Regina Mater
Address
Map
1320 E 51st St

Austin
,
Texas
78723

United States
Coordinates30°18′28.7″N 97°42′15.6″W / 30.307972°N 97.704333°W / 30.307972; -97.704333
Information
TypePrivate
Religious affiliation(s)Roman Catholic
Established2003
Head teacherJarin Schiavolin
Faculty15 (approx)
Grades(grades |Pre-K–12)
CampusUrban
Color(s)White and Blue
AffiliationsOur Lady's Catholic Church
Websitehttp://www.reginamater.org/

Regina Mater is a school for grades Pre K through twelve in Austin, Texas. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Austin.

History

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Regina Mater was organized in 2006 by Catholic families associated with the Schoenstatt Collegium of Austin, which was founded separately in 2003. Regina Mater originally met at the Austin House of Prayer, until in 2007 when Regina Mater moved again to the Our Lady’s Maronite Church campus, where the school is currently located.  

At its founding, Regina Mater included Montessori, for Pre-K to Kindergarten, Primary for grades 1-2, Elementary for grades 3-4, Intermediate for grades 5-6, and Secondary for grades 7-8. High school was added in 2011. In 2015, the grade system was changed to Bethlehem, including grades 1-4, Nazareth, including grades 5-8, and Tabor, the high school. In 2019, grading was changed again, dividing the 4-8th grade class into the current Nazareth, for grades 4-6, and Cana, for grades 7-8.  

Academics

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“Regina Mater strives to create a palpably Catholic educational home for parents and their children..” [1]and takes “orientation from the thought, life, pedagogy, and praxis of Fr. Joseph Kentenich, founder of the Schoenstatt Movement.” [2]The “PK3-Kindergarten curriculum is based on the Primary Montessori environment, with formal instruction on home days being determined by the parent.For elementary through high school, the Four Year Cycle of history, literature, science, and theology vertically unifies the themes and topics for all ages.[3]

Mariengarten (pre-k-kindergarten)

Follows the montessori style of learning as well as weekly Catechesis of the Good Shepherd curriculum. At home Mariengarten parents are encouraged to help their children read aloud, practice hands on math, and to participate in family life as much as possible.

Bethlehem (first to third grade)

Introduces basics of math, reading, writing, and latin “as well as nurturing wonder in God’s creation through science, history, and literature[4]" Bethlehem also continues with Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. During homeschool days Bethlehem students are given a light homework load that allows for hands-on learning

Nazareth (fourth to sixth grade)

“Here the focus is on mastering basic skills in math, reading, and writing, and preparation for formal study of grammar, Latin, history and science.”[5] This is the final year of religious instruction through Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. At home students are challenged to begin to work more independently with some assistance from parents.

Cana (seventh to eighth grade)

“The study of English grammar and Latin are more formal at this age.  Socratic discussion is emphasized for the study of theology, literature, history, and science.” [6]Theology is taught by reading and discussing the works of the early Church fathers. At home Cana students prepare for high school by taking ownership of their work.

Tabor (9th to 12th grade)

“Students and parents are given flexibility in tailoring a high school plan that serves the student’s needs and goals.  All core classes are hosted at Regina Mater, but online and dual-credit classes are also allowed.” [7] “Tabor students are fully responsible for their lessons with accountability from parents.”[8]

Campus and facilities

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The St. Anselm's Academic Building

Since 2008 Regina Mater has used the facilities of Our Lady's Maronite Catholic Church as its campus. At first it used the classrooms inside the main church building, but currently its campus is two buildings which it rents from Our Lady's Maronite Catholic Church. The school owns a field in northeast Travis County, Texas, where it is working on building a permenant campus.

Athletics

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Students cheer on The Panthers at the 63rd Annual Invitational.

St. Anselm's competes in the Potomac Valley Athletic Conference at the middle school and varsity levels in several sports each season. During the 10-year period from 2000 to 2020, the Panthers won 35 conference championships in basketball, soccer, baseball, tennis, cross country, swimming, and track and field.[9]

St. Anselm's has hosted the longest-running high school basketball tournament in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.[10] The St. Anselm's Invitational has been a tradition at the school since 1948.

Student life

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The school has clubs and associations, many unique to the school. These include the Lifting club, Cultural Student Organization, Investment Club, Model UN, Fides Fellowship of St. Benedict, Mythology Club, Latin Club, Greek Club, It's Academic, Chamber Orchestra, Jazz Band, Fencing Club, Biology/Forensics Club, and French Club.

Other

The It's Academic team is nationally ranked, with members often participating in televised quiz bowl tournaments hosted at various schools.[11]

The school newspaper, the Priory Press, and the yearbook, the Priory Perspective are student-run and contributed to by the Junior and Senior classes.

Notable alumni

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Notable faculty

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Philosophy of Education". Regina Mater. Retrieved 2021-05-19.
  2. ^ "Philosophy of Education". Regina Mater. Retrieved 2021-05-19.
  3. ^ "Philosophy of Education". Regina Mater. Retrieved 2021-05-19.
  4. ^ "Courses". Regina Mater. Retrieved 2021-05-19.
  5. ^ "Courses". Regina Mater. Retrieved 2021-05-19.
  6. ^ "Courses". Regina Mater. Retrieved 2021-05-19.
  7. ^ "Courses". Regina Mater. Retrieved 2021-05-19.
  8. ^ "Family-Centered Instruction". Regina Mater. Retrieved 2021-05-19.
  9. ^ Athletics.
  10. ^ St. Anselm’s to Host 64th Annual Basketball Invitational
  11. ^ Corbie Chronicle, Fall 2009 Page 9.
  12. ^ [1]
  13. ^ Directors of the Office of Foreign Missions
  14. ^ Stephen Kinnaird
  15. ^ Faculty at the Catholic University of America
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