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College-Prep Curriculum

A College-Preparatory Curriculum Tailored for Every Student

Encouraging inquiry and discovery, Carmel Catholic provides the academic rigor, artistic exploration and spiritual enrichment to prepare students for college and beyond. Our innovative programming guides and supports individual pursuits, challenging students to embrace all they can become.

Course Levels

We offer courses in five levels to meet the learning needs of our students.

Dual Credit: Learn once, earn twice

 

Carmel Catholic’s Dual Credit program allows hard working, high achieving, responsible students the opportunity to earn college credit while completing Carmel graduation requirements. Credits earned may be transferable to four-year colleges or universities. Illinois legislation mandates acceptance of dual credit by Illinois public universities.

The goal of these courses is to provide rigor that will prepare students for the college experience. Dual Credit courses are taught by qualified Carmel instructors who employ approved curricula from our partner colleges and universities. Courses are generally offered to juniors and seniors who meet GPA and other readiness indicators required by the college.

 

Dual Credit courses are weighted on a 5.0 scale, the same as AP courses. 

 

Some Dual Credit courses require an additional expense beyond Carmel tuition. For example, courses through Loyola University incur a cost of $65 per credit hour. Dual Credit courses through the College of Lake County are free. Credit hour costs are assessed directly by the partnering institution, not by CCHS. 

 

Carmel offers these Dual Credit courses for the 2024-25 school year:

 

COLLEGE OF LAKE COUNTY

Composition 

Computer Science 

Computer Science Principles

Criminal Justice

Criminal Law

Business: Principles of Management

Introduction to Business

Spanish: Latin American History & Culture

Spanish Film & Language

 

LOYOLA UNIVERSITY

Chemistry

English Literature & Composition

Introduction to Education

 

ROCHESTER SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY or 

MISSOURI SCHOOL OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 

Introduction to Engineering

Introduction to Engineering for Women

Principles of Engineering

Aerospace Engineering

Civil Engineering and Architecture

Engineering Design and Development

Digital Electronics

Capstone


For additional information about Carmel’s Dual Credit courses, please consult the 2024-25 Course Guide, speak with a current Dual Credit teacher, or talk to a counselor.

Advanced Placement (AP) courses are for the highest achieving students based upon standardized tests and coursework; these courses are college level. See course descriptions for possible test requirements and fees.
Honors College Preparatory (H) courses are for students showing a higher level of achievement through both standardized tests and coursework.
Upper College Preparatory (UCP) courses are for students whose standardized tests/coursework indicates a standard level of achievement.
College Preparatory (CP) courses are for students needing to progress at a foundational level or whose achievement on standardized tests/coursework indicates a need for additional support.
Course Guide
Course Placement
Placement of students into the appropriate level is critical to supporting their progress, learning, and success. Our level placement process aims to help students progress, learn and succeed. Students typically move up to higher course levels throughout their four years of study.
 
Freshman levels are determined by student achievement on the High School Placement Test. Incoming freshmen can take additional proficiency assessments in English, mathematics or world languages to provide more specific evidence for placement.
 
Placement for sophomore, junior, and senior courses is determined by course prerequisites; these benchmarks are indicative of the foundational content and skills needed for success.
 
Students aspiring to move into higher levels in the future should work toward meeting the prerequisites for upperclassman courses. Upon acquisition of foundational knowledge and skills, upward level mobility is possible in most departments. Students, parents, teachers, and department chairs review levels and prerequisite foundations in the fall and winter. Initial placement for the following year is based upon these student performance reviews.
Rotation Schedule
Carmel Catholic High School uses a university model rotation schedule with class periods meeting twice every three days.
 

  • Homeroom is embedded within first period, which is 15 minutes longer than other class periods, allowing for prayer and announcements

  • Passing periods are seven minutes

  • Advisory periods occur daily between first and second periods. Advisory periods involve student leaders engaging peers in prepared lessons covering academics, socio-emotional wellness, faith formation, culture and career/college preparedness.

Accreditation
 
Carmel Catholic is fully accredited by the Illinois State Board of Education, the National Catholic Education Association, and Cognia.