Academics
A Foundation of Faith
Focused on Excellence
Vincentian Education is:
- Excellent - Places quality at the center of educational activities.
- Holistic - Educates the heart, spirit, and mind.
- Integrated - Blends the abstract with the practical.
- Creative and Flexible - Seeks to meet the needs of a diverse student population.
- Collaborative - Engages in cooperative endeavors with parents, students and faculty.
- Focused - Strives to model St. Vincent de Paul and his mission of service to the poor.
Liturgy & Sacraments
Students attend Mass weekly. Students in each grade take turns planning the liturgy. The Kindergarten students do not attend Mass until January. Parents and grandparents are also welcome to join us for the liturgy celebration but are asked to sit behind the student body.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered during the year either at Advent and/or Lent. Students should also go to this sacrament frequently at other times during the year with their family.
Normally the students in the Second Grade will receive Reconciliation and First Holy Eucharist. Parents are required to attend informational meetings prior to the student receiving each Sacrament.
Our Academics
St. Vincent de Paul High School offers a variety of college credit courses for students who are capable of academic success in the course.
- Dual Credit: These are courses taught by a college professor.
- Dual Enrollment: These are courses taught by a high school teacher.
Our Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment courses are taught in affiliation with Saint Louis University and Southeast Missouri State University by trained St. Vincent faculty in-person or professors from the University online. Juniors and Seniors can receive both college credit and high school credit at the same time. Additional fees are paid to SLU and/or SEMO. Students must have their college textbooks rented with the first 2 weeks of class, or can be dropped from the course.
At St. Vincent High School, we offer:
St. Louis University
Course Number and College Course Title (Credit Hours) St. Vincent Course Title
|
HIST 1600 History of the United States to 1865 (3) |
Am History HC |
|
HIST 1610 History of the United States since 1865 (3) |
|
|
MA 1510 Calculus I (4) |
Calculus HC |
Southeast Missouri State University
Course Number and College Course Title (Credit Hours) St. Vincent Course Title
|
EN 100 English Composition (3) |
Comp & Rhet HC |
|
EN 140 Rhetoric and Critical Thinking (3) |
|
|
LI 256 Variety of Literature (3) |
Lit Studies HC |
|
PY 101 Introduction to Psychology (3) |
Psychology HC |
|
SO 101 Introduction to Sociology (3) |
Sociology HC |
|
SC 105 Fundamentals of Oral Communication (3) |
Speech HC |
Grade Point Average
A student’s Grade Point Average (GPA) will be determined at the end of every quarter based on the quality points (the value of the course) divided by the credits attempted. This will determine if the student is eligible for Honor Roll for the quarter. A student’s Career GPA is the overall grade point average since they began high school. GPA and Class Rank will be adjusted at the end of each semester when course credits are given. ONLY LETTER grades for Career Center and Transfer students will be noted on the permanent record. These letter grades will be calculated within future grade point averages using the St Vincent grade point system.
Honor Roll
Honor roll is determined by the current grade point average and is recognized each quarter.
- 'A' Honors: GPA of 3.667 and above
- 'B' Honors: GPA from 3.000 through 3.66
Grading
Academic progress is indicated by letter grades A through F; a letter grade of D- or higher is required for credit. The following chart indicates the percentages, weighting and transcript symbols.
Letter Grade % Range Grade Point Honors/AP Equivalent
A 95-100 4.0 5.0
A- 93-94 3.67 4.67
B+ 91-92 3.33 4.33
B 89-90 3.0 4.0
B- 87-88 2.67 3.67
C+ 84-86 2.33 3.33
C 81-83 2.0 3.0
C- 78-80 1.67 2.67
D+ 75-77 1.33 2.33
D 72-74 1.0 2.0
D- 70-71 0.67 1.67
F 69 and below 0 0
Semester grades will be figured as follows:
- 1st or 3rd quarter grade = 40%
- 2nd or 4th quarter grade = 40%
- Semester exams = 20%
There are times when a student may receive a quarter grade of “I” (incomplete). The principal, in consultation with the teacher involved, determines the conditions under which work will be completed. Ordinarily, incomplete work is to be resolved within one calendar week after the end of the quarter. Incompletes not resolved in the manner agreed upon will result in a failure.
St. Vincent High School students have the potential to earn 32 high school credits with 30 being the minimum for graduation (29 if attending the Career and Technology Center). Students are not allowed to graduate early and will take a full 8 class schedule per semester (adjusted for Career and Technology Center students). For specific graduation requirements in each discipline, refer to the School Curriculum Guide. Due to their importance in fulfilling St. Vincent's educational philosophy and mission, successful completion of service hours and participation in retreats are required.
The following are the requirements for graduation:
- Religion - 4 Credits
- English - 4 Credits
- Mathematics - 3 Credits
- Science - 3 Credits
- Social Studies - 3 Credits
- Foreign Language (Spanish) - 2 Credits
- Fine Arts - 1 Credit
- Physical Education - 1 Credit
- Practical Arts/Business - 1 Credit
- Health - 0.5 Credit
- Electives - 7.5 Credits
- 80 Hours of Service (20 Hours a Year in Grades 9-12)
Course Curriculum Policy
The curriculum of St. Vincent High School is designed to meet a wide range of student abilities, interests, and career goals. Additionally, the curriculum is designed to provide courses to challenge students on all ability levels. A required core curriculum includes courses that meet or exceed the credit requirements of the State of Missouri. Each student may also select from a variety of elective courses that are offered at each grade level. In addition, for eligible students, college credit is offered in several upper-level courses in English, mathematics, and social studies. All courses offered at St. Vincent High School are issued credit on a semester basis. Most of the academic courses require two semesters of instruction.
- Revised course descriptions are published annually, along with prerequisites, and registration requirements.
- Students who take Algebra I in 8th grade (whether at SV or in another grade school) are given a ‘P’ for passing and the credit. (i.e. the grade is NOT incorporated into the HS grade point average, but the credit will count toward graduation requirements.
Course Selection Policy
In the spring of each year, parents/guardians, teachers, advisors, counselors, and administrator’s work cooperatively to assist each student with course selection. The course selection process includes a review of the school’s offerings, an evaluation of the student’s progress toward earning the credits required for graduation, and an analysis of the student’s post high school educational plans. Changing Courses: Selection of courses should be done after serious and thoughtful consultation among students, parents, advisors, teachers, and counselors. Every effort is made to assist students in the selection of an appropriate course of study according to their abilities, interests, career aspirations, and recommendation of teachers and the counselor. Once you choose your courses, after consulting those listed above, and your selection is approved by parents and school personnel, your schedule is set. A request to change a course must occur PRIOR to the start date of the course. . Each request must have a significant educational purpose and approvals are not guaranteed.
Course Registration Procedure and Conflicts
Registration for courses for the following year takes place in the spring. Because a student registering for a course does not guarantee that they will be assigned to that course. Students are scheduled according to the order in which their registration forms are returned to the school office and to the availability of courses in the master schedule.
1. Selection of Courses: Selection of courses is done only after serious and thoughtful consultation among student, parents, advisor, teachers, and counselor. Once a student chooses his/her courses and the selection is approved by the office the student will not be permitted to change course selections.
2. There are only a few legitimate reasons for schedule changes. A few of the changes are: A) Misplaced academically by teacher or counselor. B) Students given an alternate other than those they listed without being consulted. C) Student wishes to take a more academically challenging course. D) Failing a prerequisite the previous semester. E) Other legitimate reasons at counselor’s or administrator’s discretion.
3. Deadline for a Schedule Change: legitimate changes to a student’s schedule should be done during April & May.
4. Special Notes: Class changes must not overload any class and deadlines for changes will be closely adhered to.
5. Conflicts and Scheduling: The counselor sets the schedule for each year. Upon occasion, when the counselor develops the student schedules a difficulty arises requiring uncommon schedule decisions. Although rare, this type of circumstance requires the counselor to consult with the principal. A determination (counselor and principal) will be made as to the means by which the student will achieve the needed course/credit. Options may include online courses for High School credit or College credit. The cost
of any online course will be paid by the parent/student, and the student is expected to complete the course within the timeline set by the administration.
Course Description Guide
Our Course Description Guide contains a listing of all the varied and challenging courses offered by our high school. Every attempt will be made to offer every course, but the final decision will be based upon enrollment, interest, and graduation requirement needs. All course information is subject to change based on the above mentioned. The St. Vincent curriculum is designed to prepare our students for a well-rounded education that positively affects the rest of their life. Click the link to view the 2025-2026 Course Description Guide.
Elementary School Academics
Accelerated Reader is now online. Each family has a password that tells how to access the web-based program and check the progress of their child. This password allows you to see how many and which books your child has read. Kindergarten will begin using this program a bit later in the year in case you are wondering why your child has not taken a test yet. This takes time to teach our youngest students.
AR app for the iphone: There is an app available for iphones that will allow parents to check the progress of our independent reading at SVES during the school year. The app is called K-12 Activity. This is a free widget for AR. If you click on the little i in the bottom right corner you will be able to enter our school access code: SVES-4KC. This will show you each day how many books were read and tested over using our AR program.
Differentiated Instruction is the concept of tailoring instruction to fit the needs of each student. All students learn at different rates, and ability levels and St. Vincent Elementary School prides itself on ensuring that every student has an educational plan that is both customized to fit the students individualized needs and challenging to maximize potential. The SV Elementary School employs one Learning Consultant and one Academic Resource Teacher that assess the progress of each student and helps create individualized education plans to meet goals. These Learning Consultant and Academic Resource Teacher work directly with both the teachers and students to assist in creating and implementing classroom strategies for students.
St. Vincent Elementary School also partners with the MO Department of Education and receives funding called Title 1 which is used to employ two teachers in the elementary school who work directly with students who are in need of improvements in key areas like reading and language arts. These Title 1 Teachers work with students on a one on one basis and also in small groups in addition to the regular instructional program and provide assistance to both the classroom teachers and parents.
Through the wonderful generosity of the St. Vincent Educational Foundation, the elementary school has been able to utilize a comprehensive math supplemental program called Renaissance Math. This online program produces strategic lessons, strategies and best practices in the field of math while also assisting teachers in tracking the overall progress and development of each student. Students access the program online and have individualized lesson plans that are customized to each particular student based on his or her ability level. The program also produces weekly, monthly and yearly assessments to assist in the planning of the regular math curriculum.
Junior & Senior High School Academics
The SV Student Handbook and Agenda must be carried with students at all times while in school. Its purpose is to help students become more organized, which will help them academically. The agenda also has useful information about school regulations and resources the students can utilize. The handbooks are donated by the sponsors on the back of the cover and there is no additional cost to parents or students. If a student loses their handbook they will have to pay the $10 replacement cost for the handbook, payable to SVHS. Due to space, not every infraction and/or school policy can be listed in this handbook. Some policies, decisions, etc., not included in this handbook are left up to the discretion of the school administration. The administration of St. Vincent High School reserves the right to revise the handbook at any time during the school year to correct an error or to address any unforeseen circumstance.
Click the link for a copy of the handbooks:
- Parent/Student Handbook
- Athletic Handbook
Students will:
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of accounting principles, concepts, and procedures.
- Identify the basic legal principles relevant to their roles as citizens, consumers, and employees through a mixture of personal, business, and consumer law.
- Develop the qualities, knowledge, and skills necessary to succeed in business.
- Identify the concepts associated with business applications on the computer.
- Analyze the study of the production, distribution, and consumption of wealth in human society which affects our everyday life.
- Recognize multimedia concepts and graphic design principles and learn to work with graphics.
- Discuss how business works in today’s society and develop a foundation for other business courses.
- Apply money and economic concepts to the development of personal financial goals.
Students will:
- Classify, analyze, and evaluate works of literature and media.
- Communicate ideas effectively using various types of media.
- Modify writing styles for a variety of purposes.
- Produce written and oral presentations aimed at a variety of audiences.
- Explore and analyze the relationship between works of literature and their historical and cultural influences.
- Practice planning, drafting, and revising skills for all writing assignments.
- Demonstrate mastery of basic and advanced grammar techniques.
- Work toward AR goals to establish life-long reading habits.
- Six Traits of Writing - LINK
Students will:
- Recognize the interdependence of the fine arts with other areas of the curriculum.
- Develop skills and knowledge that will enable the student to become a consumer, performer, and/or creator of fine arts.
- Demonstrate an awareness of viewing methods, listening, talking, and writing about the fine arts.
- Use and relate the fine arts contributions of all cultures, past and present, with a vision of the future.
Students will:
- Demonstrate competency in motor skills and movement patterns needed to perform a variety of physical activities.
- Articulate movement concepts, principles, strategies, and tactics as they apply to the learning and performance of physical activities.
- Participate regularly in physical activity.
- Achieve and maintain a health-enhancing level of physical fitness.
- Exhibit responsible personal and social behavior that respects self and others in activity settings.
- Identify the value of physical activity for health, enjoyment, challenge, self-expression, and/or social interaction.
- Articulate the methods needed to measure body composition, cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, muscular endurance and strength.
- Exhibit skill-related components such as agility, balance, coordination, power, reaction time and speed.
- Identify the adjustments needed to make to compensate for differences in individual abilities.
Students will:
- Relate mathematical equations and vocabulary to real-world situations to solve a variety of problems.
- Solve and be able to explain solutions to problems through deductive, inductive, and spatial reasoning.
- Develop number sense for fractions and decimals and be able to apply them to their everyday lives.
- Relate algebraic, geometric, and trigonometric concepts to a variety of problems.
- Interpret data and evaluate statistics and probability.
- Identify patterns and relationships and justify potential outcomes for equations.
- Develop and apply estimation strategies in working with measurements, quantities, computation, and problem-solving.
- Use instruments, tools, technology, and formulas to solve a variety of problems.
Students will:
- Discuss the meaning of the Triune God and the activity of the persons of the Trinity in their lives.
- Demonstrate the importance of a personal relationship with God in their lives and the life of the community.
- Discuss the meaning of Jesus, His life and teachings and recognize Jesus as their Savior and model for Christian living.
- Describe how the Church carries out Jesus’ mission of message, community, worship and service.
- Describe the structure and function of the Church in the world, the role of Mary and the saints.
- Describe key developments in the history of the Church.
- Participate in the worship of the faith community, use a variety of prayer forms to enrich and express personal and communal spirituality.
- Plan liturgy and prayer experiences with appropriate resources.
- Participate in the liturgical seasons, feasts, saint days, Marian devotions, and sacramentals.
- Participate in the sacramental life of the Church, recognizing the Eucharist as the source and summit of the Christian life.
- Express an understanding of the nature, importance, and ritual of the seven sacraments.
- Demonstrate understanding of authentic Catholic teachings as promulgated by the Magisterium of the Church.
- Apply these teachings to all life situations.
- Read, interpret, and apply Scripture to their lives.
- Make moral decisions consistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church.
- Exhibit respect for life towards self, others, and creation.
- Exercise responsible stewardship for the gift of creation.
- Share their time, talent, and treasures in service to the community and evaluate societal structures in light of Catholic social justice principles.
- Exhibit a welcoming and inviting attitude towards all persons encountered in the broader community
- Share their Catholic identity, beliefs, and practices.
Students will:
- Demonstrate problem-solving skills using the scientific method.
- Use technology properly to collect, analyze, and report data.
- Be able to apply the principles of physics and chemistry in all aspects of life.
- Recognize the ever-changing nature of science.
- Explain the importance of conserving natural resources and the environment.
- Describe how science applies to their individual lives.
- Apply scientific knowledge to foster Christian values.
- Relate how living organisms are important within the interactions of ecosystems.
- Summarize the structural and functional aspects of living organisms.
Students will:
- Utilize the tools of social studies inquiry (documents, maps, statistics, etc.).
- Identify people, places, and events that define geography and history.
- Examine various world cultures and how this diversity has made an impact on the world today.
- Investigate and evaluate the evolution of government systems in the United States and the world.
- Recognize the rights and responsibilities of citizens of the United States.
- Give examples of global connections affecting cultural, economic, and political factors in history.
- Evaluate how science and technology have affected society.
- Differentiate between world economic systems.
- Demonstrate how individuals, groups, and institutions have affected society.
Students will:
- Engage in conversations, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions.
- Understand and interpret written and spoken language on a variety of topics.
- Present information, concepts, and ideas to an audience of listeners or readers on a variety of topics.
- Gain knowledge and understanding of other cultures.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the practices and perspectives of the culture studied.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the products and perspectives of the culture studied.
- Reinforce and further their knowledge of other disciplines through the foreign language.
- Acquire information and recognize the distinctive viewpoints that are only available through the foreign language and its cultures.
- Demonstrate understanding of the nature of language through comparisons of the language studied and their own.
- Demonstrate understanding of the concept of culture through comparisons of the cultures studied and their own.
- Students use the language both within and beyond the school setting.
- Students show evidence of becoming life-long learners by using the language for personal enjoyment and enrichment.