Ignatian Honors Program
Loyola’s Ignatian Honors Program is a mission-driven experience that challenges students to explore and discuss the human condition through a rigorous, interdisciplinary curriculum. The program is designed for students who demonstrate the desire and ability to read extensively, to make connections between academic subjects, and to generate personal insight through critical and creative thinking. Students selected to the program are intellectually curious, independently motivated, and eager to discuss ideas with peers.
Program Structure
Three elements comprise the Honors Program.
- An interdisciplinary, honors-level course that replaces traditional classes in either Humanities or STEM. Students take this course during their Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior years.
- The Symposium, a series of learning activities (guest speakers, film viewings, field trips) that invite students to make connections between the texts they are reading and the realities of contemporary life.
- A year-long Capstone Project, which students complete in their senior year.
Humanities Track
- Requires 9 credits of interdisciplinary coursework in English, History, and Theology, and a senior capstone project.
- The Ignatian Honors English and History courses prepare the students for the AP US History, AP US Government and Politics, and AP Literature exams.
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Students in the Ignatian Honors Humanities Program will have three symposia per semester. Symposiums could include:
- Guest speaker
- Film screening
- Field trip
- Showcase of student work / performance
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Profile of an Ignatian Honors Humanities Student
- Currently in GT, honors, or accelerated curriculum classes
- Has a deep passion for humanities-related subject areas, including (but not limited to): English, history, philosophy, ethics, and civics
- Finds excitement in wrestling with big questions and big ideas
- Loves to write and finds joy in finding different way to articulate their thoughts
- HSPT verbal/reading sections are scored in 90+ percentile, and math sections are scored in the 80+ percentile
STEM Track
- Requires 6 credits of interdisciplinary coursework in the STEM field, six additional credits of elective STEM coursework, and a senior capstone project.
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The Ignatian Honors STEM students will take AP Computer Science Principles their freshman year and Introduction to Engineering their sophomore year.
- Students in the Ignatian Honors STEM program will have one minor interdisciplinary assignment (reading, homework etc.) per quarter and one major interdisciplinary assessment (test, project) per semester.
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Profile of an Ignatian Honors STEM Student
- Currently in GT, honors, or accelerated curriculum classes
- Has a deep passion for STEM-related courses
- Intrinsically motivated to learn more about STEM-related topics through books, videos, or podcasts on their own
- On a trajectory to complete Calculus BC in high school
- Spends time outside of class engaged in co-curricular STEM activities: math clubs, robotics teams, cyber security competitions, engineering courses, etc.
- HSPT math sections are scored in the 90+ percentile, and verbal/reading sections are score in the 80+ percentile
Sheridan Scholars Award
Admissions committee identifies potential recipients based on your admissions profile and those that exhibit strong leadership qualities.
- Sheridan Scholars will be initially placed in honors level courses upon enrollment (math is subject to placement review)
- Sheridan Scholars will be a part of a homeroom cohort
- Sheridan Scholars will have priority access to the Certificate Program
- Sheridan Scholars will participate in a leadership curriculum directed by Mr. Bob Schlichtig, Assistant Principal for Student Life
Thank You For Your Interest
Our application review process for the 2026-2027 school year has begun. If you have any questions about the Ignatian Honors Program, please contact our Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management, Mr. Sebastian Price '02 sprice@loyolablakefield.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
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If I am in the Humanities program, can I take high level math and science courses?
Absolutely. Being in the Ignatian Honors humanities or STEM program does not exclude you from taking honors or AP level courses in any subject. Students in the humanities program will have access to honors and AP level “STEM” courses and students in the STEM program will have access to honors and AP level humanities course. -
Will being in a program pigeonhole me to be a “STEM” or “Humanities” student?
In short, no! Cura Personalis compels us to respect each students’ individual talents, and that is the goal of the Ignatian Honors Program. We want to acknowledge the interest and gifts that a student has in a respective subject area. The Ignatian Honors Program then gives us a space for those students to explore the depths of their knowledge and wrestle with big ideas in a collaborative inspired environment. -
What do you mean that the program values depth over breadth?
The goal of the Ignatian Honors Program is not to give you more and more, but rather it is designed for students to dive deeper on topics, make connections with material, and after discernment to make their own conclusions. -
Does the program come with a merit based award?
Yes! The Ignatian Honors Program comes with an academic merit-based scholarship award. -
Does Ignatian Honors limit my scheduling options in any way?
Students who participate in the Ignatian Honors STEM program will not be able to take a full credit art course their freshman year (Band and Chorus). This is not a restriction on the Humanities program. -
Is it possible to participate in both the STEM and Humanities program?
Due to scheduling conflicts, and a focus on student work/life balance, we limit Dons to only being in one of the two programs. -
Are there any other academic or leadership programs for students who either are not interested in the Ignatian Honors Program or are not accepted to the program?
Yes! Loyola also offers students an opportunity to be a part of the Sheridan Scholar Program, a leadership focused program, that will be offered to a select students identified through the admissions process. In addition to the Sheridan Scholars Program, Loyola offers all students an opportunity to explore their passions through our Certificate Program, which blends academic requirements with co-curricular requirements.
