Students in classes at the Honors level at Villa Maria generally take multiple Honors and Advanced Placement courses. However, for students who seek deeper academic challenge and the pursuit of learning at the highest academic level, Villa Maria’s St. Teresa of Ávila Scholars Program offers opportunities beyond the usual coursework.  

The Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary trace their roots to the charism of St. Alphonsus Ligouri, the founder of the Redemptorist order of priests.  He was greatly influenced by the life and writings of St. Teresa of Ávila.1  Born in Spain in 1515, Teresa lived a “normal teenage life” but went on to become a prominent spiritual leader during the Counter-Reformation.  Her spirituality surrounding the importance of simple prayer was passed down through St. Alphonsus to the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.1  For her writings and teachings on the power of prayer, St. Teresa was declared a Doctor of the Church, one of only four women with this designation.  It is most appropriate for our most accomplished students to strive to aspire to all that St. Teresa of Ávila represented.

Sources:

1 Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM). (2023). Patrons. Retrieved from https://ihmimmaculata.org/ihm-spirituality/patrons/.

Catholic Online. (2023). St. Teresa of Avila. Retrieved from https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=208. 

Starting with admission of our Class of 2029, admission will be via application in February of one's freshman year, to start in sophomore year. To be admitted to the program, a student will need to complete an application, secure teacher recommendations, and demonstrate cognitive aptitude, intellectual curiosity, and a thirst for learning. Students pursuing this distinction will take coursework at the highest level of attainment, while simultaneously participating in Scholars’ programming that provides authentic experiences and research. Students in the St. Teresa of Ávila Scholars Program are provided opportunities to showcase their interests in ways that demonstrates each individual’s unique story and passions. Each Scholar will declare a “focus” of either STEM, Humanities, or the Fine Arts and this determination will serve to guide the student’s course selection for her remaining years at Villa. Continuation in the St. Teresa of Ávila Scholars Program from one year to the next requires annual maintenance of a 3.5 cumulative GPA. Successful completion of this program will lead to the attainment of our St. Teresa of Ávila Scholars distinction at graduation.