De La Salle Scholars Program

List of 6 items.

• Required Courses

  Grade 9
  Honors Scripture, Honors English, Honors Math, and Honors Biology
  
  Grade 10
  Honors English, Honors Math, Honors Chemistry, and AP World History
  
  Grade 11
  AP English Language and Composition or Honors British Literature, as well as a combination of three or more additional honors and/or AP classes
  
  Grade 12 
  Honors Seminar, a minimum of four honors and/or AP classes and the Independent Study Project

• 9th-Grade Orientation

  Scholars embark on two orientation activities, one in the spring of their 8th grade year at a team-building outdoor adventure, and the other just before the beginning of their freshman year. The orientations assist Scholars in their acclimation to St. John’s and give them a preview of the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead.

• Sophomore Field Experiences

  These field experiences will help Scholars evolve into more active learners. The four core areas of experiential learning revolve around faith, reason, art, and politics. Scholars visit exhibitions and museums, see performances, conduct experiments in real-life settings, and engage in scholarly discussions with experts.
  
  Past field experiences include:

  • Shakespeare Theatre student matinees
  • Newseum
  • The Corcoran Museum of Art
  • Marian Koshland Science Museum
  • Smithsonian Museums (National Gallery, Dulles Air and Space Museum)
  • Natural History Museum forensic labs
  • United States Supreme Court
  • National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
  • Franciscan Monastery
  • Mount Vernon
  • Camden Yards
  • The National Cathedral

• Independent Study Project

  Each year, the Scholars Program culminates with an Independent Study Project. Students link their scholastic journey to create their project, providing the ultimate opportunity for experiential learning. Scholars may create and test a hypothesis, create a work of cultural expression, investigate a possible career/area of interest, or choose another area on which to focus. Students choose their topic junior year, work with several mentors throughout junior and senior year, then present their projects to members of the school community.
  
  Past projects include:
  

  • A human-powered generator
  • "ACL/MCL Injuries in Women’s Soccer: Causes, Prevention and Rehabilitation"
  • Creation and implementation of a school newspaper at San Miguel
  • Understanding a political campaign through the eyes of the executive director of Teen Democrats of Maryland
  • Creating a sustainable food source for Nauru, a small island in Oceania
  • A drinking and driving awareness program for high school students
  • A low-cost, FDA-approved healthy cookbook and a study of current nutritional needs
  • "An Amigos Experience: Connecting American and Panamanian Culture"
  • Documentary film on the indigenous culture of Maryland expressed through food
  • Development and implementation of Model UN as an extracurricular activity at St. John’s
  • Creation of a high school history course entitled "Women in World History"

• Voyages to Ancient Civilizations

  During their senior year, Scholars have an opportunity to travel internationally during spring break. The trip takeS students to the sites at the center of the ancient world, where culture, early democracy, and civilization flourished.

• College Counseling

  De La Salle Scholars have access to college counseling as follows:
  
  Junior Year
  In the fall the director of college counseling meets with parents and students to begin the college application process. Scholars are given access to Naviance, an online database for college and university information. 
  
  College visits typically take place during junior year and serve as an invaluable tool to assist scholars in their understanding of the college application process and the different options for higher education.
  
  

  Senior Year
  During the college application process, students receive step-by-step counseling, mentoring, and guidance, working closely with the College Counseling Office and mentors dedicated to the student's college decision-making process.