Our Curriculum
Incarnate Word Academy’s curriculum is designed to prepare an IWA graduate for her lifelong journey as a learner. We believe the real value of an IWA education is found in the critical thinking, collaboration and problem-solving skills that our graduates will use to develop tomorrow’s extraordinary solutions.
IWA asks students to value curiosity, diverse ideas and new experiences just as much as they value rigor when selecting a course load. Academic counselors help students meet their goals by creating personally challenging schedules that include foundational college preparatory courses, over 30 honors and AP classes, as well as enriching electives.
Graduation Requirements
The following 28 credits are required for graduation:
- 4 Theology
- 4 English
- 4 Mathematics
- 4 Science
- 3 Social Studies
- 3 World Languages
- 1 Fine Arts
- 1 Physical Education
- 1 Academic Elective
- .5 Government
- .5 Economics
- .5 Computer Science
- .5 Health
- .5 Leading with Character and Academics
For more in-depth course information, please visit:
What Courses Might I Take Each Year?
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- AP
- Leadership
Build on what you learned in AP Seminar to deeply explore an academic topic, problem, or issue of individual interest.
- AP
- Leadership
AP Seminar is an interdisciplinary course that encourages students to demonstrate critical thinking, collaboration, and academic research skills on topics of the student’s choosing.
- Leadership
Personal Finance Management provides students with a solid foundation in all aspects of personal finance. It is oriented toward concepts, detailed knowledge, and tools needed to manage personal financial matters during college and as young professionals.
- Leadership
Emerging Entrepreneurs is an introduction to entrepreneurship supported by materials from the Wharton Business School of the University of Pennsylvania.
- Leadership
Service in Action introduces a foundation for how to lead to get extraordinary results.
- Leadership
In Fundamentals of Leadership, students will be challenged to lean into their fears and to begin identifying, verbalizing and honing their unique skill sets and developing practices that will shape them into excellent students and leaders.
- AP
- World Languages
AP Spanish IV is approximately equivalent to an upper-intermediate college or university course in Spanish language and culture.
- World Languages
This course offers intermediate-advanced language instruction.
- Honors
- Required
- World Languages
This course offers intermediate-advanced language instruction.
- Required
- World Languages
This course offers intermediate-advanced language instruction.
- Required
- World Languages
The course is designed to engage in language learning, to master some common and specialized terms and phrases and to comprehend a wide range of grammar patterns through a variety of creative, interactive activities that integrate presentational, interpretive, and interpersonal communication.
- Required
- World Languages
This course is designed to introduce students to the Spanish language and the Spanish speaking world.
The AP French Language and Culture Course is approximately equivalent to an upper intermediate college or university course in French language and culture.
- World Languages
This course is designed as an invitation to further explore the francophone world.
- Honors
- World Languages
Honors French III is an advanced French course that includes instruction and practice in all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.