Mrs. Hilda de la Vega
(305) 667-1623, ext. 226
hdelavega@olla.org
The Bernadette Scholars Program is a rigorous program of studies, at Our Lady of Lourdes Academy, designed for highly-motivated and intellectually-gifted students to excel in academics. In addition to taking the most challenging courses offered at the school, Scholars will participate in enrichment opportunities, both cultural and extracurricular, ensuring they graduate as successful, well-rounded, strong, Christian women. Scholars will have the opportunity to earn 18 to 24 college credits, prior to graduation, thus having the potential to enter college with sophomore status. Scholars will be prepared to be among the top candidates for admission into major colleges and universities.
The top 10% of the incoming freshman class, based on all Our Lady of Lourdes Academy admissions assessments and elementary school principal recommendation, is invited to be a part of the Bernadette Scholars Program, an AP/Enrichment Program at Our Lady of Lourdes Academy.
Non-Scholars who perform exceptionally well during the freshman year, who earn at least a 4.0 cumulative GPA, while completing all honors classes in the core subjects (English, math, science and social studies), and place in honors English, math, science and AP European History for the sophomore year will be evaluated for possible induction into the Program, at the beginning of the sophomore year.
In order to remain active in the Program, all Scholars are required to do the following:
-Participate in two cultural enrichment activities and/or programs per year
-Participate in two summer internships or one internship and one college enhancement experience, before graduation
-Participate in an etiquette seminar during the sophomore year
-Participate in a protocol seminar during the junior year
-Enroll in and complete at least six (6) AP courses, four(4) of which must be in core subjects
-Enroll in and complete Dual Enrollment courses, as available
-Maintain a cumulative GPA of 4.0 or above at the end of each year
-Participate in at least one extracurricular activity per year
As Scholars, students will be afforded the following:
-Strong academic and extracurricular preparation, as well as guidance, for admission to competitive colleges and universities
-Opportunity for earning 18 to 24 college credits and/or advancement prior to graduation
-Preparation for PSAT and SAT exams (optional)
-Cultural and academic enrichment activities
-Summer enrichment classes to supplement academic courses
-Organized visits to universities (optional)
-Meetings with Program Director to monitor student progress in the program
-Honors Algebra
-Honors English 1
-AP World History
-Honors Science
-World Language
-Theology 1
-Health/Computer Skills/Physical Education/Computer Applications
-Honors Geometry
-AP English Language or Honors English 2
-AP European History
-Honors Science
-World Language
-Theology 2
-Health/Computer Skills/Physical Education/Computer Applications/Fine Arts
-Honors Pre-Calculus (Dual Enrollment)
-Honors English 3
-AP United States History
-AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science or Honors Physics
-Honors, Dual Enrollment or AP World Language
-AP Elective* or Fine Arts courses
-Ethics & Morality/Social Justice
-AP Calculus or Honors Calculus
-AP English Language or Literature or Honors English 4 (Dual Enrollment)
-AP United States Government or Honors United States Government (Dual Enrollment)
-Honors Economics (may be taken junior year)
-Honors Physics (strongly recommended, if not taken junior year)
-AP Elective*
-Honors, Dual Enrollment or AP World Language
-Faith/Social Psychology
*An AP Elective is required either junior or senior year.
**The Bernadette Scholars are encouraged to take four years of World Languages.