School Profile SEPTEMBER 2014 - JUNE 2015 Rhodora J. Donahue Academy CHRISTUM NOVISSE – VIRTUTEM CONTENDERE ENCOUNTERING CHRIST AND PURSUING EXCELLENCE IN ALL THINGS Headmaster: Mr. Christopher Smith SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY Student Body: Rhodora J. Donahue Academy, established in 2007, is a co-educational, college preparatory, classical school in the Catholic tradition. We are a National TOP 50 Catholic School with a K-12 student body of approximately 260, with a current average of around 80 in grades 912. Our more than 50,000 sq. foot facility is located on the campus of Ave Maria University in Ave Maria, Florida. While independent from the university, we benefit from access to its state-of the-art facilities and world-class research library. We offer a robust sports program including full contact 7 man football, boys and girls’ basketball, girls’ volleyball, girls’ softball, and boys’ and girls’ cross country and track. Admissions Policy: Admission to Donahue Catholic is selective. The evaluation of each applicant is based on academic records, standardized test scores, admission assessments, and interviews. Donahue Catholic admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin to all of its programs. Faculty: The teaching faculty consists of 25 men and women: 36% have Master’s Degrees and 12% have PhD Degrees. The faculty/staff/administration consists of 33 men and women: 39% have MAs and 9% have. High School/CEEB Code: 100048 COURSE OF STUDY Current Course Offerings 9th-12th Grade – There are no electives; all students are expected to take all courses. * English I (Honors) • English II (Honors) • English III (Honors) • English IV (Honors) • World History (Honors) • Western Civilization (Honors) • European History (Honors) • American History (Honors) • U.S. Government (Honors) • Economics • Biology • Chemistry • Physics (with Honors option) • Advanced Science Topics • Geometry • Algebra 2/Pre-Calculus • Pre-Calculus/Calculus • Calculus (Honors) • Statistics (with Honors/AP option) • Theology1: Creed • Theology 2: Sacraments • Theology 3: Morality/Life Skills • Theology 4: Prayer/Apologetics • Rhetoric • Logic • Physical Education • Studio Art • Music • Latin I, Latin II, Latin III, Latin IV • Greek I, Greek II • Spanish I, Spanish II • Life and Thought of Blessed Mother Teresa • Mystical Theology • Shakespeare in Depth Study • Shakespeare in Performance ACADEMIC POLICIES Graduation Requirements: Total Required (min. GPA of 2.00) 24 Credits. We use a standard 10 point grade scale. Given the high value we place on academics and the ability of our students, all courses are taught at what is widely considered an honors level, whether or not they are formally designated as such. Designated honors courses are weighted .5, as are Florida Department of Education level three classes. We do not offer AP classes. Students are required to follow a scripted curriculum scope and sequence, with any deviations approved in advance by the administration. The integrated and intensive nature of our curriculum precludes the option of electives. Students advancing from our middle school have taken first and second year Latin and so take a third year of Latin as freshmen and a fourth year as sophomores. Seniors are required to write, present, and defend a senior thesis before the faculty and parents. Completion of our complete and integrated course sequence more than satisfies the minimum graduation requirements to meet accreditation standards, which are: English 4 Credits Theology 4 Credits Mathematics 4 Credits Science 3 Credits Social Studies 3 Credits World Language 3 Credits Health/Fitness 1 Credit Fine Arts 1 Credit General Credits 2 Credits Report Cards, Grades and Conversion Policy: Rhodora J. Donahue Academy uses the grading system described below to report student progress. The instructor determines the final grade of a student in each course. 3rd - 12th grade: Unweighted Weighted Score Grade Grade Points Grade Points 99 – 100 A+ 4.0 4.5 98 – 92 A 4.0 4.5 91 – 90 A- 3.7 4.2 89 – 88 B+ 3.3 3.8 87 – 82 B 3.0 3.5 81 – 80 B- 2.7 3.2 79 – 78 C+ 2.3 2.8 77 – 72 C 2.0 2.5 71 – 70 C- 1.7 2.2 69 – 68 D+ 1.3 1.8 67 – 62 D 1.0 1.5 61 – 60 D- 0.7 1.2 59 and below F 0.0 0.0 Other grades which may be used are as follows: P Pass; not used in GPA computation AU Audit; not used in GPA computation I Incomplete; an incomplete grade on a student’s transcript will become an “F” if the coursework is not completed by the date required by the instructor or the end of the semester immediately following the earning of the “I,” whichever is shorter. CE Credit by Exam; not used in GPA computation NR Not Reported T Transfer Credit accepted by the Academy Academic Placement: As stated above, we do not have honors and AP classes; all courses are taught at what is widely considered an honors level, whether or not they are formally designated as such. Class Rank: Rhodora J. Donahue Academy does not rank students. Grade Point Average and Academic Standing: A student’s academic standing at Rhodora J. Donahue Academy is measured by the Quality Grade Point Average (QGPA). To calculate the QGPA (unweighted), multiply the number of credit hours attempted for each class by the numerical value of the grade earned (grade points) (A=4.0, B=3.0, etc.). The total of these is the student’s total quality points. Divide the total quality points by the total number of credit hours attempted to obtain the QGPA. Some courses are designated as honors courses, and can be given a higher weighting to allow a calculation of a weighted QGPA. In this case, use the figures from the Weighted Grade Point column above, rather than the Unweighted Grade Point column. Cumulative GPA is calculated on all high school courses attempted at Rhodora J. Donahue Academy and all transfer credits accepted by the school. Only semester grades appear on the final transcript and are used to award credit and determine final GPA. Interim grades on the report cards are progress tracking grades only. Although a weighted and an unweighted GPA are stored on our system for each student, only the weighted GPA appears on the transcript. Printed transcripts are available to high school students by request by filling out a Transcript Request form and submitting to the office. Transfer students: Rhodora J. Donahue Academy reviews transfer students’ coursework on a case-by-case basis and may offer credit. STATISTICS ON GRADUATES, INCLUDING THE CLASS OF 2015 Number of Graduates 2015: 7 National Merit Scholars and Commendations: In the years 2012 and 2015, Rhodora J. Donahue Academy had one National Merit Finalist and one National Merit Scholar. In the years 2011, 2012, and 2014 had three National Merit Commended Students. SAT Scores 2015: The SAT mean for the Class of 2015 is 1845. (U.S. students usually average around 1500.) SAT preparation is offered. Area Reading Math Writing Total Mean 631 601 612 1845 College Acceptances: Of our fifty-one graduates from 2008 - 2013, 96% have attended college, one student entered the work force and one student entered military service. For 2014 and 2015, all 29 students (100%) were accepted to college. Rhodora J. Donahue Academy students have been accepted by: Ave Maria University, Belmont Abbey, Benedictine College, Boston College, Butler University, Carroll College (MT), Catholic University, Christendom College, College of St. Benedict, Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts of Miami, Creighton University, College of St. Benedict, College of William and Mary, Drexel University, Flagler College, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida International University, Florida Institute of Technology, Florida Polytechnic University, Florida Southern College, Florida State University, Fordham University, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech.), Hillsdale College, Jacksonville University, John Carroll University, Johns Hopkins University, John Paul the Great Catholic University, Loyola University Chicago, Marquette University, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Merrimack College, Newman College of Ireland, Ohio State University, Princeton University, Rhode Island School of Design, Ringling College of Art, Scranton University, St. Bonaventure University, St. Francis University, St. Johns University NY, St. Leo University, St. Louis University, St. Mary’s, Stanford University, The Virginia Military Institute, University of Central Florida, University of Dallas, University of Florida, University of Georgia, University of Hawaii (Hilo and Manoa), University of Kentucky, University of Michigan, University of Minnesota, University of New Hampshire, University of Notre Dame, University of St. Thomas (MN), University of South Florida, University of Southern California, University of Tampa, University of Virginia, University of Wisconsin, Vanderbilt University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Xavier University. ACCREDITATION Rhodora J. Donahue Academy is accredited by: Middle States Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools, The Association of Independent Schools of Florida, The National Council for Private School Accreditation, The Florida Catholic Conference and The National Association of Private Catholic & Independent Schools. .