Academics
“At St. Rita, we believe every Ritaman should be challenged, supported, and given opportunities to develop his unique strengths and gifts. Our academic program provides students with a range of rigorous pathways, from Foundational and College Prep courses to Honors, Advanced Placement, and Dual Credit, while equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in college, pursue meaningful careers, and thrive in an ever-changing world.”
–Dr. Tom Conlon, PhD
Associate Principal
for Curriculum & Instruction
THREE RIGOROUS ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
Each year, every student is provided an academic plan tailored to his needs. He is placed in courses from our three programs of study. They are:
Augustinian Academy
Mendel Academic Program
Fr. James Green, O.S.A. Resource and Academic Support Program
Students are placed into classes based on their academic strengths and may take a combination of Advanced Placement, Dual Credit, Honors, College Prep, and Foundational level courses in any given semester or year.
Learn more about our three programs of study, as well as Advanced Placement Courses, Dual Credit Courses, and the Mustang Academic Program (MAP).
LEARN MORE
BECOME A RITAMAN
Augustinian Academy
The Augustinian Academy is a rigorous academic program for gifted and motivated students. It allows qualified students the opportunity for accelerated coursework. Courses include College Board approved Advanced Placement (AP) and Dual Credit classes in most subject areas and Honors courses in nearly every academic department.
Qualified students who take advantage of these offerings are well-prepared to enter the nation’s most competitive colleges and universities.
Mendel Academic Program
The Mendel Academic Program is a rigorous college prep program for dedicated and motivated college bound students. It provides students with all the essential tools for success at the college level.
Fr. James Green, O.S.A. Resource and Academic Support Program
The Fr. James Green, O.S.A. Resource and Academic Support Program is a customized learning resource program designed to meet the needs of students with documented learning differences who demonstrate the potential to succeed in a college preparatory program. Students are placed in the program according to their individual academic needs. The program provides an opportunity for students to receive individual attention, tutoring, mentoring, and help with study skills that are necessary for secondary and post-secondary success.
For more information on our Academic Support Program as well as any questions regarding academic support, please contact:
Mrs. Michele Dougherty | Academic Resource Coordinator
(773) 925-6600 ext. 6639 | mdougherty@stritahs.com
Investing in Great Teaching
We believe great teaching requires continual growth. That is why professional learning is built into the rhythm of our school year, giving faculty dedicated time to strengthen their teaching, collaborate with colleagues, and continually improve the learning experience for our young men.
Growing Our Practice
Thursday mornings bring research and experience together, giving faculty opportunities to explore current best practices in teaching while drawing on the knowledge and expertise already present within the St. Rita community. This work centers on student engagement, classroom management, assessment design, project-based learning, and emerging ways to use technology and artificial intelligence to strengthen learning for our young men.
Professional Learning & Formation
Each Thursday morning, faculty participate in a rotating program of professional learning and formation. The rotation includes professional development sessions focused on effective teaching in an all-boys setting, academic division time for curriculum planning, teacher-led Professional Learning Communities, and Augustinian spiritual formation rooted in our core values of Truth, Unity, and Love.
Supporting Teachers at Every Stage
Our commitment to growth begins the moment a teacher joins St. Rita. New teachers receive an intensive onboarding program that includes monthly instructional development sessions focused on effective teaching practices, one-on-one mentoring, and opportunities to observe experienced teachers in the classroom. Beyond our new-teacher program, faculty at every stage of their careers attend professional conferences, participate in external professional learning opportunities, and pursue advanced degrees that deepen both their subject-area expertise and their practice as educators.
Through this shared commitment to growth, St. Rita strives to empower its teachers to become the best educators they can be so they can provide a rich academic experience where our young men are known, challenged, supported, and given every opportunity to thrive.
“Cognia Accreditation is a rigorous process that focuses the entire school and its community on the primary goal of ensuring all students can flourish in engaging and equitable learning environments. We commend St. Rita of Cascia High School for meeting high standards and making progress on key indicators that impact student learning.”
- Dr. Mark A. Elgart,
President and CEO of Cognia