Director of Competitive Activities: Elisa Ryan Manny

Fall: Volleyball, Soccer, Tennis, Cross-Country Running, Swimming/Diving

Winter: Nordic Skiing, Alpine Skiing, Hockey, Basketball

Spring: Track and Field, Softball, Lacrosse and Golf

More information on the Athletics pages.

Advisor: Marius Andaházy

“The Dance is, of all the arts, the one that most influences the Soul. Dancing is divine in its nature and is a gift of God.” 

- Plato

We are excited to continue to offer quality ballet instruction to students in each of our divisions. Anna Goodrich, friend and colleague to Marius Andahazy, will oversee lessons in our Upper and Middle School. Meanwhile, Nandi Tippett ‘13, who studied with Mr. Andahazy during her time at Visitation, will provide lessons to the Lower School students. 

In order to sign up for lessons, please contact Andrea Hofland in the Registrar Office (ahofland@vischool.org). To determine the appropriate class, please read the descriptions below:

Lower School Ballet Program

CLD1W: Lower School Level I ballet lessons will take place on Wednesdays from 3 - 4:20 p.m. 

CLD2W: In addition, Visitation offers an opportunity for those students who have already trained for two years in ballet to remain in the lessons an additional 25 minutes, until 4:45 p.m.

There is a $590 accompanist fee. We ask that students purchase apparel using the Grand Jeté Order Form (available online here). Please note that lessons will begin Wednesday, September 1, 2021 and continue through Wednesday, May 25, 2022.

Middle/Upper School Ballet Program

Lessons 1x/week

ASBM: Levels I & II lessons will take place on Mondays from 3:15 - 5 p.m. These lessons are intended for students who wish to begin ballet or continue their knowledge of the basics of ballet. The lessons take place on Mondays beginning August 30 and continue for the duration of the school year.

ASBT: Levels II & III lessons will take place on Tuesdays from 3:15 - 5 p.m. These lessons are intended for students who have completed the Introduction to Ballet Course (within the school day) or have progressed to train in a second and third level. The lessons take place on Tuesdays beginning on August 31 and continue for the duration of the school year. 

There is a $590.00 accompanist fee, and we ask that students purchase apparel here. Please note that if Upper School students wish to receive academic credit or participate in this program so as to fulfill their second PE requirement, they should reach out to the Director of Upper School, Anna Barter (abarter@vischool.org). Otherwise, students are welcome to participate in the course as an extracurricular activity.  

Lessons 2x/week

Students who wish to participate in ballet lessons twice a week can do so by registering for either of the following:

CMTAS (Mondays and Tuesdays) OR
CMThS (Mondays and Thursdays)

Beginning on August 30, these lessons last from 3:15 - 5 p.m. and continue for the duration of the school year. 

There is a $590.00 accompanist fee, and we ask that students purchase apparel here. Please note that if Upper School students wish to receive academic credit or participate in this program so as to fulfill their second PE requirement, they should reach out to the Director of Upper School, Anna Barter (abarter@vischool.org). Otherwise, students are welcome to participate in the course as an extracurricular activity.

Lessons 3x/week  

CMTTH: Students who wish to participate in ballet lessons three times a week can do so on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 3:15 - 5 p.m., starting on August 30 and continuing for the duration of the school year. Note: Students in this class have already taken Introduction to Ballet so as as to fulfill the training for “en pointe” during the Thursday lessons. There is a $590.00 accompanist fee, and we ask that students purchase apparel here. Please note that if Upper School students wish to receive academic credit or participate in this program so as to fulfill their second PE requirement, they should reach out to the Director of Upper School, Anna Barter (abarter@vischool.org). Otherwise, students are welcome to participate in the course as an extracurricular activity.

Ballet Master Marius Andaházy, who trained under his parents at the Andaházy School of Classical Ballet, continued his studies in Manhattan on scholarships at both the School of American Ballet and the American Ballet Theatre School. He has performed in Europe and Scandinavia professionally with the Royal Swedish Ballet. The Bolshoi and Kirov (presently called the Mariinsky) Ballets of Russia invited him to train daily with them during eight different North American tours. He has trained Visitation students since 1984. Simultaneously he has instructed for 18 years at the University of Wisconsin, River Falls.

We ask that students purchase apparel using the Grand Jeté Order Form (available online here).

Advisor: JoAnne Geiser

Serves in planning, recruiting and helping out with Bloodmobiles, in cooperation with STA. Four meetings and two Bloodmobile days are required. Must be willing to work with others, recruit donors, attend meetings and work on both Bloodmobiles (full days).

Open to students in grades 11-12.

Advisor: Priscilla Van Sloun

Chinese club will introduce and integrate Chinese culture into the school and immerse members in Chinese life and traditions. It promotes and provides a fun environment outside of the classroom for students to learn and experience Chinese culture and language.

Advisor: Kathleen Daniewicz

Serve at Eucharistic celebrations. Requirements are attendance at two meetings at the beginning of the year and one later in the year. Must attend Masses, serve with reverence and observe the leadership contract.

Open to students in grades 11-12 who have been confirmed Catholic. Chosen by application process during the first two weeks of the school year.

Advisors: Mark Ahlstrom and Doug Hoverson

Debate is an interscholastic, Minnesota State High School League activity offered as a cooperative program between Visitation and STA. Three debate formats are offered with different resolutions to debate and the chance to debate as an individual or with a partner.

The team meets from August to January with practices two to three times per week at STA. Tournaments are primarily on Fridays and/or Saturdays, and experienced debaters have the opportunity to attend invitational tournaments around the country.

Open to students in grades 9-12.

Advisor: Ilse Norris

Promotes the camaraderie of Visitation students interested in the study of the French language and French culture through discussions, movies, songs, cooking and games. Meets once a month.

Open to students in grades 9-12.

Visitation’s Upper School offers enrichment opportunities to students in the form of summer travel. Students may focus on service, the arts, cultural immersion or science through travel experiences that encourage global citizenship, confidence, curiosity, leadership, strong communication and a genuine appreciation for other cultures.

Please note that international travel is not guaranteed to occur every year.

Students in grade 9-12 are encouraged to participate in any of these programs:

• World Language Tours: On a rotating basis, Visitation's world language department offers immersion experiences in countries related to French, Spanish or Chinese cultures. Students participate in tours and a home-stay, deepening their love for languages and cultures and their passion for travel.
• Spoleto Study Abroad: Study drama, vocal music, visual art, instrumental music, filmmaking, photography or creative writing in beautiful Central Italy. Spoleto Study Abroad page
• VISTORY Service Trip: Partner with students from other Visitation schools to form friendships and perform service during a week-long, Salesian-centered trip to Camden, New Jersey. Contact Anne Williams for additional information.
• Team Mutomo: Learn about the culture and daily life in Zambia by spending time at schools, an orphanage, and medical and dental clinics. Team Mutomo Service to Africa page
• Costa Rica: On this 10-day trip, students are immersed in the study of the rain forest, focusing on the complex and fascinating leaf cutter ants. They work with a scientist to design and carry out their own experiments and present their findings. Students hike, ride horses, zipline and do other activities in the afternoons and evenings.

Advisor: Ann Feitl

Teaches leadership skills and plans Freshmen Orientation.

Meetings are generally twice a month during lunch flex time from 11:35 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. The group also has four full-day meetings: one in June and three in August.

Requirements include attendance at meetings, participation in summer training activities, active participation in the planning of various events and participation in those events.

Chosen via an application process held in the spring. Students in grades 9-12 may apply.

Advisor: Gretchen Berkebile 

The Life Club works for the protection and enrichment of life from conception to natural death. While focusing on the basic life issue of protection of the unborn, the group also works to promote a culture of life in the school and the world through service to families in need, the prayer board for those serving in the military, awareness of current political life/family issues, and prayer. Typically meets each week during lunch.

Open to students in grades 9-12.

Advisor: Nicole Sutton

The Literary Magazine is a compilation of selected writing and artwork of the students in the Upper School. The staff is composed of 1-3 editors and a small group of assistants. Production of the Literary Magazine begins during the second semester and is published in May of the school year.

Open to students in grades 9-12.

Advisor: Rachel King

Challenges and encourages students to learn more about mathematics in cooperation with Saint Thomas Academy. Practices are Mondays after school from October to February until 4:30 p.m. There are five meets on Mondays from 3-6 p.m., November to February. Practices, work on packets of topics and meets are required. Conflicts must be communicated to the advisor in advance.

Open to students in grade 9-12 who are interested in math.