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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 to earn college credit while completing Carmel Catholic graduation requirements. Credits earned may be transferable to four-year colleges or universities. Illinois legislation mandates acceptance of dual credit by Illinois public universities.

These courses aim 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 cost $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 2023-24 school year:

College of Lake County

Introduction to Business
English Composition 
Computer Science 
Computer Science Principles
Criminal Justice
Criminal Law
Environmental Biology
Principles of Macroeconomics
Principles of Microeconomics*
Business: Principles of Management**
Accounting
Spanish: Latin American History & Culture
Spanish Film & Language

Loyola University

Chemistry
Chinese 1 & 2
Human Ecological Footprint
Introduction to Education**
Latin

Rochester School of Technology or Missouri School of Science and Technology 

Introduction to Engineering
Introduction to Engineering for Women
Principles of Engineering
Aerospace Engineering
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Engineering Design and Development
Digital Electronics

*Rotates with Macroecon; Microecon available 2024-25

**New for 2023-24

For additional information about Carmel’s Dual Credit courses, please consult the 2023-24 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.