Global Education

Cultivating the awareness, knowledge, and skills needed to succeed in our global world starts with our youngest students. The Global Education Program maximizes students’ interest in learning about the world around them and the world afar, striving to provide meaningful connections with others across their local, national, and international community. Global in the Lower School focuses on increasing children’s awareness of and respect for cultural practices in other parts of the world while simultaneously teaching them how to share their own and recognize the value they hold.

“Connecting with our Ursuline sisters schools around the world is like taking our students on field trips around the globe.”

Since younger children learn best through concrete experiences rather than abstract concepts, we provide a wide variety of relevant opportunities to help them understand and appreciate what it means to be a global citizen. Our students begin by learning through their senses and exploring the richness of cultural diversity through food, music, stories, textiles, crafts, and dance. Throughout the Lower School grades, we tap into our rich community of cultural diversity both locally and across our Ursuline sister school network to invite members into our classrooms both physically and virtually. Students engage in intercultural learning by exchanging with others to gain knowledge pertaining to cultural practices, traditions, and realities through academic opportunities across the disciplines including pen pals and video projects.

“We want our students to value cultural diversity without thinking of it as alien or foreign. They are never too young to engage.”

From the earliest stage of an Ursuline education, we are committed to fostering amongst our student body the skills, attitudes, and behaviors needed for today's world. We seek to provide them with opportunities to learn how to respectfully contribute, engage, and thrive in our global community from the very start of their educational journey at Ursuline and beyond.

“We have a very special program here, and I believe that the interest and desire to be a part of it begins here in the Lower School.”

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Our Middle School Global Education Curriculum continues to expand students’ worldview and further cultivate global competence. For instance, there is expanded exposure to different languages and cultures through our World Language curriculum, world events through Social Studies courses, world religions through Theology, and global literature through English Language Arts. Middle School students build more partnerships and friendships with other Ursuline students across the network and enjoy special collaboration for global learning with both Lower School and Upper School students. Students also engage in global dialogues with their peers around the world to discuss world issues such as the effect of the pandemic and climate change. By seeing events and traditions through the eyes of others, students gain a more diverse perspective on a wide variety of topics across the disciplines.

"In the Middle School, students not only deepen themselves in their own faith but grow in their appreciation for the diverse cultures and faiths that are a part of our world."

Students also engage in global dialogues with their peers around the world to discuss world issues such as the effect of the pandemic and climate change. By seeing events and traditions through the eyes of others, students gain a more diverse perspective on a wide variety of topics across the disciplines.

“Ursuline Global teaches our students not only about the experiences of others, but it also inspires them to stand up and take action.”

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Ursuline Upper School students further explore and develop global citizenship through curriculum, activities, events, programs, and service, with our Global Education Program being deeply woven into the student experience. Students work to develop and embrace multiple perspectives through interaction and engagement across the community, country, and the world. In the classroom, the curriculum of many courses has a global lens and is infused with opportunities for students to deepen their knowledge of our global society. Across the disciplines, students tap into our worldwide Ursuline network to partake in rich global projects, connect virtually with peers across the globe, and strengthen their understanding.

“It is important to instill in our students the idea that they are global citizens and to realize they do not live in a bubble. Ursuline Global is crafted to do just this, inspiring students through cross-cultural collaboration and providing valuable exposure that expands their worldviews.”

To supplement their global learning in the classroom, Upper School students also have the ability to travel with Ursuline. Students may serve as a delegate or host as part of a domestic or international exchange facilitated in partnership with one of our Ursuline sister schools. With rotating destinations, our rich dual exchange program invites students to immerse themselves in intercultural learning by both representing our school on another Ursuline campus or welcoming an Ursuline exchange student into their home. Other travel opportunities outside of exchanges include retreats, conferences, service trips, and more. For those who aspire to go above and beyond and distinguish themselves in the field of Global Education, Ursuline works with the Ursuline Education Network to offer the Global Scholars Distinction to members of the graduating senior class.

“Chaperoning global trips has provided me with some amazing once-in-a-lifetime experiences. It has enriched my understanding of our Ursuline network and how powerful and unique this school truly is. It has also allowed me to create deeper bonds with students and the Ursuline community across the world that will last a lifetime. The educational and experiential components are so memorable and provide all participants with a sense of adventure and belonging they will carry with them.”

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