ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

[Graduation Requirements] [Honors] [AP]
[Florida Virtual School] [Summa] [Dual Enrollment]

Rationale
We believe in teaching the whole person.  Father Lopez Catholic offers a course of study that aims to provide for the ultimate growth of each student.  Pursuing Excellence isn’t just a slogan; it expresses a traditional goal of Catholic education for more than two centuries in America.  We believe in a broad-spectrum study program that says yes to learning:

Because a sound mind (critical thinking education) in a sound body (physical education) contributes to a healthy and productive life, Father Lopez Catholic High School expects every student to set optimum goals and to pursue excellence in the Catholic tradition.

Graduation Requirements:
Theology --------  4 credits  English ----------- 4 credits                                                           Mathematics (all students must take Geometry)---3 credits                  Science (all students must take Biology)-----3 credits                                Social Studies                                                                       World History-----  1 credit                                                          Geography -----   .5 credit American History ---- 1 credit                            Economics ----  .5 credit                                                                    American Government ---- .5 credit                                                      Foreign Language (sequential and same language) --- 2 credits         Performing Arts ---- .5 credit                                                      Practical Arts ---- 1 credit                                                            Personal Fitness and Physical Education  -----  1 credit                        Life Management Skills - Health  -----  .5 credit Elective Courses   -----  5.5 credits
Total 28 credits

 

A student who transfers to Father Lopez from another school in which Theology was not taught must earn credit in Theology for every semester in attendance at FATHER LOPEZ CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL but still must earn 28 total credits. [TOP]

Honors Courses
Honors courses are offered in English, mathematics, science, and social studies.  Students must have at least a B average in a subject, score in the top stanine on a standardized exam and/or receive teacher or department head recommendation to register. [TOP]

Advanced Placement Courses (AP)
Admission to Advanced Placement courses is by teacher recommendation that includes past performance in classes and standardized tests.  Advanced Placement courses are college level courses for the academically capable students taken on the Father Lopez campus.  At the end of each course, students will take the national exam. College credit or placement may be awarded depending upon the college or university a student attends.

AP Highlights (AP vs. IB)

AP / IB / Dual Enrollment Comparisons [TOP]

Florida Virtual School
Florida Virtual School is an accredited online learning high school that offers flexibility in scheduling for students who have failed a class and need to make up the credit, or for students to take a class not offered at FLCHS.  Visit www.flvs.net or contact the Guidance Office for more information. [TOP]

Summa Cum Laude Honors Program:
FATHER LOPEZ CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL offers a special four-year honors program called the SUMMA CUM LAUDE program for the advanced college-bound student.
The “Summa” program will accommodate specially gifted and advanced students by offering courses that challenge and reward them.  Realizing that a school should provide individualized education for the whole person, and knowing that certain talented students require more than the ordinary curriculum and extra-curricular activities can provide, F.L.C.H.S. proudly offers this accelerated honors course of study.  This four-year program will help the most gifted college-bound individuals prepare for a successful college career.

Requirements for the SUMMA CUM LAUDE DIPLOMA:

Scheduling:
Every student has an opportunity to select courses with the help from the guidance counselor, teachers, and parents.  If an irresolvable conflict exists, courses may be substituted without student notification.  For more complete information regarding course, scheduling and credit requirement, refer to the Course Description Catalog.

Class of 2008
Summa Cum Laude Candidates
37%of the class (25 of 68 seniors)

Average SAT

Critical Reading    584
Math                 601
Writing                 592

Average ACT

                                                 Composite              26

Top 10% Summa Candidates

 Average SAT

Critical  Reading         643
Math                          693
Writing                      646

Average ACT

                                             Composite                   28.5

[TOP]

Dual Enrollment:
Father Lopez students in 10th through 12th grades have the exciting opportunity to earn college credits while attending high school!  Our dual enrollment agreement with Daytona Beach Community College is expanding.  This program is offered at no additional tuition cost to you.  The only costs for the program are textbooks and some testing fees (see below).

The dual enrollment program is being developed as an effort to allow students to experience college-level classes in preparation for future AP classes and college coursework.  Students participating in this program are expected to do college-level work, and will be held to college standards for grading. 

Beginning in 2008-2009, full-year dual enrollment sequence classes (with the exception of the Student Success/Study Skills course) will count toward the AP course requirement for our Summa Cum Laude diploma.

Students enrolled in the dual enrollment program are considered Daytona Beach Community College Students.  With their DBCC ID card, they may use all DBCC facilities, participate in some sports and arts programs, and take night classes as desired... ALL FOR FREE!

Currently, about twenty students are taking several DBCC courses taught by qualified Father Lopez faculty members on our campus.  Students are now earning college credit for Senior English Composition (3 credits per semester: ENC 1101 and ENC 1102), Senior French (4 credits per semester: FRE 1121 and FRE 2220), and Student Success/Study Skills (3 credits for a one-semester course: SLS 1122).

Eligibility:
Students must have a minimum 3.0 unweighted cumulative G.P.A and passing scores from any one of the following tests to gain admission:

1. SAT:  440 Reading, 440 Math
2. ACT:  18 Reading, 17 Writing, 19 Math
3. CPT:  (DBCC College Placement Test) 83 Reading, 83 Writing, 72 Math

The CPT should be taken at the end of the student’s freshman or sophomore year in order to begin dual enrollment classes in the fall.  Contact DBCC Assessment Services at (386) 506-3067 to arrange for a testing date.

Students interested in dual enrollment will meet with the Father Lopez Dual Enrollment Coordinator in the spring.  At that meeting, registration and testing information and instructions will be provided. 

Beginning in 2008-2009, we will expand our dual enrollment offerings: 

• Dual enrollment eligible students having completed Honors English the previous year with a minimum B average may enroll in English Composition.

1. 3 credits per semester: ENC 1101 and ENC 1102. 
2. These courses will provide a great foundation for AP English in the senior year or for college.

• Dual enrollment eligible students having taken the CPT for placement may enroll in College Algebra (MAC 1105) and then Pre-Calculus Algebra (MAC 1140).

1. 3 credits for each one-semester course:  MAC 1105 and MAC 1140. 
2. These courses will provide a foundation for AP Calculus or for college.

• Dual enrollment eligible rising juniors having completed French or Spanish 2 with a minimum B average for the year may enroll in Junior French or Spanish.

1. 4 credits per semester: FRE or SPN 1120 and FRE or SPN 1121. 
2. These courses are prerequisites for the 2009-2010 dual enrollment French and Spanish courses.

• Dual enrollment eligible rising seniors having completed French or Spanish 3 with a minimum B average for the year may enroll in Senior French or Spanish. Students must also complete the Assessment of Prior Learning Experience (APLE Test – a $25 fee is charged) at DBCC at the end of their junior year.  The Father Lopez Dual Enrollment Coordinator will schedule this for the entire group.
  
• 4 credits per semester: FRE or SPN 1121 and FRE or SPN 2220. 

• These courses are excellent preparation for advanced French and Spanish coursework in college. [TOP]