VIDEO: Bay Ridge Catholic Academy Launches History Scholars Program
BAY RIDGE — Bay Ridge Catholic Academy is giving middle school students the opportunity to explore history at a college level through a new elective developed in partnership with St. Francis College.
The History Scholars program encourages students to investigate historical questions, analyze primary sources and develop critical thinking skills. Students who complete the program will receive a certificate of completion co-signed by Bay Ridge Catholic Academy and St. Francis College.
RELATED: St. Francis College Nursing Program Wins Thumbs Up From Federal Gov’t
The initiative reflects the academy’s commitment to providing students with a well-rounded education that extends beyond standardized testing.
“Social Studies is the story of where we come from, the people who shaped our communities, and the choices that built our nation,” the school said in announcing the program. “It deserves the same care and depth we give to math, English, and science.”
For eighth grader Anthony Franki, the program offers an opportunity to explore topics that interest him, including child labor.
“I thought it would be fun to join because I wanted to learn a little bit more about child labor, which is what me and my classmates are doing now,” he said.
John Edwards, undergraduate dean at St. Francis College, said students are working with college-level primary sources and learning to approach historical research with the same questions posed to college students.
“They’re trained to answer the same questions that our college students answer, like, ‘What source is that claim from? Why did you say that?’” Edwards said. “Using primary sources to investigate historical questions.”
The approach encourages students to support their conclusions with evidence while developing their ability to analyze information and explain their thinking.
Nicholas Franki, a parent at Bay Ridge Catholic Academy, said the program helps students strengthen those skills while benefiting from the college partnership.
“It helps them critically think and how to communicate what they think,” he said. “So it allows them to intellectually think how they feel and what they’ve discovered. And doing that through an accredited institution like St. Francis is amazing.”
Paul Morisi, principal of Bay Ridge Catholic Academy, said the program also gives students an opportunity to work independently and take greater responsibility for their learning.
“In a world where we’re teaching our students to work in cooperative learning groups, this is a way where they can kind of work independently and grow as a learner,” Morisi said.
Through the History Scholars program, Bay Ridge Catholic Academy and St. Francis College aim to help students build research, communication and analytical skills while deepening their understanding of the people and events that shaped the world around them.