CURRICULUM

The Academy is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The college-preparatory program requires the successful completion of 240 credits in the following areas:

Religious Studies 40 credits     Fine Arts 10 credits
English 40 credits     Physical Education 10 credits
Social Studies 30 credits     Health 5 credits
Mathematics 30 credits     Speech 5 credits
Science 20 credits     Electives 30 credits
Foreign Language 20 credits     Service Requirement 100 hours

Ninety-eight percent of OLP graduates enroll in two- and four-year colleges and universities. Advanced Placement courses are offered in Biology, Calculus, Chemistry, English Language, Music Theory, Studio Art, United States History, United States Government and Politics, and Spanish. Honor Societies on campus include California Scholarship Federation, National Art Honor Society, National Honor Society, and Spanish Honor Society.



STUDY SKILLS

Integrated into the academic curriculum is a four-year, sequential Study Skills program. Built on 35 research-based skills identified by college students as important for post-secondary studies, these skills are introduced and reinforced in all OLP classes. Included in this program are: time management skills, note-taking methods, concentration and stress management exercises, group study techniques, test-taking skills, and learning styles of education.



SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Traditional Events

  • Drama
  • Musical
  • Senior Father-Daughter Dinner Dance
  • Miss OLP Ball
  • Candlelight Procession
  • Senior Mother-Daughter Luncheon
  • Prom
  • Spring Sing
  • Grandparents' Day
  • Fall Dance
  • Alumnae Mother-Daughter
  • Family Mass-Brunch
  • Awards Assembly
  • Sports Recognition Assembly
  • Community Play Day

Leadership Training

  • Student Government
  • Class Offices/Section Rep.
  • Leadership Workshops
  • Peer Counseling
  • Class Mascots and Class Cheerleaders
  • Team Managers on Saints campus
  • CSJ Schools Together Women's Leadership Program
  • Carondelet Circle
  • National & State Sponsored Leadership Seminars

Campus Ministry

  • Retreats
  • Prayer Groups
  • Liturgy Planning
  • Mission Awarenes

Clubs

  • Academic Decathalon
  • Academic League
  • Amnesty International
  • Choral
  • Ecology
  • French
  • Kiwins
  • Speech
  • Thespians

C.I.F. Sports

  • Basketball (V,J.V.,9th)
  • Cheer
  • Cross-Country
  • Golf (V,J.V.)
  • Soccer (V,J.V.,9th)
  • Softball (V,J.V.)
  • Swim
  • Tennis (V,J.V.)
  • Track & Field
  • Volleyball (V,J.V.,9th)


TESTING PROGRAM / SAT RESULTS

Entrance Test
Given to incoming 9th graders: Scholastic Testing Services; closed high school placement test.

Grades 9. National Educational Development Test (NEDT); administered in October.

Grades 10. PSAT administered in October.

Grade 11. PSAT/NMSQT administered in October; all juniors are encouraged to take the SAT at the end of their junior year; AP students who enroll in Advanced Placement courses are encouraged to take AP tests.

Grade 12. SAT/ACT : AP students who enroll in Advanced Placement courses are encouraged to take AP tests.

Career Guidance and Testing. Given at informal times throughout the school year, and formally in the spring of the junior year.



HONOR SOCIETIES

California Scholarship Federation
The Academy CSF Chapter ranks as one of the most distinguished groups on campus. CSF aims to give recognition to students with an opportunity not only to further their own intellectual pursuits, but also to share their talents with others through service.
To be eligible for membership, students must earn 10 points each semester from five subjects certified on a list as qualifying subjects for CSF. A grade of "A" merits three points, while "B" merits one point.
Freshmen may become associate members during their first semester if they have held membership in the Junior CSF in the 8th grade, and during their second semester if they meet the regular membership requirements. The CSF does not function as a club.

National Honor Society
The John F. Kennedy Chapter of the NHS was established at the Academy in 1965. Students of the sophomore, junior and senior classes who have a minimum scholarship of "B," or 85%, are automatically considered for membership. Election of members is made by a faculty committee. The purpose of this organization is to create enthusiasm for scholarship, to render service, to promote worthy leadership and to encourage character development. Final selection is based upon a student's demonstration of these four qualities.

National Art Honor Society
The National Art Honor Society was established at the Academy in 1984. It recognizes those students who excel in art scholarship, character and service. Applicants must have a 3.0 average or above in all art classes taken in high school, must have taken at least one semester of art at the Academy, and be voted on by the faculty.


AWARDS

Valedictorian and Salutatorian Honors
The senior student who earns the highest cumulative grade point average is designated as Class Valedictorian. The student who earns the second highest cumulative grade point average is designated as Class Salutatorian. To earn either of these academic distinctions, a student must have completed at least six semesters of study at the Academy of Our Lady of Peace.

Academic letters & Bars
Letters of achievement are awarded to students who earn a 3.67 grade point average for four semesters, beginning with the second semester of the freshman year. Bars are awarded for subsequent additional semesters.

Ada Nisbet Alumnae Award
This award is presented to a graduating senior whose name is submitted to the Alumnae Association by the faculty. The basis for this selection is determined by the student's characteristics of the ideal Academy girl: Christian commitment, Loyalty, generosity, service to school and/or larger community and friendliness to all. The student's name is placed on the alumnae plaque in the main hall.

Bank of America Award
The Bank of America presents plaques to seniors outstanding in the general areas of Liberal Arts, Science and Mathematics. Certificates are presented to seniors who are outstanding in specific fields of Business, Drama, English, Foreign Language, Home Economics, Laboratory Science, Music, and Social Studies.

Bausch and Lomb Science Award
This award is presented to a junior who has distinguished herself in the field of science.

California Scholarship Federation Awards
CSF is an organization whose purpose is to foster high standards of scholarship, service and citizenship. Its motto is "Scholarship for Service." There are four types of membership:

  1. ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP:
    Any student in the second semester of the 9th grade or first semester of the 10th grade whose grades meet CSF requirements, or any student in the first semester of the 9th grade who was an Honor Member of the CJSF in her elementary or junior high school, can apply for associate membership.
    Membership is based on scholarship and citizenship only. Extracurricular activities are not used in determining membership. Membership is for the semester following the one in which the qualifying grades were earned. Application must be made each semester; it is neither automatic nor retroactive. Grades earned in the second semester of the 12th grade will count toward Life Membership.

  2. SEMESTER MEMBERSHIP:
    Any student in the 12th, 11th or second semester of the 10th grade who has met the required eligibility standards can apply for semester membership.

  3. 100% MEMBERSHIP:
    Recognition is given to those seniors who have been members for all of the last six semesters of high school.

  4. SEALBEARER OR LIFE MEMBERSHIP:
    Any student maintaining membership in the California Scholarship Federation (CSF) for four semesters of her last six (one of which must be in her senior year) becomes a life member or sealbearer.
These honors are signified by the following awards: the official CSF Life Membership Lamp pin, the Federation Chapter Seal on the diploma, permanent record and transcript, and the gold tassel and honor cord for graduation.

Honors at Entrance
The University of California and several other institutions of higher learning confer "Honors at Entrance" to applicants with a high scholastic average who have no financial need. Applicants usually rank in the top 20 percent of all incoming freshmen. Honors at Entrance is the highest recognition of academic achievement awarded by these institutions.

Academy of Our Lady of Peace Awards
The Academy recognizes outstanding students in each of its academic departments at an honors assembly at the end of the second semester. Students in grades nine through twelve are awarded honors in: Religious Studies, English, French, Spanish, Social Studies, Life Science, Physical Science, Mathematics, Computer Science, Art, Music, Dance, Athletics and Word Processing.

Sports Awards
Individual team sports annually recognize their Most Valuable, Most Improved and Most Inspirational players.

St. Joseph's Day Award
This award is given by the faculty to the senior who most exemplifies the qualities of St. Joseph: diligent work for the school and/or class over her four years at the Academy, generous service to faculty and students, and a quiet and unassuming manner in helping others.

A.S.B. Awards
The Associated Student Body annually recognizes student officers who excel in: Leadership, Dedication and Spirit.

Special Senior Awards
Leadership, Spirit and Service are recognized in a special way when four-year honorees are named at the close of senior year.

Honors at Entrance to OLP
Honors at Entrance is granted to incoming 9th graders who score over 90% on the entrance exam.

Honor Roll
Honor roll status is granted at the end of each semester grade reporting to students as follows:

  1. Principal's Honor Roll includes GPAs of 4.0 and higher.
  2. First Honors includes GPAs of 3.6 to 3.9.
Xerox Humanities and Social Sciences Award
Given by the Xerox Corporation and the University of Rochester, this award is given to the junior deemed outstanding in the study of the Humanities and Social Sciences.