The Introduction to Stella Maris High School

History
Vision of Stella Maris High School
Whole Person Education ¡V a traditional education
Numerous First Places¡V the result of outstanding teaching
The Best Choice ¡Vand the first - for excellent students
Cambridge English ¡V exceptional English teaching
The Best Private School ¡V outstanding reputation

History

The school was founded in 1959 by Sisters of the Roman Union of the Order of Saint Ursula (established in 1535), at the invitation of Archbishop Verineux of Hualien diocese and the local government. At that time, economic conditions in Taiwan were still undeveloped. Hualien, at the ¡§back of the mountains¡¨ suffered from an inconvenient location and lacked resources to develop its local economy.  Thus, the Sisters followed the spirit of the Gospel to make a ¡§preferential option for the poor¡¨ and invited the Ursulines worldwide to cooperate.  Many Ursuline school children in Europe, saved their pocket money, gradually collecting French francs, just to help establish an Ursuline school in Taiwan , which was very far away from them.

Women¡¦s education is part of the mission of the Roman Union of the Order of Saint Ursula.  Through its conviction that ¡§Life transmits life: love nourishes love¡¨, the Institute endeavors to fully educate well-integrated young women, capable of taking up the responsibility of becoming a stable force in society and fostering family life as the basic strength of that society.  The early establishment of Stella Maris Girl¡¦s Junior High School was a response to the insufficiency and inequality of women¡¦s education.  A High School was added to it three years later, and the school was renamed Stella Maris Girl¡¦s High School.  In 1970, in accordance with the social and environmental trends and the request of the Archbishop the school started to recruit boys, and changed its name to the current one: Stella Maris High School.

Stella Maris High School is the first private school to offer a high standard of education to students in eastern Taiwan.  With its focus firmly placed on whole person education concepts, respect for Catholic educational goals, and educational concepts of respect, freedom, and love, the school makes every effort to fulfill students¡¦ potential and develop their personality. Gradually, in accordance with Taiwan

¡¦s economic development, the school adjusted its structures.  It established a Kindergarten Teachers¡¦ Department and Dress and Fashion Department in 1976, Arts and Craft Department in 1987, and the Information Systems and Integrated High School in 1996.  The scope of Stella Maris High School has gradually evolved to completeness.

Vision of Stella Maris High School

We respect human nature and human dignity, seeking the harmony of Heaven, human beings, creation and the self.

We acknowledge the different talents, personality, ability and environment of each individual¡CTherefore success is achieved through the inspiration and fulfillment of personal potential.

We consider that education is not only the channel for discovering knowledge and skills, also the process of cultivating character and searching for the meaning of an individual¡¦s life.

We strongly believe that love is the main power of education; students and teachers are willing to search for mutual growth through attitudes and example of respect and love of each other.

We believe that knowledge makes people wise, and wisdom makes people free, and that sound education based on solid values is the means of discovering truth.

We are willing to provide love, respect and freedom in this fast developing environment to enable each young person to realize his or her personal potential as completely as possible.

Whole Person Education ¡V a traditional education

Founded in 1959, by Sisters of the Roman Union of the Order of Saint Ursula whose educational tradition goes back to 1535, Stella Maris High School is the first private school in eastern Taiwan.

In accordance with its educational concepts of respect, freedom, and love, the school endeavors to fulfill students¡¦ potential and develop their  personality.

Numerous First Places¡V the result of outstanding teaching

In the past four years, graduating students from the junior high school have achieved three first places in Examinations for entry to Senior High Schools in the Hualien area.

In the past five years, graduating students from the senior high school have won three first places in the Joint Programs Admissions for National Four year Colleges and Two year Junior Colleges.

For three straight years, up to May 7, 2003, many of our graduates have been admitted to national universities. The trend should continue this year, because before the Joint University Programs Admissions thirty-eight graduating students have already been admitted to national universities.

The Best Choice ¡Vand the first - for excellent students

Stella Maris High School was the first choice for the first placed girl and boy in the Senior High School Entrance Examination in 2000, and for another twenty-three students who acquired very high scores in the Senior High School Entrance Examination in Hualian.

The 302 class students at Huagan Junior High School and another eighty-five students who gained high examination scores also made Stella Maris High School their first choice. Among them, Chong Ching-ting, won the highest score at 298.

The advanced class of math/physics was established in 2002. In that year, eighteen students from the first grade of junior high school received the County Magistrate¡¦s Award (they all graduated at the top level in the school). Among others, eighty received the Best Award of all courses and they all made Stella Maris High School their first choice.  (There were 160 students from the first grade of junior high and among them ninety-eight were the top students in the entire county)

The fact that so many students have made Stella Maris High School their first choice proves that Stella Maris High School is one of the best.

It emphasizes practical knowledge and moral education and proves the outstanding value of whole person education

For eight straight years, the school chorus has won the Best Award in the Chorus Contest.  The new combinations of female chorus and male/female chorus have won the Duo Best Award, a national record.

Remarkable performance in IT education

Stella Maris received the Best Award in the National Technique Contest in Program Design for Commercial Groups in 2001.  It received the First Award for National Website Design in northern

Taiwan in 2001 and received the Silver Award, Bronze Award, and two Special Awards at the School Website Fair in Taiwan in 2003.

The school has also received a First Award in the National Cheer Group Contest. 

Cambridge English ¡V exceptional English teaching

The magazine, Global Views Monthly, stated in July 2000 that Stella Maris High School is the little Cambridge in eastern Taiwan. It described the achievements of the English teaching in the school.

Stella Maris was placed Number Six in the National English Speech Contest, the only school in eastern Taiwan to receive an award.

The Best Private School ¡V outstanding reputation

The student enrolment has grown from 624 in 1995 to 1087 in 2003.  It is the only school that grown so rapidly among both public and private senior high schools in the Hualien area.  It proves the esteem for the school of parents and students in eastern Taiwan.

Distinguished admission results to national universities.

For three straight years, many of our graduating students were admitted to their first choice of national universities and 2003 will be a successful year as well.

Strength of teaching qualifications

Half of the faculty have masters or doctoral degrees; they all have wide teaching experience.

The advanced class of math/physics

The principal, Mr. Lin Fu-shu, teaches this class.  The best teachers are cooperating with professors from the university to develop high standards for advanced education.

Implementation of students¡¦ counseling

Students¡¦ counseling in class or in the evening is completely implemented.  No remedial course is needed out of school.  A school bus is available for pick up.  It is secure and saves much time for students

Guaranteed students¡¦ quality

Small class teaching; the record of students upon enrolling in school is higher than 150, the basic school test, making this the most effective teaching environment available.

Emphasizing humanistic education

Whole Person Education is implemented at the school.  Except for the main courses, students also have education for life and an ethics program; participating in extra-curricular activities is required.

Counseling for the National English Test

A graded progression of learning steps for listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English is in place.  The key English teaching stream is well-organized.  A qualified examination hall for the National English Test is arranged at the school.