St. Aloysius Gonzaga Program

WHAT IS THE ST. ALOYSIUS GONZAGA PROGRAM?

Named in honor of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, who is the patron saint of young students, this academic support program is designed for incoming students who demonstrate academic potential and a desire to learn but need support to navigate NDP’s college preparatory curriculum successfully. The program includes an increased focus on English and mathematics during freshman and sophomore years with the ultimate goal of transitioning the student into a full college preparatory schedule of study by his or her junior year. The program includes a month-long summer classroom experience designed to prepare students for the challenge of NDP’s course of study.

PURPOSE OF THE ST. ALOYSIUS GONZAGA PROGRAM

The Gonzaga Program:

  • Addresses the needs of students who have the potential to succeed within NDP’s demanding college prep curriculum despite the presence of educational gaps
  • Provides a progressive curriculum of specially designed core English and math classes, taken over a two-year period
  • Offers extra support for students who struggle with executive functioning skills
  • Transitions students into a full college preparatory curriculum by the students’ junior year

THE GONZAGA DIFFERENCE

The Gonzaga Program provides a support system that offers:

  • Smaller English and math classes with individualized instruction
  • Skill-based English and math classes that move at a protracted pace
  • Three semesters of English and mathematics are taken each year
  • Data-informed instruction; student growth closely monitored
  • Weekly grade checks across all freshman and sophomore courses
  • Frequent parent communication containing detailed summary of growth
     

ACCEPTANCE INTO THE GONZAGA PROGRAM

Admittance into the Gonzaga Program is based on:

  • A student's entrance exam performance
  • Middle school grades
  • Letters of recommendation, extra-curricular involvement, and interview with a member of the faculty.

While a careful review of the application indicates a strong potential for academic achievement, other factors suggest that additional support will be necessary to help ensure success at NDP. Students whose applications indicate that they will need additional support will be admitted into the Gonzaga Program and must take summer school courses to prepare for their first year at NDP.

YEARLY GOALS

9th Grade: The goal for freshman year is for students to demonstrate appropriate growth in English and algebra. An extra semester of instruction allows for additional support in reading, writing, critical thinking and math computation. Students will be able to demonstrate organizational skills through the use of planners and graphic organizers to promote academic success. Students will learn and apply a variety of study skills and learning strategies to foster academic growth throughout the freshman curriculum. Students have the ability to graduate from the Gonzaga program if they receive a B or higher in both English and algebra by the end of freshman year.

10th Grade: The goal for sophomore year is for students to demonstrate appropriate growth in English and geometry. An extra semester of instruction allows for additional support in reading comprehension, writing, critical thinking, and mathematical measurement and problem-solving skills. Sophomore year, students fully apply the organizational and study skills taught during freshman year. Students will demonstrate the ability to be successful within NDP’s rigorous college preparatory curriculum by the end of sophomore year. Students have the ability to graduate from the program by the end of the first semester of sophomore year if they receive a B+ or higher in both English and geometry. At the end of 10th grade year, students will be reassessed by administration with the help of the Gonzaga director to determine if they are ready to be assimilated into the standard curriculum for junior year.

Sample Schedules

Freshman Year

 

Period 1

Period 2

Period 3

Period 4

Period 5

Period 6

Period 7

Period 8

1st Semester

 

9th Grade

 

Algebra 1 Gonzaga

 

English 1 Gonzaga

 

 

Theology 1

 

Physical Science / STEM

Gonzaga 9 (extra English and Math) 

 

Freshman Seminar

 

PE/Health

 

Elective 1

2nd Semester

 

9th Grade

 

Algebra 1 Gonzaga

 

English 1 Gonzaga

 

 

Theology 1

 

Physical Science / STEM

Gonzaga 9 (extra English and Math) 

 

World Geo

 

PE/Health

 

Elective 2

 

Sophomore Year

 

Period 1

Period 2

Period 3

Period 4

Period 5

Period 6

Period 7

Period 8

1st Semester

 

10th Grade

 

Geometry
Gonzaga

 

English 2
Gonzaga

 

 

Theology 2

 

Biology

Gonzaga 10 (extra English & Geometry)

 

World History

 

World Language

 

Elective 1

2nd Semester

 

10th Grade

 

Geometry
Gonzaga

 

English 2
Gonzaga

 

 

Theology 2

 

Biology

Gonzaga 10 (extra English & Geometry)

 

World History

 

World Language

 

Elective 2

For more information, contact Brooke Bales at bbales@ndpsaints.org.