St. Vincent Pallotti High School offers a broad and challenging curriculum in a small school environment. Pallotti students receive a college preparatory education that is infused with the gospel and are taught by a caring and dedicated faculty. The curriculum is designed to meet the needs of a wide range of students with diverse interests, learning styles, and abilities. In addition to our strong college prep curriculum, Pallotti offers specialized programs in engineering, science, and the visual and performing arts. Pallotti also has one of the longest established programs in the area for students with learning differences, The Stephen J. Edmonds Learning Center.
St. Vincent Pallotti said, “Seek God, and you will find God. Seek God in all things, and you will find God in all things.” At Pallotti, we believe that God can be found in every area of study. Whether it is discovering the beauty and order of God’s creation through study of the natural sciences, becoming co-creators of beauty through the arts, or creating community across cultures and nations through study of other languages, we believe that God can be discovered and served through every area of academic study. Our goal is not only to give our students a great education that will help them excel in college and beyond, but to also to give them an education that is integrated with the spiritual and moral truths that will guide them through their whole lives.
David Tenney
Assistant Principal of Academics
dtenney@terwonne.com
301-725-3228 ext. 2203
Our curriculum reinforces the critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, problem solving, and depth of understanding so necessary for 21st century learners. The links in this section provide an overview of our academic curriculum and policies.
At Pallotti, we strive to create an engaging and challenging curriculum for all of our students.
We offer three levels of academics with the addition of three specialized programs of study. Each student’s schedule is tailored to the individual’s talents. A student may be scheduled in Honors in one subject area but be placed in College Prep in another. Students are not locked into any track and may move up to College Prep or Honors depending on their performance.
At Pallotti, we encourage students to take the highest level of a course in which they can succeed. Advanced Placement (AP) courses are the highest level courses we offer. Students can earn college credit through the successful completion of these courses and a passing grade on the national AP exam in May. AP courses are given a 25% higher weight on the student's GPA. For example, an "A" is worth 5.0 in an AP course (rather than the standard 4.0). Honors courses are also more challenging than the standard College Preparatory courses; Honors courses are weighted 12.5% above College Preparatory courses.
The Accelerated Science at Pallotti (ASAP) program is designed to allow students with a strong interest and aptitude in science and mathematics to complete the core science curriculum ahead of schedule and have the opportunity to take more elective and AP science courses as upperclassmen. The top 15% of incoming 9th graders in science and math are invited to apply to this program. ASAP students take a special Honors Biology course during their freshman year that includes designing and conducting an experiment throughout the length of the school year with the guidance mentors in the science department. ASAP students can begin taking AP Biology as early as their sophomore year and AP Chemistry as early as their junior year. ASAP students also have more room in their schedules to take a greater number of unique science electives offered at Pallotti such as Food Chemistry, Marine Biology, and Paleobiology.
Our mission for the Arts Academy is to provide students, with exceptional skills in visual and performing arts, a personally supportive and intellectually challenging environment to pursue their interests at a level which is specifically directed toward entrance into college and university arts programs.
Pallotti provides an intensive, pre-professional training in the areas of visual arts, music (vocal and instrumental), theatre, and dance combined with a rigorous, college preparatory curriculum. The expansion of the curriculum and facilities for our students provides daily interaction and study with art professionals, participation in professionally-oriented productions, and space to practice their craft to its fullest extent.
There is an additional $1,250 annual fee for the Arts Academy.
Interested in the Arts Academy? Learn More on the Art Page
This four year program uses curriculum from Project Lead the Way, a nationally recognized leader in innovative, high quality science, technology, and engineering experiences for K-12 schools. This rigorous program employs a hands-on approach that teaches students to think and approach problem solving as engineers. Students learn essential engineering skills such as drawing, 3D modeling in Autodesk Inventor, and statistics. The engineering design process is further explored through exciting projects in computer programming, circuit building, digital fabrication, robotics, and more. Students will also gain a strong foundation in the math and science principles they will need to pursue higher studies and/or career in engineering. The program is well-equipped with a full computer lab, a dedicated classroom, shop space, and multiple 3D printers.
The Stephen J. Edmonds Learning Center at St. Vincent Pallotti High School enables students who have been diagnosed with mild to moderate Specific Learning Disabilities, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder or other related physical and/or emotional disabilities to access a rigorous college prep academic program while receiving appropriate accommodations and support. Students who are enrolled in the direct service program receive explicit instruction in executive function skills and test-taking strategies while receiving support and remediation in literacy and math skills. Additionally, both our direct and indirect service programs provide case management in the form of on-going communication with classroom teachers regarding the implementation of classroom and testing accommodations, progress monitoring and the development of self-advocacy skills.
Students who are enrolled in the direct service program have one period in their daily
schedule allotted for explicit instruction in: executive function skills, test preparation,
self-advocacy skills, literacy skills and math/science skills in a small group setting. Each student receives an Individual Accommodation Plan based upon their needs as outlined in their qualifying evaluation/s. Additionally, students may receive subject-specific support in their general education classroom or during the period they have a subject in which they are struggling. Students and their parents receive case management in the form of on-going communication with classroom teachers, progress monitoring, and applications for accommodations on high stakes standardized testing.
Students who are enrolled in the indirect service program may access the
Learning Center for specialized instruction and academic support during their
lunch period or during Pallotti’s Protected Hour after school. Each student receives an Individual Accommodation Plan based upon their needs as outlined in their qualifying evaluation/s. Students and their parents receive case management in the form of on-going communication with classroom teachers, progress monitoring, and applications for accommodations on high stakes standardized testing.
Level 2 (Indirect) service $900 annually
Enrollment in the Learning Center program is through application to the Admissions Office. There is a fee for the program, depending upon the frequency with which a student receives service. Documentation of a qualifying disability is required for applications to be reviewed. Appropriate documentation includes, but is not limited to, the following:
Students must be enrolled in the Learning Center program to receive instructional and testing accommodations even if they have a diagnosed disability.
To start the application process, go to our Apply page for more detailed information.
Helen Mahoney
Director of the Learning Center
hmahoney@terwonne.com
301-725-3228 ext. 2314
One of the great strengths of SVPHS is our small-school care and concern for every student's development. We have an environment in which students are fully supported by our caring faculty, counselors, coaches, staff, and administrators. As such, below are a sampling of the many support options we offer our students.
We work with each incoming student to create a class schedule that fits each student's individual goals and strengths.
This one semester course is designed to successfully transition freshmen to the “Pallotti Way.” Students are provided the tools they will need to be successful academically and socially, as well as learning about the Pallottine traditions of service and commitment to excellence. Course emphases include:
Our school day ends at 2:30 PM; then, from 2:30 – 3:30 PM, we have the Pallotti “Protected Hour.” During that after-school hour, our teachers are available for individual tutoring or study sessions. No sports practices and no play or musical practices will be held in that hour. Instead, it is daily time dedicated to the academic improvement of our students.
The National Honor Society is a prestigious organization that recognizes students with high academic achievement and a commitment to service. At Pallotti, NHS members are expected to help out those students who struggle academically. NHS tutors are available during lunch periods every day and after school. This can be a very successful way for students to get ahead in class and gain new appreciation for the study habits and educational skills of our top students.
During the week prior to mid-term and final exams, the NHS organizes tutoring sessions specifically designed to prepare students for these major tests. Teachers from each discipline are available until 5 PM to help students organize their notes and to predict and prepare for the content of these tests.
Our comprehensive counseling program includes such highlights as, college planning all four years, academic advising, schedule planning, annual parent information meetings by grade level, individual student appointments for each grade level, and classroom sessions on a variety of topics.
Our guidance services center around the Pallottine mission and the goals of St. Vincent Pallotti which include:
These goals are the department’s guiding principles as we meet annually with each student to guide them through their academic, personal and social development.
Our college counselor works directly and exclusively with the students in all areas of college admissions during their junior and senior year in conjunction with the student's counselor.
Appointment can be scheduled individually by the student, parent, and/or teacher request.
The full Pallotti curriculum (academics, enrichment activities, athletics) equips our students with the knowledge, confidence, study skills, and habits necessary for college success. In our college counseling we are committed to assisting and guiding our students in this important planning for future educational challenges.
Each junior and senior meets individually with one of the counselors to help identify his or her needs, talents, and interests; to discover what colleges and universities will nurture and develop these; and to discuss the selection and application process. We also provide other opportunities including special parent "college nights" that provide information on school choice, the application process, and financial aid.
The college selection process is a rich opportunity for each student to take the lead, to make reasoned and informed decisions, to advocate effectively for themselves, and to exercise organizational skills in following a schedule and meeting deadlines. We are eager to be alongside each student to advise and support.
Renee Duckworth
Director of Guidance, Guidance Counselor - Juniors and Seniors
rduckworth@terwonne.com
Zuleyma Rodriguez
Guidance Counselor - Freshmen and Sophomores
zrodriguez@terwonne.com
Sharon Schmidt
Registrar
sschmidt@terwonne.com
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