Ursuline Academy (Delaware)

Established in 1893 by the Ursulines in Wilmington, Delaware, Ursuline Academy is a private school which offers Early Childhood (Montessori and Kindergarten) and Primary (Grades 1-3) school classes for both girls and boys, and Intermediate (Grades 4-6), Middle (Grades 7-8), and Upper (Grades 9-12) school classes for girls. It is run independently within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wilmington.

Primary (Grades 1-3)

In the primary program, the students are encouraged to participate actively in meaningful, hands-on learning experiences. The goal is to build self-confidence, encourage talents, accept differences, and nurture strengths while meeting the individual needs of the whole child. Religious instruction in the primary grades emphasizes the importance of each child as a member of the Christian community. This includes opportunities to worship, serve others, and know God, and begins an introductory study of the church, scripture, and sacraments.

The language arts program is a phonics-based, literature-rich whole language approach to reading, writing, spelling, and grammar. As the children become solid readers and writers, they are encouraged to develop more independence, responsibility, and accountability for their learning.

In mathematics, the children are taught problem-solving strategies as they develop solid math skills using manipulatives, games, and cooperative groups and practical applications. The children are encouraged to become critical and creative thinkers. This inquiry process spans the language arts, math, science, and social studies curriculum by implementing integrated instruction and thematic units. Special classes for primary students include art, music, physical education, computer, humanities, library, and foreign language. In third grade, they are introduced to dance as part of their physical education classes.

Intermediate (Grades 4-6)

At fourth grade, we begin to group students homogeneously for math and language arts. Class size is kept to a maximum of 18 students, which allows for individual instruction in a risk-free atmosphere. During religion class, there is a special emphasis on the Sacraments, Old Testament, and the role of the Church in our lives. The language arts program is enriched by novels and writing activities. Mathematics stresses problem-solving, critical thinking, and the practical application of knowledge and skills. The social studies curriculum for fourth grade concentrates on Delaware history and its geography.

In fifth and sixth grades, map skills are stressed, with a concentration in US history, geography, and world cultures. Sixth grade social studies is supplemented with a study of current events. Our science program emphasizes a hands-on, inquiry approach to learning the scientific method, skills, and concepts of our world. Fourth and fifth grade science students are introduced to such topics as chemistry, biology, electricity, and force and motion. The primary emphasis for sixth grade science is life science, including a study of the cell, genetics, evolution, classification (a look at the animal kingdoms), and ecology. In addition to their core subjects, students also take special classes in art, life skills (organizational, time management, and study skills), computer, music, physical education, dance, foreign language, health, and library.

Middle School (Grades 7-8)

The Middle School years are marked by transition. Students experience more emotional and social growth during these years than at any other time since infancy. Middle School is a time for actively engaging students' energy and abilities. Therefore, we devote equal attention to their emerging interpersonal skills and to their lifelong learning skills and habits. During this period of early adolescence, girls at Ursuline are encouraged to continue to be self-confident and independent in their thinking.

Course of study includes Religion, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and Foreign Language. Middle school students begin formal study of either Spanish or French, and eighth graders complete the equivalent of one year of high school foreign language by the time they finish Middle School. Special classes in the Middle School include Music, Drama, Studio Art, Physical Education, Health, and Computer.

Activities in Middle School include: singing in choral groups, playing instruments in ensembles and a band, playing on sports teams, and socializing at informal dances with students from St. Edmond's Academy. Both grades in the Middle School have an annual overnight trip. The seventh grade trip focuses on environmental study and the eighth grade trip on American history. Highlights of the Middle School years are the annual eighth grade play in which every member of the class participates, and the Eighth Grade Fair.

Middle School is both a time of preparation for the eventual demands of the Upper School and a celebration of growth in each young girl's life.

Upper School (Grades 9-12)

One of the most compelling reasons to choose Ursuline Academy is the superior academic preparation for college that our students receive. Young women who choose Ursuline Academy graduate from our academic program fully prepared for success at leading colleges and universities. Our all-girl environment affords them opportunities for leadership not always available in a co-educational school. Research confirms that single-sex education is better for girls because it develops their self-esteem and leads them to great achievements.

In an atmosphere of trust and faith, students are motivated to excel academically, to think creatively and critically, to speak and write well, to pursue careers in diverse fields, and to become involved in their school and communities.

With 100% of our graduates accepted at accredited colleges, Ursuline's Upper School curriculum prepares the students for college through required and elective courses. All students are required to complete four years of English, Theology, and Physical Education; three years of Mathematics, Laboratory Science, Social Studies, and Foreign Language; and one year of coursework in Fine Arts and Health. Ursuline also offers twelve Advanced Placement courses, which can provide credit toward college courses. The students are offered a variety of options to complete these requirements, with courses at both the college-prep level and the honors level. For example, math course offerings include Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II/Trigonometry, Algebra II, Pre-Calculus, Trigonometry/Pre-Calculus, College Algebra and Trigonometry, Advanced Placement Statistics, and Advanced Placement Calculus. All students are required to take Biology, Chemistry and Physics. For additional science credits students may select from Advanced Placement Biology, Advanced Placement Chemistry, Advanced Placement Physics B and Environmental Science.

During their sophomore year, Ursuline Academy students fulfill an 80-hour service requirement for graduation. In this program, students select an activity to which they volunteer their time, such as tutoring young children, working at a retirement center or hospital, running athletic programs at youth camps, or building homes through Habitat for Humanity. This program exposes students to the needs of others, and it teaches them the value and rewards of volunteer service.

In addition to academics, students have a wide range of extra-curricular activities in which they can participate. These range from thirteen junior varsity and varsity-level sports to musical and dramatic performances, and service and special interest clubs, such as Spirit Club, Model UN, Student Council, and foreign language clubs.

Besides many classrooms, the Upper School facility houses three state-of-the-art science labs (Biology, Chemistry and Physics), a photography lab, a computer lab with Internet access, a fully automated library with CD-ROMs and Internet access, and a Writing Center that includes desktop publishing capabilities.

Learning with Laptops Program

Ursuline Academy is the only Learning with Laptops school in the state of Delaware. The Learning with Laptops program at Ursuline Academy is designed to put mobile technology in the hands of all teachers, middle school and high school students for learning anytime, anywhere. Through the school-wide wireless network, all students and teachers use their own Dell laptops to bring learning and teaching to a higher level.

Students are able to decide how to find and organize information in a way that best helps them learn, whether by using the word processor to refine their English essay, or by connecting to the Internet to research a chemical reaction during chemistry lab. In foreign language class, they can practice their foreign language skills by communicating with Ursuline students in other countries. But most importantly, our students are able to work at their own pace, be more creative, and integrate the computer into their learning environment at school, at home, or anywhere.

Since the beginning of the laptop program, students have benefited from increased collaboration, independent learning, increased enthusiasm for schooling, and more engagement in problem solving. For teachers, the program can help individualize instruction for students with a range of needs. Classrooms go beyond the four walls and are open to the world of information.

Athletics

The goal of the Ursuline athletic and physical education program is to develop our students’ physical and sportsmanship skills in an atmosphere of enthusiasm and fun. They take part in successes and defeats in cooperative and competitive meetings. Ursuline students value the joy of participation as well as the joy of outstanding athletic achievement.

Ursuline's basketball team has been ranked among the top teams in the nation with Elena Delle Donne, #1 high school female basketball player, a 2008 graduate.

A spacious gymnasium, with modern locker rooms and full athletic facilities, provides the cornerstone for the athletic program. All students take part in formal physical education classes regularly.Students are introduced to interscholastic sports in fourth grade with the opportunity to run track and cross country, and to play volleyball and basketball. Beginning in fifth grade, students can be part of the cross country, volleyball, basketball, soccer and track teams. In addition, field hockey is offered to sixth grade students and softball and tennis are offered to seventh grade students. Participation of students of all abilities is emphasized at this level, and the students play in CYM and Independent School leagues.

In the Upper School, varsity teams compete in field hockey, cross country, volleyball, dance team, swimming and diving, basketball, winter and spring track and field, soccer, softball, lacrosse, golf and tennis.

Athletic programs at Ursuline allow students to develop their highest physical potential and have led Ursuline Academy to state championships in basketball, swimming, volleyball, cross country, track, and tennis.

Notable Alumnae

*Lynda Balsama, film director
*Mary Arden Collins, musician
*Elena DelleDonne, female basketball player
*Dr. Stephanie Gilibert (maiden name: Uy), transplant nephrologist, Christiana Care Kidney Transplant Program
*Robin Toner, writer, "New York Times"
*Val Whiting, female basketball player

External links

* [http://www.ursuline.org/ The Ursuline Academy Website]