International Baccalaureate Exams Begin

IB diploma and certificate students are in the home stretch of the rigorous IB program!  Written exams for each IB class began May 2 and conclude May 16.   A total of fourteen exam sessions (2-3 for each IB course) are scheduled for this final assessment of student work.  Both faculty and students have worked hard over the course of this two-year program and should be very proud of all they have accomplished.  We wish them well and are grateful to the faculty members who have brought them to this moment in their academic careers.   

Senior Academy Students College-bound!

Senior Academy students have been accepted to the following colleges and universities:

Arizona State Univeristy, Beloit College, Benedictine College, Boston College, Bradley University, Butler University, Case Western, Columbia College, DePaul University, Fordham University, Hope College, Illinois Institute of Art, Indiana State University, Knox College, Loyola Univeristy (Chicago), Monmouth College, Northeastern Illinois University, Notre Dame University, Pace University, Robert Morris, St. Ambrose University, St. John's University (New York), St. Louis University, St. Mary's College (Notre Dame), St. Mary's Univeristy (Winona), Southern Illinois University, University of Chicago, University of Illinois (Champaign), University of Illinois (Chicago), University of Illinois (Springfield), Viterbo Univeristy, Wagner College, Western Michigan.

Congratulations to our Seniors on their acceptances, and to all who have supported and assisted them along the way. 

"Always We Begin Again"

With this title from John McQuiston's book on a Benedictine way of living, Dr. Lynne Farmer (Head of School) opened the 2012-13 Saint Scholastica Senior Academy school year in late August for 26 members of the Class of 2013 and 8 faculty/staff members. It was a busy beginning as all worked together to adapt to the new 3rd floor space, schedule and rhythm.  Along with the routine of daily classes, the Senior Academy community has held the traditional activities of Community Day, Back-to-School Night, "Let It Growl" retreat, Christmas banquet, Celebration Day, Senior retreat and the end of the year school picnic.  Off-campus trips included visits to Loyola University's Cudahy Library (where students have had borrowing privileges for the year), Theology of Park Ridge (for a presentation by CTU president Fr. Don Senior), National Museum of Mexican Art, Adler Planetarium, Field Museum of Natural History and Great America Physics trip.  

The former SSA curriculum and graduation requirements are still intact for the Senior Academy, including the rigorous International Baccalaureate programme.  In addition, online courses have been included in order to accomodate 2011 transfer students' needs.  With both faculty and student input, rules and guidelines have been revised as needed to adapt to the smaller school community and instructional space.  The St. Scholastica Academy Mission and Philosophy remain the guiding force of the Senior Academy.  Seniors completing all graduation requirements look forward to receiving a St. Scholastica Academy diploma during commencement ceremonies in May.

A variety of co-curricular activities keep Senior Academy students occupied, including National Honor Society, Student Council, Campus Ministry, Socieded Honoraria Hispanica, yearbook, co-op athletics with St. Gregory's volleyball, basketball and soccer teams, Big-Little Sisters and a theatrical production with UNO Rogers Park, and a cupcake decorating class provided by an SSA alumna .    

Faculty members leading instruction include: Ms. Melissa Arkin (Spanish, IB Spanish); Ms. Elizabeth Corinth (World History, IB History, Pre-calculus); Mr. John Denman (Physics, IB Mathematics, Astronomy); Sr. Susan Quaintance (English, IB English, Theology); Mrs. Alice Schmeelk (IB Biology); and Ms. Virginia Hamill (IB Philosophy).  Former SSA Principal, Sr. Judith Zonsius, is coordinating the International Baccalaureate program. Dr. Lynne Farmer is serving as Head of School. Support services continue to be offered to students by Ms. Suzanne LoSasso (guidance, college counseling) and Ms. Judy Alexander (writing lab).

Tuition for the Senior Academy in 2012-13 is $10,000.  More than half of the students attending the Senior Academy are in need of some amount of financial aid.  Though some of this support has been provided by a generous donor, additional gifts are still needed to meet the expenses for this year's St. Scholastica Senior Academy.  Donations may be made payable to: St. Scholastica Academy. (Please write "Senior Academy" in the memo line of the check.)

Thank you for your continued good wishes and support for this unique educational experience for these Scholasticans.  

Transcripts

St. Scholastica Academy transcripts are now housed at the Archdiocese of Chicago Archives and Records Center.  To request a transcript, visit their webpage at http://archives.archchicago.org/ or call (312) 534-4410.