Duchesne students can take part in a variety of activities which give them the opportunity to develop and pursue interests and talents. Students are encouraged and guided according to their individual interests, needs and aptitudes to participate in extra-curricular activities. In order to participate in an after-school or co-curricular activity, a student must be present by 9:00 A.M. the day of that activity.
Student Council
The Upper School Student Council exists as an integral part of Duchesne Academy to assist in planning and directing Upper School activities, to provide a forum for student expression and communication between teachers and students, and to develop and maintain good school spirit. All students are eligible to run for student council and class officer if they have a 2.0 GPA for the 3rd quarter of the current year and have no serious disciplinary actions on record. The disciplinary record is reviewed and approved by the Dean of Students and the Head of the Upper School.
The Student Council is composed of the officers of Student Council (President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer), the President and Representative of each class, the President and Vice-President of Campus Ministry, the Blue and Gold Team Captains, the Student Leaders of YSC, and the President of the National Honor Society.
Campus Ministry and Annual Retreats
Since prayer and reflection are so important, time is set aside annually for each class to participate in a retreat. Each student is required to attend the yearly class retreat. Members of Campus Ministry assist with these retreats, and with liturgies, morning prayer, and faith nights.
Youth Serving Community
Youth Serving Community (YSC) exists to promote communication and friendship with students of neighboring Houston high schools. The organization provides students with opportunities to share ideas and to participate in social activities which are free of alcohol and other drugs.
Peer Support Ministry
The Peer Support program is composed of Upper School juniors and seniors who meet weekly with eighth grade students to discuss the problems students face in everyday life. This values-clarification program is also designed to strengthen the bonds between the Middle and Upper Schools.
Dances
During the school year the Upper School sponsors student dances. There are usually two in the fall, one sponsored by seniors and a mid-winter semiformal sponsored by the juniors. The senior prom is in the spring.
At each dance there is a designated time by which the students must arrive, and there is a designated time before which they may not leave (for example, no one may enter after 9:00 P.M., and no one may leave until 11:30 P.M.)
The Principals of the Catholic High Schools in the Houston area have adopted a common dress code and behavioral guidelines to assure that their dances take place in a safe and healthy environment. The code and guidelines are reviewed with students before each dance and included with behavioral contracts.
Anyone suspected of having used an illegal substance will not be admitted to the dance. Breathalizer tests may be administered if there is suspicion of alcohol use. If the student, student’s friend or date is suspected of using an illegal substance at the dance, the student’s parents will be called to come and pick them up. If the student is from Duchesne, she and her parents will meet with the Administration Monday morning before she is admitted to classes.
Field Trips
The faculty and administration encourage students to pursue experiential learning outside the classroom as a part of their Duchesne education. Classes use local resources such as the Holocaust Museum, university conferences, and the Museum of Fine Arts. Mandatory service takes all students into the Houston community regularly, and the Sacred Heart Network sponsors summer service opportunities in cities across the United States. Students compete in TAPPS Academic, Speech, and Fine Arts competitions and the National French and Spanish Examinations. Fine Arts Students perform at the annual ISAS Fine Arts Festival in April. Model UN and Washington Close-UP are other opportunities available to interested students.
Students must have written permission from their parents to participate in field trips and to ride in cars driven by parents or other students. Appropriate behavior is expected during field trips; smoking and the use of illegal drugs or alcohol are not permitted and will result in the student being sent home immediately at the parent’s expense.
Exchange Program
Duchesne Academy is a part of a worldwide network of schools operated by the Religious of the Sacred Heart and participates in its Student Exchange Program. Usually students in the 10th and 11th grades apply for this program. Students may spend several weeks in another Sacred Heart school in: Albany, NY; New Orleans; Boston; New York City; Chicago; Omaha; Detroit; San Francisco; Grand Coteau, LA; Seattle, WA; Greenwich, CT; St. Louis; Miami; or Washington D.C.
Students also have the opportunity to study abroad in countries such as England, France, and Japan. They live in a home provided by the host school or, in some cases, they may board at the school. Students interested in the program should contact the Dean of Students and must be approved by the Upper School faculty and administration. Students applying must have at least a 2.7 GPA for the two semesters previous to exchange and no Ds or Fs in their present courses. Student behavior is also considered. There is also a mini- exchange for two weeks in the fall. The mini-exchange is only open to sophomores, and takes place at Sprout Creek Farm in Poughkeepsie, NY.
