Students in Grades 6-9

The Bronze Bow, Acts of the Apostles, Story of the Church (OR Bible History OR The Young People's Book of Saints). (Story of the Church, if un-available, may be replaced by either Bible History or The Young People's Book of Saints. The syllabus lists directions for all three texts starting at Week 21, Day 2)

This Bible History is a discussion based course focused on the early life of the church.  Among various themes in Acts of the Apostles, teachers discuss the Apostles preaching of Christ and the persecutions and imprisonments they endure, the early Christians living in a community, St. Paul’s conversion and preaching to the Gentiles, early Church councils on Old Testament laws pertaining to a number of restrictions and prohibitions, St. Paul’s preaching to various Greek communities, and various historical events following St Paul’s imprisonment and trials before the Jewish and Roman authorities. Students then read The Story of the Church where they discuss the spread of Christianity in spite of various obstacles, the Saints in the early Church, various early heresies and the Councils which dealt with them, and the Holy Spirit present in the Church. Most work is done orally and graded by the teacher. Two quizzes are online and autograded. Parent has the option to utilize LS grading for the written work or add TS for grading and additional direction from a teacher or to drop grading and have the parent handle this. Class meets once a week, 60 minutes duration.

Grades 10-12. 

The Bible, and Introduction to the Bible by Fr. Laux.

Students read most of Scripture over two semesters and use Fr. Laux’s text Introduction to the Bible as a framework. In this course students discuss key questions as they deepen their knowledge and love for Scripture. Among the various themes covered in this course are the historical reliability and integrity of the Scriptures, the history of Israel in the Old Testament including their progression from Judges to Kings to their eventual exile and return, the question of suffering featured in the Book of Job, Wisdom Literature in the Old Testament, and a detailed examination of the Old Testament Prophets and Prophecies. Students then turn to the New Testament where they read the four Gospels carefully as they examine the intended audience, themes, style and content in each Gospel, the history of the Church in Acts of the Apostles, and finish the year examining the letters of St. Paul where the teacher guides their discussions on faith and works and the gift of grace ordered to salvation.
Class meets once a week, 60 minutes duration.

1 HS credit.

Grade 11-12 students.

Following Christ in the World by Anne Carroll, various encyclicals.

The course covers basic philosophy, Catholic social and moral teachings, and advanced theological topics. The main text, Following Christ in the World, is a springboard facilitating the consideration of fundamental concepts. In the first semester, students cover a variety of topics, some of which are the spirituality of the human soul, freedom of the will, the role of philosophy as a handmaid to Theology, the Catholic Church as the one true Church, Papal infallibility, elements of a human act including the principle of double effect, the Church’s teachings on social justice and what constitutes a just wage, the three pillars of communism and the Church’s response through various encyclicals, and the Church’s teaching on war in light of St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas.  In the second semester, students continue class discussions beginning with the relationship between the Church and State, the various forms of government and what constitutes a just rebellion, critical life and death issues such as abortion and euthanasia, the purposes and blessings of marriage and the immorality of contraception, the three theological virtues, suffering in the Christian life, and the role of Angels in salvation history. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, and The Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma (by Ludwig Ott) are most helpful resources. 

1 HS credit.

Grade 8-12 students.

Chief Truths of the Faith and Catholic Morality by Fr. Laux.

This course covers topics relating to the chief truths of the faith and Catholic morals. It presents principles by which to live one’s life and considers application of those principles. In the first semester, teachers guide the students in class discussions which range from a variety of topics such as the proximate and remote rule of faith as well as the qualities of the faith, the nature of God and the Blessed Trinity, the problem of evil and the natural and preternatural gifts, original sin and the promised Redeemer, grace and justification, and finally the four last things: heaven, hell, purgatory and judgment. In the second semester, class discussions focus on questions pertaining to morality which include topics such as the elements of a moral act and the double effect principle, temptation and the nature of sin, vows, oaths, lying and the virtue of religion, how to develop one’s intellect, proper relationship towards God and the duties of a Christian citizen, and finally duties towards God, oneself, and one’s neighbor as well as the Christian family. Teachers also prepare students for various paper prompts and tests providing insight and direction to these assignments. Class meets once a week, 60 minutes duration.  

 1 HS credit.

Students in Grades 5-8.

The Bible, Baltimore Catechism No 2.

This course is a discussion based course with more direction to help students gain comfort with class discussion. Teacher does most work orally with students, but some autograded online quizzes are provided. If the parents desires the student to do more work in writing (short answers to questions), the parent has the option to utilize LS grading for the written work or add TS for grading and additional direction from a teacher or to drop grading and have the parent handle this. Class meets once a week, 60 minutes duration.

Students in Grades 7-10

Faith and Life 8 Our Life in the Church, The Faith Explained, Baltimore Catechism, No 2.

This course covers topics that are central to living our faith. The main text is supplemented in class with selections from The Faith Explained. Memorization is critical for students particularly at this stage in their formation as it strengthens and makes docile the imagination and greatly aids them in understanding their faith and developing their ability to analyze and form arguments. For this reason, students are encouraged to memorize the Baltimore Catechism rather than simply reading it. Teachers guide the students in class discussions which range from a variety of topics such as the nature of the hierarchy of the Church and its infallibility, the three roles of the Church (governing, sanctifying, and teaching), the nature of Law including Natural Law and the role of conscience, moral virtues exemplified in the lives of the Saints, the nature of prayer, a detailed account of the Eucharist including the nature of transubstantiation, and finally C.S. Lewis’ work Mere Christianity.  Paper grading is available through Teacher Services if desired or through a class grader. Class meets once a week, 60 minutes duration.

1 HS credit if done in Grades 9-10.

Grade 9-12 students

Mass and the Sacraments and Catholic Apologetics by Fr. Laux, and Beginning Apologetics by Chacon and Burnham.

First semester focuses on the sacraments, showing the reasonableness of the Catholic position, the ordering of the virtues in society, and theology’s compatibility with reason. Teachers lead class discussions on each sacrament in great detail including detailed discussions on the nature of the Sacraments particularly the Eucharist, elements of sacrifice, sacramentals, and the Mass as sacrifice. Second semester examines apologetics in great detail. Teachers guide students in class discussions where they explore a number of apologetical themes such as an in depth study of the existence of God, the reliability of the New Testament, Christ as God, the Church founded by Christ, and Mary’s role in salvation. Paper grading is available. Class meets once a week, 60 minutes duration.

1 HS Credit

Students in Grades 11-12. 

Various encyclicals, selections from St. Thomas Aquinas, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Some other texts from Ralph McInerny, Scott Hahn.

RIGOR COURSE. 

Sacred Doctrine is an enhanced Catholic Doctrine course. Students learn the same material covered in Catholic Doctrine, but they read it from original sources: papal encyclicals and St. Thomas Aquinas, as well as more modern theologians like Ralph McInerny. Each week students should expect to read and discuss 1-2 encyclicals or excerpts from St. Thomas, the catechism or the Bible and submit 350 word summaries after each class. This is the most intense rigor course.

Class meets once a week, 75 minutes duration.

1 HS credit.

Students in Grades 11-12.

The Bible, Various encyclicals and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Introduction to the Bible by Fr. Laux

RIGOR COURSE. This is a more advanced Bible course. In this course, students will read the entire Bible. This course begins with some of the key encyclicals on Scripture and uses Father Laux’s text Introduction to the Bible as a framework. The focus of this course will be on the Bible as the revelation of God through His Word, which is fully realized in the Person of Jesus Christ. Each week, there will be a reading assignment, an in-class discussion, mandatory discussion board posts, and occasional lectures. Class meets once a week, 75 minutes duration.

1 HS Credit.

Students in Grades 9-12 with consultant and office approval

Catholic Morality and Baltimore Catechism No. 2, Mere Christianity

This course works through Fr. Laux's Catholic Morality book, while supplemented by the Balitmore Catechism. Students read and discuss virtues, especially the virtue of Faith. There are a few online quizzes and minimal papers. Class meets once a week, 45 minutes duration.

Students taking LS - SS-10: Religion 10 must also take:

• LS - SS-10: English 10
• LS - SS-10: Natural Science
• LS - SS-10: World History & Geog
• LAB - SS-10: Private Writing Lab

Students in Grades 9-12 with consultant and office approval

Mass and the Sacraments by Fr. John Laux. 

Students continue the Fr. Laux series, this year focusing on Mass and the Sacraments. Class meets once a week, 60 minutes duration.

Students taking LS - SS-11: Religion 11 must also take:

• LS - SS-11: Biology
• LS - SS-11: English 11
• LS - SS-11: US History & Geog
• LAB - SS-11: Private Writing Lab

Students in Grades 9-12 with consultant & office approval

Following Christ in the World by Anne Carroll

Working through Following Christ in the World, this course lead students through topics includeing Immortality, Freedom, Christ's claim to be God, and the Church. Notes and outlines are provided in the syllabus. Class meets once a week, 45 minutes duration.

Students taking LS - SS-12: Religion 12 & Health must also take:

• LS - SS-12: Am Gov & Econ
• LS - SS-12: English 12
• LS - SS-12: Fine Arts
• LAB - SS-12: Private Writing Lab

Students in Grades 9-12 with consultant & office approval

Bible and The New Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism (No. 2) by Fr. Bennet Kelly

Students read and discuss St. Matthew's Gospel first semester and St. John's Gospel second semester; the Batlimore Catechism is used supplementary the whole year.  Minimal writing is required for Religion 9 and the writing is incorporated in the SS:9 Private Writing Lab. Class meets once a week, 45 minutes duration.

Students taking LS - SS-9: Religion 9 must also take:

• LS - SS-9: Church History
• LS - SS-9: Earth Science
• LS - SS-9: English 9
• LAB - SS-9: Private Writing Lab