Freshman Program
| WHAT IS THE FRESHMAN PROGRAM? Iona Prep accepts students for success. Our Freshman Program is designed to help our students achieve a smooth and successful transition from grade school to high school. WHAT IS THE GOAL OF THIS PROGRAM? The goal of this program is to enable students to experience four years of academic and personal success. This program offers students every opportunity to realize this success. WHEN DOES THE FRESHMAN PROGRAM BEGIN? Incoming freshmen are set on a course for success as early as the spring of their eighth grade. Registered students and their parents attend a "Family Orientation Night" in May. At this time, they are introduced to the various members of the Prep community and are given an overview of Iona's policies and procedures. Conferences are also held with our feeder schools to better understand the needs of our incoming freshmen and to assist us in their academic placement. During the summer, the freshmen are invited to spend a few hours with their classmates and Peer Ministers. These "Summer Freshman Nights" are an excellent opportunity for our new students to meet each other, to get to know some of the upperclassmen, and to become familiar with the campus without the pressure of daily classes. These informal sessions lessen the anxiety of coming to a new environment. WHAT HAPPENS ON "ORIENTATION" DAYS? In September the freshmen have a two-day orientation program. On the first day, are expected to be in full dress code for homeroom and ID pictures. The students get locker assignments, books, work locker combinations, and meet homeroom teachers. The second day of orientation is a field day and barbecue with faculty and upper class peer ministers. HOW DOES THIS PROGRAM WORK DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR? From the very beginning of ninth grade, the Dean of Freshmen is in constant communication with teachers, parents and guidance counselors to address concerns for those students who may be experiencing difficulties in and out of the classroom. Every effort is made to assist these students and to keep their families informed of their progress. In most cases, these students get on the right track with some �one-to-one� sessions with teacher(s). Some students, however, need more attention. For these students there is the �After School Study Center. WHAT IS THE "AFTER SCHOOL STUDY CENTER"? If a student is recommended for regular tutoring, or if he needs a quiet place in which to work or study, the Study Center is available to him. Here he can received individualized instruction from a member of Iona's chapter of the National Honor Society. This kind of attention given to both academics and to organizational skills is often enough to help the student achieve success in the marking period. If a student fails a subject on his report card, then this center becomes mandatory for the following marking period. Parent support is very important in this matter. The Study Center is open three afternoons per week, and students can still take part in all after school activities and sports after attending this extra help session. All coaches and activity moderators support this center and the success of the freshmen. WHAT IS THE SCHOOL AGENDA? If students plan to learn, they must learn to plan! The Iona Prep School Agenda enables students to record their homework and contains vital information about their new school including the annual school calendar. These planners are included among the books that each student receives in September. WHAT ARE PEER COUNSELORS? Upperclassmen who serve as "mentors" to the freshmen are called Peer Counselors. In pairs they meet with samll groups of freshmen (6-8) periodically. They are trained in small-group dynamics by Mr. Houlihan, school counselor and Mr. Klein, director of counseling. Each freshmen homeroom has two Peer Counselors available for transition issues and general questions during the first marking period. HOW CAN I RECEIVE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT IONA'S FRESHMAN PROGRAM? If you have any further questions about our Freshman Program, please contact the Admissions Office at (914) 632-0714, extension 215. |
 |
