St. Monica Academy High School graduated its seventh and largest class of 14 seniors in 2012.  Despite the modest size of our high school classes,  they have featured a disproportionate number National Merit Finalists (7) and Commended Scholars (6).

For a sampling of the kind of reading St. Monica Academy requires of its high school students, read the summer reading list and literature books read by our high school seniors in 2012-2013.

The High School Charter of Principles outlines the philosophy and objectives of St. Monica Academy high school.

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St. Monica Academy provides a single program of college-preparatory studies that includes theology, literature & writing, history, mathematics, laboratory science, Latin, and performing arts.

Theology

During freshman year, the high school theology course is Dogmatic Theology, focusing on the doctrine of the Catholic Church.  During sophomore year, the course is Sacred Scripture, covering both the Old and New Testament.  During junior year, the course is Moral Theology.  During senior year, the course is Apologetics and Comparative Religions. Each theology course has an apologetics component so students will learn to explain and defend the basic tenets of the Catholic faith.

Integrated Humanities Cycle: English and History

The centerpiece of the academic program is the integrated humanities cycle. Each year, each high school grade level focuses on the history and literature of a specific era of Western civilization. During freshman year, the subject of study is the ancient world up to the year 500 A.D. During sophomore year, the medieval era is covered up to approximately 1400 A.D. During junior year, students study the Renaissance up to the emergence of modern Europe into the 20th century. During senior year, the focus is American history and literature. This literary and historical survey of the Western tradition inspires students through reading the great books, engaging the great ideas, and discovering the great figures who have formed our culture. While textbooks provide an overview, readings of major historians and writers, guest lectures, formal debates, formal essays and Socratic discussions make the subjects come alive and create an abiding interest in history and a love for literature. Each year of the integrated humanities program includes a full year course in history and a full year course in literature.

Mathematics

The St. Monica Academy mathematics program follows the standard college preparatory sequence. Students generally begin with either Algebra I or Geometry as freshmen (depending on whether they have taken Algebra I as eighth graders) and then progress through Algebra II, Trigonometry/Pre-Calculus, and Calculus. In keeping with our classical methodology, the Geometry course includes a significant portion of Euclid’s Elements.

Laboratory Science

St. Monica Academy high school students take three years of laboratory science in order to develop understanding of and wonder towards God’s creation. Each student takes Biology as a sophomore, Chemistry as a junior, and Physics as a senior.

Latin

In keeping with St. Monica Academy’s classical character, high school students study Latin as a window into the ancient world, to develop their vocabulary, and to reinforce their understanding of general grammatical principles. Students must pass their final exam with a minimum of 75% in order to progress to the next level of study. University of California standards mandate two years of foreign language. St. Monica Academy mandates three years of Latin, and also offers a fourth year of Latin focusing on the Roman authors Vergil and Caesar.

Performing Arts

St. Monica Academy high school students take four years of concert choir, perform two school concerts per year, provide sacred music for our First Friday masses, and perform at our annual auction gala. Our high school Schola vocal ensemble is a smaller, voluntary group that provides sacred music for our weekly Wednesday masses. St. Monica Academy stages a yearly Shakespeare production, with participation determined by audition. We also compete in the Poetry Out Loud organization, in which every high school student memorizes and recites poems in front of his or her peers at the class level, with the possibility of moving on to school, regional, and state competitions. Every high school student also participates in our annual literary-historical feasts, which are essentially educational and entertaining dinner theater presentations.

Electives

Each St. Monica Academy high school student takes one semester of Government and one semester of Economics as a junior or senior. One year of PE is taken as a freshman and a second as a sophomore.

Core Curriculum

Minimum Graduation Requirements