Upper School

Duchesne’s college preparatory academic program in the Upper School is strong and challenging. Starting in fall 2020 with the new Mod Schedule, students are required to complete the following:

12 bins English

12 bins Social Studies

12 bins Science

12 bins Theology (including Social Awareness)

9 bins Math

9 bins World Languages

3 bins Physical Education and Health

3 bins Fine Arts

3 bins Computer Science

1 bin Research Paper

8 bins Electives

84 Total Bins Required

See the course catalog for additional information.

Students may receive Upper School credit for Algebra I, French I, or Spanish I taken in the eighth grade if they are placed in Geometry, French II, or Spanish II freshman year. In this case, students must take three additional credits of mathematics and complete the third level of a foreign language in Upper School.

Students may elect to take Advanced Placement courses with the recommendation of the appropriate teacher and the approval of the Academic Dean, provided they meet the benchmarks in rubrics developed within each department. All AP courses at Duchesne have been audited and approved by The College Board.

All AP students are expected to take the national AP exams in May. Students will receive an additional 0.5 quality point at the semester for each AP course passed.

Maximum Allowed AP Course Load: 10th Grade - 1 AP; 11th Grade - 2 APs; 12th Grade - 3 APs.

As part of their religious studies credit, students are required to participate in a service learning program, Social Awareness. It provides them a gradually deepening opportunity to offer their gifts of time and talent in service to the wider community. Freshmen and sophomores are involved in a minimum of four approved service projects each year. Juniors and seniors attend a Social Awareness class and also volunteer in the community at schools, soup kitchens, shelters, and other agencies throughout Houston. All students turn in journal reflections on their service experiences.

Participation in 1 season on a Duchesne athletics team satisfies 1 bin of the physical education requirement. For the exemption to be complete, the student must fill out the appropriate paperwork from the Head of Athletics and Health Services.