S C H O O L L E A D E R S H I P

Bethlehem Academy2012 - 2013

S C H O O L P R O F I L E

Board of directors President: Michelle Mahowald

President/PrinciPal: Tom Donlon

academic dean: Melinda O’Connor

administrative dean: Ed Friesen

105 third avenue southwest

fariBault, minnesota 55021Phone: 507-334-3948 • Fax: 507-334-3949 • www.bacards.org

dean of students: Scott Hanson

guidance counselors: Laura Carlson & Tami Langlois

Goals of Bethlehem AcademyBethlehem Academy offers a balanced educational program that demands self-discipline, fosters respect for others, encourages the search for truth—Veritas—and recognizes the unique abilities of each student. Guid-ed by its Sinsinawa Dominican tradition, the Bethlehem Academy community has established high academic standards and offers a technology-enhanced educational experience to a diverse student body of committed young men and women. Bethlehem Academy seeks to develop the potential of its students in four key areas:

• The intellectual potential of each student is developed through a college preparatory curriculum that en-courages independent inquiry, critical thinking, creative expression, effective communication, and a thirst for knowledge.

• The spiritual and moral potential of each student is developed through the daily teaching and practice of Catholic doctrine, traditions, and values. In addition, weekly Catholic Mass encourages an active and grow-ing faith that rests in a relationship with Jesus Christ. Moreover, instruction and example in each of the academic areas corroborates this teaching and reinforces ethical behavior and responsible stewardship of gifts and talents.

• The physical potential of each student is developed through both an extensive program of competitive co-curricular athletics and classroom instruction that promotes healthy and safe choices, fitness for a lifetime, and good sportsmanship.

• The leadership potential of each student is developed through various clubs and organizations, such as Na-tional Honor Society, Key Club, and student council, focusing on the knowledge and practice of character, leadership, and citizenship.

Our Mission...

Bethlehem Academy, a Catholic School of the Sinsinawa Dominican Tradition, strives to empower its students and staff to achieve personal, spiritual and academic excellence. We challenge ourselves to love as Jesus Christ loved, to lead, to serve and to seek the truth:

Veritas.

About Bethlehem Academyfounded: 1865sPonsored By: Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation of the Most Holy Rosary

religious aFFiliation: Roman Catholic

accreditation: AdvancED-North Central Accreditation

descriPtion: Catholic, College Preparatory, Non-profit

student Body: Co-educational, grades 7-12Professional staff/student ratio: 13.2counselor student ratio: 1:135 (state of mn ave 1:771)

aVerage class size: 19.2aVerage graduating class size: 45faculty Qualifications: 42% of Professional Staff have earned a Master’s Degree.

location: Faribault, Minnesota

enrollment: 2712012-13 tuition: $6955financial assistance awarded: $450,000Percentage oF students receiVing Financial assistance: 50%

Bethlehem Academy is a co-educational, Catholic school, serving students in grades 7-12 located in Faribault, MN. Founded in 1865 by the Sinsinawa Domincan Sisters, Bethlehem Academy taught young women, from Faribault and boarding students. Bethlehem Academy opened enrollment to young men and became co-educa-tional in 1936. The boarding program stopped in the year 1962. Seventh and eighth grade joined the academic system and facility beginning in 1986.

With any great institution, Bethlehem Academy has adapted to meet the needs present in the community. It should be noted that students who attend Bethlehem Academy are from diverse ethnic and religious back-grounds. Our ethnic diversity is 14% being non-Caucasion. In additon, more than 20% of our staff and students are not Catholic. Bethlehem Academy welcomes students with a variety of academic abilities. There is no entrance examination required to gain admittance, yet 99% of students graduate and 94% of students go on to post-secondary institutions after graduation. There are 56 students in the graduating class of 2013.

BAEducating Students for 148 Years!

FacilitiesThe current school facility was built in 1949. However, numerous updates are highly visible, including an updated science lab (2003), new desks (2004), and new lockers (2008). Our school is also working toward lessening our environmental footprint; we hold the status of Efficiency Partner 2012. This is being accomplished by replacing toilets, sink and shower aerators, indoor and outdoor lighting, and replacing the pipe insulation with more energy efficient material.

Bethlehem Academy currently uses the Van Orsow Auditorium for athletic competitions, theater productions, band and choir concerts, as well as our fundraising events. Our auditorium offers unique individual seating, adding charm and character to the building.

Professional & Religious AffiliationsBethlehem Academy is accredited by AdvancED, a member of the National Catholic Educators Association, as well as part of the Archdiocese of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Special Program HighlightsTechnology InITIaTIveAt Bethlehem Academy, we have a one-to-one student to laptop computer ratio. The laptop program was piloted during the 2005-06 academic year with seventh and eigth grade students. During the 2006-07 academic year the program was expanded to include all grade levels. The goal of the program is to help our students to gain exposure to and develop strong skills using various computer programs. Our students are taught computer etiquette in the classroom and the risks and rewards of using social media. In addition, classes like multimedia and film making encourage creative computer based products including power points, spreadsheets, pamphlets, posters and movies.

The faculty and staff of Bethlehem Academy have the tools to communicate with parents and students through various web-based outlets. Bethlehem Academy uses PowerSchool, which is an online grading system so that students, parents and teachers are aware of student progress. The Bethlehem Academy website houses each teacher’s lesson plans and assignments so that students and parents are aware of course curriculum and expectations.

Special Program Highlights (continued)MIddle School: “School wIThIn a School”The curriculum for students in grades 7 & 8 is designed to strengthen and broaden knowledge in core academic areas and to be taught in a manner that addresses the unique developmental needs of this age group. Core courses include theology, English, social studies, science and math. All students in grades 7 & 8 participate in physical education and music. To round out the middle school curriculum, students are exposed to the follow-ing electives studio arts, industrial technology, life skills, computer technology and Spanish. “Elective” courses are included in the curriculum to give each student the op-portunity to experience and develop insight into personal strengths before high school.

In addition, the core academic area teachers, called the middle school team, meet multiple times each week to develop interdisciplinary projects. The goal of these projects is for students to understand that learning is not contained in one subject, rather a life long process to discover truth. The middle school team strives to develop strong academic, organizational and interpersonal skills to assist in the transition from middle school to high school.

college In The SchoolS (cIS) courSeS

Bethlehem Academy participates in the College in the Schools program through the University of Minnesota. CIS courses allow high school junior and senior students the opportunity to earn college credits while still enrolled in high school. Courses currently offered include Es-sentials of Anatomy and Physiology (4 credits), Calculus (4 credits) and US History (3 credits). A student that successfully completes these three courses will earn 11 college credits that are transferable from the University of Minnesota to other post secondary institutions. Stu-dents must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher to be eligible. If these three courses were completed at the University of Minnesota the cost would be $5,102.35. Bethlehem Academy students pay $435.

39% of the junior class is enrolled in one CIS course.57% of the senior class is enrolled in one or more CIS courses.

Grading System and Testing ComponentsBethlehem Academy does not weight grades and does not rank students based on grade point average.

claSSrooM % leTTer grade value

94-100 A 4.000 90-93 A- 3.667 87-89 B+ 3.333 83-86 B 3.000 80-82 B- 2.667 77-79 C+ 2.333 73-76 C 2.000 70-72 C- 1.667 67-69 D+ 1.333 63-66 D 1.000 60-62 D- 0.667 59 & below F 0

unranked raTIonaleDue to small class sizes, Bethlehem Academy is an unranked school. If class rank is required for acquiring a scholarship, it will be provided if the applicant would otherwise be ineligible.

TeST ScoreS claSS of 2013Composite ACT Average score: 23.0Sample: 46Middle 50%: 20-26

STandardIzed TeSTIng PrograM

Bethlehem Academy implemented a new formal assessment series during the 2010-11 academic year. The ACT series is made up of three tests, Explore, Plan and ACT. The Explore test is used beginning in 7th grade to determine a baseline achievement level. Seventh, eighth, and ninth graders complete the Explore test in October of each academic year. The test is 8th and 9th grade level norm referenced. Test results are used to strengthen curriculum within our middle school programs and flag stu-dent achievement. Tenth grade students take the PLAN test, which is next in the ACT series. Eleventh grade students then can choose to complete the ACT in order to pursue and gain college admittance. Outside of the ACT series, all 9th grade students complete the MCA (Minnesota Comprehensive As-sessment) Graduation Writing Test. Eleventh grade students are also given the opportunity to complete the PSAT (Preliminary Standardized Achievement Test), which is used to recognize National Merit Scholars.

Curriculum and Graduation RequirementsThe curriculum at Bethlehem Academy is designed to meet student’s unique abilities and push them to grow aca-demically in order to achieve personal, career and life goals. Bethlehem Academy graduation credit requirements are listed by each department’s offerings. Bethlehem Academy uses a semester grade reporting system. For each semester course completed with a passing grade, 0.5 credit is earned. Details about our course offerings can be found in our curriculum guide.

englISh (4 credits required)English 9, English 10: writing & research, English 10: speech & research, Reading & Writing, American Literature, World Literature, Creative Writing, Cinema and Literature

fIne arTS & InduSTrIal Technology (1 credit required from one of the following categories listed below)Visual Arts: Intro to Art, Crafts, Drawing, Painting, Studio ArtsPerforming Arts: Concert Band, Concert ChoirIndustrial Arts: Intarsia, Woodworking

MaTheMaTIcS (3 credits required)Intro to Algebra, Algebra, Geometry, Advanced Algebra, Consumer Math, Probability & Statistics, Pre-Calculus, CIS Calculus

PhySIcal educaTIon/healTh (1 credit required)Physical Education, Health, Lifetime Fitness, Strength Training

ScIence (3 credits required)Physical Science, Biology, Ecology & Field Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Human Biology, CIS Essentials of Anatomy & Physiology

SocIal STudIeS (3.5 credits required)Historical World Geography, American History, American Government, Economics, Contemporary Events, Psychology, Sociology, CIS U. S. History: 1865 to Present

Theology (4 credits required)Christology, Morality, Sacramental Life, World Religions, Christian Vocations, Defending Your Faith

world languageSpanish I, II, III, IV*Students may complete the College Board AP Spanish Test with instructor approval, which may earn college credits or advanced placement in college Spanish courses.