To facilitate their entry into our technology driven world, VMA students learn computer skills in our five state of the art computer labs.

Our French and Spanish language classes have the advantage of using the Rosetta Stone software to increase the student’s language skills. For the creative students, another computer lab permits students with literary or artistic interests to write for the VillaNotes (school newspaper) or Yearbook or pursue graphic arts. Students can also learn Photoshop techniques.

The Academic Support Room hosts a computer lab. Villa’s expansive library hosts computers for our Writing Center. Good writing skills have always been paramount at VMA, but even more so now with the addition of a writing component to the SAT.

Wireless Technology

VMA’s wireless capabilities serve our students’ needs within the VMA facilities. Students have the flexibility of using their own laptops as well as any of the five computer labs which include the resource lab, a computer teaching lab, a learning resource/language lab in the Library, Graphic Design/Journalism lab, as well as the Academic Intervention lab. The student to computer ratio is 5:1. Every department has access to data displays with laptops to integrate technology within their curriculum.

Edline

Villa Maria Academy subscribes to the Edline services. With a few clicks of a mouse, parents and students can view current grades, attendance records and homework assignments, to ensure communication of the teachers’ expectations and to encourage strong time management skills.

TURNITIN

Villa also subscribes to a new technology service. With TURNITIN (pronounced "Turn It In"), students have the opportunity to submit their papers for any class online prior to submission to the teacher. The papers are then checked online to ensure all the criteria established by the teacher have been met for this paper and that there are no instances of accidental plagiarism. The student then has the opportunity to correct mistakes before submission to the teacher. In some classes, peer evaluations may even be done anonymously. Teachers, of course, will still do the grading.

Every teacher and each student are able to utilize TURNITIN with their unique password. This service will be beneficial to the students to ensure greater academic success with a pre-review of their papers and better prepare students for college assignments. Many colleges and universities currently utilize this service.

SAT ONLINE PREP

As with everything, Knowledge is power. The SAT prep class enables students to practice strategies. With sample questions and instant feedback on correct answers and thought patterns, students are better prepared to take the SAT exam. In addition, each Villa students gets a password to utilize this service outside of classtime.