Arts
The Arts
Our gifts are not accidents—they are given to us by God for a reason. Every talent is an invitation to grow, to serve, and to glorify Him.
When rooted in faith, the arts are about far more than performance—they are about formation. They cultivate discipline, courage, humility, and perseverance while reflecting the beauty and creativity of our Creator.
At St. Therese, we are not only helping students succeed academically; we are helping them discover who God created them to be and the unique purpose He has for their lives. By opening our programs to homeschool families, we are extending that mission to even more students seeking excellence through a faith-centered education.
We are investing in the formation of young people—the future leaders of families, communities, and the Church. We are investing in those life-changing moments when a child discovers a God-given gift and develops the confidence and courage to use it for His glory.
Because the arts don’t just create performers—they help form the whole person.
Visual Arts
- Painting Drawing
- Arts History/Appreciation
A complete education must include the development of the student’s creative nature and must provide him with the tools and the technique with which to express his ideas, his feelings and his love. It must also include the analytical skills with which to judge a work of art and therefore must provide continuous exposure to great art. Most importantly, the mechanical skills and the aesthetic aptitude must be put into the proper context of eternal Truth. A good artist is a complete thinker and vice versa.
We believe that in order to be a good artist, one must be a good philosopher: “A man cannot have the energy to produce good art without having the energy to wish to pass beyond it. A small artist is content with art; a great artist is content with nothing except everything.” The influence of the arts in today’s society cannot be overstated. This is why all the arts are mandatory for all of our students.
The art curriculum at our Academies covers both art history and studio art. The studio arts portion of the class introduces students to the basic concepts of representative drawing, that is, careful and systematic observation of the physical world, followed by the faithful translation of those observations into the visual language of drawing in various media. Another historically relevant skill introduced in the course is calligraphy, since the earliest written texts were created in ancient times. The second emphasis of the course is to introduce students to the history of art, beginning with prehistoric art of the Paleolithic age, followed by the art of the earliest civilizations (Egypt and Mesopotamia), then Minoan and Mycenaean art, which through their influence naturally lead into the art of the Classical Age -Greece, Rome, Midle Ages, and Renaissance.
Music
We offer a wide range of musical experiences designed to help students develop their talents, skills, and knowledge. Our programs include Advanced Choir, Intermediate Choir, Children’s Choir, and group/private instruction in Harp, Violin, Voice, Guitar, Piano, and Music Theory. All ensembles and lessons are led by highly accomplished educators who are experts in their fields.
Music appeals to the ear and the mind, the emotions and the intellect, the senses and the spirit. The Church has always considered music an essential component of meditation and worship. It touches a “chord” and fills a need that is beyond what sight and words can achieve alone. In fact, few could deny that music is the most direct path to touching the soul. The power of music with our young people today is undeniable, and it is imperative that they should learn to recognize the difference between music that glorifies God, which elevates the soul, and music that seeks to alienate us from Him.
Because music is so abstract, it is often difficult to make these judgments. The study of music is probably one of the most complex disciplines the students will experience. It involves not only the learning of music fundamentals (theory, performance, ear training, music analysis and appreciation) but also music history, where we look at music in the context of the times and philosophy of the period in which it was created. This is especially interesting as we study the role of music throughout Church History and specifically its role in the Catholic Mass. The best way to learn music, of course, is to perform it. Students are given many opportunities to perform throughout the year with the Academy Choirs.
We offer several ensembles and private lessons including Advanced Choir, Intermediate Choir, Children’s Choir, Harp, Violin, Voice, Guitar, Piano, and music theory.
Drama
Plato said that the arts each contribute to the formation and ordering of the soul, and this is especially true in the Art of Drama, where words, music, movement, lights, and the live presence of actors all come together to touch the depth of our hearts and our soul. Indeed, drama can be one of the most effective ways to bring both the actors and the audience into a very real and intimate encounter with Truth, Beauty and Goodness. It allows all its participants to gain a deeper understanding of the human
condition, and in doing so, opens our whole being to better understand both ourselves, our neighbor, and our Creator.
Theater is a microcosm of the Christian life, and the lessons learned on stage and backstage are very similar to those we should learn as believers. The actors in a play are like the “actors” in this life – there is an author who has written a role for them in a wonderful story. They are told what to say but they are allowed the freedom to use their imagination and individual creativity to portray their characters. It is up to them to give their characters life, but it is also up to them to be faithful to the author’s plan and vision. Actors learn that they are small but essential pieces in a much larger puzzle, and that in the end it is not only about them. They learn to think more about the larger picture: the story, the message, the witness, and the people they must convert- the audience. It is a great lesson in self-denial, in self-sacrifice and in self-giving. Moreover, Drama gives the students the only curricular experience of living the image of the body of Christ. As they work together towards a worthy goal, they realize that all parts of the body are essential and that when one member suffers they all do. They learn to rely on each other, to pick each other up when they stumble, and to share in the joy of a common accomplishment. All this is done in the “safe bubble” of a class and an enjoyable stage production. As an actor adopts a role in a play, he has the unique experience of using his whole self to bring into existence a new “being” who is as distinctive as the actor himself. On stage, the actor is not merely putting on a mask – instead he performs a sacrificial act – that of dying to himself to be born again into the character that the author has written for him. In doing this, the actor becomes co-creator with the playwright and through his efforts, the reality of the word becomes flesh, not only on stage but also within the student. It is an incarnational experience unlike any other. Because this work requires nothing less than the actor’s entire being, the experience is often intensely personal. An actor who embraces a role wholeheartedly canmbecome strongly affected by the experience. Moreover, a story well told on stage can convey passionate and powerful thoughts and ideas that can have a great spiritual impact on both the actors and the audience. Because of this, it is imperative that all participants treat this art form with great respect and commit to use its power only in the service of what is noble and good.
It is even more important to be vigilant and responsible when introducing the theatrical arts to young high school students who are at the prime of their formation and who may still have difficulty separating fiction from reality. So, before we explore how to use the dramatic arts as an educational and formative tool, it is imperative to first define the goals we want to achieve and the fruits we want to cultivate in the students.
Enrichment
- Life Skills
- Outdoor Skills
- Entrepreneurship
Our outdoor and life skills program is intentionally designed to get students out of the classroom and into real-world, hands-on experiences that build both character and capability. Students spend meaningful time in the elements engaging in team sports, physical fitness, outdoor work skills, gardening, and nature-based education. Through these activities, they develop not only physical strength and endurance, but also practical skills, environmental awareness, and a deeper understanding of God’s creation.
In addition, the program emphasizes teamwork, responsibility, problem-solving, and a strong work ethic—qualities that are cultivated through shared challenges and collaborative effort. Whether working together on outdoor projects, learning to care for the land, or pushing themselves physically, students gain confidence, resilience, and a sense of ownership in what they accomplish.
This program is about more than activity—it is about preparing students to be capable, grounded, and engaged individuals who can contribute meaningfully both to their communities and to the world the Lord has entrusted them.
Afterschool
- Cross Country
- Soccer
- Chess
- Boys/Girls Club
