Departments and Curriculum

Courses are offered on five levels with the exception of theology, social science, electives, and required computer courses. The average number of academic courses a student takes per semester is 7 (minimum is 6; maximum is 8).

Honors, Advanced Placement, and Dual Enrollment courses have restricted enrollment based on qualifying scores on placement tests, subject area grades, cumulative GPA, and teacher recommendation.

• General (GN) / Basic courses are designed for a student who requires a slower pace, greater direction, and an emphasis on drill and fundamentals in smaller class sizes.
• College Preparatory (CP) / Regular courses are designed to develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in higher education and for a student who can assume the responsibility of working independently to some degree.  
• Honors (HN) courses are designed for the student who is capable of learning much beyond the ordinary content of a course and who assumes the responsibility for some independent study. 
• Advanced Placement Courses are effectively reserved for juniors and seniors; exceptional sophomores may be eligible.
• Dual Enrollment Courses are available to juniors and seniors capable of college-level courses through Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC). Students must meet the entrance test requirements set by NVCC. The school considers dual enrollment courses to be equal in rigor to AP and weighs them accordingly.
• Through Project Lead the Way, students can elect to take Introduction to Engineering and Principles of Engineering to explore a range of engineering topics and to build problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and creativity. 
• Directed Independent Study provides an opportunity for qualified and approved students to pursue a project of interest beyond the normal curricular requirements under the aegis of a faculty advisor.