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 Counselors. These “Incoming Freshman Nights” are an excellent opportunity for our new students to meet each other, to get to know some of the upperclassmen and faculty, 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. The first day consists of a Matriculation Ceremony followed by sports, games and a barbecue with faculty and peer counselors. On the second day, students receive locker assignments, books and meet with their homeroom teachers.
What Resources Are Available to Help a Freshman Succeed?
There are many resources available to help each freshman achieve his academic potential.
The After School Study Center meets three afternoons per week. Here a freshman can receive individual 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 a student achieve success in the marking period. If a student fails a subject on his report card, the center becomes mandatory for the following marking period. Students who attend the center 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.
Saturday Study Hall, supervised by a Prep faculty member, is an opportunity for students to complete assignments in a quiet, scholarly environment. Students who have issues completing homework may be assigned to attend on a given Saturday.
In addition to regular classroom instruction, all Iona Prep teachers are available for extra help at a student’s request, either before or after school.
How Can a Parent Stay Informed?
Parents can stay on top of their child’s homework assignments and grades on a daily basis through Edline. Each teacher posts homework assignments and grades on a regular basis, and the Prep provides each parent with his/her own account. Furthermore, teachers and guidance counselors will return parents’ calls and e-mails in a prompt manner.
What Are Peer Counselors?
Upperclassmen who serve as “mentors” to the freshmen are called Peer Counselors. In pairs they meet with small 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.