Background and History
The Christian Brothers founded Archbishop Grace High School in 1966 with the assistance of the School Sisters of Notre Dame. The first graduating class was in 1970. Also in 1970 the Christian Brothers turned over the financial support of the school to a lay Corporate Board as it continues today. In 1980 the name of the school was changed to Totino-Grace High School to honor James and Rose Totino, generous benefactors to numerous Archdiocesan institutions including Grace High School. Totino-Grace is the second largest of fourteen Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, with a student population of approximately 915 in grades 9-12.
The uniqueness of Totino-Grace as compared to other private and parochial schools rests with its desire to provide a quality Christian and values-centered education to students of all ability levels. While meeting the many academic needs of a broad range of students, we continue to offer a rigorous academic program that prepares a high percentage of our students for college.
Academics
Totino-Grace is on a semester system. One credit is given per class per semester. A total of 50 credits are required for graduation. Of the 50 credits a student must have 8 English, 8 Religion, 6 Social Studies, 6 Science, 4 Math (Class of 2010 and 2011)/6 Math (Class of 2012 and beyond), 2 Physical Education, 1 Health and 1 Fine Arts. Totino-Grace offers a predominantly college preparatory curriculum. We do have some basic level classes and offer a Learning Lab to help students with special needs. We have an extensive Honors and Advanced Placement track that includes AP classes in English, Calculus, U.S. History, U.S. Government, Spanish Language, Spanish Literature, Chemistry and Physics. Our Honors and AP courses are considered the most rigorous in the curriculum. College co-registration through St. Mary's University of Minnesota is offered in Calculus, Honors Introduction to Theology and College Prep Writing. Totino-Grace uses a weighted grading system as reflected in the following chart:
| Grades |
AP & Honors |
All Others |
| A |
4.50 |
4.00 |
| A- |
4.17 |
3.67 |
| B+ |
3.83 |
3.33 |
| B |
3.50 |
3.00 |
| C+ |
3.17 |
2.67 |
| C |
2.83 |
2.33 |
| C- |
2.50 |
2.00 |
| D+ |
2.17 |
1.67 |
| D |
1.33 |
1.33 |
| D- |
1.00 |
1.00 |
| F |
0.67 |
0.67 |
| P |
0.00 |
0.00 |
Testing
Totino-Grace is fully invested in the ACT testing program. We give the EXPLORE test to incoming 9th graders. All of our 10th grade students take the PLAN test and 90% of our seniors take the ACT. Our ACT average score is 24. The school does not provide an average SAT score due to the small number of students choosing to take the SAT. With only our top students testing with the SAT, our score average would be very high. Beginning with the class of 2013, all juniors will take the PSAT.
Class Rank
Totino-Grace does not rank students. Although we realize that a class rank may be desired by some students and colleges, Totino-Grace feels a class rank does not reflect the strength, ability and readiness of all of our college-bound students. We feel strongly that a student's transcript,including GPA, test scores and course selection will provide a clear picture of his or her future school and scholarship potential.
Students and Faculty
Totino-Grace serves grades 9-12 with a total school population of approximately 800.
This year's senior class numbers 191. Totino-Grace students come mainly from the St. Paul and Minneapolis northern suburbs and North and Northeast Minneapolis and St. Paul. The student body includes young men and women of all socio-economic and ethnic groups. Each year, approximately 90% of our school population self-identifies as Catholic. The average class size is 24 students.
The faculty is highly qualified, experienced, and dedicated to establishing a personal relationship with each student. More than 80% of our faculty hold advanced academic degrees.
Activities and Service
Totino-Grace provides a full slate of co-curricular athletics and activities. The school’s athletic programs, academic clubs and fine arts programs have a statewide reputation for excellence and achievement. Totino-Grace is a member of the North Suburban Conference, which consists of eleven schools, (two private and nine public) which vary in size.
Totino-Grace also places a high value on service and has a Campus Ministry department that coordinates many local, national and international service projects. A very high percentage of our students take advantage of these service opportunities.
Accreditation and Associations
Totino-Grace is accredited by the North Central Association (Advanc-Ed). We are a member of the National Catholic Education Association and the Minnesota Independent School Forum. The school and the college-counseling department are members of the National and Minnesota Associations for College Admission Counseling and the American and Minnesota School Counselor Associations.
Totino-Grace is a Lasallian school following the educational philosophy and spirituality of St. John Baptist de La Salle, Patron Saint of educators and founder of the De La Salle Christian Brothers. As a Lasallian school, we are part of an international network of Lasallian schools in 82 countries serving over one million students worldwide.
Personnel
President: Dr. William Hudson, Ed.D.
Principal: Ms. Julie Michels
Associate Principal: Mrs. Cheri Broadhead
School Counseling Chair: Ms. Helen Maddix
Counselor: Mr. Paul Gasner
Counselor: Ms. Julie Jackson
Counselor: Ms. Margo Rothenbacher
Administrative Assistant: Mrs. Judy LaPanta