Genesis Viewbook

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A challenging Catholic middle school program for academically talented girls and boys

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X av e ri a n’ s G ene s i s P ro g r a m i s d e d i c at e d to prov i d i ng a n e ngag i ng a n d ch a lle ng i ng Cath ol i c m i d d le s ch o o l p ro g r a m f or ac a d em i c a l l y ta le n t e d g i r l s a n d b oys .

T he prog ra m i s d e s i g n e d to d e v e lo p a n d n u rt u r e h i g h - l e v el c r i t i c a l t h i n k i ng s k i ll s a nd i s com m i tt e d to t he d e v e lo p m e n t o f th e m i d d l e s cho o l st u d e n t t hro u g h ac ade m i c exc el l enc e, e x t r acu r r i cu l a r i n vo lv e m e nt, and Ch ri sti a n s e rv i ce to n e i g h b o r a n d co mmu n i t y.

Our History

Xaverian’s Genesis Program began as the brainchild of Sr. Mary Hughes, a Sister of St. Dominic, who worked for the Diocese of Brooklyn. Genesis was created for sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students who were academically talented and possessed a desire to learn in a challenging and creative environment. Genesis began to grow in size as word about this innovative program began to spread. Needing more space for the growing student body, the program moved from one parish school to another before eventually moving into Xaverian’s campus.

A few years into the new millennium, a proud new tradition was born. Genesis, while maintaining its original mission and identity, officially became Xaverian’s Genesis

Program. As the middle school of the Xaverian community, students now had access to cutting-edge computer labs, science labs, a renowned music program, and full gymnasium, as well as the teaching expertise of the talented Xaverian faculty.

Today, nearly 30 years after the vision of Genesis became a reality, Xaverian’s middle school is home to over 200 academically talented students and a dedicated faculty, all bound by a firm Catholic faith and a shared passion for learning. The rigorous curriculum emphasizes disciplined study, critical thinking, independent inquiry, creative expression, and skilled writing.

The Academic Program Xaverian’s Genesis Program offers an education which surpasses the standard middle school curriculum by offering: ❖ Enriched religious studies firmly rooted in the Church’s teaching, with an emphasis on sacred scripture, the understanding of Jesus, and the Catholic social tradition ❖ A fully interactive, one-to-one learning environment complete with an iPad for each student and classrooms equipped with Apple TVs ❖ STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) program implemented through a partnership with Project Lead the Way

❖ New York State Regents courses and exams in Living Environment and Algebra I Common Core ❖ Foreign language study in Latin or Spanish ❖ Music classes and opportunities to join Xaverian’s renowned music programs, comprised of a harp ensemble, bands, and orchestras ❖ Enriching field trips throughout the year

❖ Full-time guidance counselors

❖ Access to all of Xaverian’s resources, including computer labs, science labs, gymnasium, cafeteria, and library

❖ Extracurricular activities and clubs

❖ Participation in community service initiatives and projects

STEM Education

One-to-One Computing One-to-one computing provides each student and teacher with individual access to the mobile technology of the iPad. The integration of the iPad as an instructional tool supports our studentcentered approach to teaching and learning, and offers unlimited access to information, organizational tools, and content area applications, while also allowing for students to engage in multi-media activities that support improvement in reading, writing, research skills, and critical thinking.

Teachers and students use the iPad in a myriad of ways – its use is only limited by the imagination. With the iPad, students access current research, read, write, and annotate documents, and share and store digital files.

Appropriate apps enhance and enrich the classroom experience and allow for students to create multi-media projects.

The highly acclaimed STEM (Science, Technology, Education, and Math) program offers project and problem based learning through hands-on classroom experiences. Students create, design, and build to solve problems, while being exposed to the industries where these skill sets are most needed.

As part of our commitment to fully preparing our students for success in the global economy, we have partnered with Project Lead The Way (PLTW), the leading provider of rigorous and innovative Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education curricular programs used in middle and high schools across the U.S. Through the partnership, we are able to offer a comprehensive curriculum for engineering and

biomedical sciences that has been collaboratively designed by PLTW teachers, university educators, engineering and biomedical professionals, and school administrators to promote critical thinking, innovation, and real-world problem solving skills in students.

The Gateway to Technology program engages students with modules in Design and Modeling, as well as Automation and Robotics.

“In recent years, we’ve witnessed the emergence of a growing number of rigorous, high-quality national models that demonstrate what career and technical education can achieve in the 21st century.

Take Project Lead The Way…this approach is clearly engaging students.

Some 80 percent of those who complete the program say they will study engineering, technology or computer science in college, and their retention rate in these courses is higher than that of students who did not complete PLTW.” — Harvard School of Education

Extracurricular Opportunities

Genesis students have the opportunity to participate in the following activities: ❖ Student Council ❖ LEGO Robotics Team ❖ Mock Trial Team ❖ Math Club ❖ Student Newspaper ❖ Science Olympiad ❖ Speech and Debate

History Fair

Extracurricular activities are an integral part of the middle school experience, promoting social development and personal growth.

These activities and clubs give the students opportunities to socialize and develop their talents and interests.

History Fair is an independent research project which is interdisciplinary in scope and combines the students’ interest in History as it relates to a theme set forth by National History Day. Students are mentored throughout their research by their teachers in the History and Writing Departments. Seventh and eighth grade students compete on the city, state, and national levels each year.

Sixth grade students complete their own independent MiniHistory Fair projects to develop the research skills necessary to complete the project in the seventh and eighth grade levels.

Music Program Xaverian’s Genesis program students are invited to join the renowned Music at Xaverian (“MAX”) Program, which is led by Mr. Joseph Loposky. Opportunities range from a beginning level to the highest levels of musicianship on all band and orchestral instruments. Instrument rental is available to students. For information on these and other exciting opportunities in the Music program, please contact Mr. Joseph Loposky at (718) 836-7100 x177.

Pipe and Drum Corps Boys and girls enrolled in Xaverian’s Genesis Program are invited to join the award-winning Pipe and Drum Corps.

No experience is necessary and students can choose to learn either bagpipes or drums under the tutelage of experienced instructors. Members have the opportunity to march in various parades and play at school events throughout the year.

Research indicates that students who are involved in a music program are more likely to excel academically.

Campus Ministry Xaverian’s Genesis students participate in various activities throughout the year under the guidance of the Campus Ministry Director, Mr. John Dormer.

Students participate in two retreats during the year. These retreats are designed to foster community, stewardship, and personal spiritual development. Students also take part in various community service programs.

More Information Mrs. Patricia McEvoy Dean Xaverian’s Genesis Program 7100 Shore Road Brooklyn, NY 11209 (718) 836-7100 x188 pmcevoy@xaverian.org www.xaverian.org/genesis

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