Inspiring Remarkable Girls Since 1954
Visual Arts
Unlike any other subject, Visual Arts can challenge a girl intellectually and creatively. It can open her mind to the wonders of the world around her and the possibilities of the world inside her.
Our approach to Teaching and Learning Visual Arts is hands-on and student-centered. Here, our students build portfolios, develop and hone contemporary graphic design skills, utilize digital photography hardware and software, and much more.
In additon to meeting her graduation requirements at Fontbonne and perhaps earning college credits as well, immersing herself in Visual Arts unlocks a girl’s ability to express herself creatively. Nurturing this part of her young mind will increase her self-confidence and enhance her critical thinking skills.
Some of our noteworthy courses include:
Art One. This is a basic introduction to all types of art mediums.
Advanced Art Two Honors. This provides a deeper experience for a student who does well in Art One and is interested in further developing her skills.
AP Studio Art Drawing.
This is an Advanced Placement course focusing on drawing and painting.
Graphic Design One.
This is an introduction to Photoshop, as well as different Design careers.
Advanced Graphic Design Honors. This is for a girl who does well in GD1.
AP 2D Design. This is an Advanced Placement course for a student who does well in Advanced Graphic Design.
Performing Arts
Our award-winning Performing Arts program empowers each Student-Artist to take bold risks, build her self-confidence, and find early success upon which she can build and grow.
With a rich history of standout performances, our Student-Artists benefit from the complementary dynamic of being a part of a professional theatre company and an ever-supportive school family. From our most experienced faculty to our youngest students, we are:
Collaborative - Student engage in meaningful work while mastering collaboration and leadership. Trusting in one another to produce professional performances enables each girl to grow in her creativity and confidence.
Professional - We perform on a global stage, with past performances at the Vatican, Disney World, The White House, and across Europe. In fact, students in the Select Chorus and Jazz Ensemble have the experiences of a professional singing group, with bookings that include liturgies, government events, and weddings.
Dynamic - Our Student-Artists work across a range of styles, as we produce musicals, rock operas, tragedies, comedies, dramas, and historic works. Additionally, girls in Choral perform selections from jazz, pop, classical, broadway, and liturgical music.
Some of our noteworthy courses include:
Select Chorus. By audition only, this course focuses and develops singing as well as music theory and conducting.
Jazz Choir Honors.
A girl who excels in Select Chorus may be invited into Jazz Choir, where she will further develop her musical talents.
Theatre Class. This is an introduction into theater and public speaking. A student will learn monologues, write speeches, learn stage production and even create her own play.
Technology
We recognize technology for its ability to both enhance learning and paradoxically inhibit it. We are aware and vigilant of our students’ natural desire to leverage technology in place of meaningful written or spoken communication.
Our faculty and staff model how best to apply technology to communicate and accelerate research and the gathering of reliable information to inform one’s ability to think critically.
Some examples of our continual work with students includes:
Access and Infrastructure. Our school supports a direct fiber optic line to maximize connection speeds and eliminate drop-offs.
We maintain a dedicated IT professional on staff.
Chromebooks and BYOD. Beginning with their 9th Grade orientation, all students receive a dedicated Fontbonne email address. 100% of students utilize Chromebooks or their own devices.
Curriculum Development. Our commitment to integrating technology into the classroom has enabled us to provide courses like AP Graphic Design.
Resources. Students and Parents can access work and assignments through our online Learning Management System. We are facilitating select certifications for faculty and staff for platforms like Google. We are designing a plan to remodel our learning spaces to meet the needs of our Early College initiative.
Library
We provide
research lessons, robust resources, and the
expertise
of our Library staff to assist each girl in all their projects. We strive to give her the
skills and confidence to produce excellent research papers by the first day of her college career.
And most importantly, the Library remains a cozy space for girls to comfortably decompress between classes, quietly study with friends and classmates, and/or simply leave the busy world behind to think (or not think).
Some examples of our continual work with students includes:
9th Grade Global History Research Paper. We work closely with the Social Studies Department to scaffold the process of producing students’ first high school research paper.
10th and 11th Grade English Research Papers. We partner with English faculty to bring students’ research skills to a more sophisticated level of finding and evaluating sources in various databases.
12th Grade U.S. History “Back in Time” Project. We co-teach a Social Studies project in which a student researches an era from which she can imagine a young woman back to life.
12th Grade Social Justice Project.
We assist our seniors in conducting higher level research for their year-long Social Justice project.
CJS Center
With 722 seats, our newly refurbished and re-imagined CSJ Center has become a regional magnet for Performing Arts, Conferences, Lectures, Debates, Choral and Dance Recitals, and many other community-building activities.
More than just a well-designed piece of architecture on our campus, the Center is a magical place where a girl can discover new talents, express her creativity, and share her art with classmates, family, friends, and the Greater Boston community.
The CSJ Center is available for rent. To tour our facility or for more information about the CSJ Center, please contact Jen O'Brien at jobrien@fontbonnecademy.org.
Some noteworthy features include:
All new ergonomic seating;
Air conditioning;
New lighting and sound systems;
A massive, on-stage projection screen;
Electronic window treatments;
New stage floor;
Dressing areas;
New electrical systems;
Assisted listening headsets;
An accessible entryway and vestibule; and more.
There are also new restroom facilities within the Center itself.
Phone: (617) 696-3241
Fax: (617) 696-7688
Fontbonne is a Catholic, All-Girl, College Preparatory High School and Early College serving students in Grades 7-12 throughout Greater Boston and the South Shore. Inspiring remarkable girls since 1954, Fontbonne is a leader in private school education and a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Boston.
