URSULINE ACADEMY OF DALLAS ACADEMIC YEAR
2020/2021
UA Profile F
ounded in 1874, Ursuline Academy of Dallas is an independent Catholic, college preparatory school for young women sponsored by the Ursuline Sisters. The mission of Ursuline Academy is the total development of the individual student through spiritual formation, intellectual growth, service to others, and building of community. Ursuline Academy educates young women for leadership in a global society.
Founded 1874 Oldest continuously operating school in Dallas
Total Enrollment (9-12) 850+ Students of Color 33% Tuition 2020-2021 $23,900
Catholic 75% Average Class Size 15-18 Student-Teacher Ratio 9:1 Faculty 103 Majority with advanced degrees
Accreditation
Financial Assistance
Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (ISAS)
In 2020-2021, the Academy will grant approximately
Memberships & Affiliations CASE Center for Spiritual and Ethical Education Educational Records Bureau (ERB) Global Education Benchmark Group (GEBG)
$1,443,000 in financial assistance and merit awards to 192 students, representing approximately 23% of the student body.
Independent Curriculum Group National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) National Coalition of Girls’ Schools (NCGS) One Schoolhouse Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) The College Board Ursuline Education Network (UEN) We are a Microsoft Showcase School.
National Merit Scholarship Program 2018-20: 13 Ursuline students were named National Merit Finalists; 41 were Commended Scholars. National Hispanic Recognition Program 2018-20: 20 Ursuline students were recognized in the National Hispanic Recognition Program.
College Preparatory Curriculum
Honors and Advanced Placement Courses
Ursuline Academy offers a challenging college preparatory curriculum with additional opportunities for elective course work to support individual growth and development. Criteria for acceptance into AP and Honors courses are specialized and selective.
Students in honors/AP classes are expected to focus on new material, receive and apply instruction more quickly to novel situations, be self-driven, and relish and seek out challenges. Students must meet criteria to enroll in honors classes such as academic readiness, faculty recommendations, and standardized tests scores.
Graduation Requirements for Class of 2021 and 2022 28 Credits are required for graduation: 4.0 Electives 4.0 Physical Education 4.0 Fine Arts 4.0 Computer Science 4.0 Speech 3.0
English Mathematics Science* Social Studies** Theology World Language***
1.5 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.5
*Requirement: Physics I, Chemistry I, Biology I, one additional science course **Requirement: Historical Geography, World History, US History, Macroeconomics, Government ***Requirement: Same language in consecutive years, beginning with Freshman year
Grading and Ranking Policy It is the policy of Ursuline Academy not to rank our students. Our selective admission is based on an entrance test, grade school record, recommendations, interview, and application essay responses. Only semesters completed at Ursuline are included in the Ursuline GPA. Additional weighting of 0.6 for AP and Honors courses is added only in determination of the GPA and is not reflected in the numeric grade. Grading Scale
Honors Courses English Mathematics Science Social Studies* World Language *Social Studies honors classes are not available to Freshmen.
Advanced Placement Courses English Language & Composition English Literature & Composition Calculus AB and BC Statistics Computer Science A Computer Science Principles Biology Chemistry Environmental Science Physics I Physics C: Mechanics Art History European History US History World History
Human Geography US Government and Politics Comparative Government and Politics Macroeconomics Microeconomics Psychology Chinese French Language & Culture Spanish Language & Culture Spanish Literature & Culture Music Theory Studio Art: 2-D Design Studio Art: 3-D Design Studio Art: Drawing
Standardized Testing Class of 2020 SAT
Middle 50%
93-100 4.0 A
83-86 3.0 B
73-76 2.0 C
Evidence Based Reading and Writing 580-690 Mathematics 540-650
90-92 3.7 A-
80-82 2.7 B-
70-72 1.7 C-
Class of 2020 ACT
87-89 3.3 B+
77-79 2.3 C+
65-69 1.0 D
Composite
Middle 50%
Mean
6 33 598 Mean
23-29 26.3
Due to the Covid-19 situation, Ursuline Academy of Dallas moved to an at home e-learning protocol from March 11 through the end of the Spring 2020 semester. Students continued to receive grades based on our standard grading policy, with these grades reflected in the Spring 2020 cumulative GPA shown on a student’s transcript.
Class of 2020 Student Voices
Monica Gabrielle Aguilera
Cecilia O’Brien
Sarah Pumphrey
Senior Service: The Stewpot College Choice: Texas Tech University
Senior Service: Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital College Choice: University of Notre Dame
Senior Service: Mt. Hebron Christian Academy College Choice: Texas A&M University
“The all-girls experience enabled me to seek exceptional confidence in both my academic and personal life. I learned the importance of leadership, to express myself, and to develop life-long relationships. One of the advantages I am most thankful for is the amazing Alumnae Association, with alumnae all over the globe willing to serve as mentors or assist however they can.”
“From the first day we set foot on campus, our teachers, coaches, counselors, and administrators instilled us with confidence, helped us be informed, and provided us with the foundation to be future leaders. We have been nourished, both spiritually and intellectually. Through their guidance we have seen what it means to lead by example.”
“Ursuline has prepared me to successfully address global issues by providing various opportunities for global exchange and interaction through hosting foreign students, travel delegations, and global week. These experiences have broadened my social, emotional, and intellectual capabilities and given me more empathy and appreciation for other cultures.”
Ursuline Academy of Dallas – Educating Global Leaders
Spiritual Formation and Serviam, “I Will Serve”
Ursuline students engage in a variety of transformative experiences which help them grow in global competence. As they get to know and touch the realities of other cultures, they gain new appreciation for different perspectives and a better understanding of what it means to be a citizen of the world. They also have the opportunity to share a unique sisterhood with students around the globe. Educational and cultural exchanges take place each year with sister schools in Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, England, France, Jordan, Peru, South Africa, Taiwan, and Wilmington, Delaware. Mission trips and global studies opportunities are also offered.
Ursuline education is rooted in the belief that spiritual life is to be nurtured and developed. Students discover the possibilities that faith in Jesus Christ offers through an array of curricular and extracurricular activities including Theology studies, integration of Catholic social teachings in coursework, annual retreats, school-wide liturgies, student-led prayer services, and daily prayer. All Ursuline schools share a commitment to forming students as servant leaders. In the spirit of Serviam, (Latin for “I will Serve”), students and alumnae reach out to society through service projects initiated by students and service learning incorporated into classroom instruction.
Portrait of an Ursuline Graduate Act, move, strive, hope, cry out to God with all your heart… – St. Angela Merici, Foundress of the Ursuline Order
An Ursuline graduate • Is a woman of faith and reflection. • Embodies Serviam by using her gifts to learn from and serve others. • Appreciates multiple perspectives and celebrates the uniqueness of all locally and globally. • Encourages and exemplifies integrity and resiliency. • Is a life-long learner who engages with others ethically, critically, empathetically. • Is an independent, innovative thinker who instigates and embraces change. • Strives to build a strong sense of community.
HONOR CODE/DISCLOSURE POLICY Students at Ursuline Academy of Dallas are governed by an Honor Code that encourages an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust in our community. As young women bound by a code of conduct, students are expected to answer all college application questions truthfully. When asked, counselors report to colleges all disciplinary violations resulting in suspension or expulsion.
Sarah Anne Visokay
Claire Marie Weber
Priscilla Wongso
Senior Service: St. Rita Catholic School College Choice: Stanford University
Senior Service: Tom C. Gooch Elementary College Choice: University of Chicago
Senior Service: St. Rita Catholic School College Choice: Cornell University
“Ursuline teachers are incredibly supportive, willing to go out of their way to help a student in need, and are genuinely caring, down-to-earth people. It is because of these fantastic teachers that I have had the courage to ask for help when I need it, and it is because of them that I feel confident in my academic abilities as I depart for college.”
“Serviam, to me, means using the privileges I have been given to help those who were not given the same opportunities. It means taking the talents and skills I have and applying them in my community, not just for my personal gain. Ursuline’s focus on service learning has shown me that I should use what I have learned to help those around me.”
“Ursuline provided me many opportunities to cultivate my spiritual life. Whether through Theology classes, masses, or retreats, I was able to learn and grow in my faith. Ursuline taught me to have faith; in myself, in others, and in God. I have learned to not underestimate myself while always working hard and staying grateful.”
www.ursulinedallas.org
phone: 469.232.1800
School Code: 441825
University and College Acceptances Class of 2020
4900 Walnut Hill Lane Dallas, Texas 75229-6599 www.ursulinedallas.org President Gretchen Z. Kane gkane@ursulinedallas.org 469.232.3590 Principal Andrea Shurley ashurley@ursulinedallas.org 469.232.1801 College Counseling Alicia Estes, Chair aestes@ursulinedallas.org 469.232.1837 Sarah Dornak, Counselor sdornak@ursulinedallas.org 469.232.1823 Laura Harrington, Counselor lharrington@ursulinedallas.org 469.232.1838 Jamie Byrum, Counselor jbyrum@ursulinedallas.org 469.232.1853 Vandana Blankenship, Coordinator vblankenship@ursulinedallas.org 469.232.1834 Admissions and Enrollment Management Ashley Rae Mathis, Director amathis@ursulinedallas.org 469.232.1803 Registrar Cristelle Elias celias@ursulinedallas.org 469.232.1813
Ursuline Academy Core Values •
Spiritual formation and faith development
•
Respect for the uniqueness of the individual
•
Development of the whole person
•
Development of a nurturing community spirit
• Commitment • Serviam
to peacemaking
(I will serve) as a lived
reality Academic excellence is a hallmark of an Ursuline school.
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Size of Class: 209 young women students College Placement: 99% four-year colleges Merit Awards: The Class of 2020 was offered more than $26.3 million in merit-based scholarships.
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