St. Mary Catholic Central High School 2025-2026 Course Description Handbook - Course Requirements and Advanced Placement & Honors

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Fahsai

St. Mary Catholic Central High School 2025-2026 Course Description Handbook outlines graduation credit expectations, course selection requirements, and supplemental graduation obligations including annual retreats, community service hours, and job shadowing. It explains Honors and Advanced Placement pathways, how honor points affect GPA calculations, and why these offerings accelerate learning and raise academic responsibility. The handbook also introduces course offerings across departments with specific course descriptions, grade levels, and credit values.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages25

Reading Time1 h 3 min

AccessFree to download

Department Courses

Theology

Business Education

English

Fine & Practical Arts

Modern Languages

Math

Music

Physical Education

Science

Social Studies

Online, Dual Credit and College Course Program

Graduation Requirements

Advanced Placement and Honors Courses

Administration

St. Mary Catholic Central High School 2025-2026 Course Description Handbook Forming the Next Generation of Disciples, Scholars, and Servant Leaders. Table of Contents Page 03 05 06 09 11 Department Theology Business Education English Fine & Practical Arts Modern Languages 13 16 17 18 21 24 Math Music Physical Education Science Social Studies Online, Dual Credit and College Course Program Graduation Requirements Students are expected to take courses required for graduation at SMCC: Theology English Social Studies Mathematics Science Computers Fine & Practical Arts Physical Education Health Modern Language 4 credits 4 credits 3 credits 4 credits (must include Algebra II) 3 credits (must include Chemistry)½ credit of Computer Technology 1 credit ½ credit (by class or athletic participation)½ credit 2 credits (must be the same language) A total of 24 credits are required for graduation. Additional graduation requirements include one school sponsored retreat per year and 40 community service hours over four years, as well as a job shadowing experience. Advanced Placement and Honors Courses Honors Courses earn an additional 0.5 honor point. Advanced Placement, Direct College, and College Dual Enrollment courses earn an additional 1.00 honor point. A student’s grade point average (GPA) is computed by adding the honor points for each course and dividing that sum by the total number of courses. The GPA is rounded off at one hundredths for the quarter and semester grades. A student’s cumulative (career) GPA is computed as described above using only the final semester grades for each semester throughout high school. The purpose of Advanced Placement classes and Honors classes is to challenge students to excel in specific disciplines above and beyond the expectations of the regular classroom. Advanced Placement and Honors courses are provided as an option at SMCC for students who exhibit a high ability in a subject and who learn at an accelerated rate. These courses are designed to academically challenge students beyond the standard curriculum. Advanced Placement and Honors courses cover more material at a quicker pace, while challenging students to think and process at a deeper level. Advanced Placement and Honors classes are expected to be demanding, since discussion, homework, class work, and testing is ata greater level of difficulty and complexity. Students are expected to exhibit a higher degree of academic and personal maturity as well as more responsibility for their own learning. Students may choose to take the Advanced Placement Exam in May; students earning a 3, 4, or 5 on an Advanced Placement Exam may qualify for college credit. Administration Sean Jorgensen President (734) 241-7622 x 300 [sjorgensen@smccmonroe.com](sjorgensen@smccmonroe.com) Counselors Erin Johnson Director of Student Services (734) 241-7622 x 415 [ejohnson@smccmonroe.com](ejohnson@smccmonroe.com) Joe Carroll Principal (734) 241-7622 x 301 [joecarroll@smccmonroe.com](joecarroll@smccmonroe.com) Bridget Beattie-Smith College Counselor (734) 241-7622 x 414 [bbeattie-smith@smccmonroe.com](bbeattie-smith@smccmonroe.com) Scott Ferrier Assistant Principal (734) 241-7622 x 302 [sferreir@smccmonroe.com](sferreir@smccmonroe.com) Joe Boggs Director of Mission and Ministry (734) 241-7622 x 305 [j](jboggs@smccmonroe.com)[boggs@smccmonroe.com](jboggs@smccmonroe.com) Jared Janssen Athletic Director (734) 241-7622 x 304 [j](jjanssen@smccmonroe.com)[janssen@smccmonroe.com](jjanssen@smccmonroe.com) St. Mary Catholic Central High School 108 W. Elm Ave Monroe, MI 48162 734-241-7622 [www.smccmonroe.com](www.smccmonroe.com) Theology 938 Sacred Scriptures Grade level: 9 Credit: 0.5 (Required) This course is a one semester course intended to give students general knowledge and appreciation of Sacred Scripture. Through the study of

FAQs

What are the main graduation requirements at SMCC for 2025-2026?

Students must complete required courses totaling 24 credits and meet additional requirements including one school sponsored retreat per year, 40 community service hours over four years, and a job shadowing experience.

How do Honors and Advanced Placement courses affect GPA?

Honors courses add 0.5 honor point, while Advanced Placement, Direct College, and College Dual Enrollment add 1.00 honor point. GPA is calculated from honor points divided by the total number of courses.

What is the purpose of Advanced Placement and Honors courses at SMCC?

They are designed to challenge students beyond the regular curriculum by covering more material faster and requiring deeper thinking. They also expect higher academic and personal maturity, responsibility, and greater difficulty in coursework and testing.

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Fahsai