HIGH SCHOOL
Unlock your potential at OLSH! As you consider your options for high school, we want to help you to make a well-informed decision to find the school that is the best fit for you! As you spend time discovering OLSH, we invite you to imagine yourself walking through our campus, learning in our classrooms, performing on our stage, and competing on our home court. At OLSH you will: Be Known as an individual and not just another student in the classroom; Be Transformed into the best version of yourself as you discover your gifts and talents and learn how to share them with the world around you; Be Inspired by the Felician Sisters and our Core Values in order to make a difference in the world.
Be Known | Be Transformed | Be Inspired • 1
32 innovative learning spaces with interactive projectors
:
500+
combined years experience of faculty & staff
Student : Teacher Ratio
26
59
10
Honors, AP, & Advanced Classroom Courses
Unique electives
Curricular areas
Average Class Size = 15
iPads, Laptops, and Desktop Computers
available for student use
Printers
Fully wireless building
2 • www.olsh.org
Engage in Active Learning For over 80 years Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School has provided students with an education rooted in Catholic Felician Franciscan tradition. Students have the option of taking a wide range of student-centered college preparatory courses. Unique electives allow students to explore special interest areas and our developing STREAM curriculum provides layers of depth into the study of religion and the arts, as well as science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Through the OLSH Writing and Learning Center (OWL), all students can receive additional support through one-on-one teacher and peer tutoring in all subjects in a learning environment modeled after university writing centers.
“OLSH has inspired me to always strive for my best. I want to become a doctor and some of my teachers walked me through the process and pushed me to do more to help me achieve what I want.” -Ryan P. ‘19
Be Known | Be Transformed | Be Inspired • 3
$
10,008,332
Partnerships to earn college credit
OFFERED IN MERIT-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS to the class of 2017
ONLINE
COURSE OFFERINGS
98% pursue higher education
4 • www.olsh.org
100%
of sophomores & freshman take the PSAT & PSAT9 each fall
100% graduation rate
40+
COLLEGE ADMISSION VISITS each year
Prepare for Success Students at OLSH are well prepared to pursue higher education studies in their field of choice. The OLSH AP Advantage Program, featuring a unique relationship between OLSH and the University of Notre Dame and Johns Hopkins University, provides students with the opportunity to choose from a wide range of AP courses, taught in the classroom and online. Through their participation in Notre Dame’s Teacher Investment Program (TIP), OLSH teachers receive high level training and resources to aid in the teaching of AP courses on our campus. With the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth, we are able to offer a wider range of AP course opportunities to students, with the additional experience of an online course. Students also have the opportunity to earn college credits from the University of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University, and La Roche College for OLSH courses they take in a variety of subject areas. All students have access to the university-modeled OLSH Writing & Learning Center, where they can receive individualized tutoring or writing conference services in any subject area.
“I was placed in Calc I my first semester of college, but my professor has realized pretty quickly that it’s too easy for me. I’m honestly so happy that I have the math background that I do. I feel so prepared and excited about studying math.” -Theresa Thimons ‘15 Math Major, St. Vincent College
Be Known | Be Transformed | Be Inspired • 5
A Day in the Life
Meet Alexis ‘18 - “I have the suppo
Each student begins the day in homeroom where they view announcements from WCHR, the school’s TV studio.
Alexis’ Activities: National Honor Society
Honors English I Algebra II Honors Biology World Geography Theology I French I Felician Core Values
Student Ambassadors
Chorus
Theatre
Weight Training & Personal Fitness
Show Choir Bowling Track & Field Hometown High Q WCHR
6 • www.olsh.org
Freshman Year*
Health
e of an OLSH Student
ort of the teachers, my friends, and the whole OLSH community to help me reach my goals.”
Sophomore Year*
Junior Year*
Senior Year*
Honors American Literature
AP British Literature
Scholar World Literature
Honors Precalculus
AP Calculus AB
Advanced Biology
Honors Chemistry
Bioinformatics
Honors Government/Economics
Honors Modern American History
AP World History
Honors Psychology
Theology II
Theology III
Honors Sociology
French III
Honors Theology IV
Concert Choir
Honors French IV
Show Choir
Senior Seminar
Phys Ed
Concert Choir
French II Concert Choir Phys Ed
Phys Ed
OLSH follows a two-day cycle with 42 minute class periods. This allows for a variety of courses to be taken by each student, including 6 or 7 full credit courses with space for .5 or .25 credit electives and required mini-courses throughout. Most students also have time in their schedule for at least one study hall period, allowing for extra study and homework time within the school day. Alexis’ course progression is just an example of available options. View OLSH’s full course catalog at www.olsh.org/academics/.
*This is a sampling of options available
Be Known | Be Transformed | Be Inspired • 7
61%
of OLSH faculty & staff are also coaches or moderators of time-intensive activities
68%
10
faculty and staff members are alumni
of OLSH faculty & staff have Master’s or Doctoral degrees
TEACHER ADVISORS
serve as mentors for small groups of students encouraging academic success
10
faculty and staff members are parents of current OLSH students or alumni
8 • www.olsh.org
Realize Your Potential The OLSH faculty and staff is comprised of dedicated and talented individuals who strive to provide challenging and innovative educational experiences. They consider their work much more than a job; to them, teaching is a fulfillment of the mission of OLSH and the Felician Sisters. You’ll find teachers at OLSH accessible and encouraging, creating meaningful connections with students inside and outside the classroom. OLSH faculty and staff can regularly be seen on the sidelines of sporting events and in the audience at concerts and performances, supportive of all students in every endeavor.
“OLSH has always had that family-like atmosphere. You are never alone at this school...somebody will always be there for you. You don’t feel like you’re traveling to work every morning,” -Brian Molka, Math Teacher Alumni Parent
Be Known | Be Transformed | Be Inspired • 9
9,230
HOURS OF SERVICE reported by students last year
RETREAT
OPPORTUNITIES Chi Rho Fall Retreat Class Retreats
WORLD YOUTH DAY Krakow Poland OLSH’s 9th WYD
STUDENTS ATTEND MASS at least per month
2x
FELICIAN CORE VALUES
Respect for Human Dignity Compassion • Transformation Solidarity with the Poor • Justice & Peace 10 • www.olsh.org
Live Your Faith Faith and service are key aspects of the OLSH experience. The entire student body, faculty and staff celebrate Mass together at least once a month in the OLSH Chapel. We pray together as a community daily: morning prayer during announcements, the Angelus at noon, and end of the day prayer. Each grade attends morning Mass with the Felician Sisters once a month. OLSH also provides students with retreat opportunities, Eucharistic adoration, Marian group, ProLife Group, and a variety of service organizations. Summer opportunities include the Notre Dame Vision program, a mission trip, the Felician Sisters’ Seeds of Hope program, and a World Youth Day pilgrimage. Students live out the Felician Core Values by completing service independently and through school-wide projects like food drives for Our Lady’s Pantry (an on-campus emergency food bank), the Christmas Giving Tree, and the Empty Bowls hunger awareness event. Small groups of students and faculty also participate in Core Value Service Days throughout the year, spending a school day performing service at various local organizations and fellow Felician ministries.
“My experience volunteering at Mooncrest has inspired me. Each of the children I have mentored have contributed to who I am today. Working with these kids has opened my eyes to the challenges others face” -Katrina K. ‘18
Be Known | Be Transformed | Be Inspired • 11
84%
ics
m de
a
Ac Percentage of student body that participates in at least one sport or time-intensive activitiy
s
t Ar
r
Se
vic
p
hi
e ad
s er
100%
Le s
tic le
h At
e W
s
es
lln
Percentage of students who participate in activities held during the school day
Adopt a Highway AP Calculus Free Response Practice AP World History Study Art Club Baseball Bella Book Club Boys Basketball Boys Bowling Boys Cross Country Boys Track & Field Boys Volleyball Campus Ministry Catholic Athletes for Christ Character Alliance Cheerleading (Fall) Cheerleading (Winter) Chess Club Christmas Play Clarion Comic Book Club Concert Choir Empty Bowls English Festival Fall Play Football Freshman Boys Basketball Frisbee Girls Basketball Girls Bowling Girls Cross Country Girls Soccer Girls Track & Field Girls Volleyball Golf Heartstrings Hockey Hometown HighQ Honors Modern American History Study Group Interact Liturgical Affairs Marian Prayer Group Math Tutoring Model UN Must See Musicals National Honor Society Old School Video Games OWL Peer Tutors Physics Study Group PJAS Pro-Life Club Project Linus Prom Committee SADD Show Choir Ski Club Softball Spanish Study Group Spirit Committee Spring Musical Story Telling in Disney Classics Stress Reduction through Classical Music Student Ambassadors Student Government Swimming Theatre Arts Tree Huggers Yearbook WCHR Anchors WCHR Tech Crew Young Hands
70+
SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES OFFERED
12 • www.olsh.org
Explore Talents and Interests OLSH students are encouraged to get involved from day one, as we recognize that involvement leads to success! With a wide variety of clubs, sports, and activities, there are multiple opportunities for students to explore areas of talent and interest outside of the classroom. Every student participates in two in-school activities that meet during the school day, with options ranging from academics or athletics to leadership or the arts. After school, the campus remains alive with activity as practices and rehearsals take place daily. Many students participate in multiple activities at one time; students split time between sports and musical practices or debate and art club.
“OLSH has inspired me to follow my passion for advocacy and has allowed me to pursue my hobbies in art and speech. I am excited this year to help start and lead Aspire, a new youth group activity for students.” -Katie D. ‘18
Be Known | Be Transformed | Be Inspired • 13
STUDENT ATHLETES BY SEASON
71%
of OLSH students are student-athletes
Fall
25
STUDENT ATHLETES
Winter
101
Spring
44
5
Section Champs
WPIAL
Individual Champions
14 • www.olsh.org
160
124
1
1
WPIAL
WPIBL
Team Champions Boys Cross Country
Participated in all 3 seasons
Team Champions Girls Bowling
FULLY EQUIPPED WEIGHT ROOM
and opportunities for off-season strength and conditioning
Build Character, Discipline, and Sportsmanship The Charger, OLSH’s mascot, is a mount or horse for a soldier, commonly a knight, to ride into battle. The Charger had to be strong in order to carry the weight of the armor and other equipment carried by the knight, and be calm, courageous, and well-disciplined. The Charger represents strength and courage, an appropriate symbol for our athletes. Coaches, who are faculty, staff, alumni, parents, parents of alumni, and friends of OLSH, have years of experience and expertise that enable them to share more than just the rules of the game with their student athletes.
“I truly love OLSH - the campus, the people, the staff, and the overall sense of family this school brings. I participate in volleyball and track & field and my experiences with these teams are beyond words. Our team bond is strong and we work hard together to represent our school in the best way.” -Abby C. ‘20
Be Known | Be Transformed | Be Inspired • 15
12
STUDENTS SELECTED
for PMEA Festivals
11
DMAC AWARDS
for excellence in video in the last 5 years
74
GENE KELLY AWARD NOMINATIONS over 21 years
9
GENE KELLY AWARD WINS over 19 years
91 Music Students + 122 Art Students
63%
= of OLSH students take art or music classes Invitation to perform at
WCHR
Student Run TV Studio
in EDINBURG
SCOTLAND
High Notes Music Festival
SUPERIOR
Rating annually for the OLSH Show Choir
16 • www.olsh.org
Express Yourself Offering opportunities in the arts remains a priority for OLSH. Students can take courses in visual arts like Studio Art, Ceramics, and Digital Photography. Musically inclined students can take a choir or band course, or learn to play guitar or piano. Performers have a variety of options to be on stage, with a fall play, Christmas play, and spring musical, as well as winter and spring concerts featuring the concert choir, show choir, and concert band. Student art work is exhibited around the school throughout the year, and a temporary gallery fills the ground floor during the spring concert. Partnerships and collaborations with arts organizations include the Pittsburgh CLO Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theatre, the High Notes Music Festival, DMAC (Digital Media Arts Consortium) and the Carnegie Museum of Art.
“It has been such a joy to watch our son develop as an individual. The OLSH experience gives him opportunities to develop individually and confidence while continuing to promote Christian values.” -Kathleen Tonery, Parent of Manus ‘21
Be Known | Be Transformed | Be Inspired • 17
Nationally recognized speech & debate team
BIG BROTHER BIG SISTER PROGRAM
pairs sophomores with freshmen
1/3 of student body serves in a leadership role
18 • www.olsh.org
CHI RHO RETREAT
led by students
75%
Over of the student body works in or receives assistance from The OLSH Writing & Learning (OWL) Center - a university-style writing center
Lead by Example OLSH students lead in the traditional sense, serving as class leaders in Student Government, representing the school to the community as Student Ambassadors and serving in leadership roles in their sports and activities. In addition, opportunities abound for students to be leaders by example, in activities like SADD and the Character Alliance, but also through lessons focused on the Felician Core Values. All freshmen take a mini-course introducing the core values, while seniors participate in a senior seminar, Felician Values Fulfilled, where they demonstrate their understanding of the core values through service projects, a job shadow experience, the creation of a video and a presentation to faculty and staff.
“Both of my children grew in self-confidence and leadership skills at OLSH. The culture of OLSH is now integrated into their personalities.” -Susan Vallejo Parent of Alex ‘11 and Anna ‘17
Be Known | Be Transformed | Be Inspired • 19
Your path
r u o Y k c Unlo l a i t n e t o P ! H S L O t a
Be a part of the OLSH Family Why do families choose OLSH for high school? Overwhelmingly the response has been the focus on our Catholic identity and the culture and values that makes OLSH a second home to students, family, and alumni. With administration, faculty and staff who truly care, students benefit from a transformational experience and are supported in reaching their full potential. With a multitude of academic, spiritual, and extra-curricular opportunities at their fingertips, OLSH students are provided every benefit of a larger school in a more nurturing environment. OLSH’s community is made up of more than just students and teachers. The Felician Sisters live on campus and work in the school, allowing students to interact with the women who helped to create and continue to advance the legacy of OLSH. Join us for a personal tour or as a Charger for a Day to experience OLSH from the perspective of a student. Students in grades 7-10 who visit during a school day are paired with a current student who shares their interests. For more information about joining the OLSH Family, contact Mrs. Jessica Sellman ’02, Director of Admissions & Enrollment at (412) 262-3300 or jsellman@olsh.org.
IMPORTANT DATES! Early Action Application Period (for all incoming freshmen) October 9 – December 31, 2017 Charger for a Day October 2, 2017 – April 27, 2018 OLSH Placement Test November 18, 2017 or January 20, 2018 Open Application Period January 1 – May 31, 2018 Scholarship & Tuition Assistance Information Night Tuesday, January 23, 2018 Tuition Assistance Application Deadline Thursday, March 15, 2018 Scholarship Application Deadline for Incoming Students Thursday, March 15, 2018 Class of 2022 Welcome Night Wednesday, May 9, 2018
www.olsh.org
HOW TO APPLY 99 Complete the online application at www.olsh.org. 99 Submit the $40 application fee. 99 Electronically submit or mail: • Copy of birth certificate • Student’s final 7th grade report card • 8th grade report card (to date) • Copies of most recent standardized test scores All applicants must take the OLSH Placement test. This test is required as part of the admission process and is different from other Catholic high school placement tests. There is no fee for this test. ENROLLMENT Students who are offered admission must secure their place in the Class of 2022 with a $100 nonrefundable deposit. TUITION ASSISTANCE OLSH Tuition Assistance and Scholarship applications are available online at www.olsh.org and are due March 15, 2018. The tuition assistance application is processed through FACTS Tuition Management. Decisions will be made in late April 2018 for all completed applications (2017 tax information is needed to complete your application). Mrs. Jessica Sellman ‘02 jsellman@olsh.org. (412) 262-3300
1504 Woodcrest Avenue · Coraopolis, PA 15108-3054
Mission Statement Rooted in Catholic Felician Franciscan tradition, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School educates and transforms each student for a life of exceptional Christian leadership, stewardship, and service to all.
Core Values Respect for Human Dignity · Compassion · Transformation Solidarity with the Poor · Justice & Peace
Follow us online! @OLSH_HighSchool · #olshchargers