URSULINE ACADEMY
Growth. Values. For Life.
Educating Trailblazers, Changemakers, & Global Leaders since 1893
UPPER SCHOOL
OUR MISSION:
Ursuline Academy is an independent, Catholic school community that empowers students for leadership and service in our global society.
I love the academics and the individualized attention from my teachers and counselors. Most importantly, I love the sisterhood. I always feel very connected, and my sisters are always the first people I turn to. They have never let me down and always have my back. The sisterhood at Ursuline is very special.
– Logann Roberts ’27
Welcome to Ursuline Academy!
It is my privilege to welcome you to Ursuline Academy, a distinguished all-girls school where young women are empowered to discover their voices, develop their talents, and prepare to make meaningful contributions to our world. For generations, we have been guided by the spirit of St. Angela Merici and our cherished motto “Serviam”—”I will serve.” This foundational principle shapes every aspect of our educational experience, inspiring our students to embrace leadership with humility and purpose.
Our mission is clear: to empower our students to be leaders in a global society. We achieve this through rigorous academics provided by our dedicated faculty, who challenge students to become informed innovators capable of thoughtful problem-solving and creative thinking. Our focus is to provide a place where our students can discover and explore their passions, where they feel valued, supported, and empowered to try new things and reach their full potential. Our teachers don’t simply deliver curriculum—they mentor, inspire, and guide each student on this journey of discovery, fostering both intellectual curiosity and the confidence to pursue ambitious goals.
Beyond the classroom, our strong athletic programs strive to develop student-athletes who excel not only physically, but as leaders and team members who understand the value of perseverance, collaboration, and healthy competition. Whether on the field, court, or track, our young women learn lessons that extend far beyond sports—lessons about resilience, dedication, and supporting one another through both victories and challenges.
Our greatest strength is our vibrant community. Students are actively involved outside of the classroom through meaningful service opportunities, diverse clubs and organizations, and transformative global exchange programs. These experiences broaden perspectives, deepen empathy, and create lasting bonds among our students. At UA, each young woman discovers not only who she is, but who she is called to become—a confident leader ready to serve and shape the future. I invite you to explore all that Ursuline Academy has to offer. Visit our beautiful campus, meet our exceptional faculty, and see firsthand how Ursuline is creating intellectually curious, socially conscious leaders who are prepared to make a positive impact in our world. Welcome to our Ursuline family, where tradition meets innovation and every student’s potential is nurtured and celebrated.
Dr. Jennifer Anthony Upper School Principal
The Value of an Ursuline Education
The Class of 2025’s graduates were awarded over $5.2 Million in academic scholarships and grants. 73% of graduates are attending out-ofstate colleges and universities. 24 AP Courses
Ursuline offers
We are one of the only schools to offer an AP course in freshman year.
On average, 74% of students participate in leadership opportunities across clubs, organizations, performing and visual arts activities, and sports teams during their four years.
12
DIAA Sports plus Crew, Flag Football & Dance Team
Ursuline is part of a global education network with over 100 Ursuline schools worldwide.
Ursuline was the first Delaware school to create a dedicated Innovation Program and join the University of Delaware’s ExtreX, which allows students to earn college credits.
95% participating students earned AP Capstone Diploma or AP Seminar & Research Certificate Over $2M Tuition Assistance & Scholarship Awarded Annually
Serviam or “I will serve” is at the core of Ursuline’s culture with students averaging 165 service hours, far exceeding the required 80 hours. Through their experience at Ursuline, Serviam becomes a part of our graduates lives with 56% of graduates reporting they continue to give to their community - the largest percentage of this group giving at least 10 hours a month.
63% of Families Receive Tuition Assistance
8:1 Average Student to Teacher Ratio
Ursuline graduates are prepared and confident to select any college major. In fact, in a time where women are still underrepresented in STEM related fields, it is notable that 57% of Ursuline graduates enter college as math or science related majors versus the national average of 33%.
100% College Acceptance Rate
Academics
We are committed to providing students with the critical thinking skills necessary to succeed in college and beyond. Because of our small class sizes, students receive personalized attention from our faculty and staff to help them master practical tools and lessons to reach their highest goals.
At Ursuline we are committed to providing students with engaging and dynamic learning opportunities that stretch comfort zones, broaden perspectives, deepen leadership roles, and create connections to their future selves.
Freshmen Transition Series
We understand that the transition to high school is a process rather than just a day of activities, therefore we created a unique program to support freshmen as they seek to become their best selves. Leadership of this series is a collaboration between the Counseling Department and Dean of Academics throughout the first semester of freshman year. The students are guided through elements of social emotional development, relationship building, and cultivation of academic skills that strengthen success in all areas of study.
Serviam
Serviam – meaning “I will serve” – is the core of Ursuline Academy’s mission and inspired by the spirit of St. Angela Merici. Students develop and sustain a natural relationship with service as they work towards 80 hours of non-profit work by the completion of their sophomore year. ntegrated within Ursuline’s religious experience and social ministry curriculum, service projects teach students to recognize needs and ultimately become changemakers in the world. Each year, they support more than 50 nonprofit organizations, such as the Ronald McDonald House Charities and Special Olympics, through fundraising and charitable efforts.
Financial Literacy
Ursuline’s commitment to educating students for a modern global society mandates that they learn and practice skills that will allow them to be independent and successful in managing real-world financial responsibilities. Students enrolled in our Financial Literacy course will investigate the essential topics to become financially capable young adults. Additionally, all students will participate in a Finance Reality Fair, during which they will navigate real-life, complex monthly budgets using a given education, family, and employment profile. Lastly, students can participate in our Finance Club, managing real investments in conjunction with the national Stock Market Game.
Center for Success
The Center offers academic student support focused on providing personalized and enhanced learning experiences to ensure academic success for every student in the program. This initiative supports students who benefit from assistance with executive functioning, study and test-taking skills. Our Center for Success coordinator collaborates with families, students, and teachers to provide strategies and individually tailored accommodations with formal evaluations.
Engineering
Whether it be in the design, creation, or implementation phase of the Engineering process, Ursuline cultivates career-ready skills in students seeking STEM-related fields. Access to project-specific technology and equipment in all courses seeks to authenticate the student experience, replicating career practices. Course offerings for underclassmen begin with Design Thinking, which challenges students to investigate problems, strategize solutions, and build prototypes.
Students can further their knowledge and engage in project-based work with our Engineering in Practice course, which incorporates reverse engineering, product design, and participation in the University of Delaware’s curriculum, “Orthopedics in Action.” The culmination of this program includes presentations of research-based design concepts prototyped in collaboration with the University of Delaware Design Lab during the University of Delaware Senior Engineering Design Showcase.
AP Capstone
AP Capstone consists of two mandatory courses, AP Seminar and AP Research. Students learn to think critically and creatively, constructing meaning and gaining understanding, planning and producing communications in various forms, and collaborating to solve problems. Liberal arts skills are naturally intertwined with the special interests of each student as they design and conduct a study or investigation of their choosing. Co-curricular connections provide them with a unique opportunity to explore and propose solutions to real-world problems.
(Consecutive years
Theology I
Freshmen Retreat
English I: Global Literacy
Athletics
Algebra 1
Intermediate Algebra
Honors Integrated Geometry
Honors Algebra II
Course Guide 2025-2026
Honors English I: Global Literacy
Sales Guide 2025-2026
Theology II
Sophomore Retreat
Honors English II: Global Literacy II
Biology
Honors Biology
Engineering I - Design Thinking (½ credit)
Integrated Geometry
Algebra II
Honors Trigonometry & PreCalculus
Honors Algebra II
AP Statistics
Chemistry
Honors Chemistry
Engineering I - Design Thinking (½ credit)
Theology III
Junior Retreat
Honors English III:
American Literature
AP English Language & Composition
AP Capstone I - AP Seminar
Algebra II
Trigonometry & PreCalculus
Honors Trigonometry & PreCalculus
AP Statistics
AP Calculus AB
Physics
Honors Physics
AP Chemistry* (2025-2026)
AP Physics 1* (2026-2027)
AP Biology
AP Environmental Science
AP Computer Science Principles
Engineering I - Design Thinking (½ credit)
Engineering in Practice
Global Literacy: Honors
World Regional History I or AP Human Geography
Honors World Regional History II or
AP European History
AP Art History
Theology IV KAIROS (3-day retreat)
Honors English IV:
Women in Literature & Humanities (Honors)
AP English Language & Composition
AP English Literature & Composition
AP Capstone II - AP Research
Probability & Statistics
Trigonometry & Pre-Calculus
Honors Trigonometry & Pre-Calculus
Honors Calculus
AP Statistics
AP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BC
Honors Physics
Environmental Science
Human Anatomy & Physiology
AP Environmental Science
AP Biology
AP Chemistry* (2025-2026)
AP Physics 1* (2026-2027)
AP Computer Science Principles
Engineering I - Design Thinking (½ credit)
Engineering in Practice
AP US History
Honors US History or AP US History
AP Art History
Economics
American Court System
AP European History
AP US Government
AP Art History
Honors Intro to Psychology
AP Psychology
Economics
Women in Literature & Humanities (Honors)
American Court System
Spanish I
Spanish II
Honors Spanish II
French I
French II
Honors French II
Mandarin Chinese I
Mandarin Chinese II
Honors Mandarin Chinese II
Leadership
Health & Wellness
2D Design
3D Design
Explorations in Theater
Concert Choir
Wind Ensemble
Spanish II
Honors Spanish II
Spanish III
Honors Spanish III
French II
Honors French II
French III
Honors French III
Mandarin Chinese II
Honors Mandarin Chinese II
Mandarin Chinese III
Honors Mandarin Chinese III
Entrepreneurship
Athletic Training UA Athletic Credit (one season 10th-12th)
3D Design
Explorations in Theater
Advanced Painting
Studio Art I
Pottery
Graphic Design I
Digital Photography I
Illustration
Concert Choir
Wind Ensemble
AP Art History
Spanish III
Honors Spanish III
Spanish IV
Honors Spanish IV
French III
Honors French III
French IV
Honors French IV
Mandarin Chinese III
Honors Mandarin Chinese III
Mandarin Chinese IV
Honors Mandarin Chinese IV
Entrepreneurship
Financial Literacy
Athletic Training UA Athletic Credit (one season 10th-12th)
Explorations in Theater
Advanced Painting
Studio Art I
Pottery
Graphic Design I
Digital Photography I
Digital Photography II
Illustration
Concert Choir
Wind Ensemble
AP Art History
Pre-AP Studio Art
Spanish IV
Honors Spanish IV
Honors Spanish V: Revolutionary Women
AP Spanish Language & Culture
Honors French IV
AP French Language
Honors Mandarin Chinese IV
AP Mandarin Chinese
Global Perspectives
Entrepreneurship
Financial Literacy
Athletic Training UA Athletic Credit (one season 10th-12th)
AP Studio Art: 2-D Design
AP Studio Art: 3-D Design
AP Studio Art: Drawing
AP Art History
AP Photography
Explorations in Theater
Advanced Painting
Studio Art I
Pottery
Digital Photography I
Digital Photography II
Illustration
Concert Choir
Wind Ensemble
*
Arts
Ursuline Academy’s Visual & Performing Arts Program offers an exceptional art curriculum that focuses on developing essential skills-building, designing, and learning through a process-based approach that utilizes technology, the study of visual and performing arts history, aesthetics, and the development of critical thinking.
Visual Arts
In the Upper School, young adults are encouraged to cultivate their impact on the world, and specifically, students are challenged to deliver a message through their artwork. Taking risks, deliberately and with reflection, is rewarded when the student departs the class with greater self-awareness and an appreciation for their artistic journey - mistakes and all.
All students are required to take a foundational Fine Arts course at Ursuline. Students can choose between 2D Design or 3D Design in the Visual Arts, or select from one of our Performing Arts offerings. By taking these foundational visual arts classes, students are exposed to various techniques that help build their skills and confidence, to spark interest in more advanced courses.
Upon completing a foundational course, students have the option to explore more advanced courses. These courses are designed to foster students’ creativity and skills, building their confidence as artists. Our advanced visual arts courses cover all avenues of artmaking, including drawing, painting, printmaking, digital photography, graphic design, and pottery.
Advanced Placement courses are also offered, covering all four exam areas - 2D Design, Drawing, 3D Design, and Art History.
Performing Arts
Our Performing Arts Program enables our students to explore their acting and singing abilities while experiencing the diverse range of components involved in creating a full-scale theatrical production, including set design, lighting, sound, and costume design. Our Upper School offers an Exploration in Theater course, open to all students, which allows them to hone their craft or try something new.
Students may perform in the Fall Musical, the Winter Drama, or the Spring Musical at our neighboring “brother” academy, Salesianum School.
Music
Chamber & Orchestra - Ursuline offers two unique opportunities for students looking to continue their instrumental education. In the 725 Chamber Group, students receive individualized instruction before school, developing their skills and incorporating performances at school liturgies or events. Students seeking a more extensive music experience can participate in the Wind Ensemble through an exchange program with Salesianum and Padua, which offers various concert opportunities. Students may also explore the Marching Band and Pit Orchestra in partnership with Salesianum.
Concert Choir - Ursuline’s choral program provides students the opportunity to perform for the school and community, including at liturgies and local concerts. In partnership with Salesianum and Padua, this vocal class is dedicated to singing traditional women’s (SSA) and occasional mixed (SATB) choral literature, occasionally accompanied by professional orchestras.
Leadership, Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Our trailblazing 1893 IDEA Studio is home to collaborative ventures and includes a Fab Lab, Tech Hub, Financial Center and Angela’s Cafe. In partnership with Linda and Paul McConnell, Ursuline Academy is home to “The 1313 Innovation Center powered by Ursuline.” This initiative is focused on promoting innovation and fostering an entrepreneurial spirit for students of all ages.
GenConnect: Bridging Generations with Purpose
Born from the award-winning EntreX Lab, GenConnect is a vibrant cross-generational social innovation initiative currently being piloted at the Little Sisters of the Poor residence in Newark, DE. Over the past year, meaningful relationships have blossomed between Ursuline students and the senior residents, proving that the bond they have built is lasting and transformational.
Recognizing the power of connection beyond screens, GenConnect is committed to continuing this “art of accompaniment”—a philosophy grounded in empathy, presence, and shared experience. Under the student leadership of Kaity Rzucidlo, Claire Gordon, Janitza Mena, and their dedicated team, the initiative will launch as a club, offering new opportunities for students to engage deeply with elder communities.
As both UA and LSP are part of global networks, the ultimate vision is to extend the program across other UA campuses—including New Rochelle, NY, and Cincinnati, OH—with aspirations of reaching international locations such as UA Paris. GenConnect is not just a club—it is a movement to heal generational divides and cultivate lifelong companionship.
Leadership Curriculum: Launching Change-Makers
More than just a graduation requirement, our Leadership curriculum is a transformative experience—an opportunity for students to explore their identities, refine their voices, and confidently deliver their call to action. At its core, this curriculum prioritizes essential soft skills for life beyond the classroom, including active listening and empathetic communication, coaching and constructive feedback, clear and concise messaging, and building social capital through real-world expert engagement.
Every semester, students take the stage with a 3-5 minute presentation on a cause they care deeply about—because passion fuels impact. Their pitches emphasize identifying root causes, engaging stakeholders, sprinting through designthinking solutions, and testing for real-world relevance. By the time they step into junior and senior year, our students are not just prepared—they are already leading.
Brewing Success: Angela’s Cafe
Angela’s Cafe represents the perfect blend of entrepreneurial education and community service, operating as a dynamic student-run business and club housed in our innovative Idea Studio. Open three mornings per week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) before school and during flex periods, this thriving enterprise provides students with hands-on experience in essential business fundamentals, including customer service excellence, inventory management, and profit and loss analysis. Our student entrepreneurs craft an impressive menu featuring premium coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and refreshers, alongside creative specialty drinks developed entirely by student innovation. What makes Angela’s Cafe truly exceptional is its commitment to social responsibility. All profits are thoughtfully reinvested either back into the business for equipment upgrades or donated directly to local charitable organizations, teaching our students that successful business ventures can simultaneously strengthen their community while building valuable real-world skills.
History:
Global Education
Ursuline educates global leaders through curricular and co-curricular programs locally, domestically, and internationally by engaging in active service and building partnerships with our worldwide network of over 100 Ursuline sister schools and beyond.
Our patron saint, St. Angela Merici, was a trailblazer who saw women as powerful changemakers. Her dedication to faith-filled service inspired the formation of educational institutions worldwide, who all continue to share her mission and teachings today.
For students with an affinity for global studies, Ursuline offers the Global Scholars Distinction through the Ursuline Education Network. Graduating students may earn the distinction by going above and beyond to demonstrate an interest in and dedication to global citizenship throughout their time at Ursuline. They must seek out and engage in activities and experiences, both in and beyond the classroom, that foster the development of global competency. The requirements for nomination in the program are significant: specific and intentional coursework, co-curricular activities, cultural literacy, globallyfocused service, and a capstone project with written and oral components.
Ursuline’s Global Education Program promotes the development of intercultural communicative competence through its diverse curricular and cocurricular components that take place both on and off campus. Global learning is infused into many of our courses across the disciplines and offers students the opportunity to build essential skills for success in 21st century society. Students engage in virtual networking by connecting with other Ursuline students around the world, collaborating on globally focused projects, and teaching as well as learning from one another. Students also have the opportunity to travel, host, and serve through our robust global network. Most recently, students visited Cincinnati, New Orleans, France, Italy, Ecuador, Peru, and Taiwan. Our students will be traveling to Dallas, Chile, and South Africa in the upcoming year.
“Ursuline’s Global Scholars Program has helped me learn about new cultures, provided an opportunity to see the world from a whole new perspective, and given me globally-focused education that has forever impacted my life.”
“This program solidified my interest in global topics and contributed to helping me choose a career path. I intentionally chose a college that would allow me to continue my pursuit of being a global leader.”
Athletics
Ursuline Academy was a trailblazer, establishing one of the first athletic programs for young women in the early 1900s. Our athletic history spans over 100 years and is deeply rooted in tradition, with a passion for the Red and White!
Our nationally recognized Athletics Program centers on developing well-balanced student-athletes. By instilling teamwork, dedication, and enthusiasm in your child, we develop student leaders who excel academically and athletically, support their team and coaches, and serve as role models of sportsmanship among teammates and competitors. With Ursuline’s record of excellence, we have created an ideal environment for student-athletes to thrive both in the classroom and on the competition field.
As a member of the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association (DIAA), we offer 12 sports at the varsity and junior varsity levels, competing against private and public schools throughout Delaware, as well as Flag Football, Crew, and Dance Team. Our teams and individual athletes also participate in Northeast Regional and Nationallevel competitions.
Many of our graduates go on to compete at the collegiate level, and our coaches and staff are experienced and knowledgeable in assisting them throughout navigating the recruiting process. Notably, a few of our UA Raider alums have competed professionally, both nationally and internationally, during their careers, including Val Whiting ’89 and Elena Delle Donne ’08.
Sisters Tournament
An annual Ursuline tradition, our lacrosse and volleyball teams participate in the Ursuline Sisters’ Tournament every year. This tradition began in 2006 and brings together UA schools from across the nation for friendly competition, but more importantly, a weekend full of UA Sisterhood! Ursuline teams include: Dedham, Massachusetts; New Orleans, Louisiana; New Rochelle, New York; and St. Louis, Missouri.
Serviam Field
Lead
More than 100 leadership opportunities available to each student through clubs, organizations, performances, and teams.
Create
Build on your craft or develop a new one by participating in our thriving arts program that offers curricular and extra-curricular activities in the performing and visual arts.
Play
12 DIAA Sports plus Crew, Flag Football & Dance Team inclusive of every skill level with winining records – 66 State Championship Titles.
Raiders in Action
A case history of service and fun. Here’s how it is done at Ursuline.
Step 1 Step 2
A small group of students have an idea to host a flag football tournament to raise money for a charity.
Step 3
They identify Salsthon, a Salesianum sponsored fundraiser benefiting local charities, as the recipient of the event. They approach the administration to get approval and to help them make it happen.
Serve Explore
“Serviam” or “I will serve” is embedded in Ursuline’s culture. Last year, students participated in over 957 service activities, contributing more than 3,750 hours of service to their communities.
Recent travel opportunities for students include destinations such as Cincinnati, New Orleans, France, Italy, Ecuador, Peru, Taiwan, Dallas, Chile, and South Africa.
Step 4
Ursuline’s Principal and Athletic Director contact Salesianum to partner on this event.
Step 5
After much planning with both school’s student councils, the event happens.
RESULTS
More than 250 students participate from both Ursuline and Salesianum for a day of fun while fundraising over $4,200 for Salsthon.
College and Beyond
Begin with the next step in mind.
Ursuline Academy is known for a unique college counseling program. As a freshman, students are assigned a college counselor who will stay with them through graduation. Once the college process begins, counselors know the students well and therefore, know which schools to recommend.
100% Acceptance Rate to a 4-year college
With a college counselor ratio of
1 to 25
students are provided individualized attention and unlimited support during every phase of the college selection, application, admission, and financial aid process.
Career Discovery
Raider Block Internships
The Raider Block Internship Program offers the opportunity for students to participate in various intern ships on campus during the school day. The students earn service hours for their work while gaining hands-on skills that relate to a potential future career. Interns partner with departments including Advancement, Marketing, Admissions, Athletics, Campus Safety, and Technology in addition to positions such as Science Lab Technicians and Classroom Aides across all divisions.
Transcending the Classroom
Collaboration with our local community provides students with access to unique, career-oriented courses that create avenues for skill development and networking opportunities. Current offerings include: American Court Systems is instructed entirely in partnership with law firms and individual attorneys, seeking to expose students to the legal path. After a foundation in constitutional law is solidified, students will learn about specific fields of legal practice, including access to courtrooms and the Department of Justice. Their work culminates in a live mock trial with a jury of legal professionals.
Athletic Training seeks to make connections between academic knowledge and practical application. Students gain hands-on experience in the role of athletic training and physical therapy as shadowing is an important element of the course. Leadership roles in the athletic sector will also be explored.
American University
Auburn University
Baylor University
Boston College
Boston University
Bowdoin College
Bucknell University
Carnegie Mellon University
Catholic University of America
Clemson University
Colgate University
College of Charleston
College of William and Mary
Cornell University
Drexel University
Duke University
Duquesne University
Elon University
Emerson College
Emory University
Fordham University
Franklin and Marshall College
George Mason University
George Washington University
Georgetown University
Gettysburg College
College Acceptances*
Harvard University
Howard University
James Madison University
John Hopkins University
Lafayette College
Lehigh University
Loyola University Maryland
New York University
North Carolina State University
Northeastern University
Ohio State University
Pace University
Penn State University
Princeton University
Purdue University
Rutgers University
Saint Joseph’s University
Savannah College of Art & Design
St. John’s University
Swarthmore College
Syracuse University
Temple University
Towson University
Trinity College Dublin
Tulane University
United States Naval Academy At Annapolis
University of Alabama
University of California, Berkeley
University College Dublin
University of Colorado at Boulder
University of Delaware
University of Georgia
University of Maryland, College Park
University of Massachusetts, Boston
University of Michigan
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of Notre Dame
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh
University of Richmond
University of South Carolina
University of Southern California
University of Tennessee
University of Virginia
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Villanova University
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Tech
Wake Forest University
West Chester University
Xavier University
Yale University
*Based on five years of data
