The Totino-Grace High School curriculum has been designed by the staff and administration to support the key elements of our mission: learning, faith, community, and service. As educators in a Catholic school, we are committed to providing a learning environment where each student feels supported and is allowed to succeed. When Totino-Grace students combine their required courses with their elective choices they should experience a comprehensive course of studies which will prepare them for whatever they choose to do after high school.
When it comes to academics, the variety of courses offered in the Totino-Grace curriculum opens doors to a lifetime of learning and accomplishment. With more than 95% of Totino-Grace students attending college upon graduation, Totino-Grace offers a solid core of college prep, honors and Advanced Placement courses.
Honors and Advanced Placement
Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses are designed to meet the needs of our most capable and highly motivated students by providing our most rigorous curriculum. The courses are more demanding in effort and time than standard college prep courses. Content in these courses is covered in greater depth and complexity and often at an accelerated rate. Totino-Grace offers 18 Honors courses and 8 AP courses to students. Honors courses are offered in English, Mathematics, Music, Religion, Science, French and Spanish. AP courses are offered in English Literature, Spanish Literature, Spanish Language, US History, US Government and Politics, Calculus, Chemistry and Physics.
Each spring, the College Board offers students across the country the opportunity to take AP exams. Students receive a score of 1-5 on each exam; a score of 3 or higher may qualify them for college credit, advanced placement, or both in the subject area. Each college and university has its own policy on whether or not to accept AP exam scores for credit or placement.
According to the College Board’s brochure entitled, Frequently Asked Questions about the AP Program, “an AP experience that culminates in an exam grade of 3 or higher has a significant impact on a student’s likelihood of college success. Simply said, a high-quality AP course in high school does an excellent job of fortifying students for a successful transition into the battery of college courses they’ll experience in their first semester at college.” (3)
College Credit
Seniors also may earn college credit through the Program for Advanced College Credit (PACC) at St. Mary's University of Minnesota. Students may earn college credit in the following Totino-Grace courses: Honors Calculus I, Honors Calculus II, College Prep Writing, and Honors Introduction to Theology. The PACC program allows students to earn college credit while still in high school, credit which is accepted at many colleges and universities. It is the responsibility of each student to verify with the colleges they are considering if the PACC credits will be accepted.
Foundational Courses
Totino-Grace also offers foundational level courses in most core subjects designed for those who need additional practice in learning concepts or frequent review to maintain their skills. Topics are taught in an introductory manner with concentration on the basic concepts and skills. Students are enrolled in these courses based on test scores and teacher recommendation.
Elective Course Variety
Because high school students have many different interests and many different abilities, Totino-Grace offers students variety and choice in their class selections. The comprehensive Totino-Grace academic program is designed to meet the many needs of our community of learners. In addition to required and elective courses in our core subjects, we offer courses in Industrial Technology, Business, Art, Music, Theater, Physical Education, Spanish, French, and Family and Consumer Science. During four years at Totino-Grace, the combination of required and elective courses provides students a solid foundation in core subjects, excellent preparation for college, and a chance to pursue areas of special interest.