American High School Diploma Program

An Elective Program Offered by the Institute of the Sacred Heart

The program will take place in the first four years of high school, leaving the fifth year off to prepare Examination of the Italian State. Curricular courses to our high school, recognized for the American diploma, add eight additional courses which are specifically dedicated to the study of language, literature, government and American history, materials necessary for a "American High School". This program was developed in collaboration with the Seton Home Study, the American high school that will follow our students in all subjects specific to the program. The program includes two summer trips to the United States, to allow students who participate to gain a direct and concrete of American culture and to experience essential for their formation. At the end, students will receive their diploma at the ceremony "the Commencement Exercises."

Courses

Every year the participants are obliged to follow two courses in addition to their lessons of the Italian School. Courses offered during the school year require a return of 2 hours per week (or two within an hour) and end with two weeks of intensive study in the summer. The internships will be alternating between the United States and two in Florence. The study abroad provides 4 hours of lessons per day with qualified native speakers. In the afternoon will be organized excursions and educational activities, sports and recreation.

The 11-25 July, 2012 Summer Program in Washington, D.C.

Ten students from the Institute of the Sacred Heart (Istituto del Sacro Cuore) visited the Washington D.C. Capitol region from 11 - 25 July as part of their summer study program.

During their two-week visit, they visited the National Archives, U.S. Capitol, Supreme Court, Library of Congress, Air and Space Museum, National Gallery of Art, Natural History Museum, American History Museum, the Bureau of Engraving, White House visitor’s center, Old Post Office, Arlington National Cemetery, International Spy Museum, National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the Franciscan Monastery, and took a river cruise to Mount Vernon. Additionally, the group conducted a walking tour of the major monuments including the Washington Monument, World War II Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, Roosevelt Memorial, and Jefferson Memorial.

Photos from Summer Program July 2012

Students & Prof. Gelli at the Old Castle		Students & Prof. Gelli at the WWII Memorial
Prof. Gelli, Madre Thérèse, and Madre Mary at the U.S. Capitol		Students & Prof. Touring the U.S. Capitol Rotunda
Taking the River Cruise to Mount Vernon		Group Photo at Mount Vernon
Group Photo at the Franciscan Monastery		Madres Mary & Thérèse in the Franciscan Monastery Gardens
Students studying the mosaics at the Franciscan Monastery		Prof. Gelli, Madre Thérèse and Madre Mary at the Franciscan Monastery

The students also viewed the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Army’s Twilight Tattoo at Ft. Meyer, and the Marine Corps Sunset Parade at the Iwo Jima Memorial.

U.S. Army Twilight Tattoo (Held Indoors Due to Inclement Weather)
Female Students with Soldiers of the Old Guard		Students with U.S. Army Major General Michael S. Linnington
Prof. Gelli and Students with Soldiers of the Old Guard		Students talking with U.S. Army Major General Linnington

You can't come to Washington, D.C. in the Summer without watching a Nationals Baseball Game.

Group Photo after the Nationals Beat the NY Mets

After Game Group Photo at Nationals' Stadium

The group also participated an afternoon of shopping at Pentagon City and Tyson’s Corner Malls, and a side trip to Christendom College in Front Royal, Virginia.

Students Visit Seton Home Study Headquarters		Students take a little time out for sports
Time for a little basketball at Christendom College		Time for a little basketball at Christendom College

Weekend at Saint Andrew the Apostle
Madre Mary and Madre Thérèse talking with Parishioners at St. Andrew the Apostle Parish		Madre Thérèse talks to the Parishioners of St. Andrew the Apostle.

To round off their visit, everyone enjoyed an American backyard barbeque hosted by George and Barbara at their home in Prince William County, Virginia.

Students Playing Games at The Cookout		Students Enjoying A Backyard Cookout
Madre Thérèse, and Madre Mary with Supporters		Students Playing Games at The Cookout
Getting ready to eat.		Young Supporters