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Curriculum Overview
4 credits in Theology
4 credits in English
3 credits in Social Studies - to include
1/2 credit - Global
Regions
1/2 credit - Civics
1 credit - American
History
1 credit - World
History
3 credits in Science - to include
1 credit - Biology
1 credit - Chemistry
1 credit - Other Science Course
4 credits in Mathematics - to include
1 credit - Algebra
I
1 credit - Geometry
1 credit - Algebra
II/Trigonometry
1 credit - Other
Math Course
2 credits in Foreign Language (One Language)
1/2 credit in Fine Arts
1/2 credit in Speech Communications
1/2 credit in Physical Education
1/2 credit in Health
6 credits in Electives
The above courses meet the graduation requirements
for the State of Arkansas and Mount St. Mary Academy
and further prepare the students for entrance into
college. During the course of four years at MSM, a
student earns 28 credits, thus increasing the number
of possible electives. The above requirements are based
on a student being at Mount St. Mary Academy for four
years. Adaptations are made when a student enters later
than her freshman year. Curriculum may be adapted when
a student has a diagnosed learning disability.
This curriculum program, required of all students,
meets or surpasses university entrance requirements
in each curricular area. In addition to completing
these graduation requirements, the majority of students
complete four years of mathematics and science, and
three or four years of foreign language. Aware that
the rigor of course work in high school is the best
predictor of college success, Mount St. Mary and its
Guidance Department actively work with each student
to select classes and course levels which maximize
their university preparation. In addition, for the
student seeking the most challenging college preparatory
curriculum, the option of a full-scale honors program
and the International Baccalaureate Program are available.
All students demonstrating promise are encouraged to
enroll in Honor and International Baccalaureate courses. Contact
Kelly O'Rourke for more information.
International Baccalaureate Program
The International
Baccalaureate Program is a cohesive and comprehensive
two-year program of study for highly motivated juniors
and seniors of differing educational backgrounds, abilities
and interests. It is a rigorous pre-university program
developed by the International Baccalaureate Organization
more than 30 years ago.
In 2001, Mount St. Mary was the first school in the
state of Arkansas to offer students the IB Diploma
Program. By May 2003, the first group of Diploma candidates
graduated. Impressively, almost 90% of those eligible
to earn an IB Diploma did so. (Worldwide, the Diploma
award rate is 80%-including schools who have offered
the IB program for 30+ years.)
Mount St. Mary Academy offers a generous selection
of subject choices within the IB curriculum. This coupled
with a wide variety of extracurricular and co-curricular
activities, as well as many service opportunities,
provides a well-rounded education for the "whole person."
What is the International Baccalaureate Organization
(IBO)?
The IB Organization was created in Geneva, Switzerland
in 1963 by a group of member schools of the International
Schools Association. These schools formed the International
Schools Examination Syndicate (ISES) to plan a full
curriculum and examination system. In 1968 the ISES
changed its name to the International
Baccalaureate Program.
The IB Diploma is highly regarded for entry into universities
throughout the world and for advanced placement at
many colleges and universities in Canada and the United
States. Oxford University was the first university
to accept the IB Diploma as an entrance qualification.
Now virtually all universities worldwide recognize
the Diploma graduate as having completed one of the
finest liberal arts education available.
What is the aim of the IB Program?
Through IB, Mount St. Mary Academy aims to provide
a balanced program that stimulates thought and creativity,
and enhances the international perspective of its students.
Students who demonstrate a strong commitment to learning,
both in terms of mastery of content and in the development
of skills, will benefit from the program. The purpose
of IB is to:
* Educate young people to act intelligently and responsibly
in a complex society.
* Ensure knowledge of traditional academic disciplines
and of the individual's own heritage, while fostering
inquisitiveness and openness to new ideas.
* Equip students with a genuine understanding of themselves
and others, heightening their capacity for tolerance
and engendering their respect for different points
of view.
Who is suited for the IB Program at MSM?
IB is for the young woman who is willing to work hard
at her studies. It is not necessarily for the "gifted." A
young woman having one or more of the following characteristics
would be a good candidate for the program:
* An ability to cope with several demanding classes
simultaneously.
* A willingness to develop personal study habits, including
self-discipline, self-motivation, and time management.
* A capacity for thinking critically and creatively.
* A strong interest in developing a fluency in a second
language.
* An international outlook and a genuine concern for
others.
The IB Program, while demanding, is NOT an elitist
program for exceptionally gifted students, but rather
a course of studies for the dedicated student who has
a strong desire to learn.
What is required to earn the diploma?
The full IB Diploma Program offers a well-balanced,
rigorous liberal arts and sciences curriculum for juniors
and seniors. To earn the Diploma, students must complete:
* The study of six subjects covering all major fields
of learning;
* The Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course;
* An Extended Essay (4,000 words) on a topic of the
student's choice; and
* The program of Creativity, Action, and Service (CAS).
All students at MSM are encouraged to participate in
the full IB Diploma Program; however, students may
choose not to earn the Diploma and participate in only
portions of the program.
For more information about the International Baccalaureate
Diploma Program at Mount St. Mary, please contact IB
coordinator, .
Concurrent Credit Courses with the University of Central Arkansas
In the fall of 2007, Mount St. Mary Academy joined with the University
of Central Arkansas in a concurrent credit program, whereby students taking
a class at MSM receive credit at both MSM and UCA. (Example: By taking
English 12 at MSM, a student receives 1 high school credit in English
with MSM, and 3 credit hours with UCA.)
While the concurrent credit program is not new to Arkansas, what is
notable are the number of classes at MSM that meet UCA's requirements
(14), and what the program translates into in terms of college tuition
savings.
Mount St. Mary Academy is not the first high school in the state to
offer the concurrent credit program with UCA (Greenbrier, Oak Grove,
Central Arkansas Christian and Catholic High School are among some
others). However, at 14 classes, MSM offers the most eligible
classes, due in large part to the fact that so many of our faculty
have master's degrees or higher.
Click here to see a complete list of 2007 - 2008 concurrent credit
courses.
The only courses that may be submitted for UCA's approval must be
taught by an MSM teacher with a master's degree and at least 18
hours in the field in which they are teaching.
There is no cost to the MSM students for this program. And the grade
that the student earns at MSM will be the same grade given for
the UCA grade. Then UCA awards the appropriate number of credits
on a UCA transcript. By participating in the concurrent credit program,
the student is not 'locked in' to attending UCA. Rather, college
credit would appear on her transcript, just as it would if she were
transferring between UCA and another college. Currently, 50 students
are participating in the concurrent credit program, which in terms
of credit hours, could translate into about $100,000 in college
tuition. One reason the program has been so widely received is
that the eligibility requirements are not as rigorous as, say AP
or IB courses.
The eligibility requirements for students are simply:
*Having a minimum cumulative GPA of a 3.0
*Having a minimum of a 19 reading and composite score on the ACT.
(If taking an English or Math course, a minimum score of
19 is also required in these areas on the ACT.)
There is no escaping the rising cost of college. And with the growing
competition for financial aid and other assistance, it is anticipated
that the concurrent credit program at MSM will be a very welcome'and
easily attainable'alternative for those who are motivated to take
advantage of it.
For more information about the concurrent credit program, please contact
RSM, dean of academics.
Courses Offered
ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT
Study Skills
Guided Study
BUSINESS
Computer Applications I (1/2)
Computer Applications II (1/2)
Economics
Personal Finance
IB Information Technology in a Global Society (ITGS)
Accounting
Human Relations
ENGLISH
English 9
Honors English 9
English 10
Honors English 10
English 11
IB English 11
English 12
IB English 12
FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCE
Family and Consumer Science
Child Development (1/2)
Food and Nutrition (1/2)
Parenting (1/2)
Fashion Design/Clothing and Textiles (1/2)
Housing and Interior Design (1/2)
FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS
Music Theory I (1/2)
Music Theory II (1/2)
American Musical Theatre (1/2)
American Pop Music (1/2)
Introduction to Instruments
Introduction to Choir (1/2)
Women's Chorus
Speech Communication (1/2)
Drama (1/2)
IB Theatre Arts
Art Survey I (1/2)
Art Survey II (1/2)
Studio Art I, II, III, IV
IB Studio Art III
IB Studio Art IV
FOREIGN LANGUAGE
French I, II, III, IV
Honors French II
Honors French III
IB French IV
Honors French V
Spanish I, II, III, IV
Honors Spanish II
Honors Spanish III
IB Spanish IV
Honors Spanish V
Latin I
Honors Latin II
Honors Latin III
IB Latin IV
MATHEMATICS
Algebra I Part I
Algebra I Part II
Algebra I
Honors Math I
Honors Math II
Geometry
Algebra II/Trigonometry
Math Analysis
Pre-Calculus
IB Math I - Standard Level
IB Math I - Higher Level
IB Math II - Higher Level
IB Math Studies (begin 2006-2007)
PHYSICAL EDUCATION/HEALTH
Health Education (1/2)
Physical Education (1/2)
Physical Education/Health/Basketball
Contemporary Health Issues (1/2)
Recreation for Life (1/2)
SCIENCE
Physical Science Survey
Biology
Honors Biology
Chemistry
Honors Chemistry
Anatomy and Physiology
IB Biology II
IB Biology III
IB Chemistry II
IB Chemistry III
Honors Physics
IB Physics I
IB Physics II
SOCIAL STUDIES
Civics (1/2)
Global Regions (1/2)
American History
World History
Street Law (1/2)
Psychology (1/2)
Contemporary American History (1/2)
International Relations
IB Psychology
IB European History
IB 20th Century History
Theory of Knowledge (1/4)
THEOLOGY
Theology I
Theology II
Theology III
Theology IV
To download a complete list and description of
all courses offered during the 2008-2009 academic
year, please click here.
If you have any questions pertaining to academics or
curriculum, please contact Sr.
Lisa Griffith, RSM, dean of academics.
Graduation Requirements
Mount St. Mary Academy requires students to complete
a total of 28 credits to graduate. These 28 credits
must include four (4) Theology credits, four (4) English
credits, four (4) Mathematics credits, three (3) Science
credits, three (3) Social Studies credits, two (2)
Foreign Language credits, one-half (1/2) Fine Art credit,
one-half (1/2) Health credit, one-half (1/2) Speech
credit, one-half (1/2) Physical Education credit, and
six (6) elective credits. Adaptations are made for
students who enter Mount St. Mary Academy later than
their freshman year and for students who have learning
differences.
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