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General
Faculty/Staff
Academics
Graduation/College
Student Life
Residential Life
Admission
What makes Villanova unique? Villanova is a Catholic, Augustinian, College Preparatory High School that promotes the Augustinian core values of unity, truth & love. We serve motivated students who wish to balance a rigorous academic program with participation in extra and co-curricular activities.
How many day and boarding students do you have and where do they come from? Enrollment for 2007-2008 is approximately 320, with about 30% boarding. Day students come from Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties with over 60% of them coming from the Ojai Valley. Boarding students represent 9 countries including the United States, Korea, Taiwan, China, Vietnam, Myanmar, Guam, Rwanda, & Iran.
What are the benefits of attending such a multi-cultural school environment? With such a diverse student body in both the day and resident student populations, students have many opportunities for cultural exchange in and out of the classrooms. Students’ education in the classroom is enhanced immensely by the many different perspectives and experiences that our students bring to class discussions and debates. We encourage all of our students to invite students from other cultures into their homes as well as to visit them in their home country when possible. This makes a well blended, multi-cultural environment.
Do you have to be Catholic to attend Villanova? No. Roughly 50% of our students are Catholic. We accept and respect students of all faiths. Our religion curriculum covers the Old and New Testaments, Catholic traditions, World Religions, and Morality/Ethics. This offers the students not only a foundation in Catholicism, but also a global perspective on religions of the world and a foundation in ethics and values.
How do I make the transition to Villanova from my middle school if I don’t know anyone? A majority of the students who attend Villanova do not know any of their classmates prior to attending Villanova. Villanova understands how difficult attending a new school may be. We offer many opportunities for our new students to meet and bond with their class as well as with the other classes.
Do you have a uniform or dress code? Villanova does not have a strict uniform but we expect students to project the positive image of the school. Therefore, we have a dress code that is designed to reflect self-respect, pride, good judgment and awareness of dress appropriate to place and action. Generally students wear polo shirts with appropriate slacks/skirts/shorts. There is a special Mass Day dress.
Do you offer transportation to the school? Villanova offers a bus service for those who do not live in the Ojai Valley with bus stops in Camarillo, Oxnard, and Ventura. Many of our students also carpool, especially those who are involved in extra-curricular activities.
What is the lunch program like? Whether you bring your own or purchase our lunch program, lunch at Villanova is a time to relax with friends and meet with clubs. Bon Appetit, a corporation that specializes in feeding students at universities and high schools, caters our daily meals. There is always a nutritious hot meal, salad bar, deli bar, hot soup, and an amazing dessert.
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Are your teachers credentialed? Villanova employs 51 faculty, support staff, and administration to provide an outstanding community-based education for its students. Of the faculty and administration, 85% possess an advanced degree or California credential. All of Villanova’s teachers participate in research-based professional development in order to stay abreast of current trends and practices in the field of education.
How many of the teachers are Catholic? 60% of Villanova’s faculty is Catholic.
How many students are in each class? The student-teacher ratio is 10:1, with an average class size of 15.
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What is the Villanova school calendar like? Villanova has a 10-month school calendar with breaks at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and a Spring Break. Breaks are scheduled to correspond as closely as possible with the surrounding schools.
What is your modified block schedule? All classes meet a minimum of 4 times a week and the modified block system allows for one extended 80 minute period on most weeks. The block scheduling allows for more time to do activities that would not otherwise be possible such as labs in science and field trips. The block scheduling also helps prepare our students for college classes, which are generally much longer than regular high school classes.
Do you offer honors and AP courses? About 25% of the student body is enrolled in either honors or AP courses. The curriculum continues to expand to meet the needs of our student population. At this time, we offer honors and AP courses in English, the Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, & Physics), Foreign Language (Latin & Spanish), History (US History), and Math (Calculus).
How is technology used at Villanova? The use of technology is an ongoing integral part of Villanova's core curriculum. Teachers, students, and parents are all connected online by Edline. Edline is used as a form of communication and teachers post grades online bi-weekly. Edline also offers many online resources for students when they need to do research. For those students who do not have computers, Villanova is equipped with a Computer Lab, which is available to students during and after school.
Do you have a music program? Villanova currently has a choir and our Fine Arts department has done several musicals. We are exploring every opportunity to develop an instrumental program because a large percentage of our student population plays musical instruments.
What foreign languages do you offer? We currently offer Spanish, Japanese and Latin language classes.
Do your students have to take the high school exit exam to graduate? No. However, they do have to meet Villanova’s graduation requirements, which are more stringent than the public school system. Every student, in the 9th, 10th, and 11th grade is required to take the PSAT. Beginning in the junior year, students take the SAT and the ACT in preparation for college admissions.
Do you offer driver’s education class? Yes, we do offer driver’s education class in the spring of freshman year.
Do you offer Art classes? Villanova offers an excellent art program for those students interested. Students in the art program submit work to local competitions and exhibits. Students interested in pursing art in college receive the tools necessary to apply and be accepted to the finest art schools across the nation.
What about Drama/Theatre/Fine Arts classes? Drama and Theatre are offered as electives in our Fine Arts department for two years. Every year the Drama Department puts on a winter drama and spring musical. Unlike most schools, students are not required to be in the drama class to audition for these productions.
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How many students go to college after graduation? As a college preparatory school, Villanova has a 100% college placement record. About 95% of students choose a four year college and 5% go on to community colleges.
What college placement programs do you offer? Counselors serve as a link to college admission officers helping them to understand Villanova students' accomplishments and experiences. In addition, the College Counseling Office hosts admission officers from many colleges and universities across the United States, giving students the opportunity to make direct contact with these college representatives and to gather information about various schools of interest.
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What sports do you offer? Villanova offers 21 competitive varsity sports which include: Football, Boys & Girls Volleyball, Boys & Girls Tennis, Boys & Girls Basketball, Boys & Girls Cross Country, Boys & Girls Water Polo, Boys & Girls Track/Field, Boys & Girls Swimming, Boys & Girls Soccer, Baseball, Softball, Co-Ed Surfing, and Co-Ed Golf.
What does Villanova have to offer other than athletics? Villanova offers many different clubs and organizations, including Drama and Art. Some of the clubs we currently offer are: Associated Student Body, National Honor Society, Mock Trial, Astronomy Club, Campus Ministry, Chess Club, Drama Club, Film Club, Galloping Ghosts Spirit Club, Hogar Infantil, Interact (Rotary Club), Math Club, Ultimate Frisbee Club, Ping Pong Club, Project Africa, New View, Recycling Club, Student Diplomats, Yearbook Club, and many others. Villanova encourages students who want to pursue a special interest to form a club or organization to meet that need.
How hard is it to keep up with the academics and being involved in sports and other activities at the same time? Villanova provides many opportunities for students to get help when needed. Students are not penalized by their coaches or club moderators for staying after school to receive help. We also offer seminars to teach students how to use their time wisely and study effectively along with Academic Counselors on staff to support the students.
What is Wildcat Day? Wildcat Day is a tradition at Villanova that emphasizes the Augustinian core values of unity, truth & love. Students are split into 10 different tribes and compete throughout the day in relays and sporting events such as Inter-tube Water Polo, Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball, Soccer, and Kick Ball. The tribes are given points throughout the day by the faculty members for their sportsmanship, school spirit, and competition. At the end of the day, the tribe that earned the most points is honored. Wildcat Day unites the Villanova Community and instills in the students and teachers the values of love and truth by emphasizing sportsmanship, school spirit, and community.
What is International Day? Villanova’s student body consists of students with very different heritages. International Day is a time when these students can share something with the community about their heritage. Students, who wish to participate, cook a dish from their culture to share with the entire school at lunch and then, after lunch, each group performs or gives a presentation about their heritage. International Day is a great exchange of culture within the Villanova Community.
Why is Beach Day planned at one of the busiest times of year for a student? Beach Day is planned around the busiest most stressful time of year to serve as a reminder to both students and teachers alike that there is more to life than receiving a good grade or finishing at the top.
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What is it like to be a part of the resident program? The residential life program brings students, staff and faculty together in a supportive and nurturing environment. Above all, the residential life program seeks to instill in all the core values of Augustinian education – Love, Truth and Unity. Ultimately, Villanova’s resident program offers its students a complete experience. Our residents are challenged to succeed in all areas of life and are required to participate in at least two clubs or athletic activities each semester in order to give and receive the most of their Villanova experience.
Are there leadership opportunities within the resident program? Students are very involved in the life of their dorms. A dorm council meets weekly to discuss issues affecting residents including helping resident assistants in planning weekend activities and occasionally aiding in the menu selection.
What is a typical night like for a resident student? A typical school night is structured to provide the students with ample time for study and other activities. Every night before a school day, study hall and independent study is held from 7:00 – 10:30 with a half hour break for relaxation and refreshments. Study hall is supervised by the Director of Residential Life and resident assistants with regular assistance from faculty members. Students have the responsibility along with encouragement from the resident assistants to discipline themselves in regular study habits, so that they can succeed academically.
What if I don’t have my own computer? A dorm computer lab with Mac computers is available during study hall and on weekends, and both residence halls have wireless Internet capability.
What is there to do on the weekend? Weekends are a special time for the residents, when they can participate in activities, sports, visit family and friends, meet students from other schools, and enjoy the Ventura, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles metropolitan area. Villanova provides activities on most weekends for its residents, such as the boarder dance, movies, meals out, plays in Los Angeles and other school trips arranged by the faculty.
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What is the timeline for applying to Villanova? The application deadline is January 28, but we encourage students to complete the application sooner. Interviews generally begin the second week of February and continue through the first week of March. Final acceptance letters are sent out the first Friday in March.
How much is the tuition? Tuition for the 2007-08 year for day students is $12,300 and $36,200 for resident students. Parents are also asked to volunteer their time to the school through either the fundraising opportunities that help build ties that go beyond the school buildings, or the many extra-curricular activities that the students are involved in. This helps to strengthen the bond between the school and all who come in contact with it.
Does Villanova offer financial aid and how do I apply for it? About 40% of our students receive need-based aid. After the student has been accepted, she/he submits an application to Student Scholarship Service. Financial aid awards are not mailed until after the student has submitted all of his/her enrollment paperwork, including the deposit. Villanova does its best to help every qualified student; however, we cannot guarantee that a student who is admitted will receive the aid that she/he requests. Families are encouraged to petition their financial aid award if they feel it did not meet their personal financial need.
Does it affect my chances to be accepted if I don’t score very high on either the SSAT or HPST? The test score is just one part of the Admission application. Villanova reviews all portions of the application very closely, especially the teacher and school recommendations.
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