Curriculum
About JPII
John Paul II High School is an exceptional place of learning, dedicated to providing a superior spiritual, academic, athletic, and artistic experience in a competitive college preparatory environment and committed to creating Catholic leaders. John Paul II High School students are college-bound, focused, and ready to make an impact at both the local and global levels.
John Paul II High School’s college preparatory curriculum is a rigorous four-year program designed to foster the highest level of readiness, preparing students for their next step in the continuous education process.
It is our goal to help shape John Paul II High School students to become leaders who are critical thinkers and effective communicators, committed to service and rooted in faith. This transformation begins most importantly in the classroom and continues outside of our community. It is also understood that in order for this transformation to occur, excellence must be maintained within the walls of this school. It is this excellence that has carried John Paul II High School to great heights and recognition as an excellent college preparatory school.
School Year Course Offering Guides
2022-2023 Course Offering Guide
Preparing for College
John Paul II High School has social and moral development programs within a robust academic context all while focusing on faith formation. These programs are meant to form students in such a way as to prepare them for college. It is our goal that 100% of our students will matriculate into the college or university of their choice. Preparation begins the moment a student enrolls in our school. With the assistance of our counselors, in close cooperation with students and parents, students select the most appropriate courses to ease their transition into college. It is our goal that each student reaches college readiness by taking the courses in which they can demonstrate qualified mastery, earning the highest grades of which a student is capable.
Honors and Advanced Placement Courses
The Advanced Placement (AP) Program offers students the opportunity to pursue college-level studies while still in high school and potentially earn college credit. AP courses challenge students while easing their future transition to college. John Paul II High School offers multiple Honors and AP courses. We encourage all students to consider participation in one or more of these academically challenging courses.
Dual Credit Courses
The Dual Credit Program, in partnership with Collin College, offers students the opportunity to pursue college-level studies while still in high school and potentially earning both high school and college credit. Dual Credit courses challenge students while easing their future transition to college. John Paul II High School encourages students to consider participation in one or more of these academically challenging courses.
On-level Courses
JPII is a college preparatory high school. While some students will opt to participate in some honors, dual credit, and/or AP classes, many students will take the school’s regular college preparatory classes. These classes are designed to master essential knowledge and skills specific to a given subject and prepare students in the format necessary to master college entrance exams and be extremely prepared to learn at the collegiate level. It is possible for a student to be enrolled in different levels in various courses since placement in one subject is often determined independently of ability in another subject area. If a course is not labeled as honors, dual credit, or AP, it is an on-level course.
Credits Required for Graduation
JPII students must graduate with 29* total credits. Independent Studies, Academic Coaching, and Senior Early Release / Late Arrival courses do not contribute credits towards the 29 credits needed for graduation. Students have at least eight courses scheduled per semester (at least eight possible credits per year) to add to the required total. Students may earn additional credits through some 0 or X hour courses, online classes, JPII summer courses, and other approved programs.
*Beginning with the class of 2027 the total number of credits will be 28.
Graduation Requirements
| SUBJECT | CREDITS | SPECIFIC COURSES | TOTAL CREDITS | 29 (28 Starting with Class of 2027) | Credits Required to Earn Graduation and a Diploma from John Paul II High School. |
|---|---|---|
| English Language Arts | 4 | English I, English II, English III, English IV |
| Mathematics | 4 | Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and one additional selection; students who receive an Algebra I credit from middle school or who have documented a math course level proficiency (e.g., JPII Math Placement Exam) are still required to earn four sequential math credits in high school. |
| Sciences | 4 | Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and one additional science credit |
| Social Studies and Economics | 4 | World Cultures & Geography, World History or European History, United States History, and one semester each of U.S. Government and Macro-Economics |
| World Languages | 2 | Two years of the same world language at the high school level are required to graduate. Students who receive high school world language credit in 7th/8th grade and pass the level one placement exam must earn at least one additional credit at the high school level. |
| Theology | 4 | Theology I, Theology II, Theology III, Theology IV. Students transferring from a public or non-Catholic private high school will only be expected to complete Theology classes from the time they enter JPII. |
| Computer Science | 1 | All students must take Computer Science. |
| Physical Education (PE) | 1 | In addition to traditional PE classes, courses such as athletics, cheerleading, dance, aerobics, drill team, and the fall semester of marching band may fulfill the required two semesters of PE credit. |
| Fine Arts | 1 | In addition to traditional fine arts classes, courses such as Academic Decathlon, Academic Octathlon, and Dance may fulfill the required two semesters of Fine Arts credit. |
| Health | 0.5 | Students will either take Health I or Health II depending on their grade level. Students who already have Health I credit may take Health II as an elective. |
| Mathematics | 4 | Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and one additional selection; students who receive an Algebra I credit from middle school or who have documented a math course level proficiency (e.g., JPII Math Placement Exam) are still required to earn four sequential math credits in high school |
| Speech | 0.5 | Students must take Professional Communications or students may earn competency credit through taking Debate, Oral Interpretation, Academic Decathlon, Theatre Production, or Musical Theatre. |
| Electives | 3 (Starting with Class of 2027 - 2) | Students will take additional electives from any department or course offering in the guide (unless the course is labeled as “no credit”). Elective selections can be for personal interest and/or in preparation for college. |
| Community Service | Hours vary by year | Each year students will have required hours to complete as part of their promotion to the next grade. All hours must be completed in order to participate in the graduation ceremony. |
