Quick Nav

IHS Announces New Academic Program

IHS Announces New Academic Program
Posted on 03/05/2019
New ProgramImmaculata High School announces the latest addition to its signature programs of academics with the unveiling of the Chesterton Classical Studies Program this upcoming fall.

The program, which will develop into a four-year curriculum, will be launched in the 2019–2020 school year with a group of incoming freshmen students, who have applied to be part of this honors level initiative. Immaculata High School will be the first school to offer the Chesterton Classical Studies Program in New Jersey.

The goal is to study the humanities (specifically Theology, History, Literature, Latin and Philosophy) through the prism of the Classics to develop thinking and studying skills on a different level. By doing so, skills, such as critical analysis, creativity, problem solving, and curiosity, will flourish with the end result being a group of learners, who not only know what to think, but how to think.

As its motto, the Chesterton Academy’s model of education embraces “Cultura Vitae,” the culture of life, which combines a broad, liberal arts education with a strong emphasis on Christian values and appreciation of beauty. The Chesterton model includes a classical curriculum in which students read Homer, Chaucer, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Virgil, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Teresa of Avila, and Shakespeare, among others.

The focus of freshmen year will be on scriptural study of the Old Testament, classical literature, early civilization, philosophy, and Latin 1. The program will emphasize dialogue, discussion, writing, cross curricular connections, and public speaking. The result: students will tackle non-traditional high school works and begin a lifelong journey of academic reflection and innovative thinking. Class size is expected to be approximately 12–18 students per class. “We’re very honored to become one of the newer members of the Chesterton Schools Network.” says Immaculata’s Coordinator of Special Programs Nancy Bonham, “and to offer our students another way to develop the lifelong skills of love for learning, thinking, listening and sharing. The four-year curriculum begins with a study of the ancient world and progresses to modern day, using an interdisciplinary approach to the humanities with Socratic dialogue as a key component to the learning methodology.”

Head of School Joan Silo is very excited about the prospects of this new program. “Our goal is to graduate students who are thinkers with faith, wisdom and virtue. A traditional Catholic classical education does just that. With an educational experience that it steeped in the rich thought and text of the great philosophers and authors of ancient history and the early Church, students are deeply nourished by God's truth, goodness, and beauty, and inspired to learn, achieve and live with and for a higher purpose.”

Those interested in learning more about this program are invited to attend an information session which will be held at the school (240 Mountain Ave., Somerville, NJ) at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, March 19, 2019. For additional information about Immaculata High School, please contact Director of Admissions Michele Blandino at [email protected] or by phone at 908-722-0200, Ext. 218.