Program of Studies

The human person is created for happiness. The Theology Department aims to assist and accompany the young men of DeMatha Catholic High School to that end. The mission of the Theology Department is to help the student grow closer to Christ. This is accomplished through the study of Scripture, Church Teaching, Christian Spirituality, Philosophy, and Moral Theology. The Theology Department partners with the Campus Ministry Office in its care for our students. The primary concern of the Theology Department is the spiritual formation of the students of DeMatha.

Graduation Requirements: 4 Credits
Students entering after the 9th grade earn 1 credit each year at DeMatha

Course Offerings:

• Grade 9: The Search for God
• Grade 10: The Living Word
• Grade 11: Christian Ethics/Sacraments
• Grade 12: Catholic Tradition and Social Teaching

It is the position of the English Department that every student must develop an understanding of himself and how he relates to the persistent questions with which Humanity has coped over the years so that he might discover how he can create a place for himself in the dynamic and increasingly complex modern world. The department believes that a careful examination of literature can assist in the development of these insights.

The department also insists that a student must master a variety of language skills if he is to participate competently in our society. Among these are the ability to read well, to interpret logically, and to communicate effectively in both oral and written expression.

Graduation Requirements: 4 Credits
These include only English 9, American Literature, World Literature, and British Literature plus a Senior Seminar

Course Offerings:

• English 9/Honors English 9
• American Literature/Honors American Literature
• World Liturature/Honors World Literature
• Literature and Composition/Honors Literature and Composition

Electives

• AP Literature and Composition
• Film Study
• Digital Journalism
• Speech
• Mythology
• Creative Writing
• Video Broadcast Journalism
• The Road to Civil Rights – Summer Class

Extracurricular

• Poetry Out-Loud Competition
• Book Club

The Social Studies program can be divided into two components. The first is to devise a course of studies that gives our college bound students the skills they will need to succeed in college. The other component is more difficult. The faculty hopes to instill in our students a life-long appreciation for, and enjoyment of, the many disciplines within the Social Studies curriculum. We would like our graduates to interact with their world and society in a thoughtful and empathetic manner. In order to achieve such lofty goals the following approach is used.

To help students succeed in college, great emphasis is placed on skill development. Basic skills such as reading, outlining, organization of materials and some research skills are taught. In various degrees throughout the curriculum, critical thinking skills, attitude formation, decision-making and values education are stressed.

Graduation Requirements: 3 Credits
These include World History or AP Human Geography, U.S. History, and Government

Course Offerings:

• World History/Honors World History
• United States History/Honors United States History
• Government/Law, Honors Government

Electives:

• Economics
• General Psychology
• Understanding 9/11
• Criminal Justice
• History of China
• AP World History
• AP Economics
• AP Government
• AP Comparative Government and Politics
• AP European History: Independent Study
• AP Human Geography
• AP United States History
• AP African American Studies
   

The Mathematics Department strives primarily to provide the student with a solid foundation in mathematics, an appreciation for the discipline, and the preparation he needs both for his ongoing education and for his adult responsibilities. Each student will be taught to express himself and to communicate in the world of mathematics. In the early classes much emphasis is placed on study skills, critical thinking, and the writing of mathematical expressions. 

Real life applications are a large part of all courses. In the upper level courses the use of a graphing calculator is required. Realizing various individual needs, abilities, and goals which a student brings to the classroom, the department strives not only to present the best possible programs, but also to motivate. to teach, to encourage and to guide all students in the pursuit of mathematical proficiency. Thus, the department offers a program of study which contains courses sophisticated enough to challenge the brightest of students, and at the same time, developmental courses to help those who show some math deficiency.

Graduation Requirements: 4 Credits

Course Offerings:

• Algebra 1, Part 1
• Algebra 1, Part 2
• Algebra 1/Honors Algebra 1
• Geometry/Honors Geometry
• Algebra 2/Honors Algebra 2
• Trigonometry
• Pre-Calculus/Honors Pre-Calculus
• Statistics
• AP Calculus AP
• AP Calculus BC
• AP Statistics

The Computer Science and Engineering Department strives to prepare students with a strong foundation in technology use for their educational purposes, both in high school and college. The courses offered allow students to learn to program as well as enhance opportunities to learn popular software applications and discover new applications on the rise.

Students who exhibit high aptitude and interest in the math and science fields are highly encouraged to pursue the advanced level courses in computer programming. These courses offer complete instruction in various programming languages and will assist students in the related fields of math, science and technology. Admission to these courses must be approved by the Department Chair or, in the case of Computer Programming 1, your current math teacher.

Computer Science Course Offerings:

• Honors Computer Programming 1
• Honors Computer Programming 2
• Advanced Programming 1
• Advanced Programming 2
• AP Computer Science
• Mobile App Design and Development

Engineering/Robotics Course Offerings:

• Introduction to Engineering
• Robotics
• Advanced Robotics
• Introduction to Prototyping
• Honors Robotics
• Engineering Design
• Honors Engineering Design
• Advanced Engineering Design

Extracurricular:
Robotics and Engineering Clubs
 

Science is concerned with the general conditions, laws and order which are observed to regulate the physical phenomena of the universe. It is the goal of the Department of Sciences to assist its students in acquiring the necessary analytical tools by which contemporary science interprets, understands and explains the human experience of physical reality. This can only be achieved by being faithful to the rigid criteria of a scientific methodology currently employed by the scientific community.

Graduation Requirements: 3 Credits (4 are recommended)

Course Offerings:

• Biology/Honors Biology
• Chemistry/Honor Chemistry
• Health – 1/2 credit required for graduation

Electives:

• Physics/Honors Physics
• Honors Anatomy
• Marine Biology
• Forensic Science
• AP Biology
• AP Physics
• AP Chemistry
• AP Environmental Science

Extracurricular:
Ecology Club

Graduation Requirements: 1/2 credit

Music

The music curriculum includes five concert bands, three chorus, three percussion ensembles, three string orchestras, six levels of music theory, and a History of Rock and Roll class. 

The Music Program has received national and international acclaim. 

Course Offerings:

• Concert Band
• Wind Ensemble
• Symphonic Band
• Advanced Percussion
• Concert Band 1
• Concert Band 2
• Percussion 1
• Percussion 2
• DeMatha Singers 9
• DeMatha Harmonics
• Voices of DeMatha
• Concert Strings
• Sinfonia
• Concert Strings 1
• Advance Music Theory and Ear Training 1,2,3,4,5,6 (semester class)

Extracurricular:
Pep Band – plays before all home basketball games.

Visual Arts

The Visual Arts Program is divided into two areas: creative arts and photography. From Fundamentals of Drawing to Advanced Photoshop, students are encouraged to analyze visual messages and construct works of art and design balanced in composition and organized by elements and principles of design. Each spring the department sponsors and Art Show on campus, displaying the works of students, parents and faculty.

Course Offerings:

• Fundamental Art
• Drawing
• Painting
• Ceramics
• 2D Animation Production Pipeline
• Advanced Art
• Digital Photography
• Digital Photography 2

Extracurricular:

• Photography Club
• DeMatha Players Theatre Group

Completion of a minimum of three levels of the same world language is required for all students for graduation from DeMatha Catholic High School. This course of study affords students the time needed to thoroughly develop their language skills. Although many colleges, universities and institutions of higher education with more competitive entrance standards look more favorably on students with three years of a world language, four years or more of language study are recommended for students with the appropriate verbal skills. In addition, students are expected to continue Level 1 language study until it is passed with at least a “C” average before moving on to Level 2 (see individual course descriptions).

Graduation Requirements: 3 credits in the same world language

Course Offerings:

• Spanish 1/Honors Spanish 1
• Spanish 2/Honors Spanish 2
• Spanish 3/Honors Spanish 3
• Honors Spanish 4
• AP Spanish
• Honors French 1, 2, 3
• AP French
• Honors Latin 1, 2, 3
• AP Latin 4
• Honors Mandarin Chinese 1, 2, 3, 4

Extracurricular:
World Travel

The purpose of the DeMatha Way is to introduce new students to the history, tradition, mission and philosophy of the DeMatha Catholic High School community as well as the founders of the school, the Trinitarian Order. The curriculum will include practical instruction in topics such as study skills, exam preparation, public speaking, use of DeMatha specific technology, and research skills.  The class will extend beyond the academic providing opportunities for team building, on many different levels, and leadership development.  Its focus will be to build a foundation on which our students will begin their journey toward becoming faith-filled Gentlemen and Scholars.