Last year, St. Michael’s Catholic Academy offered students French travel during a break.[/caption]

St. Michael’s Catholic Academy, 3000 Barton Creek Blvd., Austin, announced Sept. 1 that students will be required to attend a half-credit academic course from Jan. 4-22.

The inaugural winter term will enable students to immerse themselves in a subject not offered through the main curriculum, Humanities Chairman Heidi Sloan said.

The school is offering students three categories of coursework that fulfill this term requirement including mini-courses at the Austin campus, internships and travel, she said.

“We are opening up this winter term to give students the opportunity to pursue an interest or skill they wouldn’t have time to do otherwise,” Sloan said.

Students are consumed with completing their required coursework during the fall and spring semesters, with little time to consider other academic pursuits, she said. For instance, the winter term will offer courses in Austin on ornithology and scientific inquiry, she said.

“[Winter term] is a short time, but I really think it will be very impactful for students,” Sloan said.