Curriculum

Scope and Sequence

The Scope and Sequence provides an overview of the path that a majority of McNicholas students experience, but we personalize schedules based on students’ unique interests and learning needs. The Scope and Sequence includes state and graduation requirements that all students must meet, it offers guidelines for both honors and college preparatory curriculums, and it lists our electives that allow students to customize their paths, pursue their interests, and develop their God-given brilliance. 

Please see the Course Directory for a full description of each course.  

Scope and Sequence
Course Directory

College Credit Plus Program

College Credit Plus is a dual enrollment program that allows students the opportunity to earn college and high school credits at the same time. The program provides a wide variety of options to college-ready students, at no or limited cost to students and families. McNicholas offers multiple CCP courses on our campus, but students can also take courses directly from an Ohio college or university. CCP courses are weighted in the GPA calculation.  

CCP Options at McNicholas

McNicholas High School offers multiple College Credit Plus course options on our campus, taught by McNicholas faculty members, including college algebra, art history, Biblical literature, web development, and computer programming. Students register for the courses through the McNicholas course scheduling process and a counselor will guide students and families through the college credit application process.

In addition, McNicholas partners with the University of Cincinnati to offer the UC Early IT Program.  Students in the program will receive college credits through the College Credit Plus Program that are good at any college, but students who attend the University of Cincinnati School of Information Technology will have the benefit of automatic acceptance, admission as a sophomore, and paid co-op eligibility the summer after high school graduation. 

CCP Options at the College Campus

McNicholas counselors can also assist students interested in taking College Credit Plus courses on a college campus or online. Many college courses are offered online and can be completed during a student’s study hall at McNicholas. 

Have questions about our College Credit Plus Program?

SAIL Program

The SAIL (Support and Accommodations for Identified Learners) Program addresses the needs of identified students of all academic levels whose learning styles require tutorial assistance to learn the material presented in a mainstream classroom. Full-time SAIL teachers work 1:1 with students to get the best from their learning styles and improve their strengths.
 

Learn more

Have questions about our SAIL Program?

Honors and Advanced Placement Curriculum

Highly-motivated students can earn college credits through 16 Advanced Placement (AP) courses: Literature and Composition, Language and Composition, Physics, Chemistry, American History, European History, U.S. Government, Calculus, Biology, Studio Art, Computer Science, French, Spanish, Latin, Capstone Seminar, and Capstone Research.

Enrollment in AP courses instills a sense of scholarship in the student and an appreciation of the intrinsic value of pursuing knowledge. Success in the AP Program is achieved through dedication to excellence on the part of teachers, students, parents, counselors, and administration.
Visit AP Students College Board for more information about earning college credit through college courses in high school.

Honors classes, AP courses, and other accelerated courses are weighted in the GPA calculation.  
 

St. Joseph Scholars Program

To honor the Sisters of St. Joseph, the founders of McNicholas High School, we offer the St. Joseph Scholars Program which provides an enriched learning environment to guide and inspire students to exemplify the highest ideals of academic excellence, our Christian faith, and compassionate leadership.

Students in the program will be afforded unique opportunities to discover and develop their intellectual skills, put their curiosity and creativity to work, prepare for acceptance into highly selective universities and programs, collaborate and compete with other extraordinarily intelligent and motivated students, learn to analyze problems through the lens of our Catholic faith, and meet the challenge to become compassionate leaders.

What the St. Joseph Scholars Program will do for you

• Unite you with other intellectually talented students in an enriched learning environment so that you are continually challenged, supported, and encouraged to collaborate and compete. 
• Hold seminars with scholars and experts in their fields, have docent-led visits to area cultural sites, and provide career/secondary education exploration opportunities.
• Take you on an “urban plunge,” an immersion retreat to the inner city, to meet leaders who help people rise above poverty, addiction, and other social problems. You will learn to apply Catholic social teaching and your creativity, intellectual abilities, and problem-solving skills to challenging issues.
• Provide an opportunity for you to showcase your service experiences in a St. Joseph Scholars capstone project and presentation.
• Pay for you to take PSAT and ACT prep courses that have been proven effective, as well as pay the application fee to one highly selective university or program of your choice.
   

What the St. Joseph Scholars Program will ask of you

• You will bring energy, enthusiasm, and a love of learning to McNicholas High School.
• You will enroll in at least four honors, AP, or dual credit courses each semester.
• You will be open-minded and respectful of different opinions and points of view.
• You will work diligently and with integrity.
• You will share your talents with others through tutoring and service.

This dedicated program prepares students for an extraordinary life of achievement, scholarship, and service, but their experience doesn’t end at graduation. They will take the lessons they’ve learned at McNicholas and become lifelong learners and compassionate leaders who remember and support those who follow in their footsteps at McNicholas High School.

This program is by invitation. Students are invited to apply for the St. Joseph Scholars Program at the end of their first semester.