Excellence in Academics

St. Rita of Cascia High School is completely committed to a College Preparatory curriculum. All students are placed in an academic program that is tailored to meet their needs. Our course of studies will challenge each student to fully develop his intellectual talents.

The Augustinian Academy allows qualified students the opportunity of accelerated course work. The Mendel Academic Program provides students all the essential tools for success at the college level. The program structured through the Villanova Academic Study Center provides individual attention, small group work, and advice regarding study and organizational skills to those who need some assistance. All students, regardless of their academic program, may avail themselves of the services offered by the Villanova Academic Study Center.

We are proud of our students and proud that the United States Board of Education has cited St. Rita as an Exemplary Secondary school. 97% of the class of 2009 continued on to college. The class of 2009 earned 10.6 million dollars in merit-based scholarships, and are currently enrolled in prestigious universities across the country.

Diploma Requirements

All Students, including those involved in the Villanova Academic Study Center, must meet the same college preparatory graduation requirements of St. Rita High School:

  • 3 Years Theology
  • 4 Years English
  • 3 Years Math
    • (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II required)
  • 3 Years Science (Biology required)
  • 3 Years Social Studies
    • (U.S. History and American Government required)
  • 2 Years Foreign Language (Same language)
  • 1 Semester Health
  • 7 Semesters of Electives (minimum)
  • Pass a comprehensive exam on the United States and Illinois Constitutions

In addition to the academic diploma requirements, students are required to complete service hours and write a reflection paper in each of the freshman, sophomore, and junior years.

Faculty

St. Rita High School employs 49 faculty members, 23 of whom hold advanced degrees. The Student-Teacher ratio is 15:1.

Honors Courses

St. Rita High School offers honors level courses to qualifiing students in the following subject areas:

English | Mathematics | Social Studies | Foreign Languages | Science | Technology

Advanced Placement Courses

St. Rita High School offers advanced placement level courses to qualifying students in the following:

AP Art: 2D Design | AP Chemistry | AP Latin | AP Spanish | AP Art: Studio Drawing | AP English | AP Music | AP U.S. History | AP Calculus | AP French | AP Psychology | AP World History

Class Rank

St. Rita High School student rank is calculated at the end of each semester using cumulative grade point averages. Student rank incorporates cumulative grade point averages that may be weighted with additional value for honors and/or advanced placement courses.

Academic Honor Roll

St. Rita High School has two levels of distinction for academic excellence, which are:

Gold (first) Honors: Student earned a semester GPA of at least 4.0
Silver (second) Honors: Student earned a semester GPA of 3.0-3.99

Transcript Information

St. Rita High School’s academic year is divided into two semester with official grades reported in January and June.

Abbreviations used on the transcripts include:

  • H: Honors Course
  • AP: Advanced Placement Course
  • SS: Summer School Course
  • W: Withdrawal
  • F-WD: Failure-Withdrawl

Summer school grades are not averaged into the GPA. Physical education courses are taken for credit, however, grade points are not awarded.

Academics
Department Chairs

THEOLOGY

St. RitaMr. Tony Miranda
Theology

 

HUMANITIES

St. Rita Mrs. Robyn Kurnat
Fine Arts & Foreign Language


MATH / SCIENCE

St. Rita Mr. Joe Partacz
Mathematics, Science & Physical Education


ENGLISH / SOCIAL STUDIES

St. RitaMs. Martha Dion English & Social Studies

TECHNOLOGY

St. RitaMr. Paul Harrington Computers & Business

Grade Scale

G | Grade
P | Academic Points
H | Honors Points

  G P H
A+ 98-100 4.3 5.3
A 95-97 4.0 5.0
A- 93-94 3.7 4.7
B+ 91-92 3.3 4.3
B 87-90 3.0 4.0
B- 85-86 2.7 3.7
C+ 83-84 2.3 3.3
C 79-82 2.0 3.0
C- 77-78 1.7 2.7
D+ 75-76 1.3 2.3
D 72-74 1.0 2.0
D- 70-71 0.7 1.7
E     1.0
F 0-69 0.0 0.0

E – Very Poor
This passing grade is used only in Honors courses to indicate that the student has barely fulfilled the minimum requirements of the course

F – Failure

I – Incomplete
May only be given with approval of the Principal.

ACT Test Data

Class of 2010