Academics
Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School has a tradition of academic exce
llence. Each year, over 98% of our graduates attend colleges and universities around the country and typically receive scholarships totaling over $3,000,000. ACT and SAT scores are always well above state and national norms. Our curriculum consists of over 100 courses. Many of the core curriculum courses are offered on multiple levels.
The average school day consists of six 55-minute classes, a 30-minute tutorial program and a 35-minute lunch period. Progress reports are issued every six weeks with a final grade assigned each semester.
Advanced placement (AP) courses give students the opportunity to do college-level work in high school and gain valuable study skills as well as qualify for advanced placement in college.
- Honors and Pre-AP courses are designed to challenge the student who is intellectually curious, capable of independent work and possesses excellent thinking skills.
- Regular College Prep courses are structured to advance critical thinking processes, writing skills and problem solving.
- Basic College Prep courses provide instruction in knowledge-based elements and in critical thinking, writing and organizational skills.
Students earn 27 credits (1 credit = 1 full year) and complete 90 hours of Christian Service in order to graduate. Required courses and credit hours are listed below:
Theology | 4 credits or .5 for each semester enrolled at BMCHS |
English | 4 credits/one taken each year |
Mathematics | 4 credits/must include Geometry and Algebra 2 |
Science | 3 credits/two of which must be lab sciences |
Social Studies | 3.5 credits/includes World History, U.S. History, Geography .5, Government .5 and Oklahoma History .5 |
Foreign Language | 2 credits must be 2 successive years in one language |
Fine Arts | 1 credit as an elective |
Physical Education | 1 credit Health and Wellness .5 and one semester of Physical Education or a Physical Education equivalent |
GPA is determined on a 4.0 scale, honors classes are weighted with a 5.0 scale.
Testing Program
Bishop McGuinness students take the following tests: PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test) administered to all 9th, 10th and 11th grade students in October. This test provides practice for the SAT and also serves as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test for 11th Grade Students.
All 10th grade students take the PLAN (Preliminary American College Test) in October. This standardized exam provides counselors and parents with academic and career information. In addition, the Plan is compared to the 8th Grade Explore exam to determine progress in meeting ACT College Benchmarks. All student must take the ACT at the end of the junior year.
