What is the St. Jude's Advantage?

Grades 9 and 10 -

Students in these grades continue to need guidance, structure, and discipline to develop their cognitive learning strategies, written expressive skills, and organization and homework/study habits to a level that prepares them for their final year in high school. The integration of previously acquired skills and knowledge with a broader knowledge base, and the emergence of independent learning attitudes and strategies are paramount during these grades.

The St. Jude's Advantage is a class of not more than 6 to 8 children whose skills from the previous levels are continually reinforced and whose ability to use and convey knowledge is practiced and improved. Active participation in the learning process, the formulation and expression of insightful opinions, and a strengthening of self directed learning receive daily emphasis in these grades at St. Jude's.

After grade 10, a student must be able to use the basic academic skills efficiently; a student must have developed good written expressive skills; a student must have acquired the ability to think independently; a student must have a strong work ethic; a student must be focused and have a daily commitment to achievement; and finally, a student must have an unshakable belief in his or her ability to be successful. Very few students entering grade eleven have these abilities well developed.

After Grade 8, St. Jude's students can continue their academic development. When a St. Jude's student is ready to begin earning high school credits, he/she will be integrated into Scholars' Hall. Scholars' Hall has classes of no more than 15 students who are provided a great amount of help, instruction, and guidance to achieve to their highest possible level. With such a small class teachers are able to: give individual and in-depth instruction, recognize areas needing review or remediation, provide daily feedback with regard to performance and effort, check daily for difficulties with homework, and have the time to provide an intensive review prior to examinations. In this day and age when the competition for university entrance is so strong that only those students who earn the highest grades will be accepted, it is imperative to take advantage of this opportunity at St. Jude's and Scholars' Hall.