Experiential Coursework

DUAL ENROLLMENT

Beginning in the 2017-2018 school year, Villa Maria Academy High School began an articulation agreement with Immaculata University to offer dual enrollment college credits on Villa Maria’s campus. Taught by Immaculata faculty, students pay a $300 fee, and through successful completion, have potential to obtain 3 college credits per course to accompany their high school level transcript. Course offerings vary from year to year. All are one-semester courses. Some courses are scheduled during our 1st block and will meet either on Mondays & Wednesdays or on Tuesdays & Thursdays; others will run on a single letter day during 2nd or 3rd block. Interested students are encouraged to consult with their Counselor or the course instructor over the efficacy of these dual enrollment courses to the student’s plan of study. The grade earned by the student in the IU dual enrollment course does count in for her Villa Maria GPA and the student earns AP quality point weighting for these classes. Starting in the 2020-2021 school year, some of these dual enrollment courses became part of an academic exchange program with Devon Prep and Malvern Prep, in which their students will attend the dual enrollment courses on Villa Maria’s campus.

SCHOLARS PROGRAM

Academic scholarship recipients are invited to be part of the special Scholars programming, the successful completion of which will lead to the attainment of Scholars’ distinction at graduation.

SENIOR CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE

An inquiry-based experience, driven by student interest, is required for graduation. It involves critical thinking, investigative research, problem solving, written reflection and application of prior and acquired knowledge under the guidance of a mentor and through documented field experiences and/or service. In lieu of final exams, all seniors are required to submit written summaries which connect their Capstone experiences to their curricular work. The project culminated in a week-long mentorship experience in the professional world.

Another required element of the VMA senior Capstone Experience is their senior Business Etiquette Conference, a day preparing for and simulating the demands of the working environment. Workshops on resume building, interview skills, and business dress and decorum are included with this experience.

SERVICE LEARNING

Service Learning is an instructional method that fosters student learning and service to one’s community. Students apply knowledge and skills developed in the classroom to service opportunities in the community. In turn, the service experiences help create conditions for students to succeed in the classroom and in life.