One of the most compelling reasons to choose Ursuline Academy is the superior academic preparation for college that our students receive. Young women who choose Ursuline Academy graduate from our academic program fully prepared for success at leading colleges and universities. Our all-girl environment affords them opportunities for leadership not always available in a co-educational school. Research confirms that single-sex education is better for girls because it develops their self-esteem and leads them to great achievements.

In an atmosphere of trust and faith, students are motivated to excel academically, to think creatively and critically, to speak and write well, to pursue careers in diverse fields, and to become involved in their school and communities.

With 100% of our graduates accepted at accredited colleges, Ursuline's Upper School curriculum prepares the students for college through required and elective courses. All students are required to complete four years of English, Theology, and Physical Education; three years of Mathematics, Laboratory Science, Social Studies, and Foreign Language; and one year of coursework in Fine Arts and Health. Ursuline also offers twelve Advanced Placement courses, which can provide credit toward college courses. The students are offered a variety of options to complete these requirements, with courses at both the college-prep level and the honors level. For example, math course offerings include Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II/Trigonometry, Algebra II, Pre-Calculus, Trigonometry/Pre-Calculus, College Algebra and Trigonometry, Advanced Placement Statistics, and Advanced Placement Calculus. All students are required to take Biology, Chemistry and Physics. For additional science credits students may select from Advanced Placement Biology, Advanced Placement Chemistry, Advanced Placement Physics B and Environmental Science.

During their sophomore year, Ursuline Academy students fulfill a 40-hour service requirement for graduation. In this program, students select an activity to which they volunteer their time, such as tutoring young children, working at a retirement center or hospital, running athletic programs at youth camps, or building homes through Habitat for Humanity. This program exposes students to the needs of others, and it teaches them the value and rewards of volunteer service.

In addition to academics, students have a wide range of extra-curricular activities in which they can participate. These range from thirteen junior varsity and varsity-level sports to musical and dramatic performances, and service and special interest clubs, such as Spirit Club, Model UN, Student Council, and foreign language clubs.

Besides many classrooms, the Upper School facility houses three state-of-the-art science labs (Biology, Chemistry and Physics), a photography lab, a computer lab with Internet access, a fully automated library with CD-ROMs and Internet access, and a Writing Center that includes desktop publishing capabilities.