![201 English I]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1673362560/academyholycross/pda9zxa2v9d2q3woawsc/English.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1673362560/academyholycross/pda9zxa2v9d2q3woawsc/English.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1673362560/academyholycross/pda9zxa2v9d2q3woawsc/English.jpg","width":600}])
Program of Studies
Header Image
The Academy offers 150 courses in our Program of Studies.
- General Information
- English
- History & Social Studies
- Mathematics
- Performing Arts
- Physical Education & Health
- Science
- Technology
- Theology
- Visual Arts
- World Languages
- Moreau Options Program
- Electives, One Schoolhouse, Pamoja
General Information
2024-2025 Program of Studies
Introduction
The goal of our educational program is to provide the opportunities and challenges necessary for students to achieve their full potential as women of faith in today's society. To achieve this goal, the curriculum offers students a variety of learning experiences in liberal and creative arts, mathematics, science, and career education.
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Graduation Requirements A minimum of 24 credits is required for graduation. |
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4 |
English (taken in all semesters) |
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4 |
Math (taken in all semesters) |
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3 |
Science |
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3 |
History and Social Studies |
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4 |
Theology (taken each semester) |
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3 |
World Languages |
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1½ |
Health and Physical Education |
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½ |
Visual Arts |
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½ |
Performing Arts |
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½ |
Technology |
The Registration Process
Registration for the next academic year’s courses begins in January of the current year. Students are introduced to the process and provided guidance by grade-level. Individual academic counseling is also provided, after students have completed a draft of the Registration Form and had an opportunity to consult with faculty members.
Students currently attending Holy Cross complete a Course Registration form available to them online through the Student Portal Page for their Class. This form is reviewed by counselors and the Administration, then submitted online to a designated dropbox, also available on the student’s Class Advisory page.
Enrollment Note: courses offered in the Program of Studies are dependent upon enrollment. In many instances, when minimum enrollment numbers are not met for a given course, an online alternative is available.
- Senior Project
- SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMITMENT
- ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) COURSES
- Dual Enrollment/Dual Credit With Marymount University
- Project Lead the Way Engineering Program
- One Schoolhouse
- Summer School Courses offered for-credit
- Suggested Curriculum for Freshmen
- Special Approval for advanced-level courses
- List of Courses Requiring Alternates
Senior Project
SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMITMENT
Students are required to complete service hours that fulfill their Social Justice Commitment. Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors are required to complete 20 hours of service each year. Due to the demands of the Senior Project, seniors must complete 15 service hours by the end of the 3rd quarter. All service sites must be approved by the Social Justice Office prior to the students beginning service.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) COURSES
The Academy of the Holy Cross offers a wide variety of Advanced Placement (AP) courses. AP courses are those for which a College Board Advanced Placement examination exists; the curriculum for these courses follows guidelines established by the College Board and is externally approved each year in which a given course is offered. A qualifying score on an AP exam may give a student credit or advanced standing in that subject in college.
Students who are currently in an advanced-level course within the department in which an AP Course is offered require a grade of B or higher or special departmental approval to enroll in further AP courses; students in On-level courses require a B+ or higher, or special departmental approval.
All students who enroll in an AP Course are required to take the AP exam, offered in the spring of the year. Students who do not complete this exam will not be granted weighted AP credit on their transcript.
AP Courses have fees associated with their culminating examination. For the May 2025 exam session, the cost for each AP exam is $96.
AP Courses in the current Program of Studies include:
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English: |
Mathematics: |
Technology: |
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History and Social Studies:
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Science:
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World Languages: AP French Language and Culture |
| Visual Art: AP Studio Art |
Dual Enrollment/Dual Credit With Marymount University
The Academy offers a dual credit/dual enrollment program in partnership with Marymount University to afford eligible students two opportunities to earn college credit. Dual credit allows eligible seniors in strong academic standing to fulfill a high school academic requirement while simultaneously earning college credit for a course. These courses are taught on our campus during the school day by Holy Cross faculty members who have achieved adjunct faculty status at Marymount. These credits may be transferable to other colleges and universities, depending upon the school and its policies. As with AP, students enrolled in these courses receive 0.7 additional grade points towards their GPA upon successful completion of the course with a grade of C- or higher. (For more information, please refer to the grading scale in the Holy Cross Student and Parent Handbook.)
Under the dual enrollment arrangement, rising seniors at Holy Cross become eligible to take courses at Marymount University in Arlington, VA at a substantially discounted rate.
In 2023-2024, the Academy will offer five Dual Credit Courses:
- English: American Voices; Short Fiction; The Movie or the Book? Narrative Adaptation in the Cinema
- Theology: Religions of the World
- History & Social Science: Microeconomics
Project Lead the Way Engineering Program
The Academy introduces students to the field of engineering through a nationally recognized, hands-on, project-based curriculum that draws upon their knowledge of math and science through the model of Project Lead the Way (PLtW). PLtW Engineering empowers students to step into the role of an engineer and adapt a problem-solving mindset. The program engages students in collaborative, real-world activities such as working with a client to design a home or programming electronic devices or robotic arms. As students work together to design and develop solutions to local and global challenges, they engage in problem-solving strategies and critical and creative thinking. Students will also be afforded an opportunity to develop hands-on engineering capabilities through their participation in the FIRST Robotics Competition.
Project Lead the Way Courses include:
Honors Introduction to Engineering
Honors Principles of Engineering
AP Computer Science Principles
Honors Environmental Sustainability
One Schoolhouse
The Academy of the Holy Cross is a member of One Schoolhouse and the Online School for Girls (One Schoolhouse), a consortium of over 70 girls’ schools from across the country. Membership in the One Schoolhouse allows us to expand our course offerings and connect our students in meaningful, academic pursuits with students around the country and around the world in a blended-learning environment.
We believe that providing the best tools for the way girls learn is critical to ensuring their success academically. With that in mind, we believe that online education is particularly well suited to girls who are independent, motivated, and mature. Online education is the fastest growing segment of education today. More than three million high school students and more than six million college students took an online course last school year as part of their curriculum at their face-to-face schools. We know that these numbers will only grow in the future as more and more schools and professions look to online education and training.
One Schoolhouse believes in and has dedicated itself to:
Emphasizing connection among participants
Incorporating collaboration into the learning experience
Inspiring and rewarding creativity
Engaging in real-world problems and applications while having students probe the social and ethical dynamics that define and stretch our global society
One Schoolhouse is fully accredited with the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Courses in Mathematics, Science, Social Science and Language have been approved by NCAA as core-courses. AP courses have been approved by the College Board.
Note regarding fees: One Schoolhouse courses have an additional associated fee; in 2024-2025, the fee will be $1,880 per course. Enrollment also requires approval from the Assistant Principal for Academics. Students interested in taking an online course must complete the Online Course Request form, available on the Useful Forms page of the Student (or Parent) Portal.
Note regarding required courses for graduation: in certain circumstances, where school-based courses needed to fulfill graduation requirements are not offered because of factors like low enrollment, The Academy of the Holy Cross will pay the enrollment fee for an One Schoolhouse course. For instance, a student who enters Holy Cross at an advanced level in Mathematics, taking Algebra II as a freshmen, could enroll in One Schoolhouse’s Multivariable Calculus and Differential Equations course as a senior at no cost to her.
Summer School Courses offered for-credit
Three courses, Geography, Health and Public Speaking, are offered on a for-credit basis during the Summer Intersession at The Academy of the Holy Cross. Public Speaking carries a value of ½ credit, and is open only to current Holy Cross students.
Public Speaking may be used to complete a requirement for the Madeleva Scholars Program. Beginning with the class of 2022, this course will not fulfill the required ½ credit in Performing Arts.
Note regarding fees: There is an additional fee associated with enrolling in a course during the Summer Session. Please see the Principal if you are interested in enrolling in either course. Students must also complete the Summer Course Request form, available on the Useful Forms page of the Student (or Parent) Portal. There is a fee for this course.
Suggested Curriculum for Freshmen
A typical incoming freshman will enroll in seven classes and a study hall.
English
English I or Honors English I
World Languages
(placement based upon placement tests and previous academic performance)
- French
- Latin
- Spanish or Honors Spanish
Science
- Physics: Forces and Motion, (Fall semester), and Physics:Honor/Energy and Waves (Spring semester)
- Honors Introduction to Engineering (optionally, and based upon prerequisites)
Math
The particular course is based upon placement tests and previous academic performance in the subject.
History and Social Studies (one semester of each)
US Government or Honors US Government, and Geography
Theology
- Christian Foundations I (Fall Semester)
- Christian Foundations II (Spring Semester)
Study Hall
Students do not take all of the following semester-long courses, but will choose from these categories to complete their schedule. These courses do not have to be taken during their first year.
Physical Education & Health
- Health
- Physical Education I
Performing Arts
- Jazz/Hip-Hop, Modern Dance, Musical Theater Dance
- Glee Choir, Madrigals or Honors Madrigals
- Instrumental Ensemble, Guitar Seminar
Technology
- Yearbook I and II
- 2D and 3D Digital Animation
- Adobe Web Development
- Multimedia Journalism I and II
- Technology Concepts and Applications
- Introduction to Computer Programming
- Student Tech Team
Visual Arts
- Studio Art I
- Ceramics I
- Photography I
Special Approval for advanced-level courses
During two school days in January, students are given time at the beginning of each of their classes (1 through 8 Periods) to consult with their current teachers about recommended courses for the following school year in given content areas. Students who are not approved by their teachers at this point for an advanced-level course may complete the Request for Advance-level Course Consideration form, which is available from the Principal. Completion of this form does not ensure acceptance into an advanced-level course. In consultation with the Department Chair, the Principal will make the final determination of placement.
List of Courses Requiring Alternates
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English AP English Literature
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History and Social Studies Honors Global Economics |
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Performing Arts Glee Choir |
Physical Education and Health Physical Education I |
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Science Neurobiology |
Technology & Electives Technology Concepts and Applications |
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Visual Arts Studio Art I & II |
All Girls for All Girls.
Holy Cross is an all girls, private high school located in Kensington, Maryland.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How is my daughter’s schedule organized?
- What is the difference between Honors, Advanced Placement and On-level courses?
- If my daughter does not take an Honors-level course, will she be eligible for AP courses?
- What grades are required in current courses in order to enroll in Honors and AP courses?
- Are students able to change levels (move from On-level to Honors, for example) at the semester?
- Why and how are placements made for incoming freshman students?
- Are students required to sit for AP exams at the end of their AP class?
- Can students take for-credit classes in the summer to create space in their schedules the following year?
- If a student participates on a Holy Cross athletic team, is her Physical Education requirement waived?
- How does dual credit and dual enrollment with Marymount University work?
- What is Project Lead the Way and how does my daughter become involved?
How is my daughter’s schedule organized?
We follow a modified block schedule with a recurring sequence of Purple and White Days. On Purple Days, periods 1-4 meet; on White Days, periods 5-8 meet. All classes are approximately 90 minutes long. Most students enroll in seven classes (six core courses and one elective, typically), as well as a study hall. Students must enroll in 6 courses and may have two study halls, provided those study halls fall on opposite days.
What is the difference between Honors, Advanced Placement and On-level courses?
The required critical thinking skills, as well as synthesis and analysis of materials are more advanced in an Honors-, or AP; the required, day-to-day workload is also more intense than in an On-level course. The Honors- and AP-, courses move at a faster pace, encourage deeper analysis, and require greater independence than On-level courses.
If my daughter does not take an Honors-level course, will she be eligible for AP courses?
Yes; placement in advanced-level courses is determined by past academic performance and department approval is required. We encourage our students to challenge themselves in areas where they feel they excel; students who are engaged in their learning typically perform better in class. We do not track students and therefore we encourage all students to strive for advanced classes. We recommend that students speak with their current teachers and counselors to determine which courses are right for them.
What grades are required in current courses in order to enroll in Honors and AP courses?
Students currently enrolled in an Honors and AP courses in a given department require a grade of B or higher in order to continue with further Honors and AP courses in that content area. Students in on-level courses in a given department require a grade of B+ or higher in order to enroll in Honors and AP courses in that content area. Students who do not meet the grade requirement may seek special permission to take Honors and AP courses during the registration process. The final determination for enrollment is made by the Principal in consultation with the Department Chair.
Are students able to change levels (move from On-level to Honors, for example) at the semester?
Why and how are placements made for incoming freshman students?
Incoming students are expected to complete a placement test Reading/Writing and Math. If a student has a language background, they may take a language placement test. We look at standardized scores submitted with the application as well as prior academic performance to determine which courses students should take.
Are students required to sit for AP exams at the end of their AP class?
Can students take for-credit classes in the summer to create space in their schedules the following year?
There are two scenarios in which a student may take for-credit classes in the summer. As stated in our Student and Parent Handbook, if a student fails a course, she must repeat the course and earn a passing grade in summer school (offered outside of the Academy) in order to be eligible to return to the Academy. Holy Cross also offers three courses in the summer intersession: Geography, Health and Public Speaking. Current students may enroll in this course to satisfy graduation requirements and to create additional options for elective courses in their regular academic year schedule.
If a student participates on a Holy Cross athletic team, is her Physical Education requirement waived?
How does dual credit and dual enrollment with Marymount University work?
Students who are interested in dual credit and dual enrollment options with Marymount University should speak with their college counselor to receive information and an application. Fees ($450 per course) for dual credit and dual enrollment are paid directly to Marymount University; all students are expected to submit their application and course registration directly to Marymount University. Students are not permitted to audit a dual credit dual enrollment course.
What is Project Lead the Way and how does my daughter become involved?
Project Lead the Way (PLTW) provides the hands-on, project-based model used at Holy Cross to introduce students to the field of Engineering. Students in any grade level may pursue Project Lead the Way courses provided they have successfully completed Algebra I. All students must begin the sequence with the Introduction to Engineering courses
English
English
Chair: Megan Minogue, Ph.D.
4 credits required
The members of the English Department value the responsibility of guiding students in deepening their knowledge of the English language and literature, while sharpening their critical and analytical thinking skills. The critical and creative thinking involved in this study, and the emphasis on clear written and oral communication are essential to the individual student's success in higher learning and her future professional endeavors. Moreover, literature can open a student's mind and heart to the world around her as she encounters the voices and ideas of writers of different eras, from diverse backgrounds, and from various geographic locales. Students will be able to express themselves correctly and effectively whether applying themselves to analytic, expository, creative, or personal writing. Realizing that students have many different skills and talents, members of the department endeavor to engage them on different levels - cognitive, affective, and aesthetic - and to address their needs as readers, writers, communicators, and members of a learning community.
Course Offerings 2024-2025 (click title below for detailed description):
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English I and Honors English I |
Women’s Voices: Coming to America |
History & Social Studies
History & Social Studies
Chair: Maureen Morris, PhD
3 credits required
Required courses include: Geography (½ credit), Government (½ credit), US History (1 credit), World Studies or other eligible social studies course as indicated in course description (1 credit)
Students are passionate about making the world a better place and by tapping into that energy, the teachers in the History and Social Studies Department strive to empower our students to develop and understand their ability to shape the future. History matters because it helps us understand the world and why our societies are the way they are. Learning about different people, different eras, and different cultures, expands our perspective and enables us to value diversity today. Social studies matter because social issues – economic challenges, cultural change, geopolitical instability, societal polarization, and all types of inequities – challenge us to understand and propose solutions to current problems that blur the lines between the disciplines of history, geography, government, economics, law, and psychology. Students in the History and Social Studies Department learn the skills of 21st century citizenship – a foundation rooted in history, supported by the intellectual skills needed to think critically and make informed decisions, and blended with the social skills needed to engage locally, nationally, and globally.
Course Offerings 2024-2025 (click title below for detailed description):
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Geography |
AP Comparative Government and Politics |
![956 Geography]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1673362560/academyholycross/ywl7vndyu1nqukqdyfqe/History.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1673362560/academyholycross/ywl7vndyu1nqukqdyfqe/History.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1673362560/academyholycross/ywl7vndyu1nqukqdyfqe/History.jpg","width":600}])
Mathematics
Mathematics
Chair: Damaris Kinney
4 credits required
The Mathematics Department of The Academy of the Holy Cross is committed to providing a curriculum in Mathematics which will enable each student to attain success at her highest potential level of achievement by offering a variety of courses in each subject. The department aims to build a solid foundation for a student’s future work in Mathematics, not only in college but throughout her life, by developing her sense of numeracy and her appreciation for the many applications of Mathematics in all aspects of her life. Students are expected to strive for mastery of concepts as well as to attain the skill to apply those concepts accurately. Critical thinking skills are emphasized throughout the curriculum. Use of graphing calculators is incorporated in all courses as a supplemental tool to develop students' mathematical capabilities. Faculty support students in their endeavors through Math Lab and extra help sessions outside of class.
Course Offerings 2024-2025 (click title below for detailed description):
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Algebra I and Honors Algebra I |
Honors Calculus Applications |
![412 Algebra I]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1673362560/academyholycross/f1hvflwnpr421qu1fkpi/Math.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1673362560/academyholycross/f1hvflwnpr421qu1fkpi/Math.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1673362560/academyholycross/f1hvflwnpr421qu1fkpi/Math.jpg","width":600}])
Performing Arts
Performing Arts
Chair: Laura Van Duzer
½ credit required
The Performing Arts Department is dedicated to utilizing the arts as a tool to help students further develop into young women of courage, compassion, and scholarship. While participating in classes in the areas of music, dance, theatre, film, and public speaking, students build confidence, foster creativity and intellectual curiosity, and discover the importance of teamwork, responsibility, initiative, maturity, dedication, and a range of other values that will eventually lead them to succeed not only in the arts, but also in any field they choose to pursue
For information regarding our extracurricular opportunities, please visit the Arts section of the website.
Course Offerings 2024-2025 (click title below for detailed description):
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Music Courses: |
Film & Theatre Courses: |
Dance Courses: |
![512 Madrigal Singers]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1673455065/academyholycross/dkhcqwhjlldg9iz73pul/PerformingArts.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1673455065/academyholycross/dkhcqwhjlldg9iz73pul/PerformingArts.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1673455065/academyholycross/dkhcqwhjlldg9iz73pul/PerformingArts.jpg","width":600}])
Physical Education & Health
Physical Education & Health
PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND HEALTH
Chair: Cheryl King
1½ credits required
Required courses: Physical Education I (½ credit), Physical Education II/Dance (½ credit), & Health (½ credit)
Effective 2019-2020, a dance course can fulfill the PE II requirement when taken after PE I
Beginning with the class of 2024, students must take PE I before obtaining credits from other PE courses.
The Physical Education and Health Department strives to educate through purposeful physical activity and by teaching strategies for the development of optimal health. We center our instructional program on improving our students’ physical, mental, emotional, and social health.
Course Offerings 2024-2025 (click title below for detailed description):
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Health |
Jazz/Hip-Hop I |
![601 Health]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1673455991/academyholycross/tdyburunlyezflrjbefv/PhysEd-Health.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1673455991/academyholycross/tdyburunlyezflrjbefv/PhysEd-Health.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1673455991/academyholycross/tdyburunlyezflrjbefv/PhysEd-Health.jpg","width":600}])
Science
Science
Chair: Alison Simon
3 credits required
Required courses: Physics (1 credit) and Chemistry (1 credit) and one life/environmental science credit
The Science Department at The Academy of the Holy Cross believes that students who study science can make informed decisions, are able to ask thoughtful questions, and can clearly communicate those questions and findings to those around them. Students come in contact with multiple science experiences that nurture and foster an increased curiosity and understanding of what they observe and investigate. They advance their ability to offer reasonable explanations, make predictions, and learn to respect nature and their environment. Science strengthens the skills they need to think effectively, objectively, and creatively through the process of inquiry.
Our students understand that science, technology, and society are interwoven and interdependent. They learn to:
- Use the major ideas of science in rational, creative thinking;
- Demonstrate competence and confidence in applying the knowledge, processes, and attitudes of science in making informed decisions;
- Use the process skills of observing, classifying, inferring, predicting, measuring, and communicating;
- Demonstrate an attitude of stewardship toward both the local and global environment and consider the ethical implications when applying scientific knowledge; and
- Demonstrate a willingness to re-evaluate existing ideas as a result of new information.
Course Offerings 2024-2025 (click title below for detailed description):
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Physics: Forces and Motion |
AP Biology |
![801 Biology]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1673362560/academyholycross/pldtkykpxhmhai7qljck/Science.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1673362560/academyholycross/pldtkykpxhmhai7qljck/Science.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1673362560/academyholycross/pldtkykpxhmhai7qljck/Science.jpg","width":600}])
Technology
Technology
Chair: Dena Maye
½ credit required
We believe that at the intersection of technology and human values, true innovation occurs. By providing our students with the skills to achieve digital fluency, we are preparing them for a lifetime of creative and critical thinking. The Technology Department at The Academy of the Holy Cross strives to have students achieve an understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations; develop a positive attitude towards using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity; and model responsible digital citizenship. Through our course of study, students will engage in project-based learning to design websites, mobile apps, and other digital artifacts in order to develop the digital skills necessary for the 21st century workplace
.Course Offerings 2024-2025 (click title below for detailed description):
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Introduction to Computer Programming
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Student Tech Team |
![156 Introduction to Computer Programming]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1673461557/academyholycross/ukuwd96odcjz6jwhp0yh/Technology.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1673461557/academyholycross/ukuwd96odcjz6jwhp0yh/Technology.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1673461557/academyholycross/ukuwd96odcjz6jwhp0yh/Technology.jpg","width":600}])
Theology
Theology
Chair: Matthew Newell
4 credits required
The Theology Department recognizes religion as an essential dimension of human life. We help each student develop an informed and reflective faith that offers hope, inspires love, and pursues justice. We provide a distinctively Catholic intellectual formation in the Holy Cross tradition that is open and hospitable to other religious identities and experiences as well as to questioning. We nurture and challenge our students as they journey from adolescent to young-adult faith that can sustain, integrate, and orient their lives long after they leave our care.
Course Offerings 2024-2025 (click title below for detailed description):
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Christian Foundations I: Scripture |
Theology Application II: Catholic Social Teaching |
![712F Christian Foundations I: Scripture]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1673362560/academyholycross/a26vuk4rfxc3rx8nay19/Theology.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1673362560/academyholycross/a26vuk4rfxc3rx8nay19/Theology.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1673362560/academyholycross/a26vuk4rfxc3rx8nay19/Theology.jpg","width":600}])
Visual Arts
Visual Art
Chair: Laura Van Duzer
½ credit required
The Visual Arts Department recognizes and fosters the students’ discovery of their artistic talents and abilities. The emphasis is on developing the students’ aesthetic awareness and confidence in art production by offering them the opportunity to master a broad range of artistic skills and by exposing them to the historical and cultural diversity of world art. Our approach to every course is integrative, relating what is learned in the art classroom to other subjects in school.
The visual arts are vitally important to education because they positively influence thinking and reasoning skills beyond the art studio. The most recent research in education has determined training in the arts to be essential to the development of deductive reasoning, creative thinking, and innovative approaches to problem solving. In addition, the study of art enhances the students’ understanding of culture, thereby enriching their lives.
Course Offerings 2024-2025 (click title below for detailed description):
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Studio Art I &II |
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World Languages
World Languages
Chair:
3 credits required; 3 consecutive years of the same language
The members of the World Languages Department bring a world of languages and cultures to life in our classrooms through immersion, technology and media, and active use of authentic language. We believe that language empowers students to be curious about the world, to be lifelong learners, and to become vibrant members of a multi-lingual and multi-cultural world. We strive to empower our students to be knowledgeable global citizens by developing functional proficiency and intercultural understanding in a world language.
Course Offerings 2024-2025 (click title below for detailed description):
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French I |
Latin I |
Spanish I |
French
![311 French I]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1673362560/academyholycross/cojeuhve7zmnxajyub6k/WorldLanguages.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1673362560/academyholycross/cojeuhve7zmnxajyub6k/WorldLanguages.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1673362560/academyholycross/cojeuhve7zmnxajyub6k/WorldLanguages.jpg","width":600}])
Latin
Spanish
Moreau Options Program
Moreau Options Program
Director: Emily Montgomery
The Moreau Options Program is Holy Cross' program for students with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Each student in the Moreau Program takes 2 - 4 classes a semester that are specifically designed for students with disabilities. Moreau classes are deliberately kept small, and an emphasis is placed on developing skills and knowledge that students can apply immediately in their inclusive classes and the broader Holy Cross community, as well as skills and knowledge that will help students develop independent lives as an adult. Assistive technology is integrated into all Moreau Options classes.
In addition to classes that are designed specifically for students with disabilities, the Moreau Options Program offers one class, Introduction to Special Education, which is open to all Holy Cross students.
Course Offerings 2024-2025 (click title below for detailed description):
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Math |
Introduction to Special Education |
![185 Introduction to Special Education]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1673464965/academyholycross/midqy6ogxrypdug8mvya/MoreauOptions.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1673464965/academyholycross/midqy6ogxrypdug8mvya/MoreauOptions.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1673464965/academyholycross/midqy6ogxrypdug8mvya/MoreauOptions.jpg","width":600}])
Electives, One Schoolhouse, Pamoja
Electives
![102 Peer Ministry]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1673465192/academyholycross/b2ydlcjyh91wlcus14xj/Electives.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1673465192/academyholycross/b2ydlcjyh91wlcus14xj/Electives.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1673465192/academyholycross/b2ydlcjyh91wlcus14xj/Electives.jpg","width":600}])
One Schoolhouse
Coordinator: John Sullivan, Principal
The Academy of the Holy Cross is a member of One Schoolhouse, a consortium that includes over 70 girls’ schools from across the country. Our partnership with One Schoolhouse allows Holy Cross to expand course offerings and connect our students to over 35 different AP and STEM courses in a blended-learning environment.
One Schoolhouse is fully accredited with the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Courses in Mathematics, Science, Social Science and Language have been approved by NCAA as core-courses. AP courses have been approved by the College Board.
Note that One Schoolhouse courses have an additional associated fee, which is $1,820 per course in the 2024-2025 academic year. Enrollment also requires approval from the Assistant Principal for Academics. Students interested in taking an online course must complete the Online Course Request form, available on the Forms and Documents page of the Student and Parent/Guardian Portals.
Below is a list of Courses offered at Holy Cross in recent years:
|
AP Art History |
Creating Tomorrow –Designing for the Digital World |
For a complete list of courses available to students through One Schoolhouse, please follow this link.
![157 Creating Tomorrow - Designing for the Digital World]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1673465359/academyholycross/ndyac2tdd7ekwv7prp8g/OneSchoolhouse.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1673465359/academyholycross/ndyac2tdd7ekwv7prp8g/OneSchoolhouse.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1673465359/academyholycross/ndyac2tdd7ekwv7prp8g/OneSchoolhouse.jpg","width":600}])