Departments and Courses
Departments
The Sacred Studies Department at Delone Catholic is committed to handing on the Catholic Faith in a manner that is faithful to the teachings of the Catholic Church, rigorous in content, and understandable for today’s High School youth.
The Catechists at Delone Catholic strive to hand on the Word of God authentically so that our students are equipped to be courageous disciples of Christ and “doers of the Word,” both now and in the future.
All students at Delone Catholic are required to take a Religion class every year.
- Our ninth-grade students begin their study with "Foundations of the Faith," which provides a thorough overview of the basic tenets of Catholic Church teaching.
- In tenth grade, our students study the Bible in-depth, with an emphasis on how every book of the Bible connects to the one story of salvation that God hands on to us through His inspired Word.
- The topic for the year in eleventh grade is Catholic Morality, and
- In twelfth grade, the year is split between a study of Christian Vocations and Catholic Church History.
Through each of these classes, we strive to provide our students with both the intellectual and spiritual means to develop a deep and mature life of faith and to become witnesses of Christ to the world.
Delone Catholic’s English Department fosters in each student a deep and wide-ranged critical thinking that complements all disciplines. The faculty members teach a variety of texts, both fiction and nonfiction, allowing students to understand the power of language from its earliest beginnings to the modern day as well as to realize language’s impact on the human condition.
Students are guided through a rigorous writing program that involves structure, content, and citation with a strict emphasis on the proper use of the Modern Language Association’s (MLA) style.
Upon successful completion of the Delone Catholic English curriculum, students will be prepared to enter college, the workforce, or the military with confidence in the ability to think critically and communicate effectively.
The Mathematics curriculum offers a variety of courses and levels. Fundamental, academic, honors, and Advanced Placement® level courses designed to meet the needs of all learners. Along with the core courses of Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry, we also offer a variety of electives. We currently have courses in Algebra III, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, Statistics (honors and academic), Advanced Placement® Statistics, Calculus honors, and Advanced Placement® Calculus.
The Science curriculum not only meets but exceeds Pennsylvania State and National Standards. All courses cover two semesters with material presented in a sequential manner that allows concept building. The development of students' critical thinking skills is at the core of the curriculum. All elective, level two (II) courses use college-level texts. Guest speakers and field trips enhance the curriculum and prepare students to be active participants in their local and global communities. Labs and demonstrations provide hands-on learning.
Technical Education classes provide students with valuable life and career skills such as woodworking and electronics. Architectural drawing and engineering drafting prepare students for more advanced training as future architects and engineers.
The Social Studies Department at Delone Catholic High School calls students to “Be Doers of the Word” as active citizens of their communities, their nation, and the world, to be aware of their cultural history, and to be enlightened by Catholic social teaching. At Delone Catholic, students develop the skills of decision-makers and problem-solvers, who, through inquiry, investigation, and critical analysis become discerning consumers of information. They are inspired to know and appreciate the lessons of the past and to understand present challenges in an effort to influence the future that God has planned for all humanity.
A highlight of the Social Studies Department is their leadership, every four years, of the Mock Political Convention, a Delone Catholic tradition dating back to 1968.
Delone Catholic High School is an affiliate school of the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History.
A two-year program in a modern world language (French or Spanish) is strongly recommended. A stipulated grade is necessary to proceed from one level of a foreign language to the next level. An incoming freshman who feels he/she qualifies for Spanish II or French II must take Delone Catholic’s final exam in Spanish I or French I and receive a 93 percent or above to qualify for the second level.
The Fine and Performing Arts Department is dedicated to helping students hone their aesthetic, artistic, creative, expressive, and practical skills.
Fine Arts classes help students develop strong critical thinking skills needed for life in the 21st century. A variety of courses meet the interests and abilities of our students. Students begin exploring in the World of Art course. Introduction to Art, Introduction to Graphic Design/Photography, 2D Design, and 3D Design courses are offered and Independent Art is a senior honors class for students who have proven their abilities in prior art classes. An Advanced Placement® portfolio review may be a consideration for this student.
As stated in the DCHS Music Department Philosophy, music students have the opportunity to develop musically, aesthetically, intellectually, spiritually, personally, socially, and even physically through a wide variety of music classes and extra-curricular activities. Students who play keyboard, bass, drums, or a traditional band instrument should sign up for an Instrumental Music Class (3 or 4 quarters per year.) Students who enjoy singing should explore Vocal Music Class (full year) or Chorus Class (one semester.) Advanced music students (juniors and seniors) can study in-depth how music is put together with scales, chords, etc., in Music Theory I and II. Students who do not sign up for Instrumental Music, Vocal Music, or Chorus Class can take one semester of Pop Music and Beyond, so that they, too, will have some music training on the high school level.
The Practical Arts curriculum spans a variety of academic areas. Business and Computer classes prepare the students with marketable skills they will use in the present and future. Family and Consumer Sciences classes prepare the students with skills needed to be productive in everyday living and working in the 21st century. Health and Physical Education classes prepare the students with activities and strategies for a healthy lifestyle. Drivers' Education promotes the safe and responsible operation of vehicles and prepares students to earn a driver's license.
Delone Catholic High School is proud to offer a selection of courses in different disciplines through our partnership with The Virtual High School. These courses can be a fruitful supplement to a student’s coursework. Credit within an academic discipline will only be offered for courses that are at the AP® level. All other courses taken through VHS will be granted only an elective credit. DCHS pays for the fees associated with these courses, unless a student fails or withdraws, in which case the parents of that student are responsible for all costs associated with the course. These courses are only for highly motivated and capable students. Approval to take any VHS course must be granted by the DCHS department chair.
Please contact Mr. John Fournie, Virtual High School Coordinator with any questions.