Visitation Academy of St. Louis
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[edit] Mission
Visitation is a community of students, religious, faculty, staff, parents, and alumnae that exists to educate children and young women and to receive and share Jesus as Mary did in her visitation to Elizabeth. In an environment which values excellence in scholarship, spirituality, leadership, and service, this Visitation community encourages students to develop their unique gifts. As students learn to live Jesus with gentleness, humility, joy, and freedom, they are prepared to continue to grow and to respond to others, the Church, and the global community.
[edit] About Viz
Live † Jesus
Visitation Academy is the ministry of the Sisters of the Visitation whose way of life expresses the spirituality of the founders of their order, St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal. These saints encouraged all to "Live Jesus" with optimism, gentleness, joy, humility and inner freedom. The mission of the Academy mirrors Mary’s visitation to Elizabeth: her acceptance of Jesus in her own life and her commitment to carry Him to others. Students strive to "Live Jesus" by reflecting Christ's gentle strength in their daily interactions and, as alumnae, carry this philosophy into the world as responsible citizens.
This receiving and sharing of the Lord is our model as a community. We seek to recognize each student as unique and to help each realize his/her potential. We challenge each person to develop self-discipline rooted in inner strength and gentleness as well as awareness of self and of others.
Through curricular and extracurricular activities, we provide opportunities that promote spirituality and integrity, critical thinking and scholarship, leadership and service, global awareness, responsibility and respect for life and the environment. Members of the Visitation Community help the student develop identity and become integrated persons embodying Christian values.
Before each class or prayer, the words of St. Francis are repeated, "Let us place ourselves in the presence of God…."
[edit] History
1610
The Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary was founded in Annecy, France, by St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal. The desire of these two saints was to give the church an order of religious in which women could love God and neighbor intensely, but where they would not have to practice extreme austerities. The special charism of the Visitation Order combines gentleness with a valiant spirit; initiative with communal support; dedication to prayer with presence in the world; a contemplative life with an apostolic dimension. Today the Order numbers about 3000 Sisters in 168 monasteries located in most countries of the world. In the United States there are 12 monasteries in two federations. Six are dedicated to the contemplative lifestyle, and the other six (Georgetown, St. Louis, St. Paul, Wheeling, Brooklyn and Minneapolis) add apostolic monasteries to their contemplative life.
1833
Kaskaskia, IL, was the site of the first Academy of the Visitation in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. With the generous assistance of Col. Pierre Menard, The Sisters of the Visitation who had come from the Academy at Georgetown, DC, soon had a flourishing boarding and day school in operation.
1858
Increasing enrollment and Mrs. Biddle’s gift of a city block of property on Fifteenth and Cass Avenues enabled the Sisters to build a large boarding and day school.
1892
A move further west located Visitation at Cabanne and Belt Avenues, then on the outskirts of the city. Separate buildings erected in 1911 and 1926 housed a theater and gymnasium.
Early 1960s
The need for expanded facilities and a modern plant led to the construction of the present building on Ballas and Highway 40. Further expansion became necessary and an addition was constructed in 1983. A third expansion occurred in 2000.
2008
Visitation celebrates its 175th year of Salesian education.
THE VISITATION ACADEMY CRESCENT
The story of the Visitation Crescent began on a ship in the Mediterranean Sea in the middle of the thirteenth century. The Count of Savoy was leading an army to assist the Crusaders at Rhodes. In the midst of a furious storm two shooting stars appeared over the deck of his ship. Pierre de Sales, an accomplished mariner, knew that the storm would soon cease, and the fleet of Christian forces would arrive on time to assist in the battle. As a reward for his part in the victory, Pierre was given a coat of arms with the twin stars and the gold Saracen crescent. Pierre de Sales was an ancestor of St. Francis de Sales.
Many centuries later in 1833 in Kaskaskia, Illinois, eight Visitation Sisters from Georgetown, Washington, D.C., arrived to establish a convent and school in the St. Louis Diocese. Three years later, preparing to honor one of the first students of their “Young Ladies Academy,” a sister had the inspiration to bestow on this young woman a gold crescent, taken from St. Francis de Sales’ coat of arms. This began the tradition of bestowing a gold crescent on St. Louis Visitation graduates.
A symbol of youth and promise, the crescent is a mark of approval for completing a Visitation education and a sign of hope that in the years to come the graduate will continue to mature and grow in Christian and Salesian ideals. Fifty years after graduation, an alumna receives a golden full moon as a sign of her years of growth in wisdom and grace.
[edit] Academics
For 175 years, Visitation Academy has educated young women, boys and girls in both mind and heart. Visitation's preschool and kindergarten programs, grounded in the Montessori tradition, give young boys and girls, ages 2-5, a foundation of learning which will provide them with the skills necessary to succeed in Visitation's Lower School, and for boys, any school they choose to attend.
The only girls' school in the St. Louis area for Grades 1-6, Visitation's Lower School provides an environment where students feel free to express opinions, excel in academics and sports, assume leadership roles and realize individual talents. The Upper School, Grades 7-12, offers a challenging college preparatory program in an all-girls environment. Each year, graduates are pursued by selective and prestigious colleges and universities. With a well-rounded education, students strive to "Live Jesus" by reflecting Christ's gentle strength in their daily interactions and, as alumnae, carry this philosophy into the world as responsible citizens.
[edit] Visitation at a Glance
| Visitation... | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ... provides an education which fosters a personal friendship with God through a centering of lives on Christ | ... provides an education which leads to an appreciation of truth, goodness, and love of learning | ... calls members to build a community which fosters respect, appreciation of diversity, and service to others | ... provides an education which supports students in their search for personal integrity | ... provides an education which encourages respect for all of creation |
| SIZE | STUDENT/TEACHER RATIO | FACULTY | ||
| Total students: 610 | Visitation enjoys a 9:1 student/teacher ratio | 53 full time and 21 part time: 72 percent have advanced degrees | ||
| Grades 7-12: 407 | ||||
| Toddler-Grade 6: 203 |
Accreditation/Affiliations/Memberships
- American Montessori Society
- Missouri Montessori Association
- North Central Association
- Independent Schools Association of the Central States
- National Catholic Education Association
- Independent Schools of St. Louis
- National Association of Independent Schools
The Class of 2007
The Class of 2007 at Visitation Academy included 74 students. All attended a four-year college. Forty-seven percent of the class obtained an ACT composite score of 30 or higher which qualifies them for the Missouri Bright Flight Scholarship, also known as the Missouri Higher Education Academic Scholarship. Ninety-six percent of the senior class earned a total of 290 scholarships. The scholarships amounted to a four-year value of over $7,143,776. National Merit Finalists or Commended Students made up 15 percent of the class.
The Class of 2008
The Class of 2008 at Visitation Academy included 76 students. All are planning to attend a four-year college. Sixty-eight percent of the class plans to attend colleges outside of Missouri while 32 percent intends to matriculate to a Missouri college. Thirty percent of the class obtained an ACT composite score of 31 or higher which qualifies them for the Missouri Bright Flight Scholarship, also known as the Missouri Higher Education Academic Scholarship. Eighty-nine percent of the senior class earned a total of 288 scholarships. The scholarships amounted to a four-year value of over $9,363,224. National Merit Finalists or Commended Students made up 16 percent of the class.
[edit] Student Life
Education at Visitation Academy is more than books and tests. Students gain knowledge and life experience through extracurricular activities such as clubs, organizations and community service. Juniors participate in an Apostolic Service program, completing 60 hours of service in the month of November during time off school and completing additional service work during the rest of their junior and senior years. The well-rounded individual learns about self, others and the realities of life through these experiences. Visitation has many options for students to explore their interests, especially in athletics and the fine arts- including both musical and nonmusical theatrical productions, a new dance program, and an array of sports for all grade levels.
[edit] Visitation Athletics
Athletics is an integral part of each Visitation student’s life. Our philosophy is based on the belief that participation in athletics, both as a player and spectator, contributes to the fulfillment of the Academy’s overall educational goals and criteria. Participants have a wide variety of opportunities to represent our school while learning how to work toward both individual and team goals.
In recent years, the scope of the athletic program has significantly expanded. The number of varsity sports has increased due to heightened student interest and an increase in enrollment. As with all programs, regular evaluative reviews resulted in higher quality and overall performance. We are proud of our Vivettes!
Visitation student athletes excel in the classroom as well as on the court/field. During the past three years, every high school team received the highest academic rating from the state association.
An experienced, quality coaching staff, great facilities and supportive administration offer the dedicated athlete the chance to reach her personal goals. Membership in the MWAA league assures Visitation strong competition and recognition for its teams.
Visitation teams (9-12) participate and compete in the Metro Women’s Athletic Association. They are classified as 3A by the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA). In grades K-8, the teams belong to West County Leagues or CYC League.
All this adds up to success for the individual athlete and teams wearing the Visitation uniform.
Lower School Athletics
| Grades | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| 3-6 | Basketball | Softball |
| 3-6 | Volleyball | |
| K-6 | Soccer | Track |
Upper School Athletics
| Grades | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| 9-12 | Basketball | Soccer |
| Cheerleading | Softball | |
| Cross Country | Swimming & Diving | |
| Golf | Tennis | |
| Lacrosse | Track & Field | |
| Racquetball | Volleyball | |
| 8-12 | Field Hockey | |
| 7-8 | Basketball | Track & Field |
| Soccer | Volleyball | |
| Softball |
[edit] Visitation Fine Arts
Our Mission Statement affirms that the environment "encourages each student to develop her unique gifts." Thus, Visitation believes courses and activities in the areas of performing and fine arts enrich and develop each student academically, aesthetically and personally. These courses and activities challenge the student to increase her knowledge and appreciation of the arts while developing her creative skills. To complement these programs, Visitation encourages student exploration and investigation of a wide range of media. Curricular and co-curricular efforts support these goals.
Visual Arts
Lower School
Student artwork is displayed throughout the school, in Gallery art shows, on school murals, in the community and on the web.
Students experiment with various mediums including pencil, crayon, markers, watercolor, tempera paints and acrylic paint. A study in three-dimensional art allows students to use papier mache, model magic “clay” and candle making. Computer art is taught to older students. Students also get a foundation in the study of famous artists and work on projects in each artist’s style.
Upper School
Student artwork is displayed throughout the school on the hall display boards and in the Gallery.
Two main exhibits for student artwork are presented during the Christmas Concert in December and the Spring Concert in May. The three backdrops for the Christmas Concert are also painted by art students (and often used as the Academy's Christmas card art).
Art students make up the theater tech crews and use their creativity in designing, building and painting all performance scenery.
Students are entered in local and regional art contests and exhibits.
- Visitation Academy Gallery of Fine Arts:
This Gallery is designed to exhibit the artwork of students, alumnae, visiting artists and faculty. Each artist may sell her/his work.
- Art Club
Art Club includes Grades 7-12 and meets monthly to create artwork in a variety of mediums. Members help jury art exhibits for shows in the Gallery.
- Mural
Students developed and painted a mural depicting the history of Visitation Academy on the long wall in the school commons area. A few new wall murals have been proposed for the two music rooms. The subject matter will include famous composers and musical instruments.
Performing Arts
Music
Lower School
- Christmas Concert: December
Students sing seasonal songs accompanied by handbells, recorder, and percussion instruments. A recreation of the nativity scene is the highlight of the concert with a real baby as Jesus, the newest sibling of a lower school student.
- Spring Concert: May
Students in Grades 1-6 sing, dance, and play instruments in this spring concert. Artwork created by students during the year is also on display for guests to enjoy before and after the performance.
Upper School
- Christmas Concert: December
Students perform seasonal songs. The handbell choir also performs.
- Spring Concert: April
Past concerts have had varied themes. 2008: 175 Years of Women in the Arts 2007: Respect 2006: A Contemporary Broadway Mix 2005: A Night at the Oscars 2004: Flower Power 2003: Big Band Bash 2002: A Night at the Movies
Drama
Lower School
Students participate in a Martin Luther King Day play, the Stations of the Cross during the week before Easter, a sixth-grade talent show, and occasionally have the opportunity to audition for roles in Upper School performances.
Upper School
- Fall Musical
All students in Grades 7-12 may audition for the musical. Traditional and contemporary musicals are performed. On stage and backstage opportunities allow all different types of students to be involved. Students learn to use power tools for set construction; they help with costume design, lighting, props, make-up, hair and publicity.
- Winter Play
Auditions for this production are open to Grades 9-12. Full non-musical scripts are performed. This production explores comedy, drama, and classical and contemporary scripts. Full backstage crews are used for this show as well.
- Senior Show
The final production of the year is the seniors' final opportunity to perform. The cast and crew are all seniors and the script is typically more abstract and mature in acting requirements.
- Student Directed One-Act Plays
Older students have an opportunity to choose a one-act script, cast it, stage it and perform it. Underclassmen play the roles in these shows. It is a great opportunity for young acting students to try out the stage for the first time.
- Curriculum-Based Performances
Students in the speech and drama courses have a variety of opportunities for public performance including grandparents day, high school nights, an evening showcase for parents and friends, and various school assemblies and programs.
Dance
Upper School
Dance is an exciting art form that uses the human body as a means of expression. Dance is “living sculpture”. The study of dance helps students grow physically, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually as human beings. By studying dance, students open themselves to a new way of communicating.
Studying dance can help students develop:
- physical fitness
- self-expression
- poise and grace
- self-confidence and self-esteem
- organizational and problem solving skills
- unity with classmates and the world
- knowledge of the unique history of dance in different cultures
Dance Program at Visitation
Dance is a new program at Visitation Academy that offers students in grades 9-12 the opportunity to take dance classes to fulfill either a PE credit or a Fine Arts credit. Classes are mixed with students from all grades 9-12, and also mixed with dancers of varying experience. Vocabulary and history of dance styles is presented along with the movement styles. Dance students are not required to perform, but dancers at Viz have the opportunity to use their talents by dancing in the Fall musicals, in Christmas and Spring Concerts, and for Mass as Liturgical Dancers. Students are also given a chance to explore their artistic voices through dance improvisation and choreography projects.
Styles of Dance
- Jazz
- Ballet
- Modern/Lyrical
- Musical Theatre /Tap
[edit] Visitation Service Projects
Lower School
Service to the community is an invaluable learning experience for students. Because of our desire to "Live Jesus" and our belief that serving others is key to the growth and development of young Christian girls, Lower School students participate in several community service projects throughout the school year.
Service Projects
Each Friday students in the Lower School Grades 1-6 gather with their Mes Amies Groups (School Families). The focus of many of these activities is Community Service. For example, on Valentine’s Day, students worked in their Mes Amies Groups to create Valentines to distribute to the elderly.
- Medical supplies for Honduras: students collected medical supplies for impoverished children in Honduras when a Junior served on a medical mission trip
- "Hats on Cancer": students wore special hats to school and made donations to Friends of Kids with Cancer.
- Disability Awareness: Students experienced hands-on activities for the visually impaired, hearing impaired, physically impaired and learning impaired.
- Mission Carnival: Grade 6 students organize a carnival each year with the proceeds going to the Missions, (Propagation of the Faith).
- Christmas Project: stuffing Christmas stockings with toys and candy for charitable organizations is a tradition at Visitation.
- Food Drives: students collect food during the Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive and at other times throughout the year.
- The Lenten Project:for the 2006-2007 school year Grades 1–6 focused on one of the Spiritual Works of Mercy: "instruct the ignorant." The students at Visitation sponsored activities during Lent to support the St. Louis Catholic Academy program which serves 175 students from North St. Louis enrolled in a tutoring program.
- "Working it Out": the Third Grade Brownie troop earned the "Working it Out" Brownie Try-it badge. For one project, the girls painted a picture of how each hopes to treat others in class.
Upper School
The Visitation Mission Statement confirms that service is an important component of a young woman’s education and life. Our desire to "Live Jesus" is the motivation for numerous community service projects initiated throughout the school year.
Service to the community is an invaluable learning experience for students. Because of our desire to “Live Jesus” and our belief that serving others is key to the growth and development of young Christian women, a block of school time for Juniors has been structured for service. This program, Visitation’s Apostolic Service program, began in 1970. While writing college essays in the beginning of their Senior year, our students often name their apostolic service as one of the most valuable educational experience of their lives.
Through a sustained, hands-on experience of service, students can gain a deeper knowledge of God who is constantly reaching out to all humanity in compassion, mercy and love. Helping others is a unique opportunity to develop character, for as a person is stretched to look beyond the fulfillment of one’s own needs, she is often inspired to respond in a way that will help bring all of God’s people to fullness of life.
- Many students participate in individual service projects
- The National Honor Societies and other student clubs such as Sharing the Spirit (STS) and Christian Life Community (CLC) sponsor service projects throughout the year
- School-wide service projects include: stuffing stockings at Christmas, dress-down days to raise money for various charitable organizations, and Penny Wars and class competitions during Spirit Week
Apostolic Service: Juniors
November (for two-weeks during school hours)
*Contribute 60 hours of service or 6.5 hours per day working at service site. Student selects organization in which to volunteer.
December-September
*Volunteer 60 hours of service on own time *Keep a journal of experiences
Criteria
*Volunteers must have direct contact with clientele rather than just doing clerical work *Volunteers must work with persons in need *Volunteers must work for agencies which cannot afford to pay volunteers
[edit] Notable Alumnae
- Mary Engelbreit '70, artist
- Mev Puleo '81, theological educator, photojournalist and social activist
[edit] External links
[edit] Notes and references
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