The school day begins each morning at 7:55 a.m. with prayer and announcements. Students come together to share the news of the day, recognize birthdays and special achievements. Not only does this provide the students with a daily forum, but it also helps to strengthen community. School dismisses at 3:15 p.m.

Four 80-minute class periods and a flexible extra period are scheduled each day, allowing students time to absorb and reflect as well as the opportunity to work in labs, collaborate on group projects or meet individually with teachers. This block scheduling concept, pioneered by Villa, develops personal responsibility and creates time for liturgies and other forms of spiritual development, assemblies and guest speakers, field trips, service learning opportunities in the community, advisory meetings and celebrations—either school-wide or on a smaller scale with friends.

Villa’s dedicated faculty are known for being accomplished and accessible. Students are encouraged to drop by during office hours or at their free periods or break. Faculty members take the time outside of class to work one-on-one with students to review papers, clarify concepts or just visit.

Because Villa’s class sizes are small, each student receives the individual attention she deserves and she is not just a face in the crowd or a name in a grade book. Faculty members get to know each student on a personal level, which adds to the sense of caring and compassion that is pervasive at Villa.

In addition, the all-girl environment creates an atmosphere where young women can truly feel comfortable to learn and express themselves. However, opportunities for exchange days with some of the area’s all-boys schools give Villa students a glimpse of “life on the other side.”