01St. Mary’s Online Academy

St. Mary's Online Academy (SMOA) is a global online learning platform offered by St. Mary's School, a renowned U.S. private preparatory school located in Medford, Oregon.

Our school started in 1865 in southern Oregon, located on the beautiful west coast of the United States of America. St. Mary's School has grown to provide an authentic American elementary, middle, and high school education to students in China, South Korea, Vietnam, and other parts of the world. Our integrated online courses are taught by an experienced American faculty whose skills and commitment are second to none.

We take pride in the program we deliver to your child! Courses are taught during normal school hours in Asian standard time. Online and offline learning networks are available to students.Live classroom and in-person, on-campus instruction is available.Students choose to attend online learning only or a combined offline/onsite learning environment. Students earn credits and receive transcripts and diplomas from St. Mary's School in Oregon.We offer a strong, professional and experienced bilingual tutoring team available to your student.One-to-one academic guidance and family education consultation is offered to all SMOA students and families. Our program provides a one-stop solution for students and parents interested in international education who want a full range of options and services.

02Credits Certificate
All Credits are issued through St. Mary's Oregon in the US:
03Prerequisites
Grade 9-12
04Teacher Info

A St. Mary's alumnus (Class of 2000) and teacher (beginning in 2008), Nicholas Francis Phillips, J.D. also serves St. Mary's School as its General Counsel. This year, Mr. Phillips is teaching Spanish 1, Speech and Debate and Introduction to the US Legal System. After graduating from Brown University magna cum laude with a BA with Honors in History and Classics (Latin), Mr. Phillips earned an MA in US History from the University of Oregon specializing in the Cold War and Spanish. He taught Latin and helped establish the Confucius Classroom at St. Mary's School, then attended law school at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). He practiced law in Tokyo as in-house counsel for Mabuchi Motor Co. Ltd. for several years before returning to St. Mary's to teach courses in the Humanities, assist with the boarding program and summer camps, and provide legal advice to the school administration. He enjoys kung fu, Buddhist meditation, computer games, hiking in the mountains, and various activities with his wife and infant son. He speaks Mandarin Chinese.

05Topics

Topics have included: Does social media contribute to teenage suicide?; Should teachers be allowed to carry guns on campuses?; Is the legalization of certain drugs like marijuana or psilocybin a good idea?; Resolved: All people should become vegetarian; Resolved: Former felony offenders should be allowed to retain their voting rights; Should children use smartphones without parental supervision?; Will robots increase people’s quality of life?; Is mandatory vaccination constitutional?; Has globalization and our increased mobility changed the way we view vacations?; Can high profitability justify environmentally hazardous practices?; Ancient Roman culture versus contemporary culture, which produces better citizens?; Do fairy tales affect children’s perception of reality?

06Course Objectives
Develop the basic fundamentals of speech and non-verbal communication;
understand fundamental speech skills and core group dynamics;
view a variety of communication in a professional setting;
develop good listening and skills of a focused audience;
create a sense of confidence in the delivery of yourself and the topic you are presenting;
learn to listen with an open mind and evaluate the delivery and not just the message;
develop proper technique in forming an opinion and expressing your beliefs;
development of your speech through discussion and proper research.