Academic Programs
Central Catholic High School is a private co-educational, comprehensive and college preparatory school. Central Catholic’s comprehensive academic programs have always been based on sound Christian principles and values. Further, the school’s philosophy challenges us to continue to grow to meet the needs of our students. Our schedule and offerings are examples of that commitment to academic growth centered in a quality Catholic environment.
Central Catholic High School is one of the largest co-educational, college prep Catholic high schools in Ohio. Central Catholic celebrates its diversity and recognizes how diversity in the school environment helps build well-rounded students prepared for the real world. CCHS is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, the Ohio Catholic Schools Accrediting Association, and the State of Ohio.
CCHS is the only Catholic high school in Ohio to have been named a U.S. Department of Education “School of Excellence” twice – in 1991 and 1998. The Science Department has earned the Governor’s Award in Youth Science Opportunities for 13 consecutive years.
College Preparatory Curriculum
Students may earn an honors college-prep, college-prep or a standard diploma. Within this curriculum, CCHS offers over 30 advanced placement and honors courses. The honors college-prep diploma reflects our most rigorous academic program. The college-prep curriculum is geared to meet the admissions requirements at private and public institutions. The curriculum also includes the standard diploma course offerings required by the State of Ohio. To best serve each student’s academic needs, Central Catholic offers a diverse curriculum. Our counselors evaluate placement tests, departmental diagnostic tests, teacher recommendations, and parental input to identify the course of study that is best for each individual. Following is a description of our curriculum:
Honors College Prep
The Honors College Prep program is specially designed for the superior academic student. This program assists students in developing higher levels of critical thinking skills and intellectual creativity that will lead to unconditional acceptance to highly selective colleges. The Honors program emphasizes learning that crosses subject lines in arts, religion, literature, math, and natural and social sciences. Classes provide superior students with more challenging materials and opportunities to excel by interacting vigorously with their intellectual peers and instructors.
Students will achieve their goals through independent study, greater concentration on research, creative thinking, and courses requiring higher levels of thought. They also broaden their knowledge of each honors subject and become proficient in communication skills by completing more challenging homework, advanced reading, and library research assignments.
Because of the additional work involved in the Honors program, grades A, B, and C earn an extra point for the student’s grade point average. Advanced placement (AP) courses are special honors courses. These classes have been designed by a national organization of college instructors and high school teachers. They provide students with intensive college-level instruction. Students who successfully complete AP courses and pass the AP exam given in May can receive college credit for their work.
You may earn college credits by taking the following Advanced Placement courses:
- A.P. Literature and Composition -A.P. Psychology
- A.P. Language and Composition -A.P. U.S. Government
- A.P. Calculus -A.P. European History
Post-secondary options are also available at Lourdes College, Owens Community College, and the University of Toledo. Students must have a 3.5 grade point average, an opening in their schedule, and they must have passed all proficiency tests. Students can earn both high school and college credit.
Accelerated College Prep
The accelerated curriculum is designed for students who more quickly grasp course material and concepts. Courses are demanding with above-average workload and expectations. The accelerated curriculum successfully prepares students for post secondary education.
College Prep
This curriculum is the standard college-prep level course of studies. This level of study prepares students for college work, but not in the intensive manner as the honors and accelerated programs. Counselors also have the flexibility to recommend a more basic course of study for students overall or in specific subject areas. Within this curriculum, instructors utilize different methods and materials to meet the individual needs of students. This curriculum prepares students for admission to most post-secondary programs.
Academic Honor Roll
At the end of each quarter, academic honors are awarded to students who have performed superior work in the classroom.
Summa Cum Laude (First Honors) – Granted to students with a quarterly GPA of 3.90 or higher.
Magna Cum Laude (Second Honors) – Granted to students with a quarterly GPA of 3.50 to 3.89.
Cum Laude (Third Honors) – Granted to students with a quarterly GPA of 3.10 to 3.49.
Academic Letters
Academic letters are awarded as a visible way of recognizing outstanding academic achievement. Students can earn an academic letter by earning first or second honors for a minimum of seven quarters. For each additional three quarters that a student earns first or second honors, they will earn a “Lamp of Learning” pin.
Insignis Society
Central Catholic presents this award to the outstanding scholars in the senior and junior classes and it is based on the current class rank. This award is given to the top 12 seniors and top 11 juniors.
National Honor Society
Sophomores, juniors and seniors become candidates for NHS by attaining a high cumulative grade point average. The faculty votes on membership according to four criteria: scholarship, leadership, service and character. NHS members are inducted in the fall.
Regents’ Scholar Program
The Regents’ Scholar Program has two primary goals: (1) to assist honors level students in developing higher levels of critical thinking skills and intellectual creativity which will lead to success informal education beyond high school; and (2) to include enrichment which will cross subject lines in arts, literature, composition, mathematics, and the natural and social sciences.
Entrance Requirements:
- Juniors may apply after the beginning of the 11th grade. A completed application must be submitted by September 30 to be considered.
- Students must be members of the National Honor Society. A minimum 4.0 cumulative GPA is required.
- Candidates must be pursuing an Honors College Prep Diploma.
- Applicants must nbe members of the CCHS community in good standing. Students on disciplinary, attendance or academic probation are not eligible.
- Parents will receive written notification of the selection of student into the Regents’ Scholars Program and the guidelines for membership.
Requirements to Remain in the Program:
- Students must maintain a 4.00 GPA.
- Students must be on track for an honors diploma.
- Students must be in good standing. Students placed on disciplinary, attendance or academic probation would be dropped. Dismissal from the program can occur at any time for the major violation of school policy.
The Regents’ Scholar Program encourages a love of learning and will provide a stimulus to continue to learn. Independent thinking based on a solid foundation of knowledge is emphasized. Further, the program endeavors to assist the students in gaining the wisdom to be sound decision makers and to develop the moral virtues that contribute to the students’ growth as Christian leaders in the community.
Members will be recognized with a gold tassel at graduation and acknowledged in the graduation program,
Special Academic Programs
Special academic programs offered at Central Catholic include the Learning Disabilities Program and “Project 100.” A limited number of seats are available in these programs.
Students with specific learning disabilities are scheduled into classes that meet their individual needs and the specific requirements of their IEP’s. Students will be scheduled into a resource room where the SLD instructor will help them in their areas of identification. These students are included in our regular curriculum and receive small group or individual assistance during their resource period.
Students must meet requirements determined by State of Ohio guidelines for a marked discrepancy between academic ability and achievement. All referrals must be scheduled through the school’s assistant principal.
“Project 100″ is a unique curricular program designed to meet the needs of academically“at risk” students. Services to the “Project 100″ students are delivered in the normal classroom setting with individualized instruction and assistance available. Space is limited to 15 students and specific requirements must be met for admission into this program.The principal, school psychologist, learning specialist and “Project100” teachers screen all applications.
Contact our L.D. specialists and Project 100 coordinators for more information about these specialized programs.
Math Lab
Students who would like to spend additional time on math can attend Math Lab on Tuesdays from 3:10 to 5:00 p.m. in room 322 with Mr. Jeff Hartman.
Science Lab
Students who would like additional help in science can attend Science Lab on Wednesdays from 3:10 to 4:00 p.m. in room 314 with Mr. Chad Roberts.
