High School Prep Middle School Program

More so than any other grade level, we believe the High School Prep Middle School experience is fundamental to the long-term success of Saint Ambrose School students and the completion of the Portrait of A Graduate

Beginning in 6th Grade, High School Middle School Prep Program (HSP) completes your child’s Saint Ambrose School education by methodically equipping them with the final intellectual and emotional tools, strength of character, and varied life skills they will need to thrive as both a high school student and human being.

HSP Mission: “HSP empowers independent thinking through personal accountability, while embracing the uniqueness of self and others, dynamic communication, Christian values rooted in Catholic tradition, daily work ethic, and a healthy competitiveness, both in and out of the classroom.”

Our HSP Mission clearly defines what we teach our students to complete by the end of their journey of the Portrait of a Graduate.

PORTRAIT OF A GRADUATE MODEL

Beyond challenging academics across a variety of core courses like ELA, Algebra Geometry, Science and Social Studies, we offer diverse encore classes as Spanish, Project Lead the Way (PLTW), Public Speaking, Economics, Graphic Design, Music and Fine Arts.

We continue to strengthen our commitment to a strong Fine Arts program, which includes graphic arts, performing arts, vocal music, concert band and more.

HSP provides an integrated Service Learning Program, allowing our students to further enhance and mature their social awareness.

HSP affords students mentoring opportunities monitored and managed by faculty and staff, where they can develop and practice positive leadership traits while guiding Saint Ambrose School students in lower grades.

Advisory

What is Advisory?

Advisory is a group of 6th, 7th and 8th grade students which is lead by a HSP teacher. The group comes together 3-5 times per week for the purpose of the HSP teacher advising them on their academic, social and future-planning opportunities or challenges that may arise during the time as an HSP student at Saint Ambrose School.

Advisory came to life in 2019 by the suggestion of former Saint Ambrose HSP students and current teachers. It has helped provide our students a group of close HSP students to express their feelings and actions in a small group environment. The HSP teacher takes on the role of a counselor as the single point person to oversee the group of students to help nurture and provide guidance during their HSP experience.

Advisory is designed to create a strong support system that students need to develop academically, socially and emotionally. It provides students the opportunity to seek out help from teachers and other students within their group.

Advisory ensures that each student has an adult they are comfortable talking with about shifting friendships, conflict resolution, changes in family life, academic needs and social-emotional needs.

Advisory also helps with communication with our Saint Ambrose HSP parents if there is a challenging situation that a student is having at home or at school. This leads to a more informed and engaged community striving to help our HSP students REACH their fullest potential.

What makes an Advisory program so powerful are the relationships that they help to foster between our Saint Ambrose HSP students and faculty. These relationships allow for free and open communication, letting students know they can ask for help, and giving advisors insight into the struggles that students are facing. These relationships are what truly support their academic success and excellence.

What our HSP students and alum have to say about ADVISORY?

“My advisory group was a comfortable space where I could express my feelings and open up to others. As a high schooler, I look back on this now and realize how great this group was especially during hard and tough times.” – Tessa B., Class of 2021

Finally, all HSP students will engage in one to one (1:1) technology as part of our enhanced High School Prep Middle School Program.

Each HSP student will have individualized and consistent access to a Chromebook- an ultra light laptop- to use during their daily instruction. They utilize their laptops to engage in hands-on learning experiences that allow our HSP students an outlet to show creativity and growth.

Our team of experienced High School Prep teachers have very high and clear expectations for each HSP student. We provide a list of these expectations so our SAS students and parents can understand these characteristics and attributes that valuable to our school.

At the conclusion of 8th Grade, your son or daughter will be:

• Thinking independently.
• Leveraging their academic fundamentals to catapult their learning in new directions, based on personal needs and interests.
• Taking leadership roles in their extracurricular and community activities.
• Motivating themselves to set and achieve goals.
• Embracing their role as a disciple in the Catholic Church.
• Developing collaborative relationships with their peers, teachers and the world around them.
• Practicing and refining the study habits and learning behaviors necessary to succeed in the high school of their choice.