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CB Academic Programs
College Prep Program
The College Prep (CP) program is a robust, four-year curriculum that prepares students for entrance to a four-year college or university. All incoming students meet qualifications for our rigorous college prep program. CBHS graduation requirements ensure that students are college-ready.
Accelerated College Prep Program
The CB Accelerated College Prep (ACP) program challenges high-achieving students with rigorous course offerings. Accelerated and Honors courses are preparatory courses for Advanced Placement and university courses. Those colleges and universities which make use of Honors and Advanced Placement credits may or may not add Honor credits according to their own policies. The most selective colleges and universities expect that students will successfully complete Honors and Advanced Placement courses.
Advanced Placement (AP) Courses
Christian Brothers participates in the nationwide Advanced Placement program of college level instruction in high school by offering Advanced Placement courses. Students enrolling in Advanced Placement courses must meet stated course and grade prerequisites and departmental approval. To maximize the likelihood of successfully completing these courses, students must demonstrate strong academic skills, high test scores, consistency of performance, and self-discipline. Advanced Placement courses are designed to prepare students for the AP exam. Students who do well on the AP exam may qualify for college credit upon entrance at participating colleges.
Since the culmination of these courses is the Advanced Placement examinations given in May, Christian Brothers requires all students enrolled in an Advanced Placement course to sit for the Advanced Placement examination in that subject, and students are responsible for the cost of each examination. AP exams are ordered each October, and therefore any AP courses added or dropped after that time will incur an approximate $40 late order or exam return fee from the College Board.
Engineering Program
Students in the Engineering Program complete a minimum of 6 semesters of Engineering courses. A student who successfully completes the program can waive 5 credits of a Health and Physical Education elective (not Health and Fitness). Students who successfully complete the program are recognized with the St. Patrick Engineering Award and recipients are recognized in the graduation program.
Students in the Music, Visual, and Performing Arts 4-Year Program complete a minimum of 8 semesters of MVPA courses. A student who successfully completes the program can waive 5 credits of a Health and Physical Education elective (not Health and Fitness). Students who successfully complete the program are recognized with the Brother George Van Grieken Art Award and recipients are recognized in the graduation program.
Scholars Program
Graduating as a Scholar is one of the CB’s highest distinctions. Scholar status is evidence to colleges that a student has taken the school’s most rigorous college preparatory curriculum in all subjects, is committed to achieving further excellence, and possesses personal integrity. Scholars develop their strengths and augment their passion for learning through a variety of opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom. Requirements of the Scholar Program: Freshmen who successfully complete the required freshmen year curriculum and (1) earn a grade point average of 3.5 or better the second semester and (2) a cumulative GPA for the year of 3.5 or better and (3) exhibit personal integrity are invited to become Scholars at the conclusion of freshman year. To maintain Scholar status, students must at all times exhibit personal integrity and earn a GPA of at least 3.85 each semester of Sophomore, Junior and Senior year. If a student does not qualify for Scholars based on courses taken as a Freshman; they may still be considered as a “probationary Scholar” as a Sophomore if the following criteria apply: (1) The student earned at least a 4.0 cumulative GPA as a Freshman. (2) The student is enrolled in all applicable accelerated courses as a Sophomore. (3) The student provides a written teacher recommendation to the Scholar program director. If these three requirements are met, the student will be considered a probationary Scholar as a Sophomore. He or she will not be able to participate in any Scholar activities as a Sophomore. If the student earns the necessary minimum of a 3.85 GPA for each semester of his/her Sophomore year, then he/ she will be welcomed fully into the program as a Junior and be able to participate in all activities moving forward (as long as Scholar status is maintained.)
