VILLA WALSH ACADEMY GRADUATE A Villa Walsh Academy graduate demonstrates a moral foun- dation based on Christian values that enables her to be a responsible member of society. Having completed our rigorous academic program, the Villa graduate will apply her spiritual and intellectual qualities by demonstrating the following: Integrity Passion for life-long learning Strong work ethic and the ability to think critically Confidence in her opinions and ideas Empathy toward others Service in support of her local and global community ADMISSIONS Villa Walsh Academy is for the motivated college-bound student who shows proficiency in the basic academic subjects. Applicants: 1. Take the Academy entrance examination 2. Forward previous scholastic and standardized test scores to the Principal’s office 3. Submit a letter of recommendation from a teacher and/or principal 4. Submit an additional letter of recommendation (e.g. music teacher, athletic coach, co-curricular/ extra-curricular advisor, scout leader, etc.) -5- At the discretion of the school administration, an interview of the candidate will be arranged, following the successful completion of admission procedures. Non-Catholics seeking admission must be willing to accept and abide by the philosophy and curriculum require- ments of Villa Walsh Academy. After the applicant has received her letter of acceptance, she may request to spend a day at the Academy and attend classes. CURRICULUM The curriculum is designed to provide a variety of courses with emphasis on theology, the fine arts, languages, sciences, math- ematics, and humanities. Small classes provide the framework for serious study and individualized learning. Through large group as- sembly, small group discussion and independent study, the student is encouraged to assume a greater responsibility for her own learning. To facilitate students’ needs, major courses are offered on three levels: college prep, honors, and advanced placement. Grades are weighted accordingly. Student performance, teacher recommenda- tions, and standardized test scores determine the course level offered to each student. Administration and faculty assume the responsibility to continuously assess, evaluate, and develop the curriculum. Faculty members meet to evaluate the educational program on departmental and interdepartmental levels. All courses adhere to the standards established by the New Jersey State Department of Education and the Paterson Diocese. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS In order to graduate from Villa Walsh Academy, a student must have satisfactorily accumulated a minimum of 140 credits which include the basic college entrance requirements. Theology 4 years English 4 years Mathematics 4 years History 3 years Lab Science 3 years Biology, Chemistry, Physics -6- World Language 2 years Financial Literacy 1 year Physical Education & Health 4 years Chorus/Art 1 year Electives may be selected from the following areas: Mathematics, World Language, History, Science, Computer Science, and the Arts and Humanities. CURRICULUM SEQUENCE GRADES 7 - 12 Grade 7 Religion English Latin Life Science Math 7/Pre-Algebra Social Studies Computer Science I: Microsoft Word and Excel Chorus Art Education Health Education Physical Education Grade 8 Religion English Latin Physical Science Algebra I Social Studies Computer Science II: Microsoft Powerpoint and Publisher, Adobe InDesign Chorus Art Education Health Education Physical Education Freshman Courses Basic Tenets of Christianity English I/ I H Biology Algebra I/ II World History -7- Physical Education Health Education Electives French I/ II Italian I/ II Spanish I/ II Chorus Art Freshmen must choose one language and one fine art course from the above list. Sophomore Courses Old Testament Literature & History/Morality I British Literature/ H Chemistry/ H Geometry/ H United States History I H/ I AP French II/ III H Italian II/ III H Spanish II/ III H Physical Education Driver Education Electives Computer Science II Introduction to Programming with Java Chorus Art Sophomores must choose at least two electives from the above list. Junior Courses New Testament Literature & History/ Ethics/Morality II American Literature H English Language & Composition AP Algebra II or Pre-Calculus Physics/ H /I AP United States History II H/ II AP Physical Education Health Education Electives Chemistry AP Biology AP French III H/ IV H Italian III H/ IV H -8- Spanish III H/ IV H Computer Science II Intro. to Programming with Java Advanced Programming with Java Computer Science AP HTML Programming Advanced Art Art History Music Theory Chorus Juniors must choose at least three electives from the above list. Senior Courses Catholic Spirituality/Vocations and Family Life World Literature H English Literature & Composition AP Financial Literacy Pre-Calculus/Calculus H/Calculus AP/Finite Math or Statistics AP Physical Education Health Education Electives Philosophy and Literature Physics/ H /II AP Anatomy & Physiology Biology AP Chemistry AP Introduction to Psychology French IV/ V/ H/AP Spanish IV/ V/ H/AP Italian IV H/ AP Modern European History/AP Economics Computer Science II Introduction to Programming with Java HTML