Ursuline Academy

Ursuline Academy believes that girls in the intermediate grades should have a challenging curriculum that is developmentally appropriate in its educational experiences. In the affective arena, teachers help children explore and learn about friendships, peer pressure, family relationships, cognitive learning styles and opportunities for socialization. The 4th grade becomes a transition between the primary self-contained classroom and the change of classroom for different subjects. The teachers understand that it is important to implement practices in the school that reflect the academic, physical, emotional, and social development of the girls at this level.

Intermediate children exhibit the characteristics of being actively receptive as learners, appreciating humor, and wanting to spend time with peers. Children at this level are expressive, require physical activity, and very concerned with issues of fairness. Also, intermediate children are developing abstract thinking.

Teachers at Ursuline Academy Lower School challenge students by engaging them in problem-solving tasks. They set clear expectations to foster and encourage personal awareness of physical space and personal belongings in addition to organization and time management. Our children work in cooperative groups in order to express their valuable ideas with peers in a fair and open environment. The intermediate teachers use various teaching methods to provide for the physical activity, peer interaction and cognitive growth of the students. The teachers also nurture the children’s intellectual curiosity through open-ended exploration across content areas.

Ursuline Academy believes that the intermediate level is the developmentally appropriate place to begin single-sex education. The benefits of single sex education at this level are not only academic. Since the girls are not being constrained by gender stereotypes, research has shown that girls at girls-only schools see themselves as potential leaders and are more interested in math and science than are girls in coed schools. Studies have found that girls in single-sex schools at the intermediate level have a far more positive attitude toward academics than girls in coed schools.

Traditions and Core Values

In the intermediate grades, the teachers will teach the heritage of St. Angela Merici and Ursuline history by our daily example (modeling), as well as integrating the legacies and counsels of St. Angela Merici into the curriculum. The girls will explore authentic ways in which St. Angela’s teachings can relate to them in today’s world.

Academic Excellence

A challenging curriculum for intermediate girls includes Religion, Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, Foreign Language, and involves critical thinking, problem solving, higher order thinking skills, and creativity and exploration through various forms of the fine and performing arts. This is accomplished through teacher-directed activities and cooperative learning, reading, discussion, varied strategies, and continuous assessment.

Social Consciousness

At the intermediate level, teachers and children respond to personal, community and global needs by integrating daily morning meetings, community outreach programs and awareness activities, which foster acceptance, tolerance and personal sensitivity. Many students engage in service projects, and often help to organize and lead the effort, which demonstrates the meaning of “Serviam” and the true meaning of Christian love.