Academic Requirements

FRESHMAN YEAR:  6 Courses Each Semester

    2 semesters of English
    2 semesters of Mathematics
    2 semesters of Modern and Classical Languages
    2 semesters of Religious Studies
    2 semesters of Science
    1 semester of Social Science or Rhetoric
    1 semester of Visual and Performing Arts

SOPHOMORE YEAR:   6 Courses Each Semester

    2 semesters of English
    2 semesters of Mathematics
    2 semesters of Modern and Classical Languages
    1 semester of Physical Education (includes counseling units)
    1 semester of Religious Studies
    2 semesters of Science
    2 semesters of Social Science

JUNIOR YEAR:   6 Courses Each Semester

    2 semesters of English
    2 semesters of Mathematics
    1 semester of Religious Studies
    1 semester of Religious Studies/College Guidance
    2 semesters of Science
    2 semesters of Social Science

SENIOR YEAR:   6 Courses Each Semester

    2 semesters of English
    1 semester of Physical Education (Class of 2016 and 2017) *
    1 semester of Religious Studies
    2 semesters of Social Science
    1 semester of Visual and Performing Arts (Class of 2014 and 2015)
OR
    2 semesters of Visual and Performing Arts (Class of 2016 and 2017) **

     *   This Physical Education requirement may be taken prior to senior year.It may be fulfilled by fully participating in two seasons of Bellarmine interscholastic (i.e., non-club) sports by the completion of the junior year.

    **  Visual and Performing Arts requirements may be taken prior to senior year.

 Electives

Students choose from elective offerings to fulfill the requirement to enroll in 6 courses per semester junior and senior year. Electives may be selected from courses in the following departments: Computer Science, English, Mathematics, Modern and Classical Languages, Physical Education, Religious Studies, Science, Social Science, Visual and Performing Arts, and Misc. Electives. In addition, seniors may replace one semester elective by a teaching assistant (TA) period.

ENGLISH
8 semesters

• English 1 or English 1 Honors - freshman year
• English 2 or English 2 Honors - sophomore year
• British Literature 1 or 2 + one semester elective OR British Literature 1 and 2 OR English Literature AP - junior year
• Two semester electives - senior year

MATHEMATICS
6 semesters

• One math course during each semester - freshman, sophomore AND junior years
• To be eligible for enrollment in math electives, as well as graduation, students must have demonstrated proficiency in Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2.

MODERN AND CLASSICAL LANGUAGES
4 semesters

• Two levels (i.e., years) of the same language - freshman AND sophomore years

PHYSICAL EDUCATION
1 semester (Class of 2014, 2015)

• Physical Education 1 - sophomore year

2 semesters (Class of 2016, 2017)

• Fitness and Health - sophomore year
• One semester elective - freshman, sophomore, junior or senior years. The one semester elective may be waived by fully participating in two seasons of Bellarmine interscholastic (i.e., non-club) sports by the completion of the junior year.

RELIGIOUS STUDIES
6 semesters

• Hebrew Scriptures and Christian Scriptures - freshman year
• Creed, Community, Call - sophomore year
• Christian Ethics and Social Justice - junior year
• One semester elective - senior year

SCIENCE
6 semesters

• One year-long science course - freshman, sophomore AND junior years
• To be eligible for graduation, students must have demonstrated proficiency in Biology, Chemistry and a third year-long science course.

SOCIAL SCIENCE
7 semesters

• World History: Axial Age to the 1700s OR Rhetoric - freshman year
• World History or World History AP - sophomore year
• U.S. History or U.S. History AP - junior year
• Two semester electives OR one year-long AP elective - senior year

VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS
2 semesters (Class of 2014, 2015)

• Two semesters of the same discipline of art - one semester is required freshman year; the second semester may be completed freshman, sophomore, junior or senior year.

3 semesters (Class of 2016, 2017)

• One semester of Foundations (Visual or Performing) freshman year, followed by two additional semesters of the same discipline of art freshman, sophomore, junior or senior year.

OR

• Four^* semesters of Music - two semesters (i.e., one year) are required freshman year. The remaining two semesters may be completed sophomore, junior or senior year.

^* Students wishing to complete their VPA requirement through music courses will complete four semesters of instruction to do so because all music courses are year-long in length.

COUNSELING
2 semesters

• One semester as included within Physical Education - sophomore year
• One semester as included within Religious Studies - junior year