Our Curriculum

Our goal is to make academics relevant and alive through the accomplishments of women throughout history. We make connections for the girls, not only through language arts and social studies, but through all four core subject areas – language arts, math, science, and social studies.

Integrated curriculum based on gender specific programming

Relevant school programs including:

• Art 
• Health
• Physical education
• Community Service
• Mentoring
• Library Sciences

Art Programs

At Sophia, art embodies all that is creative and girls are given full rein to experiment without limits. Art teacher, Elizabeth Kearns gives Sophia girls a broad education of both historical and contemporary artistic practices with special attention to the contribution of women to the arts. Beyond the studio, art at Sophia also means creative projects in our core subject areas, reinforcing academic learning through artistic practice.

S.H.E. Program at Johnson and Wales University, Harborside Campus

Sophia Academy, Providence's only non-profit, non-denominational private middle school for girls from low-income families, has formed a new program with Johnson & Wales University (JWU) called Project S.H.E. The program, an acronym for "Sports, Health, Education," involves JWU's Hospitality College, Feinstein Community Service Center, and Athletics Department, and enables Sophia Academy students to spend one day each week at JWU's Harborside Campus engaging in physical fitness and academic activities in its state-of-the art classrooms and facilities.

Launched in September 2008, Project S.H.E. provides Sophia Academy with much-needed physical education resources. In addition, the project provides direct and meaningful contact with collegiate athletes and mentors, engaging in a curriculum designed to develop the athletic, academic and professional skills of all participants. Weekly classes are designed and supervised by Sophia Academy staff in conjunction with an inter-disciplinary JWU faculty team, under the direction of Professor Kathy Drohan, and Community Service-Learning Coordinator Jennifer Rowan.

 

Health Programs

From dental hygiene to yoga and everything in between, Janine Musto, our physical education and nutrition specialist provides Sophia girls with a broad understanding of their bodies: mind, body and spirit. School counselor, Gisele Polanco creates a safe and comfortable haven for girls to share feelings and provides comprehensive support critical to the emotional and social issues, relevant to girls and their families.

The Sister Mary Reilly Leadership and Justice Seminar

The Sister Mary Reilly Leadership and Justice Seminar began in 2008. Co-taught by Mary Reilly, rsm and Gigi DiBello, head of school, the seminar was designed with our goal at Sophia for the students to be active and engaged participants in the school community in mind. By giving them the tools they need now to approach a community problem with thoughtfulness, depth and creativity we are laying the groundwork for students to become involved citizens later in their adult life. Since Sophia Academy's mission is based in part on the issue of poverty and gender, and given that the population of our school includes a huge number of immigrants, the seminar began its first year with the topic of Immigration and Poverty. Last year, in 2009, Sister Reilly and Ms. DiBello focused on the subject of Environmental Justice, a global issue with particular impact on the lives of women and children worldwide. Each year, the seminar topic will be both timely and relevant for our students.  

Mentoring Program

Sophia’s Mentoring program matches a individual student with a woman in the community who serves as a role model, confidant and most of all as a caring adult in her mentee's life. Our mentors have included college students, retired professionals, and working women - from executives to film producers. A single positive relationship can change the life of a girl and at Sophia, our mentors help create hope in girls where there might have been none.

Community Service

From preparing holiday gift bags for McAuley House, to collecting coats for the State House Coat Drive, working in St. Edward’s Food Pantry, volunteering for Green Peace clean-up, to fundraising for Sophia Academy, Sophia girls give back to the community. In 2008/9, Sophia students worked closely with our CityYear team, participating in a city-wide clean up as well as projects at Federal Hill House and Tides Family Services.

After School Programs

Sophia’s after school program is currently being re-designed to better serve our students. Please check back in September 2009.

 

 

 

 

Library Sciences

Sophia Academy’s library is now fully catalogued and computerized thanks to our volunteer, retired librarian Pam Rinaldi.  In addition to setting up and maintaining our library, Pam teaches the students how to best utilize library resources and to grow in appreciation of good literature.

The bi-weekly classes cover the use of reference books such as encyclopedias, dictionaries, and atlases as well as an understanding of the Dewey Decimal system. Students are also encouraged to borrow from the collection of fiction and non-fiction books.

The vast majority of age-appropriate books have been donated by friends of Sophia Academy.  Our current need is for curriculum-centered books, videos and DVD’s.