Editor’s Note: This piece was also posted in the Benet Herald 2023 Graduation Edition.

The Benet Academy Scholars program is a new addition to the 2023-2024 curriculum. The program was created with the intent to help students grow and explore their particular areas of interest. It was founded with the belief that through classroom learning, students are provided the tools to build upon foundational knowledge and engage in disciplinary thinking and the application of their skills. The program is designed to take place over four years, with each year focusing on a different idea. For example, year one focused on “Balance is the joy of discipline” and year two being “Community is the joy of stability.” Students can apply to this program as early as the second semester of their freshman year. Requirements to join the program include a minimum Grade Point Average of 90-95 depending on the program, participation in honors and AP classes, and extracurricular involvements both inside and outside of Benet Academy. Admitted students have the opportunity to be a part of a community where they will interact with peers through seminars and discussions, go on field trips, and meet with guest speakers. There are three different programs students can apply to within the Scholars program: the Saint Anselm of Canterbury program, focusing on the arts and humanities, the Saint Hildegard of Bingen program, focusing on math and sciences, and the Conversatio program focusing on leadership. All three of the programs are rooted in the Benedictine tradition and reflect what Benet Academy is all about.