Paduan Scholars & Course Requirements

Mr. Michael Messore, Director of Paduan Scholars Program

The Paduan Scholars Program offers a challenging Honors curriculum for gifted students. The Program is named for St. Anthony of Padua, patron of the Franciscan Friars Conventual of Our Lady of the Angels Province who staff St. Francis High School. His keen intellect, strength of character and unshakable faith earned him the title “Doctor of the Church”. Paduan Scholars are expected to meet the curricular and extra-curricular requirements while maintaining a cumulative average of 95% or better. To be a candidate for the Paduan Scholars Program, a student must havedemonstratedabilityasevidencedbyhis performanceontheentranceexaminationand high achievement in middle school. Students accepted into the Paduan Scholars Program will be offered several challenging learning opportunities. Classes will include specially crafted assignments and enriching activities designed to enhance critical thinking skills and creativity. Paduans are expected to focus on application of concepts, analysis of issues, and recognition of cross-disciplinary connections. All freshmen candidates will be enrolled in the Honors seminar during the second semester. The course specifically addresses vital skills and strategies such as time management, organization, logic and reasoning, journal writing, library research, and technology-based presentations. The goal of the seminar is to set a course of success for students in the Paduan program, in college, and in life. Paduan Scholars will have extra-curricular opportunities available to them to prepare them for making career choices. An after school program called, “ADay intheLifeOf…”offersdeeperinsightintothedailycareerexperiencesofdifferent professionals. Alumni and friends of the school describe how they achieved their success and answer questions our young men might have. Students may seek out an internship in a particular field of interest. The student will receive 0.25 credits upon successful completion of the internship. Paduan Scholars must attend special field trips. The field trips are designed to provide hands-on experiences and cultural enrichment that complement their classroom lessons across the curriculum. Past trips include Buffalo River History Tours,theAlbright-KnoxandBurchfield-PennyArtGalleries,RichProducts,Moog, Fisher Price, the Earthquake Research Facility at UB,Tifft Farm Nature Preserve, the Downtown Buffalo Public Library, and Forest Lawn Cemetery just to name a few.As a culminating, college preparatory project, senior Paduan Scholars will complete and present the Senior Paduan Capstone Project. Paduans are required toimmersethemselvesintoatopicofstudyforwhichtheyhaveagenuineinterestand completearesearch-basedargumentanddefenseoftheirfindingsandexperiences. The final projects must be presented to faculty and peers. ThePaduanProgramisanopportunityandachallengeforourmostgiftedstudents. The Program incorporates the mission of St. Anthony of Padua, incorporating “keenintellect,strengthofcharacter,andunshakablefaith”toproducethescholars, leaders, and men of Christ for the 21st century.

Students will enroll in and complete the following courses:

Freshman Year

English I Honors Religion I Honors Global Studies I - Honors Biology Honors Language Honors/Accelerated Mathematics Honors/Accelerated

Sophomore Year

English II Honors Religion II Honors APWorld History Chemistry Honors/AP Science Language Honors/Accelerated Mathematics Honors/Accelerated

Junior Year

AP English Language & Composition Religion III Honors AP U.S.American History Physics Honors/AP Science Language Honors/Accelerated Mathematics Honors/AP Mathematics

Senior Year

AP English Literature & Composition Religion IV Honors

AP Elective courses required.

*Higher level or Advanced Placement courses may be used as substitutes for honors courses.

“Imbued with the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi, we prepare young men to use their knowledge for the good of society and to see God in all people, especially the poor and neglected, and their Brothers.”