HNMCS maintains a strong record of success, measured in

GIRLS’ LEARNING ADVANTAGE

The Student Experience at HNMCS

Do all-girls’ environments measure up to their co-educational counterparts?

This is a question many parents and guardians ponder when they seek to find the most supportive and enriching educational setting for their daughter. After all, young women, like their male peers, are social beings and with the increase of reflective media attention on Social Media and equality issues, it can be confusing for anyone to separate the myths from the science when it comes to finding the most effective and supportive educational home away from home for their child.

Richard A. Holmgren, Ph.D.

Vice President for Information Services and Assessment at Allegheny College in Pennsylvania, helped to tackle these questions by surveying over 2,000 high school students. The results revealed girls themselves reported they are more likely to experience supportive learning when enrolled in an all girls’ school than in co-ed environments.

Read the NCGS ReportBy Richard A. Holmgren, Ph.D.

The facts behind these figures point to the ability of all girls’ schools to nurture each unique learner while at the same time breaking down tired stereotypes. The findings show “virtually all students at all-girls schools expect to earn a four-year degree” and many have even greater aspirations to succeed in graduate studies and pursue professional degrees.

These findings align well with the fact that 100% of the graduates of the HNMCS Class of 2021 have been accepted into university for their post-secondary studies, and 60% are pursuing STEM related studies.

The serious task of motivating young women to believe in their true abilities and set higher expectations is a responsibility the faculty at HNMCS takes to heart. Through co-curricular programs such as robotics and Destination Imagination, students at HNMCS are encouraged to break out of their comfort zones and pursue new opportunities where they may discover strengths and interests they were not aware of. Accordingly, it is not surprising Holmgren’s research revealed female students in single gender schools are more motivated and hold greater aspirations than those reported by their co-ed peers. The study also found that girls’ school students expressed they are more challenged to achieve and find success than girls in co-ed schools.

The report also highlighted the well-known fact that girls feel less encumbered to pursue a variety of educational activities when they are among young women. This in turn boosts their belief in their new-found abilities, to such an extent that they report they are better prepared for the challenges they will face in the real world.

Girls’ Schools:

Advantages

Class of 2021

University Acceptance

Plan to pursue

STEM Fields

CONTEMPORARY. CUSTOMIZED.

Committed to the development of each girl’s love of learning.

Emphasis is placed on fostering creative problem solving and developing thinking and inquiry skills.

Developing 21st Century Skills

HNMCS students are engaged in classroom lessons that are rooted in promoting the use of real world problem solving skills.

Developing a Growth Mindset

HNMCS students are challenged daily to think innovatively and passionately take risks in their learning, that challenge them to think outside of the box about solutions that have yet to be developed.

The Design Process

The design process is at the forefront of what HNMCS teachers do, and engaging students in the process has been shown to develop resiliency and a deeper curiosity about the world.

Innovation Time

Innovation Time is a regularly scheduled period in the school timetable when students meet in small teams with a teacher mentor to plan and execute cross-curricular projects. Each project focuses on a big idea and meets curriculum expectations across a broad range of subject areas. Innovation Time provides opportunities for students to work collaboratively, use technology in creative ways, and engage in critical thinking and problem solving with real-world applications.

Students work in groups and select from categories such as Coding and Programming, Wellness and Mindfulness, Environmental Inquiries, Performance and Theatre, Social Engagement and Activism, Conceptual Design, My First Start-Up and Media and Societal Trends to design, create and make an impact. Girls employ critical thinking skills while taking things apart to learn how they work before developing market prototypes in the school’s design lab, which houses 3D printers, laser cutters and 3D scanners and encourages students to take things apart to learn how they work.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Fostering a Growth Mindset

In her book "Mindset: The New Psychology of Success", Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck explored the power of personal beliefs. She identified two types of mindsets: a fixed mindset, which assumes that our character, intelligence and creativity are set and cannot be changed in any meaningful way. Conversely, a growth mindset flourishes on challenge and views failure as a means to grow. According to Dweck, these mindsets manifest at an early age and shape our future behavior.

A Growth Mindset Environment

Here at Holy Name of Mary College School we create an environment that fosters a growth mindset. Students benefit from small classes where their individual learning needs are met by dynamic and caring teachers who create a friendly and cooperative classroom setting. Students are challenged to develop themselves as young Catholic women, to become critical, reflective thinkers, to strive for academic excellence, to develop personal leadership skills and to become responsible citizens.

A Focus on Literacy and Mathematics

Literacy and mathematics form the foundation of our Middle School programme and paves the way for success in all academic areas. Students are exposed to a wide variety of cross-curricular opportunities that help create unique perspectives and critical thinking skills.

Junior Leadership Programme

The Junior Leadership Programme assists Grade 7 & 8 students in developing their sense of self and leadership capabilities. Along with living the HNMCS core values daily, participating students are challenged to immerse themselves in school activities and initiatives. By participating in this programme, students will become leaders in the Middle School and will promote a positive and inviting school community for their peers.

SENIOR SCHOOL

Academic, University Planning

Holy Name of Mary College School prepares girls to pursue their passions, to become leaders and to make a difference in the world. We understand that high school is a pivotal time in a young person’s development, both in terms of character and the skills necessary for lifelong success. We offer a university preparatory curriculum in a supportive learning environment that fosters a sense of belonging and challenges each student to reach their fullest potential.

Achieving Academic Excellence

Our Senior School programme encompasses grades 9 to 12 and was designed to enable students to grow in their understanding of themselves and to develop a growth mindset where they embrace challenge, are able to adapt and succeed. Our caring and dynamic teachers share a passion for their areas of study and are mentors and advisors to our students, encouraging them to strive for and achieve academic excellence.

Comprehensive Course Offerings

HNMCS follows the Ontario curriculum and offers all required courses and many other course options to successfully complete the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). Since our students are university bound, the courses that are offered are academic courses with a few open courses. Academic courses focus on the essential concepts of the discipline and also explore related concepts. They develop students' knowledge and skills by emphasizing theoretical, abstract applications of the essential concepts and incorporating practical applications.

Departments

Arts, Business Studies, Canadian and World Studies, English, Guidance and Career Education, Health and Physical Education, International Languages, Mathematics, Religious Studies, Science, and Social Studies & Humanities.

Clubs, Athletics and Service

While academic excellence and university preparation are our primary focus, we encourage students to participate in a variety of co-curricular clubs, athletics and community-service related activities. Guest speakers, workshop presentations and educational field trips enrich the academic programme. Assignments, culminating tasks and community service assignments help develop the whole student and ensure that the curriculum comes to life. We believe academics alone are not sufficient to prepare a student for life success. We strive to ensure that the whole person is developed during these critical years of study.

Guidance

The guidance programme includes academic and career guidance, time management, study skills and university preparation. Canadian and American university representatives are invited to the school to help students explore post-secondary options. Students visit universities and attend open houses to learn more about their university choices. Job shadowing, guest speakers and meaningful volunteer work prepare students for their future careers and allow them to explore a variety of career options.