The St. Ambrose curriculum is designed to provide an outstanding foundation in the critical academic disciplines of math, science, history, literature, logic, rhetoric, composition, and language, crowned by regular study of and growth in the Faith. Our approach to learning includes in-depth study of the classical works of the western world and the great works of Christendom. Our religion studies focus on the analysis and understanding of the Scriptures and significant Church documents (such as papal encyclicals and the Catechism). Our classes revolve around discussion, debate, presentations, and regular papers.

A Classical Education is Accessible!
Our dedicated faculty use a variety of methods to give our students the tools they need to master our curriculum with an enthusiasm that comes from true understanding of the profound ideas of the ages. Works are studied in an introductory manner suited to the intellectual capacity of the students; students are not expected to display exceptional ability or college-level understanding. One of the characteristics of "great books" is that they are accessible, like Sacred Scripture, on a wide variety of levels. One needs no specialized training to see their beauty and experience their power.

The St. Ambrose Course of Study document lists all St. Ambrose courses and accompanying booklists.

JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL COURSE OF STUDY

The junior high school curriculum organizes, contextualizes, and summarizes the growing body of knowledge that students are acquiring as they make the transition from grammar school to secondary school studies. They review American, World, and Church History over the three-year course of study. Literary studies focus on original works of literature and historical documents from the periods they study. Rather than plod through dry summaries in textbooks, students thrill to the actual accounts of Lewis and Clark as they encountered their first grizzly, to the words of Frederick Douglass as he describes his experience with the institution of slavery, to the Founding Fathers as they frame the Constitution. Junior high students, many of them for the first time, begin to grapple with the really great ideas of civilization. Students survey English Grammar and gain exposure to the primary genres of composition. The study of Latin gives students a strong and thorough understanding of the grammatical structures of language.

Junior-high student makes a replica of a Roman pillar

Studies in Religion provide a basic framework for future in-depth studies of the Catechism, introducing students to Scriptures, the basic articles of our Faith, the Sacraments, the Christian life and how it applies to modern culture, and prayer. Junior high students, who are embarking into a new world of logical discourse, really enjoy the apologetics debates that the discussion-based classroom provides.

In Math, junior high students test into the level that is most appropriate for them: they may take standard Junior High math courses, or they may test into the Senior High courses. In Science, the junior high students rotate through Earth, Life, and Physical Science.”

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL COURSE OF STUDY

The high school curriculum follows an historical matrix, studying the various subjects within the context of one given historical time period. The flow of this study brings the student through the course of western history: the classical world, early Christianity, medieval Europe, and the modern world. Each year of high school is devoted to one of the following time periods:

3100 B.C. - 400 A.D.	Ancient Greece and Rome
400 B.C. - 1650 A.D.	Medieval / Renaissance Europe
1500 A.D.- Present.	America / Government
20th Century	The Modern World

The objective of this division is to observe the birth, height, and decline of the civilizations that were dominant in the development of Western Civilization.

Several major literary works form the core of the literary curriculum: The Iliad by Homer, The Aeneid by Virgil, The Divine Comedy of Dante Alighieri, and the works of Shakespeare. The story of the twentieth century is told by such works as Solzhenitsyn's One day in The Life of Ivan Denisovich and John Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath. Works such as these help the student begin to understand the human condition including its dignity and beauty as well as its social, political, and philosophical difficulties. While the study of literature is critical for development of writing, analysis, and rhetorical skills, it is the transcendent truth explored by each author that is the point of the composition and the object of its study.

St. Ambrose students practicing a comical skit for Latin class

Religion course material is also organized according to an historical framework, with Scripture, the writings of the Saints, and the history and content of dogmas all featured.

The History curriculum introduces the student to the great historical works, including the writings of Herodotus, Thucydides, Plutarch, Livy, Tacitus, and Medieval chroniclers. The last two cycles feature an in-depth study of the formation and function of the American Government and the events of modern times.

In Math, senior high students test into the level that is most appropriate for them. We recommend Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and Pre-Calculus for most students. Advanced math students may take Calculus. All students are required to take at least three years of math. In Science, senior high students take General Science, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. All students are required to take at least three years of Science. Either General Science or Biology are offered every year as well as one of Chemistry and Physics providing for one entry-level and one upper-level Science each year. Teachers provide additional instruction to help students prepare for the AP Science exams.

Latin is emphasized in Language studies at St. Ambrose Academy as it lays a grammatical foundation for the study of any language. Knowledge of Latin aids in the study of the Romance languages, enhances a student’s ability to express himself well in English, hones logical and organizational thinking skills, and assists students who continue in science, medicine, and the humanities. All students are required to complete two years of Latin plus two more years of Latin or Spanish.

Given the opportunity to read, understand, and discuss the great works, the high school graduate is fully prepared to enter the work force or attend any college or university in the United States or abroad.

Electives
In addition to the required subjects outlined in the Course of Study, students also have access to a variety of electives courses. Our electives currently include Spanish, Gym, Music, Drama, and Art. We hope to offer a wider variety of electives in the future as our student body grows.

Computer Skills
Most St. Ambrose classrooms are equipped with computers. It is recommended that students also have a computer available at home with, at minimum, a word processing program and Internet access. These tools will be used for some assignments. The computer programming teacher on our faculty is studying options for providing instruction to those interested.

Extra-Curricular Activities
We believe in the importance of student life outside the classroom and are committed to growing a program of extra-curricular activities as the school grows. We desire to give our students have the opportunity to participate in academic bees and competitions, clubs, and the traditional endeavors of secondary school. Students, teachers, parents, and volunteers have organized a number of activities that contribute to the enhancement of student life outside the classroom. These activities are dependent on student interest, and they will increase as our student body and volunteer pool grows. Here are some examples:
• Student Council: Students are voted into office, and St. Ambrose faculty help facilitate this group, which organizes activities and opportunities for fellowship and fun.
• Yearbook Committee: These students produce a beautiful annual yearbook that celebrates another year of education and growth in Christ at St. Ambrose.
• Garden Club: Our school participates in the Madison Food Pantry Garden project each summer. Food grown at the gardens goes to Madison’s food pantries.
• March for Life: Our senior high students organize a trip to the annual pro-life rally in Washington D.C. They run a variety of fundraisers throughout the fall that provide the bulk of the funding for this “peak experience” of the year.
• “Lit-Mag” Literary Club: This club gives budding student writers an opportunity to share and publish their creative literary endeavors.
• Quilting Club: These students practice needlework and quilting with wonderful results: student-made quilts now grace the rooms of Madison’s Elizabeth House.
• Art Studio: Guided by our art teacher, this after-school activity gives budding artists the opportunity to practice their growing artistic skills.
• Chamber Music Group: This group of talented students performs at St. Ambrose and public functions.
• Girls Golf Club: This group of dedicated girls practice throughout the golf season, preparing themselves for eventual competition with other schools.

St. Ambrose students participate in a variety of community sports programs

Our families have found a myriad of community programs that broaden their children's academic experience beyond what is currently offered at St. Ambrose. You can find St. Ambrose students at these and other after-school activities:

• Local swim teams, such as Badger Aquatics and Highpoint Pirates Swim Team
• Team sports, such as West Madison Little League, West Madison Flyers Hockey or Dane County Youth Hockey, Spartan Football, and Blackhawk Ski Team
• Top-notch musical opportunities, such as Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra and Madison Youth Choirs
• Boy Scouts of America-Four Lakes Council
• Opportunities for high-quality theatrical performances, including community theatre and youth theatre groups such as John Paul II Youth Theatre and Young Shakespeare Players
• A myriad of University of Wisconsin programs, camps, and workshops

These are just a few of the many organizations in which St. Ambrose students have participated. The Madison area and surrounding communities are replete with rich experiences that can augment the academic and spiritual formation they receive at St. Ambrose, as you can see by running through our extra-curricular slide show.

University of Wisconsin Catholic students lead a discussion at the annual St. Ambrose school retreat, held at the Bishop O'Connor Center

Community Support
The founders and faculty of our school have close associations with University of Wisconsin educators and especially the Catholic Center there. These relationships have provided excellent opportunities for our students to come in contact with wonderful role models of young Catholic adults who live the Faith in a vibrant way. Our close ties have enabled us to find young college-aged men and women who share the Faith with our students through teaching, retreats, and other special programs. We foresee development of internships, independent study, and research projects that interest our students.