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

HSP 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.

HSP Faculty

  • Mrs. Kimberly Lefoer

    HSP Advanced Math/ Religion, 6th Grade

  • Mr. Devon McMackin

    HSP Math & Algebra 1, 6th Grade Homeroom

  • Ms. Wesleigh Stryker

    HSP English/Language Arts - 7th Grade

  • Ms. Mariah Wood

    HSP Team Lead, Social Studies - 7th Grade

  • Mrs. Laurie Hamzik

    HSP Science - 8th Grade Homeroom

  • Mrs. Maria Grama

    SAS Campus Minister & 7th/8th Grade Religion - 8th Grade Homeroom

  • Mrs. Teresa McCombs

    Junior High Youth Ministry Coordinator

  • Mrs. Michelle Brousek

    National Junior Honor Society Advisor (HSP)

Mrs. Kimberly Lefoer

HSP Advanced Math/ Religion, 6th Grade

I am a wife, a mother, and a teacher.

My husband and I have been married for 28 wonderful years. We are raising our three children – Mason, Carson, and Madison along with our three rescued fur babies – Callie, Lexi and Elle. In my teaching career, I have taught every grade from kindergarten to grade 8. Middle school math is my area of concentration and passion. Teaching the primary grades is my second love. Sharing books at all levels and ages is so much fun! I still tutor students privately in my home. If I couldn’t be a teacher, librarian would be my next choice.

Strengths: Developer, Learner, Consistency, Positivity, Empathy

Mr. Devon McMackin

HSP Math & Algebra 1, 6th Grade Homeroom

Hello everyone!

My name is Devon McMackin and I am excited to be the HSP Math & Algebra I teacher for Saint Ambrose School. I grew up in Medina and graduated from Baldwin Wallace University with a Bachelors of Science in Middle Childhood Education. I am also currently working on my Masters in School Leadership through Akron University.

This will be my first year at Saint Ambrose and I have already fallen in love with the community and staff alike. I am personally excited to see everything Saint Ambrose has to offer to the community, and I cannot wait to get involved. When I am not teaching, I do a lot of financial studies, reading, and collecting. During warmer months, I enjoy hiking and sight-seeing.

Strengths: Context • Individualization • Achiever • Analytical • Futuristic

 

Ms. Wesleigh Stryker

HSP English/Language Arts - 7th Grade

Hello! My name is Wesleigh Stryker and I am so excited to be the HSP ELA teacher for this year! I am from Rocky River, Ohio and I graduated from Rocky River High school. I attended Kent State University and graduated with my B.A in Middle Childhood Education.

This is my second year at Saint Ambrose, teaching ELA. I am so excited to learn and grow as a teacher. I love to read and teach literature. Some of my favorite novels are The Great Gatsby, To Kill a Mockingbird, and The Outsiders. I also love poetry and am reading the complete works of Joy Harjo.

In my free time, I love to take care of my puppy, cook, and watch movies. I can’t wait to see what this year will bring. Go Angles!

Strengths: Individualization • Empathy • Communication • Input • Achiever

Ms. Mariah Wood

HSP Team Lead, Social Studies - 7th Grade

Mariah Wood is the proud HSP social studies teacher.  Mariah is from Wakeman, OH and attended Firelands High School her entire school career. For college, Mariah attended the University Partnership Program with Lorain County Community College and Ashland University, and has a Bachelor’s in Middle Level Education through Ashland University.

Ms. Wood loves to learn! Anytime she is curious about a topic, she immediately research the topic–maybe even for hours! This is why she loves teaching, especially social studies–She gets to teach students about civilizations they’ve never heard of before and  teach them how to research anything about them.  Ms. Wood teaches about sociology, economics, geography, and history (and more!) while keeping students curious and engaged.

In her free time, you can find me doing a wide variety of things, (especially in the summer) but she loves to journal. She likes to sit somewhere calm with an iced coffee and just write.

She is so excited to start another year with new and familiar faces! Go Angels!

Restorative • Relator • Connectedness • Individualization • Consistency

Mrs. Laurie Hamzik

HSP Science - 8th Grade Homeroom

Bio to come!

Strengths: Relator ~ Adaptability ~ Ideation ~ Communication ~ Connectedness

Mrs. Maria Grama

SAS Campus Minister & 7th/8th Grade Religion - 8th Grade Homeroom

Bio Coming Soon!

 

Strengths: 

Mrs. Teresa McCombs

Junior High Youth Ministry Coordinator

Hi! I am so excited to be returning to Saint Ambrose where I WENT TO SCHOOL and have been a member of the parish since I was three years old!

I live in sunny Medina with my amazing husband, Nathan, our two awesome sons, Gabriel and Michael, our golden retriever, Mars, our cat, Bagheera, and our hermit crab, Hermie.

I have been so blessed to work as a teacher at Old Trail School for the past ten years (teaching preschool, seventh grade English and theater) but am SUPER thrilled to be returning to ministry, which has always been my calling.

I can’t wait to meet you all and help you to know my best friend, Jesus, better!

Strengths: Positivity • Developer • Includer • Woo • Communication

Mrs. Michelle Brousek

National Junior Honor Society Advisor (HSP)

I have been a member of Saint Ambrose School and Parish for over 22 years. I am a graduate of Padua Franciscan High School and earned my bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University in Communications and Marketing with a minor in Spanish. I spent 20 years in Corporate America leading successful sales teams throughout the Northeast and Midwest. I came on board at Saint Ambrose School in September of 2014 when our admissions and development team was established. Our department has grown into a strong, faithful and committed team to making our school better every day.

I am happily married of 20 years to my supportive and easy-going husband, Scott. We have two daughters Taylor, 18 and Tessa, 16; who attended Saint Ambrose School.  Our family loves to travel all over the world, attend Cleveland sporting events and experience new adventures together.  In my spare time, I enjoy running my own photography business (14 years) that specializes in senior, communion and family photography.

I love doing for others.  I started a #justbecause operation in 2019 and continue to spread love and kindness to others “just because”.  I am currently serving the school as Director of Development and Marketing while also educating my HSP students as the advisor of National Junior Honor Society

“Be GOOD. Be KIND…#justbecause”

Strengths: Activator ~ Achiever ~ Woo ~ Communication ~ Arranger