Our Mission
Christum Novisse - Virtutem Contendere
Encountering Christ and Pursuing Excellence in All Things.
Mission
The Donahue Academy offers a Catholic classical education where students encounter Christ and pursue excellence in all things. Our students will deepen their love of God, each other, and the truth. They will learn to see truths in relation to each other so that they illuminate each other and reality, leading to an appreciation for the unity of all truth.
Catholic Education Beliefs
Catholic education first and foremost is about assisting our student to encounter Christ:
In a personal relationship of authentic love with Jesus
In the Sacraments- especially in daily Mass
In the study of Scripture
In our interactions, service and love for each other
In our encounters with academic subjects and the truths they reveal
Classical Education Beliefs
Classical Education seeks to form students in and through a curriculum and culture which:
•· Introduces students to transcendent realities reflecting Truth, Beauty and Goodness.
•· Is structured and integrated, not only the transmission of knowledge but also the integration and synthesis of information.
•· Focuses on the acquisition of knowledge through reading by focusing whenever possible on original texts and classics.
•· Presents various academic disciplines in a sequence corresponding to a pupil's developing ability to think abstractly, and in an age and developmentally appropriate manner.
•· Studies not simply individual academic disciplines, but also specifically essential truths that transcend the disciplines- especially those truths emphasizing human dignity and worth.
•· Develops a sense of Wonder and a love for learning.
•· Assists the students to become self-motivated and self-correcting learners.
•· Trains the mind in the tools of learning using the Trivium:
1. The Grammar Stage (Grades K-4) which focuses on presenting information, the broad acquisition of facts and laying the foundation of knowledge.
2. The Logic Stage (Grades 5-8) which focuses on organizing information gathered in the Grammar Stage, making connections and learning to evaluate evidence.
3. The Rhetoric Stage (Grades 9-12) which focuses on synthesizing and learning to express increasingly complex insights with eloquence and precision.
Affiliations and Governance
Rhodora J. Donahue Academy of Ave Maria is 501(c)3 charitable organization licensed by the State of Florida and owned and operated by an independent Board of Directors.
Rhodora J. Donahue Academy of Ave Maria is a private school operating in the Catholic tradition. We are not governed by the Diocese of Venice nor its Catholic School office. We are in the process of seeking official recognition as a Catholic School with the Diocese.
Rhodora J. Donahue Academy of Ave Maria is not directly run by Ave Maria University, although we share a common vision with the University and benefit from its presence and support. Information on the University is available at http://www.avemaria.edu/
Rhodora J. Donahue Academy of Ave Maria is pleased to work closely with the Dominican Sisters of Mary Mother of the Eucharist (SOMME) based in Ann Arbor, MI. They are one of the fastest-growing communities of nuns in the United States. They are young, dynamic, talented, and faithful. The Sisters help staff the schools with the approval of the Bishop. Information on the Sisters is available at http://www.sistersofmary.org/
Rhodora J. Donahue Academy of Ave Maria is accreditated by and works closely with the National Association of Private Catholic and Independent Schools (NAPCIS). The NAPCIS national headquarters will be moving from California to be based out of Ave Maria. Information on NAPCIS is available at http://www.napcis.org/
Rhodora J. Donahue Academy of Ave Maria is a partner with Ave Maria Missions, a separate Florida non-profit organization which seeks to raise tuition funds for students both locally and abroad. Ave Maria Missions assists in the funding and operation of two elementary schools for the poor in the mountains of Honduras via a traditional "child sponsorship" program. We have a "sister school" relationship with these poor and humble schools called the "Espiritus Sanctus" Schools, and will seek, via letters, information sharing, and even trips to encourage interaction between our students and theirs. More information on Ave Maria Missions and how to sponsor a child is available at http://avemariamissions.com/