Personal Development

In grades 6, 7 and 8, students take one quarter of Personal Development each year.

In this course, our students explore topics such as self-esteem, peer pressure, body-image and stress management. In an emotionally safe environment, the girls are given the opportunity to explore and discuss topics facing them as they navigate early adolescence.

Additionally, there are activities that encourage students to learn more about one another, celebrate their diversity and accept differences. One of the highlights of the middle school program is the end of the year overnight trip to a ropes course program, where students challenge themselves to step outside of their comfort zone and bond as a class.

The high school program begins with the 9th grade high school transition program. We plan an offsite orientation, designed to encourage team building and learning more about one another at the beginning of their Ursuline experience.

We schedule enrichment days for our 9th graders to meet in small groups with our trained Peer Leaders. These small groups provide a forum for the girls to discuss topics such as transitioning to high school, stress management and peer pressure. The Peer Leaders are juniors who have been specially selected and trained to facilitate these groups.

In the spring, there is a personal development overnight, dedicated to topics such as diversity, decision-making and goal-setting throughout high-school.

As the high school journey continues, there are continued “personal development days” with topics such as drug and alcohol awareness, smart decision making, prom safety and healthy relationships.