All-Boys Catholic High School
Phasing System
At Salesianum, phasing seeks to intellectually challenge students in a positive learning environment among peers. Each student is placed in a particular phase in Religious Studies, English, Social Studies, Mathematics, World Languages, and Science. Differences between phases of the same course can include breadth and/or depth of content instruction, pacing, academic rigor, and homework expectations. Additionally, the expectations regarding compositions, analysis, research, and rhetorical capabilities differ among the phases. The characteristics of courses in each phase are as follows:
- College Prep Foundations (CP): CP courses with the “Foundations” designation are available in English, Mathematics, and Spanish for 9th and 10th-grade courses. Fundamentals are emphasized to develop foundations for success at the college level. Scheduling of these courses allows for the best student-teacher ratio available. These courses are characterized by reinforcement of study and organization skills, frequent assessments, scaffolding (moving students progressively toward greater understanding), and a variety of methodologies including guided discussion. Students build their composition, research, and rhetoric skills.
- College Prep (CP): CP courses emphasize fundamentals in preparation for the college level. Students are actively led toward greater academic independence. These courses are characterized by frequent assessments, scaffolding (moving students progressively toward greater understanding), and a variety of methodologies. Students build their composition, research, and rhetoric skills.
- Accelerated (AC): Accelerated courses are characterized by increased pace, depth, and connections among unit concepts. Students are cognitively engaged for independent work, and the instructor challenges students to rapidly reach higher-order thinking. Students consistently demonstrate their established composition, research, and rhetoric skills. When calculating GPAs, 0.2 points are added to AC courses.
- Honors (HN): Honors courses challenge students with exceptional content depth and complexity. Course tasks proceed rapidly from content introduction to higher-order thinking which challenges students to connect concepts and to apply knowledge to new situations. Formative assessment (monitoring student learning) is included, but summative assessment (evaluating student learning) drives the grading for these courses. Students should build upon established composition, research, and rhetoric skills and anticipate exceptionally rigorous expectations. When calculating GPAs, 0.3 points are added to HN courses.
- Advanced Placement (AP): These college-level courses are governed by the curriculum of the Advanced Placement Program (AP Program) of the College Board and all syllabi are College Board approved. For an AP course, after successful completion of the cumulative examination offered by the College Board, college credit or advanced standing may be granted. When calculating GPAs, 0.4 points are added to AP courses.
ACCREDITED BY MIDDLE STATES ASSOCIATION