English/Language Arts: Literature in the I Prep focuses on reading for knowledge, information, and entertainments by offering an extensive genre selection.  Class novels are read and studied throughout the year.  Students progress in comprehension, reading and writing strategies, and summarizing.  They study the eight parts of speech, spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure.  Additionally, students explore both Greek and Latin root words, and they are provided many opportunities to apply their skills in composing concise, coherent paragraphs and essays.

Mathematics: In I Prep math, students are taught to develop number sense- the intuitive, meaningful use of numbers in mental computation, estimation, problem solving, and practical application.  I Prep math actively engages students in inquiry, reason, and communication about math and provides skill development necessary to solve real-world problems.

Social Studies: I Prep social studies centers on the history of North America, regional resources, Native American life, European exploration, colonial development, and the American Revoluton.  Units of study also include westward explansion and the Industrial Revolution.  Geographic concepts are reviewed and note-taking skills are mastered.

Science: I Prep science provides students with the opportunity to develop important science concepts and to instill positive attitudes toward science.  Students experience life science, earth science, and technology while simultaneously developing their critical-thinking and problem-solving skills.  Through our NAO robotics program and code.org curriculum, students create coding programs, lopps, functions, events, conditionals, and algorithms for everyday tasks.

Religion: I Prep religion is rooted in Scripture, faithful to the Tradition of the Catholic Church and invites students into a relationship with the Holy Trinity.  Students learn about their faith, celebrate the Mass and sacraments, choose to show low and respect, pray every day, and share their faith with the community.

French: I Prep French uses an aural-oral approach as the main learning method for building vocabulary and enhancing the level of reading and writing with the supplement of computer and online exercises.  Extensive practice and assessment of dramatic performance, authentic communication, listening exercises, creative projects, and writing assignments round our the students' learning experiences.

English/Language Arts: In II Prep literature class, students read a wide variety of materials and use many different media to respond to the ideas presented.  The curriculum encourages analysis of characters, theme, point of view, and symbolism and motivation in works of fiction and fosters the use of critical thinking skills.  Age-appropriate, high-interest novels are presented through small group book studies and whole class novel studies.  Writing is a constant practice in various forms, including paragraphs and short research essays, literary analysis, creative writing, and comparison.

Mathematics: In II Prep math, mathematical thinking skills are developed through a problem-based curriculum that sequences mathematical ideas to develop conceptual understanding.  The student-centered classroom embraces questioning, discussion, and a focus on mathematical contexts and connections to the real world.

Social Studies: Ancient history is the focus of social studies in II Prep, beginning with prehistory, Paleolithic humans, and the agricultural revolution.  A study of early civilizations across the world focuses on the trade, art, literature, and written language.  Mesopotamia, Egypt, Palestine, and Greece fr the basic curriculum with additional studies of China, Islam, and Medieval Europe.

Science: II Prep science provides students with the opportunity to develop important science concepts and positive attitudes toward science.  In the Life and Earth Sciences, II Prep students study the Mississippi watershed combining the study of marine debris with land based pollution impact.  

Religion: Using the Bible as the basic conveyor of the story of faith, the II Prep religion program presents the major Old Testament biblical characters and their stories of faith, specifically covenants and connections between the Old and New Testaments.  Students learn different strategies to use in their prayer lives and how to grow in their personal relationships with God.

French: II Prep French uses listening, speaking, reading, and writing activities to support the student in reaching rudimentary to working levels of fluency.  At this level, students focus on shaping their fluency levels and are encouraged to use authentic communication.  The working classroom language is French.

English/Language Arts: III Preparatory is focused on developing students’ reading, writing, vocabulary, and grammar skills, and connections among these components are consistently reinforced. Students begin to read consistently on both literal and figurative levels, delving deeper than plot to engage with the texts’ themes and to discover how an author’s style contributes to the development of those themes. Reading selections include modern and classic novels, as well as selected poems and short stories that are incorporated into thematic units. Students also look deeper into the symbolism of a text as well as an in-depth study of irony. Students engage in an independent reading program that incorporates texts selected by the students themselves and contemporary high interest novels in small group book studies  as well as whole class novel studies to advance the child’s literacy and to develop a robust classroom reading community meant to inspire a habit of reading in students so that they become life-long readers and learners.

Mathematics: Two math options are available to III Preparatory students: III Preparatory math and Pre–Algebra. The value of a problem–based approach is that students spend most of their time in math class doing mathematics; making sense of problems and building their understanding. Not all mathematical knowledge can be discovered, so direct instruction is offered where appropriate. The goal is to give students enough background and tools to solve initial problems successfully, and then set them to increasingly sophisticated problems as their expertise increases.

The III Preparatory pre–algebra course includes a review of basic math skills; then, it proceeds to drawing conclusions from data, patterns and measurements in geometry, integers and variable expressions, algebraic equations and inequalities, graphing in the coordinate plane, functions, rational numbers, applications of percent and proportions and probability. Emphasis is placed on skills mastery and on using math concepts.

Social Studies: Preparatory students examine the history of the United States. Using essential questions, the students are guided to discover the reasons for the growth of our nation. The students explore the struggle of power between factions within our democracy, the people, ideas and events that lead to nationalism, as well as questioning how we interact with other nations. . Units of study include the American Revolution, U. S. government, physical expansion of our country, civil war and reconstruction,and industrialism. Key events and people are introduced to help students develop an accurate perspective of the history of our nation.

Science: III Preparatory science is a study of life, Earth, and the environment, the study of Earth’s crust, oceans, pollution and its effects. Working with the University of Oklahoma, students gather soil samples and through analysis, partner with biomedical research in an effort to find new drug-like molecules from fungi. III Preparatory students study the Mississippi watershed area with an emphasis on the effects of plastics in our ditches, rivers, gulf and oceans. The students participate in  an overnight field experience at Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON) where students work with researchers in the lab and field, kayak in the marsh and participate in a research cruise in the Gulf of Mexico. III Preparatory science studies develop lasting impressions about making a positive impact on their environment and community. During their studies of life science, students investigate chemistry of life, plants and animals, living organisms, reproduction and heredity,  In partnership with Cornell Lab of Ornithology BirdSleuths©, students utilize our 250 acre campus to identify local birds, their calls and habitat requirements. As Citizen Scientists, students use the Merlin Bird ID app to upload the data they collect through their studies. Incorporating environmental studies, recycled materials are used to make bird houses for campus enjoyment.

Religion: Religion in III Preparatory is rooted in Scripture, faithful to the Tradition of the Catholic Church and invites students into a relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Students learn about their faith, celebrate the Mass and sacraments, choose to show love and respect, pray every day, share their faith with others and live out their faith. Students study the New Testament, which tells the story of Jesus, provides the background for the study of Jesus and His mission. Students examine the life of Jesus, and they explore the meaning of His teachings. The Sacraments are studied as a continuation of the life-giving mission of Jesus. Students are asked to measure their values with those of Jesus and are challenged to integrate Jesus’ values with their own. Lessons on prayer and liturgy aid this integration.

French: III Preparatory French uses listening, speaking, reading and writing activities to support the student in reaching rudimentary to working levels of fluency. Listening exercises, online exercises, more extensive writing exercises; continuation of verb conjugation; oral presentations, and individual and group projects provide assessment and encourage creative thought. At this level, students focus on shaping their fluency levels and are encouraged to use authentic communication. The working classroom language is French.

 

I Prep: The I Preparatory music curriculum is based on the study of the basic elements of music: rhythm, melody, harmony, form, tone color, and musical expression. The students experience these elements through singing, listening, analyzing, and performing music. Movement Exploration and Folk Dance units are introduced during I Preparatory music classes. Through these units, students develop advanced body coordination as well as expressive sensitivity connected to music. Additionally, I Preparatory students have the opportunity to participate in the main school musical. Through this performing arts experience the girls are exposed to aspects of musical theater such as audition techniques, stage crew responsibilities, technical rehearsals, staging, choreography, and vocal performance techniques.

II Prep: The II Preparatory music curriculum is based on the study of the basic elements of music: rhythm, melody, harmony, form, tone color, and musical expression. The students experience these elements through singing, listening, analyzing, and performing music. Movement Exploration and Folk-Dance studies are reintroduced and elevated during II Preparatory music classes. Through these units of study, students develop advanced body coordination as well as expressive sensitivity connected to music. Additionally, II Preparatory students have the opportunity to participate in the main school musical. Through this performing arts experience the girls are exposed to aspects of musical theater such as audition techniques, stage crew responsibilities, technical rehearsals, staging, choreography, and vocal performance techniques.

III Prep: The III Preparatory music curriculum is based on the study of the basic elements of music: rhythm, melody, harmony, form, tone color, and musical expression. The students experience these elements through singing, listening, analyzing, and performing music. Movement Exploration and Musical Form Analysis units are introduced during III Preparatory music classes. In conjunction with these units, students create an original “Move-It” and “Music Video” project. These projects showcase each students’ knowledge and application of music terminology, basic song form, and expressive sensitivity connected to music. Additionally, III Preparatory students have the opportunity to participate in the main school musical. Through this performing arts experience the girls are exposed to aspects of musical theater such as audition techniques, stage crew responsibilities, technical rehearsals, staging, choreography, and vocal performance techniques.

I Prep:  Students in I Preparatory art study the basic elements of color, shape, line, and texture. They are introduced to beginning drawing and simple crafts, using a variety of media. Focus is on self-expression and creativity. Particular aspects of art appreciation are presented.

II Prep: The II Preparatory art program extends students’ experiences with the  elements of color, shape, line, and texture through deep exploration. More advanced drawing and crafts are introduced. Self-expression and creativity are stressed. Aspects of art appreciation are presented.

III Prep: Students in III Preparatory art study in depth the elements of color, shape, line, and texture. They are introduced to beginning drawing and simple crafts, using a variety of media. Stress is on self-expression and creativity. Certain aspects of art appreciation are presented.

I Prep:  I Prep Physical Education focuses on physical fitness, hand-eye coordination and object control skills such as throwing, catching, passing and kicking. Students are engaged in a variety of activities and organized drills to promote skill development. Fair play and good sportsmanship are stressed.

II Prep: Preparatory physical education focuses on physical fitness, hand-eye coordination and object control skills such as throwing, catching, passing and kicking. students are engaged in a variety of activities and organized drills to promote skill development. Fair play and good sportsmanship are stressed.

III Prep: Students focus on a variety of activities for physical fitness. Units are designed to help promote healthy living. Training in intermediate-level individual, dual, and team skills is incorporated. The course also focuses on understanding of rules and strategies involved in team sports. Students are introduced to recreational activities and small group participation in physical education projects is emphasized.

Equestrian Program: The equestrian program is designed to allow students to explore the various aspects of the horse: its instincts, mannerisms, and emotions, as well as its physical characteristics. Students work to achieve specific goals in their riding and horsemanship in order to become skilled and confident horsewomen. Safety is stressed, and each student progresses at her own pace. The Equestrian Program, in conjunction with a health education component, is approved by the Louisiana Department of Education as a substitute for physical education. Students who do not take Equestrian for physical education credit do not take the health component.