Academics at St. Laurence are grounded in the StL STEM program, which places emphasis on Spirituality, Leadership, Science, Technology, English and Mathematics. Students are offered a balanced curriculum that hones in on their personal interests and strengths, and because of the responsive nature of the program, it equates to success for every student regardless of their varying needs. When students graduate from St. Laurence, they feel confident and ready to tackle everything from college and beyond. The O’Toole Academy, the Viking Program and the Viking Plus Program were specifically developed to guide students toward achieving their full potential.

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OUR TEACHERS DO MORE THAN TEACH – THEY ENCOURAGE, UNDERSTAND, ANTICIPATE AND EMPATHIZE. THESE ARE THE HALLMARKS OF ST. LAURENCE TEACHERS.

In today’s technologically advanced world, there is an increasing need for students to gain critical thinking skills and an integrative understanding of subject areas, particularly science, mathematics, and technology. A major component of the StL STEM approach is the use of technology in the classroom. Students will use a wide range of resources, including computers and white boards, within their classes to help them experience the concepts they are learning. While using this technology within the classroom, students will also have the opportunity to demonstrate their work in innovative ways, including group projects and performances, allowing them further creativity and ownership of their work.

STEM in Action

St. Laurence challenged me from the very beginning by placing me in the O’Toole Academy. At first, I struggled with the work more than I ever had in grammar school and I was forced to focus intently on my studies.

The teachers were always willing to work at an individual level with me because they genuinely cared that I was learning. I was encouraged by the faculty to enroll in Advanced Placement courses to further challenge myself. In addition to earning college credit, taking AP courses exposed me to advanced material and electrified my interest in math and science. This led me to seek a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and currently a M.S. in Biotechnology. 

I attribute most of my academic success in these highly technological majors to the outstanding math and science foundation that I received at St. Laurence.

After my first day at freshman orientation, I knew that I was in the right place. All the teachers and students were so helpful and kind, and that made me realize I would enjoy my next four years at St. Laurence. The faculty and coaches stressed two things: get involved and leave as a leader. I found a way to accomplish both of these by being involved in the Computer Lab Assistant Program. I was the Steering Committee Chair my senior year which I’m confident taught me organizational and leadership skills necessary to succeed at the next level. My acceptance to the University of Notre Dame would not have been possible without the guidance of the outstanding faculty at St. Laurence. I’m so happy with the decision I made to attend St. Laurence and will forever consider myself a Viking.

St. Laurence prepared me for my journalism major at Northwestern University through its outstanding English department. I was valued by a group of prestigious faculty members who took the time to make sure I had the tools to succeed as an academic and journalistic writer. As a student, I was challenged to formulate my thoughts and ideas into well-structured essays and papers that greatly improved my written communication. When I was accepted to Northwestern, I had a solid foundation of critical thinking and writing skills that helped me excel at the collegiate level thanks to the hard work and dedication of the many talented, tenured faculty members in the English department. It should be easy to describe in words, but in order to understand the practical value of the critical thinking and communication skills I learned through my St. Laurence English classes, you have to experience them for yourself.

St. Laurence High School provides students with an excellent foundation in math and the sciences. The vast curriculum in these subjects allowed me to broaden my knowledge in a variety of fields such as physics, chemistry and calculus. This extensive background has given me an advantage in all of the physical science courses I am currently taking as well as my other classes. I believe that deep roots in math and the sciences is essential to succeeding at the next level, and St. Laurence has done a wonderful job of planting these seeds in its students.

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