Incarnate Word Academy

Incarnate Word Academy is an all-girls Roman Catholic college preparatory school located in Downtown Houston.  Incarnate Word Academy serves grades 9 through 12 and is owned and operated by the Congregation of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament.

Fast Facts

School TypeReligious, GirlsGrades Served9-12
Religious AffiliationCatholicEnrollment312
UniformsYes   Grade 1269
Date Founded1873   Grade 1172
EndowmentN/A   Grade 1086
Student / Teacher Ratio9.1   Grade 985
Minority Enrollment39%
Head of SchoolSister Lauren Beck
Admissions DirectorKate O'Brien
Websitewww.IncarnateWord.org
Phone713-227-3637
Academic TracksAP, HonorsSports Programs9
AP or IB Courses13Sports LeagueTexas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) district 3-5A.
LanguagesFrench, Spanish, Latin
CalendarSemester
First Bell8:00 am
Last Bell3:15 pm
Grade 12 Enrollment69AP / IB Participation65%
National Merit Semifinalists1/ 2%IB Diploma 5 Year Average ScoreN/A
SAT Middle 50%1080-1320
ACT Middle 50%104-131
Prime Entry Points9Tuition 9-12$14,150

Incarnate Word Academy in Detail

The Congregation of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament (CVI) founded Incarnate Word Academy (IWA), a girls’ college preparatory school, in November of 1873. Although the original building has been replaced, the school remains at its original location at 609 Crawford Street. IWA is accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and the Texas Catholic Conference Education Department, and it is a member of the National Catholic Education Association.

Central to the education and ministry of CVI is the Incarnate Word, which refers to Jesus Christ and the core values of His teachings. To those in CVI, Jesus is the embodiment of the Word of God, thus the Incarnate Word. CVI believes that education is one of the most important ways to evangelize the teachings of Jesus Christ, and the school incorporates the Catholic faith into all aspects of its curriculum.

Incarnate Word is located in Downtown Houston, primarily within one city block at the corner of Crawford and Capitol. Sharing the block with Annunciation Catholic Church, the school is directly opposite Minute Maid Park and two blocks north of Discovery Green Park and the George R. Brown Convention Center. The school has a gym on site, but most other athletic facilities are shared with St. Thomas High School.

Applicants to IWA must submit the following:

  • online application
  • Teacher Recommendation Forms
  • transcripts
  • standardized test results (from middle school)
  • ISEE or HSPT results

Applicants can attend group visits and open houses in the fall, and private tours and Shadow Days can be scheduled with the admissions office.

For the ISEE, we recommend that applicants target a stanine of 5 or better in all test sections.

General Academic has more than 16 years of experience helping thousands of students prepare for the ISEE. Inquire about private tutoring or register for ISEE prep courses starting December 21st at our Rice Village Study Lounge.

IWA features On-Track, Honors, Advanced Placement, and Dual Enrollment curricula for its students. IWA has partnered with Houston Community College to give students the opportunity to earn college credit in pre-calculus, calculus, trigonometry, and psychology through the Dual Enrollment program. IWA offers six AP courses, namely English Literature, English Language, Spanish Language, Government/Macroeconomics, US History, and Biology. Students attending IWA are required to complete 100 hours of community service, 3 years of foreign language study, and 4 years of theology (which is included in the core curriculum). IWA also requires 4 years of English, mathematics, and science in order for a student to graduate.

No information is available at the present time concerning IWA’s accommodations for students with special needs.

Students must take three years of the same language in order to graduate. Incarnate Word Academy offers students three foreign language options: French, Latin, and Spanish. All three language programs include courses from beginner level to AP level. The language learning software Rosetta Stone is integrated into the Spanish curriculum to provide students with additional practice and feedback.

IWA includes the study of fine arts in its standard curriculum. To satisfy fine arts and elective requirements, students may take courses in visual arts, vocal music, band, and theatre. The visual arts program includes both art history and hands-on work with two-dimensional and three-dimensional media. The vocal music program prepares its students to sing in multiple on-school concerts and other school functions, and vocal music students are also encourages to participate in local- and state-level competitions. The band, which rehearses and performs in conjunction with St. Thomas High School’s band, plays at football games and on-campus concerts and also participates in concert tours and local festivals. The theatre program gives students hands-on experience with multiple aspects of the theatrical arts, including playwriting, production, tech, and acting.

Students may also pursue the arts beyond the classroom through participation in the Art Club and/or the Drama Club.  Students participating in the Art Club will create a mural, to be hung within IWA’s campus, each year.  Students participating in the Drama Club will perform in a number of plays throughout the year. Recent productions have included Annie and Shakespeare’s Much Ado about Nothing.

IWA makes laptops available to its students for classroom use. Students may choose to use their own laptops or tablets in the classroom, provided that they follow the Acceptable Use Policy. Other personal electronic devices such as cell phones are not to be used in class, though they are not banned from campus and may be used before and after school. IWA is not liable for personal electronic devices which students bring to school.

Incarnate Word Academy hosts a number of clubs and organizations in which its students may participate. Students may join clubs such as Chess, Computer, Science, and the Literary Club. Students may also join organizations such as the National Honors Society, Mu Alpha Theta Honors Society, Teens for Unity, and Together Loving Christ.

Per IWA’s graduation requirements, students must complete 100 hours of community service. In order to achieve this requirement, IWA provides students with a number of service options, including programs offered through the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Acceptable forms of community service must involve direct support of those in need, such as the elderly or handicapped, through established organizations or agencies.

Incarnate Word Academy hosts a number of clubs and organizations in which its students may participate. Students may join clubs such as Chess, Computer, Science, and the Literary Club. Students may also join organizations such as the National Honors Society, Mu Alpha Theta Honors Society, Teens for Unity, and Together Loving Christ.

Per IWA’s graduation requirements, students must complete 100 hours of community service. In order to achieve this requirement, IWA provides students with a number of service options, including programs offered through the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Acceptable forms of community service must involve direct support of those in need, such as the elderly or handicapped, through established organizations or agencies.

The Parent Club encourages parents to volunteer, participate in planning, or support fundraisers. Volunteer opportunities include the Gala & Auction, the Dads’ Club, the Style Show & Luncheon, Legacy Luncheons, Spirit Shop Sales, theThanksgiving Luncheon, and Mass Receptions. Parents can also join the Booster Club to support athletics.

Q&A With the Incarnate Word Academy

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