Camden Catholic High School seeks to meet students at their current levels of academic success and build their skills, knowledge, and critical abilities in order to encounter the challenges of life. To this end CCHS offers academic programs of study for students of various ability levels. As the course selection process commences, students should take stock of their accomplishments and select programs of study which best motivate them towards greater levels of academic distinction. The following programs of study are offered for the 2010-2011 academic year. Students will register for courses from several of these programs simultaneously depending on achievement and interest levels:
Advanced Placement Courses
These courses are developed at CCHS according to the standards set forth by the College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Program. The courses are among the most rigorous courses offered at CCHS, and are designed to culminate with the administration of the AP examination in May. AP exam fees are paid individually by the students. Students eligibility for these courses is the result of prior class work and teacher recommendations. Students will consult with their teachers regarding their readiness for the AP Exams.
Honors Courses
These courses are developed at CCHS to challenge students with a more demanding classroom experience that focuses on higher order thinking skills of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation, and require a greater commitment of time and effort on the student's part. In general, students move at a quicker pace, and study subjects in considerable depth. In order to remain in "Honors" level classes, students must maintain a "B" average and must secure the recommendation of their teacher. Freshmen are placed in "Honors" courses based on their performance on the incoming Freshman placement test. Any student moving from a regular level college prep course to an honors course must secure department approval.
College Prep Courses
These courses are developed at CCHS and aim to prepare students with the broad range of skills needed for collegiate study. Quantitative and qualitative skills are developed along with written and oral communication abilities, and a broad introduction to critical thinking. Students who engage the College Prep courses at CCHS are encouraged to continually challenge themselves as their abilities develop throughout their high school years.
Virtual High School
CCHS has partnered with Virtual High School, Inc. to offer students courses that are not offered in the CCHS curriculum. Students must meet with the Vice-Principal for Faculty and Curriculum and submit an application for consideration.
Tutorial Programs
When circumstances warrant, courses are conducted via a “tutorial model” as highly motivated and disciplined students interact with faculty in a specialized course alternating independent study time with formal seminar meetings.
Camden County Dual Credit Program
Camden Catholic High School is a participant in Camden County College’s Dual Credit Program. The courses included in this program are French III, French IV, Spanish III and Spanish IV. Information about enrolling in these courses is available in class during the first quarter.
Special Education Program
A program is offered at CCHS for those students who have been classified by a child study team and need a self-contained educational environment that provides:
- Academic instruction which focuses on the skills needed for self sufficiency as adults
- Vocational instruction which develops basic skills necessary for success on a job
- Religious and social instruction which stresses community and service to others
The Special Education students at CCHS develop a strong feeling of self worth through rewarding religious, academic, vocational, and social experiences.
The Senior Research Project
The Senior Research Project (SRP) is a basic study of a focused topic. Its purpose is to provide seniors with an opportunity to engage in research according to their own curiosity. It requires that seniors demonstrate the ability to research a topic using multiple research tools, such as the internet, online data bases, books, journal articles, periodicals, encyclopedias, and their service and work experience. The results of the research are presented as a webpage that combines both research skills and technological skills. In many senses they are detectives trying to discover what information is available about a topic, and then present and evaluate their results in a format that allows for a multi-media exploration of their topic. The Senior Research Project is worth 1 credit, and is averaged into each student's grade point average.