Academics

Academic Excellence

From the first day as a Pope Francis Prep student, our academic foundation is centered on an integrated, four-year program of study designed to provide not only the most exacting requirements for entrance to colleges and universities across the globe, but as preparation for valuable experiences in growth – intellectual, physical, moral, and most importantly, spiritual. 

 

We offer a comprehensive curriculum within three instructional levels based on student ability and achievement: College Prep, Advanced Placement and Honors courses as well as a robust selection of rigorous courses and electives that follow the STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts and Math) program. Students may opt for Virtual School courses and dual degree opportunities at Elms College. Students that choose to enroll in the dual degree program have the opportunity to earn up to 12 college credits while still in high school! Classes approved for this program run in the late afternoon or early evening and are very affordable. 

 

For students seeking an advanced level of focused direction, we offer the PF Pathways Program – where a student’s interests, values, or passions can be explored more deeply through studies within a selected Pathway. A great opportunity for starting to explore a college major! But the true college preparation begins long before testing and college searches. 

 

Academically, Pope Francis Prep graduates go beyond simply mastering a subject and completing the coursework: they are problem solvers, self-motivated explorers, and curious thinkers.

 

 

High Quality Instruction

Our exceptional faculty combine the academic credentials and practical experience to deliver an outstanding education. This commitment to academic excellence is the key component of the Pope Francis Preparatory School mission to challenge students to become critical thinkers and faith-based leaders. 

Small Classes. Big Thinking.

One of the top reasons why parents consider a private high school is for the opportunity of small class size. At Pope Francis Prep, we boast a student:faculty ratio of 10:1, with class sizes averaging 18 students, therefore allowing our teachers the time to be available to our students before and after school. Big thoughts always fit in a small class! 

Cardinal Technology

We believe that academic success requires the ability to think, communicate and collaborate effectively. The use of technology is integral in providing highly customized, interactive learning experiences that support these requirements. As a first-year student, we provide a Microsoft Surface Pro for use while attending Pope Francis Prep.  This initiative ensures that each student has the tools necessary to do the increasingly collaborative and dynamic work that is at the heart of a Pope Francis education – where we seek to take the best of in-class practices and complement them with the best in online learning strategies.

Focus on Philosophy

As a private school, we do not have to teach to a standardized test, and as a result we can focus on teaching students “how” to think, instead of “what” to think. At Pope Francis Prep, we take it a step further by changing the dynamic of learning inside our classrooms. Our teachers facilitate dialogue, encouraging students to ask “how” or “why”, and then model using critical thinking skills, creativity, and teamwork to problem-solve.