Serviam Girls Academy
Encyclopedia
Serviam Girls Academy is a private school
in New Castle, Delaware
offering classes in grades 5-8 for girls. Established in 2008 as an Ursuline
school, it is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wilmington
and is a member of the NativityMiguel Network of Schools
. The current enrollment is 36 students, most of whom live in New Castle, Newark, and the City of Wilmington. The school has a sister school, Ursuline Academy, and a brother school, Nativity Preparatory School, both in Wilmington.
The Academy's mission is to provide a holistic, all-scholarship education for low income urban girls in grades 5-8. As a member of the NativityMiguel Network of Schools
, the school's rigorous, college-preparatory program includes an extended school day and school year, small class size, a summer program, and support to its graduates in high school and college.
Serviam seeks to create change in Delaware by serving minority girls who most need help. Around the world, investment in the education of girls is proven to yield high returns not only for the students themselves, but also for their families, communities, and future generations.
In addition, educated women earn higher incomes, have healthier and better educated children, and are more likely to participate within their communities.
currently serves over 4,400 students in 64 schools across 27 states. Serviam and all other schools in the Network share the following characteristics:
Founded in 1971, the Network's model has proven effective in multiple areas, most notably in terms of graduates' long-term achievements. 74% of the Network's middle school graduates enter private or independent high schools, whereas the national average for minorities is 6%. 79% of alumni graduate high school in four years, compared to the national average of 55% for comparable students. 61% of the Network's high school graduates enroll in colleges and universities, a rate almost 30% higher than the national average for low income students. 55.7% of the alumni are graduates of colleges or trade institutions, whereas the national average for similar students is 21%.
Serviam's first graduating class, the Class of 2011, is currently receiving their first round of acceptance letters to area high schools.
.
in the Public Allies
of Delaware and Notre Dame Mission Volunteers
programs to provide additional in-classroom support throughout the day.
and Saint Ursula
, both of whom were strong women dedicated to guiding young women to live in the light of God. Serviam girls strive to live in the spirit of their patron saints, giving particular focus to their commitment to the service of others. Serviam, itself, translates to "I Will Serve", and students are encouraged to participate in service to both the Serviam community and the community at large.
Private school
Private schools, also known as independent schools or nonstate schools, are not administered by local, state or national governments; thus, they retain the right to select their students and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students' tuition, rather than relying on mandatory...
in New Castle, Delaware
New Castle, Delaware
New Castle is a city in New Castle County, Delaware, six miles south of Wilmington, situated on the Delaware River. In 1900, 3,380 people lived here; in 1910, 3,351...
offering classes in grades 5-8 for girls. Established in 2008 as an Ursuline
Ursuline
The word Ursuline is used to describe the following:* The Ursulines, a Catholic religious order.Several schools named after the Ursuline religious order, including several named Ursuline Academy.Ursuline Academy or similar may refer to:...
school, it is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wilmington
Roman Catholic Diocese of Wilmington
-External links:**...
and is a member of the NativityMiguel Network of Schools
NativityMiguel Network of Schools
The NativityMiguel Network of Schools is a nonprofit 501 organization dedicated to providing a high quality, middle school education to low-income families across the nation...
. The current enrollment is 36 students, most of whom live in New Castle, Newark, and the City of Wilmington. The school has a sister school, Ursuline Academy, and a brother school, Nativity Preparatory School, both in Wilmington.
The Academy's mission is to provide a holistic, all-scholarship education for low income urban girls in grades 5-8. As a member of the NativityMiguel Network of Schools
NativityMiguel Network of Schools
The NativityMiguel Network of Schools is a nonprofit 501 organization dedicated to providing a high quality, middle school education to low-income families across the nation...
, the school's rigorous, college-preparatory program includes an extended school day and school year, small class size, a summer program, and support to its graduates in high school and college.
Need to Educate Delaware's Minority Girls
Serviam operates with the following statistics in mind:- DelawareDelawareDelaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, and to the north by Pennsylvania...
ranks 25th out of fifty states in high school graduation rates, with 39% of girls dropping out of high school. - Among minority students in Delaware, 54% drop out of high school.
- While 85% of Delaware's white 8th graders meet national standards in reading and math, only 59% of African American students meet the same standards.
- 58% of all teen pregnancies in Delaware were to minority girls.
Serviam seeks to create change in Delaware by serving minority girls who most need help. Around the world, investment in the education of girls is proven to yield high returns not only for the students themselves, but also for their families, communities, and future generations.
In addition, educated women earn higher incomes, have healthier and better educated children, and are more likely to participate within their communities.
The NativityMiguel Network
The NativityMiguel Network of SchoolsNativityMiguel Network of Schools
The NativityMiguel Network of Schools is a nonprofit 501 organization dedicated to providing a high quality, middle school education to low-income families across the nation...
currently serves over 4,400 students in 64 schools across 27 states. Serviam and all other schools in the Network share the following characteristics:
- All-scholarship
- Faith-based
- Longer school day and extended school year
- Small classes
- Emphasis on parental involvement
- Graduate support program in high school and through college admissions.
Founded in 1971, the Network's model has proven effective in multiple areas, most notably in terms of graduates' long-term achievements. 74% of the Network's middle school graduates enter private or independent high schools, whereas the national average for minorities is 6%. 79% of alumni graduate high school in four years, compared to the national average of 55% for comparable students. 61% of the Network's high school graduates enroll in colleges and universities, a rate almost 30% higher than the national average for low income students. 55.7% of the alumni are graduates of colleges or trade institutions, whereas the national average for similar students is 21%.
Serviam's first graduating class, the Class of 2011, is currently receiving their first round of acceptance letters to area high schools.
Admissions
Serviam has a joint admissions effort with its brother school, Nativity Preparatory School of Wilmington. Applications are considered on a rolling basis from January through August. Candidates for admission should be entering grades 5 or 6, and all families must qualify for participation under the federal National School Lunch ActNational School Lunch Act
The Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act is a United States federal law signed by President Harry S. Truman in 1946. The act created the National School Lunch Program , a program to provide low-cost or free school lunch meals to qualified students through subsidies to schools...
.
Academics
Each grade takes classes in math, English and language arts, science, social studies, and religion. In addition, each class has a silent supervised hour of homework during which their teachers are available for further assistance and tutors are available for more in-depth one-on-one help. Serviam also partners with AmeriCorpsAmeriCorps
AmeriCorps is a U.S. federal government program that was created under President Bill Clinton by the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993 and later expanded by 50 percent under President George W. Bush...
in the Public Allies
Public Allies
Public Allies is an American non-profit, largely taxpayer-funded organization, dedicated to youth leadership development. Founded in 1992 by Vanessa Kirsch and Katrina Browne in Washington D.C., other sites soon followed, including Milwaukee, Chicago, Arizona, Central Florida, Cincinnati,...
of Delaware and Notre Dame Mission Volunteers
Notre Dame Mission Volunteers - AmeriCorps
Notre Dame Mission Volunteers – AmeriCorps is a faith-based non-profit organization founded by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in 1992. In 1995, NDMV sought a partnership with AmeriCorps to allow for an increase in the number of members, offering greater community service in financially-limited...
programs to provide additional in-classroom support throughout the day.
Spirituality
Serviam's patron saints are Angela MericiAngela Merici
Angela Merici, or Angela de Merici, was an Italian religious leader and saint. She founded the Order of Ursulines in 1535 in Brescia.-Life:...
and Saint Ursula
Saint Ursula
Saint Ursula is a British Christian saint. Her feast day in the extraordinary form calendar of the Catholic Church is October 21...
, both of whom were strong women dedicated to guiding young women to live in the light of God. Serviam girls strive to live in the spirit of their patron saints, giving particular focus to their commitment to the service of others. Serviam, itself, translates to "I Will Serve", and students are encouraged to participate in service to both the Serviam community and the community at large.