The Lancer Academy is an innovative program designed to provide unique and enriching learning experiences for the students at St. Pius X Catholic High School. The Lancer Academy is a condensed and focused academic term that usually takes place at the end of the school year, often in the month of May. It promotes a school environment of excitement, engagement and inquiry as students pursue studies in areas outside the scope of the current college preparatory curriculum. It is common in some high schools and colleges, lasts for about 2 weeks and offers an opportunity for students to explore subjects or activities outside of the regular curriculum in a more relaxed and immersive way compared to the traditional school year.
Students will enroll in a series of elective courses designed to provide:
Intensive Study: Rather than having multiple subjects to balance, students may focus on a single course or theme. This allows for deeper exploration of a topic.
Experiential Learning: The curriculum may include hands-on activities, field trips, research projects, or internships. It's an opportunity to learn through real-world experiences.
Electives & Enrichment: The term often includes unique, elective courses that might not fit into the normal school year. This can include things like creative arts, outdoor education, or specialized subjects like entrepreneurship.
Less Stress: With fewer subjects to worry about, students can approach their learning with a bit less pressure. It’s a time for creativity, curiosity, and fun learning experiences.
Flexible Scheduling: Since it’s a shorter term, the schedule might be different, with classes running for extended hours, intensive workshops, or project-based learning instead of traditional lectures.
Social Connections: It provides a chance for students to bond with peers outside of their usual friend groups, especially if they're working in teams on projects or taking classes together. Classes will have the opportunity to have a mix of grade levels.
College Applications: It can also allow them to engage in special enrichment activities that can bolster their college applications, showing their interest in exploring learning beyond the core subjects. It is an opportunity for students to distinguish themselves from others.
Increased Motivation: The change in routine can re-energize students, offering a fresh perspective on school and reigniting motivation, particularly after a long school year.
The Process
Starting in January, students in grades 9, 10, and 11 will receive the Academy course offerings in the form of a grid. When they meet with a faculty member to sign up for their courses for the upcoming school year, they will also select their Academy courses for the current year. The exception to this timeline is the internship program, for which juniors must submit applications by November.
To ensure that all students are able to participate in their chosen classes, the registration process will occur in the following order:
Juniors will submit their course selections first.
Sophomores will then submit their choices.
Freshmen will submit their selections last. Afterward, the Academy will enroll juniors in their remaining courses, followed by sophomores and freshmen. The final number of sections offered and the specific courses available will depend on faculty availability and student enrollment numbers.
The Lancer Academy credits count toward graduation requirements. Each year’s participation earns a total of one credit (0.25 credit per course), meaning students must earn three credits by the end of their junior year (transfer students are exempt before transferring). Courses will be included on the student’s transcript. Failure to earn the required credits will result in the need for summer school credit recovery.
We are still in the planning phase of course offerings, here are a few of our approved topics thus far:
Influential Marketing
Photography
Basic Car Maintenance
Home Repair
Intro to Real Estate
Science of Cooking
Coaching 101
ACT Prep/College 101
Digital Drawing
Campus Ministry
Stay tuned to view our full program on course descriptions!
