ACADEMY OF ADVANCED STUDIES
The purpose of the Academy of Advanced Studies is to offer students a rigorous program of academic studies. We want our students to realize that their talents are a gift from God that need to be developed and used for others. Our faculty and staff will challenge their students to achieve the highest possible level of academic excellence.
Students will be accepted into the Academy of Advanced Studies during the incoming freshman admissions process. Students who score 85% or above on standardized tests and/or who have a B+ average will be considered as candidates for the academy. All eligible students will receive an application for the academy. Final approval of all candidates will be determined by the Academy of Advanced Studies Admissions’ Committee which is led by the Principal. Space in the program is limited for each grade level. Special circumstances will be evaluated by the administration and the admissions committee. At the end of freshman year, eligible students may receive an application for the academy, if space is available.
Each year the students enroll in an Academy Seminar Course in Social Studies or Religion. As freshmen, the students take Big History which covers the history of the universe from the Big Bang through today. As sophomores, the students take Explorations in the Modern Era which covers the major events in Modern American History. As juniors, the Academy students take an Academy Religion Course which focuses on encountering Jesus in the Sacraments and exploring the Catholic moral concepts that govern our lives. As seniors, the Academy students take an Academy Religion Course which focuses on examining the universal call to holiness and our response to the major social issues of today.
All Academy of Advanced Studies students must enroll in courses designed as enriched, honors, advanced, or college credit. Our enriched and honors level courses move at a faster pace and require more independent work. Enriched courses are offered freshman and sophomore years in English, Math, Science, and Social Studies. The following honors courses are mainly offered junior and senior year and have a weighted grade point average: Honors Chemistry, Honors Physics, Anatomy and Physiology, Honors American History, Honors Western Civilization, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Statistics-ACC, Honors English III and IV, Honors Spanish III, IV, Honors French III and IV, and Advanced Art Studies IV, and Concert Band IV.
Advanced College Credit Courses are offered through Saint Louis University and the University of Missouri - St. Louis Advanced College Credit Courses are available in English, math, social studies, French and Spanish. Students must dually enroll in the Bishop DuBourg course and the university course to earn college credit. A separate fee must be made payable to the universities to earn college credit.
Students enrolled in the program have additional graduation requirements. Students have the opportunity to take 23 enriched, honors, advanced, college credit, or seminar courses during their four years. Students in the Academy of Advanced Studies must take at least 19 of these designated courses. Students must also exemplify hard work and responsibility, demonstrate leadership and respect for others, maintain a 90% attendance rate, and maintain at least a 3.0 G.P.A.
Students who transfer to Bishop DuBourg High School are eligible for the Academy of Advanced Studies. These students must apply for the program and the admissions committee will evaluate their transcript to determine eligibility.
