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Academics
St. Genevieve High School offers a rigorous education for honor, college-prep or general students. We are fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. To earn a diploma, students enroll in six classes each semester for a total of 240 credits. Departmental Requirements:
On the Cutting Edge During the last decade, St. Gen’s has literally been transformed by:
St. Gen’s is proud of the fact that 98% of our graduates attend colleges and universities, with many admitted to some of the nation's best schools, such as: Yale University, University of Southern California (USC); Boston University; Loyola Marymount University; Mount St. Mary's College; Pepperdine University; University of California schools and California State University schools.
JOURNEYS in Character Education
Once a month at SGHS, the campus becomes one big seminar. During these intense “Character Formation Days,” students meet leaders and presenters from all walks of life before breaking into small study groups to discuss hot-button topics like racism, bullying, cheating and popular party drugs. “Character education is simply the most important component of the academic experience,” says Patrick Palmeter, Dean of Character Formation. “We all have memories of being teased, called names and in some instances beaten up because of our height, style of dress, ethnicity, gender, mannerisms — anything that makes us different.“ “St Genevieve knows from our own experience that this doesn’t have to be the case. It is certainly not the case at our school,” he points out. Created as a response to the Columbine school killings, character education at St. Genevieve employs the “Character Counts” program’s six pillars of character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. SGHS students have met and interacted with Holocaust survivors, former Neo-Nazi party members, civil rights activists and the parents of school shooting victims. They explore issues important to teens such as divorce, sportsmanship, substance abuse and peer pressure. “In every discipline, every classroom, every day, students know they will be required to demonstrate the respect that is every human being’s due,” the Dean of Character Education reports. “They also know they will be afforded the same respect.”
The Arts
St. Gen’s offers students a variety of learning experiences through its Visual & Performing Arts program. The program is designed to enhance aesthetic awareness, foster creativity and help young people discover and develop their talents. Whether through music, art, film/television, dance or theater, students at St. Genevieve become immersed in the arts. They learn to appreciate the arts as vital communication forms and reflections of the human mind and spirit. The school offers four core courses in the arts: Drama Drama introduces students to a wide variety of theater arts learning experiences. These include character analysis, narrative interpretation and public performance. There are numerous opportunities for creative expression and personal growth through exposure to set and costume design, stage management, blocking, lighting, sound and other performance-related components. Music Appreciation Music Appreciation presents students with an introductory survey of music history. Through the study of music theory, structure and notation, students learn how to read music and play simple melodies on the piano. Critical listening skills are developed as is a familiarity with the instruments of the orchestra. Folk instruments of selected cultural/national groups are examined. Field trips include 4-6 symphony orchestra concerts each year. Art Art examines the history of visual art as an expression of the human condition and experience. Students work in two- and three- dimensional media, learning the techniques and skills required to effectively use art to communicate their understanding and vision of the world. They explore the components of visual art (i.e., color, perspective, composition, style) and gain an understanding and appreciation of the importance of art to the individual and to society. Video Production Video Production exposes students to film and television. Students learn camera skills, editing techniques, script writing and produce and direct their own films and commercials which are aired daily on the schools television station. They also perform in front of the camera. Students use sound samples as well as cutting-edge special effects in their productions and have many opportunities for creative expression through video and film. St. Gen’s compliments its course offerings with extracurricular activities that offer students the chance to put to good use the skills and knowledge they learn in classroom. These include: Theater Productions Two annual theater productions (one drama/comedy and one musical) attract wide student participation. A variety of roles on-stage and back-stage, as performers, crew, pit singers and technicians encourage the further exploration of the theater arts. In recent years, musicals have included “The Wiz,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” “The King & I,” and “Grease.” Dance Team Whether they are performing modern dance or hip-hop, St. Gen’s dance team is exciting to watch. Students may audition for a place on the team, which regularly performs at school events. Working with professional choreographers, students maintain an intense practice schedule. As a result of their hard work, the team has brought home many trophies and has won local, state and national recognition. Choir Singing holds a special place at St. Gen’s. Everyone sings! Because of our school’s commitment to prayer through singing, we sing every chance we get. And whether male or female, freshmen or senior, singing in the choir is great fun. The music is a mix of traditional and contemporary and there are opportunities for both individual and group performances through the year. Pep Band Open to all students who can play a musical instrument, the pep band performs at school activities including rallies and sporting events. The band is primarily student-driven. Under teacher supervision, students select the music they want to play and establish their own practice schedule at school. In addition to enthusiasm and commitment, requirements for participation are: a desire to play in a group; a willingness to teach others what you have already learned; and, a readiness to learn from others. The arts at St. Gen’s are all about discovery, creativity and self-expression. An appreciation of the importance of hard work, self-discipline, personal responsibility and teamwork are emphasized. Whether in the classroom or on the stage, behind the camera or with paint brush in hand, every student gets involved in the arts.
Activities & Clubs
Extracurricular activities foster self-confidence, personal responsibility and leadership skills in adolescents. At St. Gen’s, students have many outside-school options to devote their time and talents to:
Counseling
We have three kinds of counseling available at SGHS. Academic Counseling Academic Counseling supports students in their academic achievement. Counselors work with students who are not reaching the academic success they’re capable of achieving. Counselors also meet with parents and teachers to help identify more clearly the nature of students' problems. College Counseling College Counseling at St. Genevieve provides a comprehensive college advisory program that begins with each incoming freshmen class. Because the program is integrated into the school's ongoing Academic Counseling program, students are continually monitored, counseled and supported to make sure they meet admission requirements of California schools of higher education as well as out-of-state institutions. Highlights of the program include:
Because St. Genevieve is a small school, counselors come to know each student and their families intimately. There is strong, continuous and effective communication between counselors and parents, which has proven to enhance student success and secure greater parental involvement in their children's learning. Personal Counseling Personal Counseling is designed to assist students in dealing with personal psycho/social issues (anger management, self-esteem, family communication, peer relationships). Students meet individually or in small groups with a counselor, usually on a weekly basis. Parental approval is required, and confidentially agreements are signed and respected.This counseling is provided through OUTREACH counseling. |
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