PART III – SUMMARY
Antonian College Preparatory
High School, located in San Antonio, Texas is the Premier Catholic high school
in San Antonio. It is a school where students,
parents, and teachers form a unique partnership that allows for the sharing and
teaching of the Catholic faith, and the pursuit of educational excellence where
high expectations form the thrust of a challenging and supportive instructional
program.
Antonian is an Archdiocesan
high school and part of the Archdiocese of San Antonio. Founded by the Order of Christian Brothers
in 1964 as an all-male Catholic high school, Antonian now serves a diverse
co-educational student body of five hundred four (504) and is committed to
providing a college preparatory education, integrated with the teaching and
sharing of the Catholic faith in partnership with parents and students.
Located within Castle Hills, a
suburb of San Antonio, Antonian is accredited by the Texas Catholic Conference
Education Department, the Texas Education Agency and the Southern Association
of Colleges and Schools.
Students at Antonian come from
various socioeconomic levels, from single as well as two-parent households and
from two predominantly racial backgrounds – white and Hispanic. The average family income is approximately
$45,000.00, with twenty five percent (25%) earning below $25,000.00. One hundred twenty one (121) students are
receiving financial assistance this year.
Enrollment at Antonian has
been steady over the last five years, which is dramatically different from the
prior ten years when enrollment had been as low as one hundred twenty five
(125) students. In 1989 the school
became co-educational which led to its resurgence and an increase in
enrollment. Over the last three years
enrollment has increased by fifty (50) students to the present level of five
hundred four (504) students. This
year’s enrollment dropped, by twenty-five students, due to the opening of a
state-of-the-art high school in the area proximate to the school.
Antonian enjoys one of the
finest reputations as the Premier Catholic School in the San Antonio. Its
alumni enjoy a 100% graduation rate and also enjoy a 98% college admissions
statistic. Over the last four years,
the graduating classes have been accepted by a variety of colleges and
universities, including many prominent schools such as Harvard, Yale, MIT,
Boston University, Notre Dame, Columbia, Rice, DePaul, Cornell, and the like.
Additionally, students have been blessed with the acquisition of millions of
dollars in scholarships. The 1999
graduating class of one hundred twenty (120) students was awarded over five
million three hundred thousand dollars ($5,300.000.00) worth of scholarships. Additionally, the 1999 graduating class had
nine (9) students recognized in the National Merit Scholarship Program and
graduated five students who received appointments to the United States Military
Academies.
Students at Antonian enjoy a school culture that promotes
the teaching and sharing of the Catholic faith.
The slogan for the 1999-2000
school year is “Antonian – a Place Called Home”.
Teachers, students and parents
come together in support of Catholic Christian values, which promote a sense of
family, and support and service toward one another. The Catholic Conference of Bishops through a 1983 publication, To
Teach as Jesus Did, outlined the three pillars of the Catholic school: Message, the spreading of the Gospel;
Community, the living of the Gospel; and Service, the desire to become people
of service. Antonian teachers,
students, and parents and teachers are true to this basic model of Christian
living.
There are many factors that,
when put together, contribute to Antonian’s success. The administration of the school, together with the faculty,
establish yearly goals and objectives which when coupled with a high degree of
commitment on the part of students, form the impetus for school-wide
effectiveness.
Students at Antonian also
enjoy a curriculum that assists in their intellectual development. The curriculum teaches a very basic
discipline of mental habits and a meticulous examination of subject matter. The academic requirements are as follow: 4
credits of theology, 4 credits of English, 4 credits of mathematics, 4 credits
of science, 4 credits of social studies, 2 credits of foreign language, 1
credit of computer science, 1 credit of fine arts, 2 credits of physical
education, ½ credit of health, ½ credit of speech, and 1 credit of an
elective. An analysis of testing data
shows that students are achieving well above the national norm. In fact, an analysis of scores for the
senior class shows a composite NCE increase of 5.2 points.
During the last three years
many people have been involved in a strategic planning process to create a
five-year plan. Over eighty-five individuals: alumni, parents, teachers,
students and friends have been involved in the development of this plan. With the assistance of a facilitator,
Antonian revisited its Mission Statement and proceeded to develop goals and
objectives for theology, curriculum, facilities, fine arts, athletics, and
development. The plan was completed
last year and is well on its way toward implementation. The Archdiocese approved a two million two
hundred thousand dollar ($2,200.000.00) loan to proceed with three phases of
development for the school. Phase one
was completed this summer, with phase two beginning in November 1999, which
will include the building of a new school cafeteria, three new classrooms, a
new computer lab, and a teacher lounge/workroom. Phase three will encompass a capital campaign for a new athletic
facility.
PART IV – VISION/MISSION
STATEMENT
The vision/mission statement
of Antonian was initially drafted in 1963 and has undergone some major
revisions over the years. Ten years ago
Antonian became co-educational and thus required a refocusing of its
vision/mission statement. Four years
ago the Archdiocese, in contemplating the future of Antonian, called for a
revisit of the mission statement. The process of revisiting the vision/mission
statement took well over a year, incorporated all the various constituencies of
the school and provided a new emphasis that focused on the Catholicity of the
school, in addition to its academic focus. The new mission statement reads as
follows:
Antonian College Preparatory
High School, a Catholic school, is committed to providing a co-educational
college preparatory education, integrated with the teaching and the sharing of
the Catholic faith in partnership with parents and students.
Antonian operates under the
auspices of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Antonio. Its expressed mission is the transmission of
the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the richness of the Roman Catholic tradition
in an environment that fosters academic excellence and embraces economic and
cultural diversity.
The goal of its curriculum is to
encourage and develop each individual student to reach his/her unique potential
so that he/she will experience success in the world in which he/she lives. Its curriculum also is designed to allow the
student expanded opportunities to participate more fully in the Christian life
and prepare him/her to enter an institution of higher learning.
The aim of the Catholic
philosophy of education is the development of the whole person; anything else
is a truncated education. Hence, its
concept must embrace the notion of body and soul, mind and will, character and
knowledge, the individual and corporate society, the past, the present, the
future, and all eternity.
Unity of purpose must be
considered a part of the overall picture of one's life; otherwise, life becomes
meaningless and aimless. A well‑balanced
sense of values, the ability to think clearly, the strong conviction of what
God expects of one here and hereafter – these are the things that are embraced
in the philosophy of education in Catholic high schools.
Antonian recognizes that it
constitutes only a part in the whole educational process – a part assumed on
behalf of parents for the betterment of the entire community. There are many other educational forces that
will contribute to a youth's education ‑ the home, the elementary school,
the parish church, a student's employment, the mass media and society in
general. All play their part in testing and refining student ideals. The high school directs all these forces,
sometimes completing and crystallizing, sometimes correcting, always
integrating the various bits of learning that have been gathered. Along with this, the Antonian promotes the
necessary qualifications for higher learning. Established academic standards
are met in order for students to achieve intellectual readiness and become
proficient in order to continue their education.
PART V ‑ LEARNING‑CENTERED
SCHOOLS CRITERIA
1.
Student Focus and
Support
A1. How would you describe your student population? What are your students’ needs? How do you assure that the needs of
all students are met?
The primary goal of Antonian
College Preparatory is to assist in the development of the students’
intellectual and faith formation. Towards that end, the school provides a
rigorous academic and religious education program of study and formation. Upon graduation students should have had
developed the necessary intellectual skills to seek entry into any university
of their choice and to become people of service – the synthesis of faith
formation.
Antonian’s student population
is composed of five hundred four (504) students, fifty three percent (53 %)
male and forty seven percent (47%) female. Over fifty percent (50%) of the
students come from other Catholic schools in the area, while the rest come from
local public schools. Over three
hundred (300) eighth grade students take the entrance exam test each year. One hundred fifty (150) students are
selected from this group and generally score above the seventy-fifth (75%) percentile on standardized testing. Additionally, eighty percent (80%) of the
Antonian student body is Catholic, enjoying a fullness of educational
integration of faith and intellect. Students attending Antonian are bright and
well disciplined. They are assisted in
acquiring a sense of purpose. Forty
percent (40%) of the students are enrolled in honors courses while the rest
learn under a college preparatory model – a preparation for entry into any
major college university of their choice.
Additionally, grades are
reviewed continuously. Students that fall below the expected norm are
identified and are subject to a conference. The Dean of Academics and the Dean
of Students discuss the matter of poor grades with the student and a plan of
action is developed with a more successful grading period in mind.
Additionally, students who fail more than one subject are restricted from
extracurricular activities for the following grading period. To assist,
students in the National Honor Society provide tutorials to students who are
having difficulties. Teachers are also
available for tutorials in the morning and after school. In assessing student
needs, Antonian administers the Stanford Achievement Test. The test is
administered in September and in April.
Instructional goals and objectives are developed from this data. Furthermore, students evaluate their
teachers at the end of the school year.
Teachers examine their role as teacher and develop means by which they
can address items resulting from poor performance.
A2. What nonacademic services and programs are available to
support students, and how do they relate to the student needs and school goals
identified?
Antonian is committed to
providing its students a college preparatory education integrated with the
teaching and sharing of the Catholic faith. There is a distinction made between
the teaching and the sharing of the Catholic faith. In teaching the faith, the
goal is for students to learn the basic teachings of our church – doctrine,
prayers, and dogmas. In sharing the
faith, the goal is for students to form a community of believers who, along
with parents and faculty, can live out the Gospel message. To these ends, Antonian offers its students
four years of theology classes – teaching New Testament, Old Testament,
morality, church history, sacraments, Catholic ethics and justice. Additionally, Antonian offers its students
an opportunity to become involved in Campus Ministry. The Campus Ministry Program is in an integral part of the
pedagogy of teaching and the sharing of our faith. Through the program, students become involved in liturgical
preparation, retreat formulation and peer leadership.
Additionally, in committing to
provide students with a college preparatory education, Antonian provides a
curriculum that prepares them for entry into the college or university of their
choice. The Guidance Office supplies students with the information and the
protocol to do the following: become familiar with universities, research the
school of their choice, process an admissions application and apply for
financial assistance and scholarships.
The counselor meets with each junior and senior student. The guidance
counselor also meets with senior students and their parents to discuss college
options. Various seminars are also conducted to assist parents with college
admissions procedures and scholarship applications. The 1998-1999 graduating
class was awarded over five million three hundred thousand dollars in
scholarships.
Additionally, the Guidance
Office assists in preparing students for the administration of the PSAT. The Math and English Departments spend time
in helping students with test-taking skills and also with the various
components of the PSAT. Antonian had a
total of nine students involved in the National Merit Scholarship Program.
The following services are
provided to the Antonian student body:
· peer tutoring through the
National Honor Society
· peer assistance leadership
(PAL), which seeks to assist their students with dealing with peers having drug
and alcohol related problems
· the DAAC Program, which is
directed by approximately 30 parents who wish to assist in the education of
drug and alcohol related issues by providing funding for programs, presenting a
seminar series for parents and presenting students with speakers and assemblies
to discuss issues related to drug and alcohol, the Student Council, which is
composed of student leaders who meet with the Principal monthly and also meet
with the Administrative Council twice a year to discuss issues relevant to
student concerns.
A2a For special education schools, how do you assist in planning access
to further services after students leave the school?
Antonian does not serve any
special education students.
A3. How does your school determine and address the developmental
needs of students as they move from grade to grade?
Since Antonian students come
from throughout the San Antonio area and from many different schools,
consideration is given to the adjustments that new students must make in order
to transition well into high school.
Students are welcomed many months before they ever enroll at
Antonian. A tour of the school and a
meeting with the Principal is often followed with an invitation to a dance
where students from throughout the city come together and enjoy some
fellowship. Students then take the
entrance exam in December and begin the formal entry into the school.
Through an examination of
testing data, report card grades, letters of recommendation and a personal
interview, the school begins to understand the needs of each student and
collectively, of each class.
After the student is admitted,
he/she and parents are invited to a general gathering and orientation where the
school’s expectations are made known and where the school once again converses
with parents about their particular concerns and/or needs.
In August of each year, the
student council sponsors a freshman picnic and swimming party. This picnic assists the new student in
feeling welcomed and a part of the school.
There are various other social opportunities where the student can
continue his/her integration into Antonian.
Antonian students come from
throughout the San Antonio area and from over twenty different schools. In order to be admitted to Antonian, a
student takes the High School Placement Test.
Through this test, we are able to understand the various needs and
academic functioning of each student. Once admitted, students take the Stanford
Achievement Test in September and in May.
The results from the test are then analyzed, and each academic
department sets additional curricular goals and objectives. Student grades are also monitored on a four
and one-half week basis. At the end of
each nine weeks, the Academic Dean and Dean of Students speak with students
failing more than one subject, and a plan of action which focuses on grade
improvement is developed. This plan may
include more coordination with parents and tutoring by teacher and/or
students. Each year, incoming students
are given an orientation at the start of the school year. Parent orientations
are also held for three consecutive nights at the beginning of the school year. The Dean of Students generally gives
students who leave Antonian an exit interview. Students entering Antonian
during the school year are oriented as to the school’s philosophy, expectations
and discipline.
Additionally, Antonian hosts a
number of OPEN FORUMS. The purpose of
these meetings is to assist parents and students in an understanding of the
schools various expectations and also to assist the school in understanding the
various needs students and parents have. Lastly, at the end of each school
year, the Principal and administrative staff meet with the student leadership
to discuss the previous year and to plan for the following.
A4. What co-curricular activities are available for students and how
do those activities extend the academic curriculum?
Antonian offers students a
varied listing of opportunities for co-curricular (extracurricular) activities.
As a special note, in a recent interview with the freshman class, over
seventy-five percent (75%) of the students indicated extracurricular
participation.
Antonian College Preparatory High School strives to help students grow
in their social skills, expand their talents outside the classroom, and educate
them to the fullest extent possible. Experience in activities are designed to
help students satisfy their recreational, social and emotional interests, and
needs. Student activities are characterized by extensive student participation
in both the planning and execution of these programs. Under competent guidance,
students share responsibility for selecting, organizing and evaluating the
activities and outcomes. In all activities, the development of democratic
leadership and cooperative attitudes is a major objective. Additionally, the
students’ participation in athletics not only assists them to develop skills
and expertise in a particular sport but it also assures their ability to
develop character and a cooperative spirit of teamwork.
Over the years various clubs,
activities, and athletic teams have developed due to the interest expressed by
the student body. The most dramatic addition of activities and athletic teams
came as a result of the school’s decision to become co-educational. Every year there are new clubs and
activities added. Generally, students who wish to participate in a new
organization, club or athletic team, present a letter of interest to the
Principal. Once approved, the students
are to find a sponsor who will take responsibility of becoming a moderator for
said club or organization. The same
process is followed for the addition of any new athletic teams. Boys’ Volleyball was added to the athletic
listing of offerings two years ago. The
Drama Club, Latin Club and Debate Club were added last year. Over seventy-five percent
(75%) of the total student population presently participate in extracurricular
activities – equally represented by boys and girls. Drama, Publications and
Honor Societies include: Fall and Spring Productions, The Warrior (Yearbook),
The National Honor Society, The Smoke Signal (Newspaper), and The Literary
Magazine (The Magnum Opus). Clubs,
Organizations and Activities include: Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Student
Council, Back to School Dances, Homecoming Dance, Ring Day, Environmental Earth
Club, Tennis Club, Pep Rallies, Spirit Week, Junior-Senior Prom, Spanish Club,
Latin Club, and Field Days. Athletic teams include: Football (Boys Varsity,
IV, freshmen), Volleyball (G/B, JV, Freshmen), Cross Country (G/B),
Cheerleading & Dance Team, Soccer (G/B Varsity), Tennis (G/B), Basketball (
G/B Varsity, JV, Freshmen), Softball (Girls, Varsity & JV), Baseball
(Varsity & JV), Track & Field (G/B), Golf (G/B), and Swimming.
A5. How does your school address the accessibility of its facilities to
students and others with disabilities?
The Antonian Campus is
accessible for people with physical disabilities. There are handicapped spaces in the front and side of the
school. Ramps are available, also, at
the front and side of the school. Additionally, restrooms have been remodeled
to allow entry by individuals with disabilities. A new classroom wing and a cafeteria are being built and will
comply with all state and federal requirements related to accessibility to
students belonging to this special population.
B. School Organization and Culture
B1. How does the culture of your school support the learning of all
its members and foster a caring community?
In describing the mission of
Antonian, one of its most salient features is its partnership with parents and
students. Antonian is comprised of five hundred four (504) students whose
parents are involved, caring and desirous of high expectations. Antonian’s teachers and administrators are
“en loco parentis”, in place of parents.
Parents want the school to teach children values, faith, doctrine and
experiences that promote Catholic Christian ideals. Additionally, they desire an expansive curriculum and firm
consistent discipline.
The school motto is Antonian
– A Place Called Home. This motto
is expressive of the genuine feeling of love, warmth and belonging that is Antonian’s
greatest gift. The Apache is the symbol of the Antonian student body. The
symbol appears at the entrance of the building in the front of the school. The important school symbol was installed in
the floor as a reminder of the traditions of Antonian. Antonian students do not
step on the Apache. Within the hustle and bustle of school, after all homework
is checked, the tests are graded and students have gone to rest for the day,
one often looks back on the day and contemplates the awesome possibilities that
exist. Antonian is truly blessed with beautiful and wholesome students who, in
spite of being youngsters and doing youngster kinds of things, rise to the
occasion every time. The possibilities at Antonian are endless. They are
plentiful. Greater and better things are within the reach of each student. As envisioned, Antonian is a place where
students, are family, feel happy and have a sense of camaraderie. It is a place
where serious thought is given to spiritual and academic pursuits. Students understand
that there is a value in staying focused on the goal or ideal, to try and be
true to the expectations they, parents and the school set, and to accept the
consequence of their actions.
Antonian shares in parents’
hopes and desires for a better world, a world that will require youngsters to
be knowledgeable, and to take that knowledge and apply it for the good of
mankind -- the synthesis of faith formation. Seriousness of purpose is not
about somberness. It is about assuring
that youngsters will contribute to the formation of a better generation. With
full confidence, in the twilight of their lives, they will look back
and be thankful that Antonian assisted in the formation of their lives. We give
thanks to God for the Heart of Antonian.
Antonian uses various methods
to engage all parents, teachers and students in collective inquiry, reflection,
and responsible decision‑making about learning. There are celebrations of the Liturgy, special student
assemblies, individual teacher to student conferences, student forums and
general open forums. Antonian assembles once a month to celebrate liturgy and
through it, to share a faith experience with its students. Students are responsible for the planning
and execution of said liturgy. Additionally, student assemblies are often
called to discuss various issues and thought processes with students. Recently, after several students were
dismiss for cheating, a special assembly was held to discuss the issue of
honesty and cheating. From the assembly
came a discussion between students and administrators about what could be done
to help prevent cheating. Last year, several assemblies were held to discuss
the use of drugs and alcohol and another to discuss respect for self, school
and others. Teachers are also asked to discuss with student issues affecting
the whole campus such as excessive tardies or lack of dress decorum. Class
officers often gathered with the Principal to discuss more specific issues
affecting one class or another. Lastly, there are three to four open forums
each year. These open forums,
established for parents, tend to promote parent input and also give the school
an opportunity to share with them.
B2. What opportunities do students have to build sustained and caring
relationships with teachers and other adults? How does your school promote a healthy peer climate among the
students?
Teachers and students often
have an opportunity to develop sustained and caring relationships due to the smallness
of the school and also due to the fact that teachers take a personal interest
in their students. Besides this, with over seventy-five percent of the Antonian
student body participating in extracurricular activities, teachers and students
have wonderful added opportunity to build relationships.
There are often students or
groups of students who feel disenfranchised because they feel that they do not
belong or because they are not made to feel welcome. Part of this attitude or outcome is considered normal as
adolescents begin their journey toward young adulthood. The culture that has
developed, the relationship that students feel with one another, and the
relationship that teachers and coaches have developed with students contribute
towards a sense of wholesomeness and belonging. The prayer life of the school,
the culture of the school, and sense of family among the teachers and students
are factors in the sustained relationships that have been developed. Through
student assemblies, teacher coaxing and teaching, students at Antonian quickly
understand the expected norms of behavior and treatment.
More often than not, students
who feel disenfranchised do so because of individual peer-to-peer relationship
issues rather than because of group pressures or other factors. Administrators,
counselors, and teachers often deal with students who are upset with one
another because of girl-boy problems and the like. For example, recently, a girl had broken up with a boy because
the girl’s best friend had spread an untruth that the girl believed. The
counselor gathered the students involved and helped them talk and sort through
the various issues related to their problem. Thanks to the confrontation, the
problems were solved!
B3. How are teachers hired in your school? How are teacher assignments made?
As the hiring cycle comes around each year,
Antonian seeks to hire the best qualified and experienced teachers it can. Antonian seeks to hire all degreed teachers,
especially those possessing Master Degrees.
Over the last three years, the
teacher compensation packet has been revised and ugmented. Teachers’ salaries
range from $23,000.00 to $32,000.00. They fall between eighty to eighty-five
percent of the local public school scale.
Prior to 1996, starting teachers earned $16,000.00. Starting teachers
today earn $23,5000.00.This is a forty-five (45%) percent increase.
Additionally,
all teachers receive full medical insurance at no cost and receive a retirement
annuity of five percent of their annual salary. This has made it easier to attract experienced and competent
teachers to the staff. When teachers are hired, they are hired to teach a
specific subject area. Due to the perfect
size of the school, one teacher generally teaches his specialized field to five
classes. Teachers are assigned to a
particular class based upon their teaching field and level of experience.
Additionally, because the same
teacher teaches all the courses in a particular grade, Antonian is able to have
a consistent teaching focus for all its students in a certain subject per
grade. The English I teacher teaches
all six sections of freshman students, for instance. This allows for the
teacher to know all of the freshman students and make the appropriate
curricular adjustments necessary to impact individual students as well.
B4. What is your school’s plan for school safety, discipline, and drug
prevention? Wat is your record for the past five years?
School safety, discipline and
drug prevention are issues affecting all schools. Antonian has had its share of difficulties with these
issues. However, the difficulties
confronted are not of the same magnitude of those experienced by the public
school system.
Antonian maintains a very
effective system of discipline that espouses responsibility and immediate
consequences. For minor offenses a student is expected to serve a one-hour
detention on Wednesday afternoons. For offenses which are problem areas and
which the school wants extinguished, the student is expected to serve detention
on Saturday morning. This is known as
Saturday School. The school also counts with zero-tolerance for drugs and
alcohol, harassment, fighting, and cheating. Other major offenses carry
zero-tolerance consequences, and, thus, cause a student to be dismissed from
Antonian. A foundation of proper decorum and behavior is at the root of the
Antonian student. The student is
expected to manifest the following attributes: Honesty and Integrity, Courtesy,
Pride, Sportsmanship, School Spirit, and Ethical Christian Behavior
As part of the classroom
discipline system, a student is expected to conform to the following classroom
expectations: he/she shall be in
his/her seat before the tardy bell rings and remain in it unless otherwise requested;
he/she shall come to class prepared with such materials as paper, books,
pen/pencil, homework, etc.; he/she shall contribute towards order and learning;
and he/she shall be in proper dress and adhere to the grooming code. A student found copying, cheating or
plagiarizing it to be referred to the Office of the Dean of Academics where a
hearing will be held with his/her parents, the Dean of Students and the
Teacher. If it is proved, without a
reasonable doubt, the student may be dismissed from Antonian.
Any student who distracts from
the learning environment is subject to disciplinary action. The teacher may
utilize the following procedure: verbal warning, student-teacher discussion,
detention, parental notification, or office referral as a consequence of
violation of classroom expectations. On the average, there are ten to fifteen
students in detention hall each week.
The offenses range from being late to class to not being prepared for
class. Additionally, there are five to eight students in Saturday school each
week. The offenses range from being
tardy late to gum chewing. Up to this
point, approximately twenty-four students dismissed from Antonian during the
three to five years. Four were
dismissed for harassment of other students; six were dismissed for possession
of drugs; five were dismissed for possession of alcohol; and ten were dismissed
for cheating.
1.
Challenging
Standards and Curriculum
C1. How does your
curriculum serve the broad goals for student learning and development that the
public generally expects education to achieve: personal and intellectual
growth, citizenship, and preparation for work and higher education? What relative emphasis do you place on these
goals in your curriculum
The Antonian curriculum serves the broad goals for
student learning and development in a variety of ways. These include, but are not limited to, the
following objectives: to insure that Christian truths and values are integrated
into the student's total development, to provide a curriculum that allows
students to gain proficiency in advanced mathematics, sciences, social
sciences, arts, English and foreign languages; to provide opportunities for
students to experience the development of skills in the use of a logical
process of search, analysis, evaluation, and problem solving; to provide a
curriculum that assists students to gain knowledge of our religious, cultural,
and economic heritage and develop an appreciation of the influence it has on
the students' lives; to prepare the students as social beings to assume their
roles in society; to teach students to
appreciate the richness and variety of our cultural heritage, to promote an
understanding of the importance of personal physical and mental health and of
environmental and ecological concerns; and to impart knowledge of the
democratic process and prepare the student to participate in civic and
governmental affairs.
Antonian insures that Christian truths and values are
integrated into the students’ total
development by: teaching students to revere all
persons as children of God and respect all creation, providing guidance in
moral values and instruction in the beliefs and traditions of the Catholic
Church, assisting students in internalizing Christian beliefs through
participation in liturgical celebrations and personal prayer life, providing
students with opportunities to participate in the ministries of the Church to
spread the good news, providing
students with knowledge and skills that lead to the development of Christian
attitudes toward human sexuality and
the family, and including the study of the social implications of the Gospel
and giving witness to them through Christian living in its curriculum.
Antonian insures that students gain proficiency in
advanced mathematics, sciences, social sciences, arts, English and foreign
languages by providing a curriculum emphasizing curricular truths and knowledge in each subject. Antonian
provides opportunities for students to experience the development of skills in
the use of a logical process of search,
analysis, evaluation, and problem solving through
their daily interaction with the curriculum and instruction. Antonian assists students
to gain knowledge of our religious, cultural, and economic heritage and to
develop an appreciation of the influence it has on the students' lives through
its curriculum. Antonian prepares students to become social beings who assume
their roles in society by assisting students in recognizing the family as the
basic institution of society and understanding the diversity of present day
family units, promoting opportunities for students to develop a consciousness
of the demands of social justice, assisting students with the formation of
behavioral patterns consonant with Christian social standards, helping students
acquire communication skills for effective interaction, and promoting
opportunities to develop skills in responsible use of, and creative planning
for, leisure time.
Antonian teaches the students to appreciate the
richness and variety of our cultural heritage by instilling knowledge and
appreciation of the art, music, literature, and drama of the ethnic groups that
make up our American heritage, helping them to develop an understanding and
appreciation of the cultural diversity within the local community as well as in
the nation at large, and ensuring that students develop competency in one of
the major languages other than English. Antonian promotes an understanding of
the importance of personal physical and mental health and of environmental and
ecological concerns by: providing students with knowledge of the elements of
personal health, raising the students’ awareness of the dangers to health from
the consumption and misuse or abuse of harmful substances, assisting students
in recognizing environmental and ecological problems and helping them learn how
to prevent those problems, helping students to develop good sportsmanship and
participation in athletic events or other forms of recreation, and providing
content that will help students become
knowledgeable of standard safety measures and accident prevention procedures.
In conclusion, Antonian imparts knowledge of the
democratic process and prepares the students to participate in civic and
governmental affairs. This is done by
ensuring that students develop an appreciation for the privileges of
citizenship so that they may learn to accept and embrace its responsibilities;
assisting students in acquiring skill in effectively interacting with public
and private political organizations so that they may influence decisions made
by such organizations; providing
opportunities for students to become knowledgeable in government practices,
political principles, and current political and civic activities; assisting
students in contributing to, and benefiting from, community resources; and
helping students to develop an ability to judge the merits of competing
political ideologies and candidates for political positions.
PERSONAL AND INTELLECTUAL GOALS - Students grow personally, spiritually, and
intellectually in a variety of ways.
The campus ministry program, retreats, and theology courses provide a foundation
upon which there can be moral reflection and growth as well as choices and
decision-making.
CITIZENSHIP - Through
participation in student government, students learn positive and effective ways
to impact decision making at their school. Students also participate in Junior
State, an organization that promotes an understanding of systems of government.
Students also participate in Debate and come to learn the positioning of
arguments – pro and con. Students learn about participatory government, the
three branches of government, the electoral process and the like, through the
curricular offering of the US Government Class they take as seniors. Students
also participate in pro-life marches and habitat for humanity. Through these activities they learn, first
hand, the significance and responsibility of citizenship.
PREPARATION FOR WORK AND HIGHER EDUCATION - Students at Antonian are well prepared for higher
education as evidenced by the fact that almost 100% of them are accepted in
colleges and universities of their choice.
A total of over five million three hundred thousand dollars
($5,300,000.00) was awarded in college scholarships to the 1999 graduating
class of one hundred twenty (120) students.
Feedback from graduates and their parents shows that the students do
well in college and that many of them do so well as to place out of entry level
course.
In addition, many junior and senior students work
after school. Many local employers share their enthusiasm when they hire
Antonian students’. Many of our
students work at local restaurants, Sea World, Six Flags and several business
offices.
C2. How is your school organized to provide for
differing student academic needs within the school's goals, priorities, and
curriculum?
In February of each school year, the Registrar’s
office begins the process of course development and course selection for
students. Before that time however, the
Academic Council, based upon experience and standardized test data, makes some
decisions about the curricular offerings for the following year and the
appropriate at which the student body should be taught.
There are three levels of curricular offerings for the
Antonian student. These are College Preparatory, Honors and Honors Advanced
Placement. Students who enter into
Honors or Honors Advanced Placement do so through teacher recommendation and a
demonstrated record of academic success.
All other students are placed into the mixture of college preparatory offerings.
Honors classes are only offered in mathematics, English, and science. Honors Advanced Placement classes are
offered in English and mathematics. After each nine-week period, a student can
be moved into more difficult or less difficult levels. After each grading
period, the Dean of Academics assesses grades.
Whenever a student is having a more difficult time or an easier time,
there is some discussion with the student and the parents. There then can be a decision made relevant
to the need to move said student. More
often than not, however, students do not move into or out of groups during the
school year. Student movement occurs
more between grades.