Course Levels
Saint Joseph's Catholic Academy has designed every level of courses to meet the specific needs of the individual student at his/her ability. The distinguishing criteria between College Prep, Honors and Advanced Placement courses include the following: strategies of presentation, amount of content material, assignments, degree of independent work and testing. The following can be used as a guide to the different levels:
- College Prep (CP) - for the average and above college-preparatory student who can also assume some responsibility for working independently.
- Honors (H) - for the student who is capable of learning much beyond the ordinary content of a course and who assumes the responsibility of working independently. This designation is also used for students who successfully complete an Advanced Placement course but elect not to take the AP exam for that course.
- Advanced Placement (AP) - intended for those subjects for which advanced standing or advanced placement may be given in college. Students enrolled in these courses may choose to take the AP exam at their own expense. Those who successfully complete the course but do not take the exam will be credited with the course as an Honors-level course. Credit at the higher-education level is determined by the score earned and by the policy of the institution, not by the AP program or SJCA.
Higher Education Admissions
Students should be aware that admission requirements and practices vary from college to college. It is important that students and their parents begin early in the high school career to become aware of the policies enforced by the colleges students hope to attend. Honors and/or AP courses are preferred. Requirements for very competitive colleges, universities and military academies include:
| English | 4 years |
| Mathematics | 4 years |
| Science | 4 years |
| Social Studies | 4 years |
| World Language | 4 years * |
* World Language expectations vary widely from institution to institution. Students must verify the expectations of any potential institution of higher education. Colleges may require academic exposure to more than one language.
