Requirements

The goals of these programs include:

• Providing students with pertinent information necessary for safe social decision making

• Empowering students to make choices that are good for them

• Teaching students communication skills so that they can let others know what they think, even when they disagree or feel upset or angry

• Encouraging students to take good care of their bodies

Wellness Days are an important component of our wellness initiative. On Wellness Days, classes are canceled and students spend the day attending a series of workshops. Expert speakers present on nutrition, sexuality education and personal safety. In addition to Wellness Days, grade 6 has a wellness course that meets once a cycle for the year. Topics include the relationship between behaviors and personal health, the role environmental influences (family, culture, peers, media) play in personal health, and tools for evaluating health information. Additionally, meta-cognitive strategies such as group learning techniques and conflict resolution skills are covered.

CAMPUS MINISTRY and RETREAT PROGRAM

Campus Ministry, in conjunction with the student activities and community service programs at Sacred Heart, aims to enrich the Middle School academic program by providing students with a range of spiritual experiences to enhance their Middle School years.

The campus ministry team, composed of students, religion faculty and the school priest, coordinates weekly liturgies, sacramental opportunities, retreats and celebrations of Sacred Heart traditions and feast days. Weekly prayer, meditation, and reflection time are provided to the entire school community during Chapels and morning meetings. Students’ personal faith reflections and/or prayers are showcased at the opening of each morning meeting. Additionally, every Middle School student, regardless of religious background, will be chosen at least once a year to participate in a liturgy as a reader, cantor or offertory gift bearer. Each month parents are invited to join the community for Mass and are active in the spiritual formation of their daughter. Special Family liturgies occur once a year for each grade and celebrate Mater and the gift of families. The carefully planned retreat program in the Middle School complements the religion curriculum and offers one offcampus opportunity each year for students to explore their relationship with God, self and others. The grade 5 experiential retreat emphasizes God’s gift of creation and instills in students a responsibility to care for it. The grade 6 retreat examines God’s love and compassion for others. The morning activities focus on developing an appreciation for each other’s gifts and embracing each other’s differences.

Students are then guided to develop a sense of service and responsibility for people in their community, city, country and world. In grade 8 the retreat supports and prepares students for the sacrament of Confirmation. Students examine the gifts of the Holy Spirit and identify which of the holy spirit qualities most align with their strengths and how to incorporate their unique gifts in service work. Grade 8 students have an active role in preparing and running the retreat. Students are the leaders of the retreat activities and give witness to their faith through the activities and discussion with classmates.

In the Middle School, each student’s spirituality continues to be nurtured in the vision of Saint Madeleine Sophie: “If we are faithful and generous, nothing can harm us; we shall be strong with the strength of Jesus Christ.” Students leave Middle School empowered with an active faith in God and are prepared and open to further exploration of their faith in the Upper School.

SERVICE PROGRAM

The Middle School’s active service program is committed to increasing students’ awareness of issues of justice that involve the larger community of our city and the world. The service team, which consists of a faculty advisor, an elected grade 8 service captain, and elected class service representatives, plan activities for the Middle School community. Recent events have included Thanksgiving baskets for the poor, clothing, book and food drives, and fundraising for our sister schools in Uganda, India and other locations.

UPPER SCHOOL

REQUIREMENTS

The Upper School consists of grades 9 through 12. Upper School students through grade 11 take a minimum of six academic subjects. Students in grade 12 take five or six academic subjects, with a maximum of seven if one is an Advanced Visual or Performing Arts class. Additionally, a number of courses offered in the Upper School are done so at the honors or advanced levels. Entrance to these courses requires departmental approval and Upper School administrative approval. To graduate, students must take the following courses between grades 9 and 12:

English

Mathematics

required each year

three years, including precalculus

Science

three years, including physics

Social Studies three years, including American history

Theology

required each year

World Languages completion of third level in one language

Physical Education required each year

One year additional study in Performing Arts, Visual Arts, or Computer Science beyond grade 9 foundation courses.

Advising in grades 11 and 12:

Students must obtain departmental approval and have taken the proper prerequisites for certain courses. The College Counselors, Dean of Studies, and Division Head will review individual schedules for overall course load and appropriateness of choices. Major extracurricular commitments (tri-season athletes, Student Council President, yearbook and newspaper editors) are also considered when reviewing students’ course loads.

Department Approval:

Required for advanced courses, honors courses, and full credit courses in visual arts and performing arts.

Course Prerequisites:

Prerequisites may be waived only with the permission of the Department Head and the Head of Upper School. Students should note that a certain level of performance is required to enter the honors or advanced level.