INDUSTRY INSIGHT
EDUCATION
SPONSORED CONTENT
The Mission of Our Lady of Grace Catholic School is to provide a Christ
centered community focused on Gospel values, service, and academic
excellence in order to foster a lifelong relationship with God and the Church.
1734 Bower Hill Rd. Pittsburgh, PA 15243 www.olgscott.net
412.279.6611 • tours by appointment
OUR LADY OF GRACE SCHOOL...
PUTTING FAITH IN EDUCATION FOR OVER 65 YEARS!
ACHIEVING SUCCESS BY PUTTING
STUDENTS FIRST
“Walking through the hallways and classrooms of Our Lady of Grace Catholic
School, I see evidence of a flourishing, vibrant school community at every turn.
Our students are engaged in a challenging and updated curriculum facilitated
by an energized and dedicated faculty. Our recent accreditation goals are being
brought to fruition in leaps and bounds!”
-Sharon Loughran Brown, Principal
O
ur Lady of Grace School is
accredited by the Middle States
Association Commissions on
Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-
CESS). To be accredited by the MSA-CESS,
an institution must meet all of the MSA
Standards for Accreditation. As part of
the accreditation process, a strategic
plan that included a plan for growth and
improvement outlined these goals for
enhancing student achievement.
The addition of LabLearner™ (a
program unique to OLG in Pittsburgh)
to our curriculum has had an enormous
impact on the student’s comprehension
of science topics as well as their familiarity
with scientific terms and equipment.
This year we fielded four robotics teams
and sent more students than ever to the
K’nex Challenge, Pittsburgh Science and
Engineering Fair, and Pennsylvania Junior
Academy of Science. While the students
received awards and recognitions, more
importantly they have become inspired
to pursue STEM related fields of study.
One such student is eighth grader, Mario
Smith who was one of only two Pittsburgh
students selected to be a Broadcom
MASTERS International Delegate from
the Pittsburgh Science and Engineering
Fair. Broadcom MASTERS (Math, Applied
Science, Technology, and Engineering for
Rising Stars), is the premier science and
engineering competition for middle school
students. Mario Smith was selected as
an International Delegate. The selected
delegates from around the world are
invited to observe the Intel International
Science and Engineering Fair (high school
competition). The Broadcom MASTERS
International brings together the world’s
brightest middle school students. Each
delegate is chosen for his or her excellence
in science, engineering, and leadership. The
students participate together in specialized
programming, fun and engaging hands-on
science and engineering activities, and also
attend activities at the Intel International
Science and Engineering Fair.
STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion,
Engineering, Art, and Math) programs are
also a central focus of OLG’s curriculum. The
Arts encourage the twenty-first century
skills of creative and critical thinking,
collaboration, and communication. Our
Lady of Grace School remains committed
to the Arts by having a strong Fine Arts
program, highlighting the visual and
performing arts with drama, set design,
music, art techniques, poetry, and forensics.
Individual disciplines are taught in depth,
yet concepts are often integrated. An
example of this was when our first graders
recently designed a musical instrument
using computers and electrodes to bring
them to life. They then composed their own
“sacred” music and played it for their peers!
CHARTIERS VALLEY ❘
SUMMER 2018
11