LEAP Program

Saint Leo University wants to see every new student succeed. Each year, a small number of carefully selected students enroll in the Learning Enhancement for Academic Progress (LEAP) progam. LEAP is designed to provide the academic support, structure and guidance to afford these students with the best chance of success as they begin their college careers. Upon successful completion of the LEAP program courses, participants generally enter their fall semester ahead of most of their peers.

The LEAP program is designed to provide students with the opportunity to:

• Prepare for the academic challenges of Saint Leo University
• Improve reading, writing and critical thinking skills prior to the fall semester
• Improve time management and study skills
• Develop significant relationships with other students, faculty and professional staff
• Become familiar with the university and with the resources for success available at SLU

The LEAP program is a four-week curriculum taken in the summer prior to the commencement of the fall semester. For 2009, the LEAP program dates will be July 13 - August 7. The program begins at the conclusion of the Summer Orientation program, which runs July 10-11, 2009. Students live on campus during the program, which also features weekend activities designed to enrich the learning process.

Students will be assessed at the beginning of LEAP and assigned to either MAT 003 or ENG 002 depending on assessment scores.*These courses do NOT satisfy a General Education requirement in English or elective credit for the associate's or bachelor's degree. These courses are designed to remedy the special problems of students whose English or Math preparations reveal deficiencies.

MAT 003 - Basic Algebra

This course is designed to help students build a foundation for success in the basic mathematics requirements in college. Topics studied include:

• algebraic expressions
• order of operations
• linear equations
• inequalities
• introduction to graphing
• polynomials
• exponents
• factoring

ENG 002 - Basic Composition Skills

This course is designed to help students develop skill in writing, reading and oral communication. Instruction, discussion and practice in basic writing skills will be emphasized. The focus of the course is to prepare students to survive and succeed in college in general, but in additional English classes in particular. In this class, students will:

• expand and improve their vocabularies
• demonstrate at least minimal college-level skills in spelling, punctuation and grammar
• perfect the ability to write grammatically correct sentences
• develop college-level reading, critical thinking and problem solving skills
• prepare to take and pass English 121 - Academic Writing

Students will also take FAS 101 - The Integrated Arts (3 credit hours) *The following course DOES satisfy a General Education Requirement.

An interdisciplinary course that introduces students to visual, written and musical works of art designed to increase the student's understanding and aesthetic pleasure as well as to develop acquaintance with techniques and terminology in the arts. Regular classroom lectures/discussions will be complemented by live performances and exhibits.

Study/Tutor Sessions

Weekday evening study halls and tutoring sessions are mandatory and are considered part of the academic program of LEAP.

Wednesday Workshops

Students meet each week with administrators and faculty from Academic and Student Affairs to develop specific college skills/topics such as:

• time management
• self-motivation
• personal responsibility
• leadership
• Saint Leo values

Field trips and community service will be a significant component of the course. The Wednesday sessions are mandatory and are considered part of the academic program of LEAP.

LEAP students are monitored during the first year for academic progress using the First Alert system, which sends notices to students' advisors and instructors throughout the semester so that early interventions may be initiated if needed. Students having difficulty in classes are required to meet with their advisor, attend study sessions and perhaps use the services of the Learning Resource Center.

Students who successfully complete fall semester with a grade point average of at least a 2.0 are exempt from mandatory study hall until mid-term grades are known. At that point, any LEAP student earning less than a 2.0 in any class is required to attend daily study hall and work with tutors.

Program Costs

The LEAP program costs approximately $2,350 which covers the following:

• Tuition for three (3) credits toward the General Education requirements
• Residence hall room
• Dining services
• Tutoring services and leadership training
• Social activities, including trips to local attractions tied to academic course work

The only additional costs will be for books (estimated at $300-$375*) and personal expenses.

*Costs listed are estimates and are subject to change.