ACADEMIC OVERVIEW
FACULTY
On July 1, 2012, Mrs. Eileen Davidson assumed the position of President. Mrs. Denise Moore was named Interim Principal. Two assistant principals and 80 faculty members, 90 percent of whom have master's or doctoral degrees, ensure a low student-faculty ratio and individual attention for students. A Catholic chaplain is a member of the staff. A registered nurse is on campus during the school day.
STUDENT BODY
Ursuline currently enrolls 792 students in grades 6-12. Ursuline students come from throughout Westchester County and the Bronx as well as from Manhattan and Connecticut. They represent a broad diversity of racial, ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds. While a Catholic school, Ursuline welcomes students of all religions, and about 20 percent of students are non-Catholic.
TECHNOLOGY
Technology is well integrated into the curriculum. In addition to the computers networked throughout the school, Ursuline implemented a "learning with laptops" program in 1997. Every student has her own laptop computer that she uses in graphing data, and creating multimedia presentations. A school wide wireless network and electronic learning community web site give every student Internet access and e-mail in school as well as electronic access to school resources from home.
SmartBoards are used in many classrooms. The library has an electronic check out and card catalogue system and is also linked electronically with area college and public libraries. In addition to computers, scientific and graphing calculators are used in math classes.
ACADEMIC PROGRAM
Ursuline students are required to complete 24 credits for graduation, including four years of English, social studies, and religious studies; three years of science, mathematics, and foreign language; a year of Latin or art/music; and a semester of computer applications and health. Physical Education is also required. More than 90 percent of students take four or more years of science, math, and foreign language. The traditional college preparatory program includes three modern foreign languages (French, Spanish, and Italian), five years of Latin, a year of classical Greek, a broad range of fine arts courses, computer courses, and a variety of electives. Honors courses are available in all disciplines, and Advanced Placement courses are offered in art, French, Spanish, Italian, Latin, English, calculus, biology, physics, environmental science, macroeconomics and European, U.S. history and U.S. government. The school also offers an Authentic Science Research program through which, in addition to their regular science courses, students engage in three years of directed independent study. Seventh-and eighth grade students at Ursuline have the opportunity to earn high school credit in foreign language, mathematics, and science.
MINIMUM COURSE REQUIREMENTS
For graduation at the end of senior year from The Ursuline School, 24 units are required. (6 credits = 1 unit). All students are expected to go beyond requirements. Of the 24 units, the following 20 ½ units must be taken in the following areas:
UNITS
Introduction to Art/Music or Latin 1
English Language Arts 4
Foreign Language (French, Spanish, or Italian) 3
Mathematics 3
Religious Studies 2
Science: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth Science, 3
or other elective
Health .5
Social Studies 4
Physical Education (full year in 9th and 10th grades;
2/3 of a year in 11th and 12th grades)
Computer literacy instruction is also required.
Remaining credits are earned through elective courses in art, classics, modern language, mathematics, science, computer science, and / or social studies.
TYPICAL ACADEMIC PROGRAM PER GRADE LEVEL PER YEAR
Grades 6,7 and 8
English Language Arts
Reading
Social Studies
Mathematics
Science
Health (Grade 7 only)
Art and Music |
Religious Studies
Physical Education
Modern Foreign Language (Grades 7 and 8)
Latin (Grade 6)
Computer Literacy
Study Skills
Personal Development
|
No credit is given toward the high school diploma unless a 7th or 8th grade student takes an accredited high school course.
Grade 9
|
Units |
| Art/Music or Latin |
1 |
| English 9/9H |
1 |
| Modern Language (usually Level 2 or 3) |
1 |
| Algebra 1, 1H, or 2AccH |
1 |
| Religious Studies 9 |
.5 |
| Biology/H |
1 |
| Health |
.5 |
| Global History 1/1H |
1 |
Computer Literacy
|
.25 |
Physical Education
|
Required |
Grade 10
|
Units |
| English 10/10H |
1 |
| Modern Language (usually Level 2 or 3) |
1 |
| Geometry /H |
1 |
| Religious Studies 10 |
.5 |
| Chemistry/H |
1 |
| Global History 2/2H or AP European |
1 |
| Art, music, Latin, computer, Science Research, or other elective |
1 |
| Physical Education |
Required |
Grade 11
| |
Units |
| English 11/11H or AP English |
1 |
Modern Language (usually level 3 or 4)
|
1 |
Algebra II-Trig/H, Precalculus-Trig/H
|
1 |
Religious Studies 11
|
.5 |
Physics/H
|
1
|
American History/H or AP US History
|
1
|
Art, music, dance, Latin, computer, second
modern language, Science Research, or
other electives
|
Varies
|
| Physical Education |
Required
|
Grade 12
| |
Units
|
English 12/12H or AP
|
1
|
Modern Language (Level 4 or 5/AP)
|
1
|
Precalculus/H, Calculus H, Calculus/Statistics,
AP Calculus AB/BC, Math 12
|
1 |
Religious Studies 12
|
1
|
AP Bio, AP Physics, AP Environmental or other electives
|
1 |
U.S. Government/H/AP, AP Macroeconomics, and/or
Economics/H
|
1 |
Art, music, dance, Latin, Greek, computer,
second modern language, Science
Research, or other elective
|
Varies |
Physical Education
|
Required |
A student wishing to graduate at the end of her Junior year must apply for early graduation by February of her Sophomore year.
COURSE WEIGHTS
1.8 Advanced Placement Course (College course)
1.6 Honors Course
1.5 College Preparatory Advanced Courses
1.4 College Preparatory Course
A lack of sufficient enrollment may necessitate the cancellation of a course.