Design Learning Design your unique future at Magnificat High School
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT Since Magnificat’s founding by the Sisters of the Humility of Mary in 1955, our vision has been to provide young women with a Catholic education characterized by academic rigor, innovation, and faithbased values that support the holistic development of each student. In this spirit, I am excited to introduce Magnificat’s Design Learning initiative. Design Learning is inspired by Surround Learning™ — the concept that everything in our physical environment creates opportunities for learning — which initiated the transformation of our campus spaces beginning in 2013. In a similar way, Design Learning is rooted in the idea that every academic, co-curricular, and formational offering at Magnificat creates a unique educational experience for each student. Under the mentorship of a student’s teachers, counselors, and advisors, each student will create her own Design Learning BluePrint according to her interests and aspirations. BluePrints are designed to help students reach their academic and leadership goals, while encouraging flexibility and interdisciplinary ventures that will provide students the freedom to discover new interests and talents. Characterized by our core values of Respect, Compassion, Commitment, Collaboration, Lifelong Learning, and Faith-filled Life, the Design Learning approach will further prepare Magnificat’s young women to be confident and well-rounded leaders in their careers, their communities, and our world. As always, the spirit of Mary’s Magnificat continues to propel us forward, and we are excited to invite you into this next chapter as the vision of the HM Sisters continues to unfold at Magnificat High School. Gratefully,
Moira Clark President
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Why Design Learning?
College Preparatory Through Design Learning, each student creates her own unique college-preparatory BluePrint that will help her develop the skills, knowledge, and values needed to transition to college and life as she comes to recognize and understand her role and responsibilities in the world community as a woman of faith. Flexible, Adaptable, and Tailored to Each Unique Student With ongoing guidance from her school counselor, faculty, and staff, each student’s individual interests and aspirations will direct her course selections beyond the core requirements and guide her cocurricular pursuits. Recommendations are tailored to be relevant to the abilities, interests, and needs of each student, rendering the BluePrint adaptable and flexible as interests expand and diversify over time. The goal of Design Learning is to give students the flexibility to pursue one particular field of study or explore several different areas at once. Reflects Magnificat’s Holistic Approach to Education A student’s curricular and co-curricular choices create the foundation of her individual BluePrint, which is enriched through experiential learning, service learning, spiritual formation, and leadership opportunities. Magnificat’s Mission and core values are the foundation of Design Learning, each element contributing to deepening our students’ understanding of what it means to live Mary’s Magnificat in the world.
Foundations
Each student takes a core college-prep academic program during her freshman and sophomore years that provides a comprehensive foundation preparing her for any college major. While completing the core requirements, each student is encouraged to begin exploring new and existing interests and passions through Magnificat’s robust co-curricular, athletic, ministry, and leadership offerings. This exploration is the first building block of the student’s unique BluePrint that will inform her academic and co-curricular pursuits as an upperclasswoman.
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Faith-Filled Life
Faith is integrated into Magnificat’s Design Learning approach to education. Mary’s prayer, the Magnificat, found in the Gospel of Luke, is at the heart of our school’s spirituality. This song of praise and thanksgiving deepens the students’ appreciation for God’s presence in their lives, for God did great things for Mary and continues to do great things in and through our students. With Mary as the model of a strong woman and faithful disciple, students grow into models for others. With compassion, commitment, and collaboration, students develop their gifts for transforming the world through faith, justice, and love. They are inspired by the faith, ministries, history, and heritage of our founding order, the Sisters of the Humility of Mary. Students of all faiths and religious traditions are welcomed, supported, and respected at Magnificat. All students are invited to participate in a wide variety of opportunities through Campus Ministry, Theology, Magnificat Outreach, and more to strengthen their faith, including all-school Masses and prayer services, service programs, social justice initiatives, and retreats.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What if I do not know which academic areas I want to focus on yet? The beauty of Design Learning is that it is flexible, adaptable, and designed to help you create your path by walking it. Some students may begin their freshman year knowing exactly which career path they want to pursue in college and beyond. Other students will explore a variety of different areas during their high school career and may not have an idea of which field they want to pursue until junior or senior year. Design Learning does not require that you make any decisions about your areas of focus until you are ready. I am interested in trying many different things. Who will help me decide which direction to take? Your school counselor and teachers will help you navigate your co-curricular choices during your freshman and sophomore years, encouraging you to explore any area that interests you. When you complete your core course requirements, they will help you choose the electives that coincide best with your interests. Is it possible to change the focus or direction of my BluePrint? Yes, your BluePrint is unique to you, and therefore it will grow and change as you do throughout your four years at Magnificat. Again, your counselor and teachers will guide as you create your BluePrint. Do I have to pursue a Concentration Diploma? It is important to note that pursuing a Concentration Diploma is not a requirement of Design Learning, but is an option for those students who wish to pursue the curricular and co-curricular requirements of a particular concentration. When do I need to decide whether or not I will pursue a Concentration Diploma? If you choose to pursue a Concentration Diploma, it is advisable that you make that decision by mid-sophomore year as registration for junior courses begins in order to allow for enough time for all requirements to be met. School counselors and faculty will assist students who are considering one or more concentrations in developing the timeline for their course work.
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DESIGN YOUR FUTURE AT MAGNIFICAT HIGH SCHOOL
Co Curric
Take experiential learning across the country or the world with immersion retreats, educational trips, and biology field research adventures.
Genesis is a 40-hour internship experience for rising seniors to enhance their BluePrint and explore a potential career interest.
Leadership formation is integrated at every level of the Magnificat experience.
Domestic & International Experiential Learning
Genesis
Leadership
Advisory
Advisory groups are cohorts of 10-15 students and a faculty member who meet twice a week to build personalized communities of support. Students remain with the same Advisory group for freshman and sophomore years, and then join a new Advisory group junior and senior years.
Foundations built during freshman and sophomore years.
ore culum Higher-Level Courses & Electives
Students have a wide variety of higher-level courses and electives to hone their academic strengths and interests during junior and senior year.
Co-curriculars
Retreats & Ministry
Service
Campus Ministry and Outreach provide students with a diverse selection of service opportunities in addition to the Sophomore Service requirement.
Over 60 organizations and athletic teams encourage students to deepen their passions, develop new interests, and take on leadership roles.
A variety of retreats and ministry opportunities are available in addition to all-school Masses, prayer services, and Advent and Lenten projects.
While each student creates her own unique learning BluePrint, some students may choose to pursue a Concentration Diploma conferred upon graduation in one of the following areas of study: Engineering, Computer Science, & Innovation Humanities & Global Studies Law, Civics, & Public Service Media & Communications Medicine, Healthcare, & Wellness Performing Arts Visual Arts See pages 6-9 for Concentration Diploma details.
Concentration Diploma Course Requirements ENGINEERING, COMPUTER SCIENCE, & INNOVATION
HUMANITIES & GLOBAL STUDIES
LAW, CIVICS, & PUBLIC SERVICE
Students must earn at least 3 credits of World Languages & Cultures in addition to the following: Honors Physics (1.0 credit) OR AP Physics (1.0 credit) 2.0 total credits from the following options: AP Biology (1.0 credit) AP Calculus AB or BC (1.0 credit) AP Chemistry (1.0 credit) AP Computer Science Principles (1.0 credit) Digital Media Production (0.5 credit) Entrepreneurship (0.5 credit) AP Environmental Science (1.0 credit) Intro to Mechanical Engineering (0.5 credit) Project-Based Coding and Computer Applications (0.5 credit) Innovative ProjectBased Learning (0.5 credit)
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Level 4 World Languages & Cultures (1.0 credit) OR AP World Languages & Cultures (1.0 credit) 2.0 total credits from the following options: Creative Composition (0.5 credit) Creative Composition 2 or Writer’s Workshop (0.5 credit) Comparative Government (0.5 credit) Human Geography (0.5 credit) AP Literature & Composition (1.0 credit) Literature & Film (0.5 credit) Marine Biology (1.0 credit) AP World History: Modern (1.0 credit) Communications Skills (0.5 credit)
3.0 total credits from the following options: Comparative Government (0.5 credit) Entrepreneurship (0.5 credit) Environmental Science, any level (1.0 credit) AP US Government & Politics (0.5 credit) AP Macroeconomics (0.5 credit) AP US History (1.0 credit) Communications Skills (0.5 credit) Project-Based Coding & Computer Applications (0.5 credit) Psychology (0.5 credit) Sociology (0.5 credit) The Struggle for Equality in America (0.5 credit) AP Statistics (1.0 credit)
The Struggle for Equality in America (0.5 credit)
These requirements can be subject to change thr
MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS
MEDICINE, HEALTH CARE, & WELLNESS
FINE ARTS
Students must earn at least 3 credits of World Languages & Cultures in addition to the following: 3.0 total credits from the following options:
3.0 total credits from the following options:
Creative Composition (0.5 credit)
AP Biology (1.0 credit)
Creative Composition 2 or Writer’s Workshop (0.5 credit) AP Literature & Composition (1.0 credit) Literature & Film (0.5 credit) Web Design (0.5 credit) Graphic Design 1 (0.5 credit) Graphic Design 2 (0.5 credit) Photography 1 (0.5 credit) Photograph 2 (0.5 credit) Communications Skills (0.5 credit) Entrepreneurship (0.5 credit)
Honors Advanced Chemistry/Human Anatomy & Physiology (1.0 credit) AP Chemistry (1.0 credit) Environmental Science, any level (1.0 credit)
PERFORMING ARTS CONCENTRATION 3.0 total credits in Performing Arts VISUAL ARTS CONCENTRATION 3.0 total credits in Visual Arts
Physics, any level (1.0 credit) Project-Based Coding & Computer Applications (0.5 credit) AP Computer Science Principles (1.0 credit) Psychology (0.5 credit) Sociology (0.5 credit) The Struggle for Equality in America (0.5 credit)
roughout a student’s four years at Magnificat
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Concentration Diploma Co-Curricular Requirements
Students pursuing a Concentration Diploma are required to actively participate in a minimum of 4 year-long co-curricular or experiential learning opportunities. ENGINEERING, COMPUTER SCIENCE, & INNOVATION
HUMANITIES & GLOBAL STUDIES
LAW, CIVICS, & PUBLIC SERVICE
Accepted co-curriculars and experiential learning opportunities include b Chemistry Club
Arabic Club
Academic Challenge
Chess Club
Book Club
Business Club
Mu Alpha Theta
Creative Writing Club
Civil Discourse Club
Sustainability
Cultures & Traditions
STEM Club
Educational Travel
Facing History & Ourselves Student Group
Tech Club
Facing History & Ourselves Student Group
Feminism Club
Feminism Club
Gender & Sexuality Alliance
Immersion Retreats
Immersion Retreats
Robotics Competitions
International Pen Pals
Model UN
Science Field Research Trip
Language Clubs
Outreach
Les Bavardes
Rho Kappa
Agape Experiment
Literary Magazine
Seeds of Service
Marine Science Club
Student Council
Coding Competitions Engineering Week Competitions
(with an approved topic)
Business Plan Competition
(with an approved topic)
Genesis
(with an approved topic)
Sophomore Service
(with an approved topic)
Model UN
Agape Experiment
Speech & Debate Student Council Students for Peace & Justice Writing, Speech, & MultiMedia Competitions Agape Experiment
(with an approved topic)
(with an approved topic)
Business Plan Competition
(with an approved topic)
Genesis
(with an approved topic)
Sophomore Service
(with an approved topic)
Business Plan Competition (with an approved topic)
Genesis
(with an approved topic)
Sophomore Service
(with an approved topic)
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Design Learning 2021
These requirements can be subject to change t
MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS
FINE ARTS
MEDICINE, HEALTH CARE, & WELLNESS
but are not limited to: Ambassadors
Chemistry Club
Broadcasting Club
Cleveland Clinic Internship
Civil Discourse Club
Differential Diagnosis
Creative Writing Club
Health & Wellness Expo Student Leader
Cultures & Traditions Film Festival International Pen Pals Les Bavardes Literary Magazine Marketing Club News Team Photography Club Speech & Debate Student Council Writing, Speech, & MultiMedia Competitions Yearbook Agape Experiment
(with an approved topic)
Business Plan Competition
Health & Wellness Retreat Health & Wellness Club Neuroscience Club Seeds of Service Students in Medicine Sustainability Agape Experiment
(with an approved topic)
Business Plan Competition
(with an approved topic)
Sophomore Service
(with an approved topic)
Sophomore Service
(with an approved topic)
(with an approved topic)
Magnificat Dance Training Company Fall Musical One-Act Festival Shakespeare Club Show Choir Speech & Debate Spring Play Stage Crew Theater Enthusiasts Club
Genesis
Genesis
(with an approved topic)
Dance Team
(with an approved topic)
Additional opportunities for either Performing Arts & Visual Arts:
(with an approved topic)
PERFORMING ARTS CONCENTRATION
Agape Experiment
Business Plan Competition
VISUAL ARTS CONCENTRATION Art Club Art Retreat Cleveland Clinic Banner Project Cleveland Clinic Expressions Contest
(with an approved topic)
Crochet Club
Genesis
Photo Club
(with an approved topic)
Stage Crew
Sophomore Service
(with an approved topic)
throughout a student’s four years at Magnificat
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MAGNIFICAT CORE VALUES Magnificat’s Core Values are the foundation of all parts of the student experience — curricular and co-curricular — and they play an integral role in each student’s Design Learning BluePrint. RESPECT Recognizing the image of Christ in others, staff and students strive to respect the dignity of each person. All relationships encompass respectful modes of communication and manifest respect for self, others, creation, and God. Reverence embraces the whole person: body, soul, mind, and emotions. Each person is sensitively aware of the effects of words and actions on others. (Cf. Matthew 25:40) COMMITMENT Each person is faithful to responsibilities and can be counted on to keep promises and fulfill duties. We persevere through challenges and see things through to completion. Our dedication inspires us to contribute extra effort as needed. (Cf. Proverbs 16:3) COLLABORATION Scripture encourages working together so that the grace of God will not be given in vain. Staff and students share information, talents, and resources with one another graciously. Our collaboration values the good of the whole. Collaboration corresponds to our nature to learn things through relationship. (Cf. Titus 3:2; 2Cor. 6:1) COMPASSION Imitating Jesus whose heart was so often moved with compassion for the crowds, we let our hearts be touched by both the joys and sorrows of others. Compassion helps us identify with others, to stand in their shoes, and to see them as God sees them and to avoid prejudices and pre-judgments. Our compassion extends to the poor and vulnerable beyond the walls of Magnificat as we care effectively for others in solidarity with all. (Cf. Luke 6:34 and John) FAITH-FILLED LIFE Our faith motivates and guides all we do. Reflecting on God’s word, we imitate Mary as a faithful disciple throughout her life and strive to live her Magnificat in the world with joy and gratitude as well as a sense of justice. (Cf. e Annunciation) LIFELONG LEARNING 2 Corinthians exhorts us to excel in everything from attaining knowledge to extending love for all. We manifest eagerness for new knowledge and enthusiasm for learning. Connected to our global world, we continue our explorations beyond the classroom and hone skills that transfer across disciplines. (Cf. 2Cor. 8:7) Design Learning 2021
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MAGNIFICAT HIGH SCHOOL,
founded and sponsored by the Sisters of the Humility of Mary, calls young women to live Mary’s Magnificat in the world.
MISSION
We educate young women holistically to learn, lead, and serve in the spirit of Mary’s Magnificat.
MAGNIFICAT HIGH SCHOOL 20770 Hilliard Blvd. | Rocky River, Ohio 44116 440.331.1572 | magnificaths.org