Academic Program

 

ACADEMIC PHILOSOPHY

Holy Cross High School endeavors to serve the academic, religious and social needs of students.  In a college preparatory environment, Holy Cross High School promotes 21st century learning for today’s digital learners. In a 21st century learning environment, all students are able to learn.  Holy Cross promotes the use of student centered learning and the use of technology to function as the catalyst for literacy, problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, and innovation. 

Holy Cross offers as 1:1 Tablet PC Program that allows students to use Web 2.0 tools to engage in learning tasks that involve creation, manipulation, innovation, and knowledge construction.  Similarly, the faculty experiences ongoing technology training in order to provide learning experiences that meet the needs of all students.  Using Promethean Activboards, teachers are able to provide greater opportunities for student participation and collaboration. 

Holy Cross supports the commitment to the development of a lifelong learner and empowers both its students and faculty members to continue learning through various academic opportunities.

 

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

Holy Cross requires students to take a minimum number of core courses in each academic department.  This traditional educational approach is complemented by array of elective offerings, a community service requirement, as well as a faith-based requirement.  The academic program is comprised of more than fifty course offerings and is subdivided into:

  • Advanced Placement and Honors:

These courses are offered to students who have met high achievement standards

 

  • College Prep: 

These courses are offered to all students.

Holy Cross now offers 32 courses and to graduate students must accumulate 160 credits. 

Holy Cross High School recommends the following program for attendance at a four-year college or university:

 

Number of Credits

Content Area

20 (5 credits each year)

English

20

Electives in Core Content Areas

15-20

Mathematics

10

Physical Education

20 (5 credits each year)

Religion

15-20 (10 credits in Lab Sciences)

Science

10

US History I and II

 

5-10

Visual and Performing Arts

and/or

Practical Arts

10 (in same language)

World Language

5

World History

 

SERVICE HOURS REQUIREMENT

Holy Cross believes it is important that students see their faith as a lived experience and see service as an integral part of their Christian lifestyle.  All students are required to perform community service hours before advancing to the next year of study.

  • Students must obtain written verification of service given on the letterhead of the organization, stating the type of service and the number of hours served
  • Students may not receive compensation for their service
  • Hours must be performed for the benefit of a community- either school or local 

 

Service Hours Required:

Freshman          10 hours

Sophomores      15 hours

Juniors              20 hours

Seniors             25 hours

 

ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITIES

Holy Cross High School offers its students and community members many opportunities to enhance learning.  In a college preparatory setting, students are motivated and encouraged to challenge one another and to grow through hard work and determination.  Our wealth of resources and dedicated educators will assist students to reach their full potential.

 

  • Princeton Review
  • Academic Tutoring
  • Catapult Services
  • AP Testing
  • College Credit Courses
  • Career Navigation
  • National Honor Society
  • College Club