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Graduation Requirements

All students are required to complete 23 units of credit (one unit of credit is given for a subject taken two semesters). In addition, each student must pass a comprehensive examination on the history and Constitution of the United States and the State of Illinois.

Course of Study Requirements Credits Required
Religion A course in religion is required each year. 4.0 credits
Mathematics Three years of mathematics, including algebra and geometry, are required. 3.0 credits
Social Studies U.S. History is required. 3.0 credits
Physical Education Three semesters of P.E. and one quarter of health are required. 1.5 credits
Computer Concepts and Information Processing One semester or demonstrated proficiency required. 0.5 credit
English Four years, including grammar, composition, and literature are required. Also, completion of one term paper is required both junior and senior year. 4.0 credits
Science Three years are required (including Biology). 3.0 credits
Foreign Language Two or more years are required. 2.0 credits
Fine Arts One semester is required. 0.5 credit

*P.E. requirement can be waived. 

Honors Diploma

Beginning with the graduating class of 2017, Marian Catholic began offering a new distinction for high-performing students – The Marian Catholic Honors Diploma. This commendation is bestowed upon students who show outstanding academic achievement throughout their careers at Marian Catholic. Graduating with this honor shows that a student has achieved an elite academic status that sets them apart as truly accomplished scholars.

The Marian Catholic Honors Diploma is conferred at graduation upon any student who has met the following criteria. To receive the Honors Diploma, students must:

  1. Earn 25 full credits.
  2. Complete a minimum of at least six advanced classes (Honors or AP), at least four of which must be AP, and earn a semester grade of C or better each semester in these classes.
  3. Earn a cumulative GPA of 3.5 by the end of their seventh semester and maintain it through their eighth semester.
  4. Have no failing semester grades nor have any withdraw/fail notations on their transcript.
  5. Be an active member of National Honor Society in good standing.

Process

  1. Following a student’s seventh semester, the administration will identify students who are on track to receive the Honors Diploma based on the criteria above. These students will be notified that they are on track to receive the Honors Diploma and that the decision to confer the diploma will be made following the calculation of their eighth semester's grades prior to Honors Night.
  2. Following senior eighth semester exams, the administration will solicit final senior grades from senior teachers and determine which students will receive the Honors Diploma.
  3. Students will be notified at Honors Night practice that they will be receiving the Honors Diploma.
  4. The Honor Diploma Distinction will be specially recognized at Honors Night and graduation.