Domain 1: Mission and Catholic Identity Data Library

Mission

As a college preparatory diocesan Catholic high school, Rosary Academy empowers the mind, body, and spirit of each young woman in a transformative educational experience. Guided by the Blessed Mother, Rosary Academy embraces and challenges its students with an innovative instructional curriculum to achieve academic success and ignite the call to serve the dear neighbor without distinction.

Philosophy

The Rosary community includes faculty, staff, administration, students, alumnae and families. We believe in the value of the family unit as the primary educational environment for our students; therefore, we work to assist the family in this endeavor. We strive to provide a faith community that accepts Jesus Christ as the Way to respond to one’s neighbor, the Truth to be communicated, and the Life to be shared. We uphold the dignity and uniqueness of each individual within the community experience. We endeavor to provide guidance for her journey of faith and opportunities for her growth and development as a daughter of God.

Rosary Academy offers a diversified college preparatory curriculum complemented by an extensive co-curricular program. We challenge each student to acquire and refine the skills necessary for a fulfilled, well-balanced life. The faculty and staff are strongly committed to developing our student's academic excellence and technological competence in all areas. We seek to cultivate leadership skills, initiative, personal accountability, and an increased sense of self-worth.

The goal of the Rosary community is to empower each student to become a woman of faith and a citizen who is knowledgeable, creative, ethical, and responsible. In the face of our multicultural, constantly changing world, we call upon each young woman to become a contributing member of society and a lifelong learner who appreciates the value of culture and creation. We are committed to helping each young woman recognize herself as a positive force within the greater human society.

Vision Statement

Rosary Academy provides an environment in which students become integrated, holistic young women who think critically, communicate effectively, and embody their religious faith.

A Rosary graduate is a person of faith who:

Communicates essential elements of Catholic beliefs, liturgy, and traditions.

Gives evidence of faith in her choices, ethics, service, and commitment to social justice.

Demonstrates her commitment to ongoing spiritual development.

Understands and respects religious, ethnic, and cultural diversity.

A critical thinker who:

Gathers, organizes, analyzes, synthesizes, evaluates, and creates information and uses it to solve problems.

Effectively works independently and collaboratively.

Sets goals, establishes priorities, and makes informed decisions.

An effective communicator who:

Uses oral, written, and visual forms of communication.

Utilizes practical and technological methods to access and apply information.

Listens openly and respectfully to the ideas and opinions of others.

Expresses her opinions insightfully, intelligently, and respectfully.

Commits to understanding a world vision and making a beneficial difference among the global community.

A holistic woman who:

Acknowledges and develops the spiritual, intellectual, creative, physical, social, and emotional dimensions of life.

School Handbook

School Master Calendar

3. Catholic composition of the student body (rendered as a percentage).

Religion Department Curriculum

Textbooks for the Religion Department

Spreadsheet of Teachers currently teaching religion courses

Rosary Service Information

Service is part of Rosary's Mission, Charism, and Core values.

Rosary's faith-based education allows young women to discover how God is calling them to live by saying "Yes!" - as Mary, Our Lady of the Rosary, said "Yes!" to God. Royals also grow in their faith by "serving the dear neighbor without distinction."

Rosary women gladly carry out the philosophy of the school’s original leaders, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, performing acts of service to the dear neighbor without distinction. Leaders of each club and grade level plan and implement service projects to provide opportunities for the Rosary community to serve the community within and beyond the school. Class-level service projects are offered to all students (see below), and participation in them is a graduation requirement (See Parent/Student Handbook). On average, each project involves a minimum of 10 hours of preparation and execution.

Service requirements
Annual participation in a class-level service project (about 10 hrs)
Service Requirements by Grade Level

Student formation in Christian Service (including instruction)
4 years of religion classes, annually in preparation for class level service project

Schoolwide service programs or charitable outreach
Crittenton Christmas gifts, St. Vincent de Paul canned food drive, sock drive, coat drive

Statistics on participation in service are 100%

Opportunities for prayer and sacraments, including schoolwide practices, class opportunities, and individual opportunities
School-wide masses:
1. Mass of the Holy Spirit or Feast of the Assumption
2. Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
3. Rosary Day
4. All Saints Day
5. Immaculate Conception or Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
6. Red and Gold Mass
7. Ash Wednesday Mass
8. Feast of St. Joseph
9. Grandparents day Mass/service
10. May Crowning and Baccalaureate

Penance service (during Lent and weekly w/chaplin), advent prayer service, Rosary as a school 2-3x a year, sophomore co-ed mass, lunchtime masses (Tuesdays and Wednesdays)

People responsible for the retreat program
Eileen Kearns, Elizabeth Flati, Campus Ministry Students, assist the day of with leadership and set up.

Percentage of student body that participates in retreat program
100%

School sponsored formation experiences for faculty including retreats, days of recollection, and professional formation as religious educators.
Faculty mass at beginning of year, 2 days of retreat (beginning and mid year), faculty formation presentation 2-3 a year, annual teacher convocation

School-sponsored formative events for parents and guardians focused on Catholic identity
1. Lenten “I Thirst” 6-week formation series
2. Monthly parent masses
3. Two years of parent prayer (weekly on Wednesdays)
4. Fr. Ian’s Blog and reflections

Faculty Faith Formation Schedule School

Additional Evidence of Catholic Identity

Keeping The Faith, an article in OC Catholic written by a Rosary student

The Bible Reflection, an article in OC Catholic written by a Rosary student

Stations of the Cross Map Layout

Catholic Heritage Image of Bulletin Board

Catholic Identity bulletin Board in French class

Kairos 63 schedule

Junior High Retreats:

Planting the Seeds

Shine Like the Stars

School-sponsored formative events for parents and guardians focused on Catholic identity: