St. Catherine of Siena Academy

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS AND PEDAGOGY OF EDUCATION

Faith Life
St. John’s Gospel expresses concisely that ultimate truth is to be found in Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Word. “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (John 8:31-32)

A deep and joyful faith life is at the heart of a SCA education. SCA women will be taught the true vocation of women as expressed by Pope John Paul II in Mulieris Dignitatem. Prayer will be integrated throughout the school day, including before and after classes, sporting events, and trips or meetings. A school-wide Mass will be celebrated once a week, and daily Mass will be available before classes begin each day for those who wish to attend. Confession will be offered at least once a week to all students. Annual seminars, retreats, days of recollection and other opportunities to grow in faith will be offered to students at every grade level.

Catholic Theology
At SCA we are preparing women to know the Catholic faith to live it. SCA students will be required to take four years of coursework in Theology, which will focus on the history of the Catholic Church, the Catechism, Moral Theology, and Sacred Scripture.

Philosophy
Central to the development of critical thinking skills in the liberal arts is the ability to think clearly and to read and speak effectively by mastering four types of logic: demonstrative logic, dialectical logic, rhetoric, and poetics. Students at SCA will learn all four together, emphasizing demonstrative logic, then seeing how its rules apply to other kinds of logic. This means that a SCA student will learn to do three things, the three processes that Socrates, Plato and Aristotle showed are needed for clear thinking: 1) to define her terms; 2) to state her principles; and 3) to prove her conclusions.

English
SCA students will learn to read, write, and speak with skill, confidence, and ease. Students will be taught to think logically and creatively in interpreting literature and to use language skills with precision and purpose.

Latin
Latin is the official language of the Church, and the Catholic faith is rooted in Latin. From Cicero to C. S. Lewis, from Thomas Aquinas to Thomas Jefferson, the great minds of the West have been formed by a classical curriculum centered on Latin and Greek. Knowing the Latin roots of English words often assists students in correct diction and word choice. SCA students will be encouraged to take four years of Latin.

Modern Languages
The SCA Modern Language Department will teach students to appreciate foreign cultures and to communicate effectively through the development of skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

History
SCA students will learn World History, U.S. History, and U.S. Government as part of their required curriculum. Teachers will emphasize the importance of critical and comparative analyses with regard to domestic and international political, economic and social issues at each point throughout human history. Advanced Placement courses will be offered in History.

Mathematics
Each level of mathematics emphasizes the acquisition of basic and complex skills, clarity and precision of language, and effective techniques for solving problems and writing proofs. Advanced Placement courses will be offered in Mathematics.

Science
The goal of SCA Science curriculum is to impart a fundamental knowledge of scientific principles; to teach students to organize knowledge rather than to simply collect data; to instruct students to learn to inquire, by scientific methods; and to conduct well-planned laboratory exercises. Advanced Placement courses will be offered in Science.

Fine Arts
The Fine Arts program at SCA will allow each SCA girl to stimulate and develop her own artistic talents. The program may include coursework in music, art, acting, public speaking, and creative writing. The SCA Fine Arts program will be dedicated to artistic excellence.

Physical Education and Athletics
The Athletic program will help to fulfill SCA’s mission of strengthening our students in mind, body, and soul. Athletic classes and competitions will be viewed as an extension of the academic day, and will teach the girls the skills they need for life-long fitness and health. Participation in athletic competitions will cultivate character, discipline and leadership. Being a member of an athletic team will build self-confidence and a respect for other members of the team, while encouraging growth in the virtues of courage, perseverance, humility, and sacrifice.

Extra-Curricular Activities and Community Service
A robust array of activities and service opportunities will give students the opportunity to practice their intellectual, physical, and faith formation while at SCA. Athletic competitions, dances, choral and band concerts, and service in the local community will be pillars of SCA student life. Students will be encouraged to create clubs according to their particular interests, and to make a difference in the lives of others in the local community and perhaps around the world by sharing their life in Christ as stewards of the faith.

Advanced Courses: Honors and Advanced Placement Courses
Placement in a particular level is based on a student’s aptitude and performance in a given subject matter. The curriculum is parallel, in that each level of the course has similar goals and objectives, but the level of instruction varies by methodology, degree of difficulty, and the volume of information presented. Advanced Placement Courses will be offered. Advanced Placement Courses are designed to meet the needs of students who want an advanced college preparatory curriculum, have an increased interest in learning, and posses a high level of responsibility, aptitude, and achievement.

St. Catherine of Siena Academy • 28700 Beck Road • Wixom, Michigan 48393
Telephone: 248-587-0130