Academics

Welcome

Courses of Study

At Bishop McLaughlin, our definition of academic excellence encompasses more than grades. St. Charles Borromeo taught us that “We must keep ourselves in the presence of God, as much as possible.” We at Bishop believe that we must educate our students, but more than that, we must provide them with Catholic understanding and character to put their knowledge to good use for themselves, our Church and the world.

At Bishop, we strive to create an appealing and stimulating curriculum for all of students. Each student’s schedule is tailored to the individual’s talents. Bishop McLaughlin offers five levels of academics: Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment, Honors, College Prep 2, College Prep 1 and ACCESS. Students are not locked into any track and may move up or down depending on their performance. In addition, a student may be scheduled in Honors in one subject, but placed in College Prep 2 in another.

Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI). We also hold membership in the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) and the Florida High School Activities Association (FHSAA).

ADVANCED PLACEMENT

COLLEGE PLANNING

The Next Step...

The next step in your academic career is deciding where to apply to and attend college. A college education offers lifetime benefits and is one of the best investments you can make for your future. By applying to a range of colleges, you can expand your opportunities and increase your likelihood of success. Attending a college that is a good fit for you can be a fulfilling and transformative experience! – Excerpt from The College Board

GRADUATION REQUIREMENT

Requirements for Graduation
In order to participate in the Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement Ceremony, a student must fulfill the school’s academic and service requirements and have no outstanding financial obligations. A total of 28 credits is required for graduation. Graduation requirements are as follows:

Current Graduation Requirements

  • 4 Theology
  • 4 English
  • 4 Mathematics (must include Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II)
  • 3 Science (must include Biology and two additional laboratory component classes)
  • 3 Social Studies (must include World History, American History, Government, and Economic Literacy)
  • 1 HOPE – Health Opportunities through Physical Education
  • 1 Visual or Performing Arts
  • 2 World Languages (must include two consecutive years of the same world language; a third year of the same world language is recommended for highly competitive colleges)
  • 6 Credits in additional courses *One course from the above 28 credits must be online, not to include Driver’s Ed

  • Additionally, each student must complete 100 Community Service hours (25 hours per academic year) as a requirement for graduation.

    New Academic Graduation Requirements starting with the class of 2026
  • 4 Theology
  • 4 English
  • 4 Mathematics (must include Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II)
  • 4 Science (must include Biology and two additional laboratory component classes)
  • 4 Social Studies (must include World History, American History, Government, and Economic Literacy)
  • 1 HOPE – Health Opportunities through Physical Education
  • 1 Visual or Performing Arts
  • 2 World Languages (must include two consecutive years of the same world language; a third year of the same world language is recommended for highly competitive colleges)
  • 4 Credits in additional courses

  • New Academic Graduation Requirements starting with the class of 2027
  • ½ Credit in Finance Literacy and 3.5 Credits in additional courses

  • Additionally, each student must complete 100 Community Service hours (25 hours per academic year) as a requirement for graduation.

    Transfer Student Theology Course Placement
    A transfer student must take grade-level theology courses starting from the time of enrollment.

    Grade Level Progression for the Class of 2023, 2024 and 2025
    To proceed to the next grade level students will need the following minimum credits:
    9th going to 10th - 7 credits (1 credit in English, Mathematics, Science, History & Theology)
    10th going to 11th - 14 credits (2 credits in English, Mathematics, Science, History & Theology)
    11th going to 12th – 21 credits (3 credits in English, Mathematics, Science, History & Theology)

    Grade Level Progression for the Class of 2026 and Beyond
    To proceed to the next grade level students will need the following minimum credits:
    9th going to 10th - 7 credits (1 credit in English, Mathematics, Science, History & Theology)
    10th going to 11th - 14 credits (2 credits in English, Mathematics, Science, History & Theology)
    11th going to 12th – 21 credits (3 credits in English, Mathematics, Science, History & Theology)

    Sample questions to ask college admissions officers
     Students should take notes during the presentation and ask lots of relevant and intelligent questions. Please remember that you represent not only yourself, but also BMCHS in each and every contact you have with a college or university.
    Setting
    • Describe the size and setting of the campus. What are the top five states from which your students come?
    • How is your institution unique? What distinguishes it from most other colleges and universities?
    • What sort of academic calendar do you use: semesters, trimesters, one course at a time, etc.?
    Academics
    • What are the most popular majors?
    • What is the average class size for introductory, general education classes taken by freshmen and sophomores? Overall, what is the undergraduate student-faculty ratio? What is the overall undergraduate average class size?
    • How difficult or easy is it for freshmen and sophomores to enroll in courses they want?
    • Who typically teaches freshman & sophomore courses – professors, T.A.’s?
    • How easy is it to double major? How easy is it to major in one area such as science, and minor in another such as business?
    • How writing-intensive is your curriculum?
    • How available are faculty members? What are typical office hours? Do they give home numbers?
    • Is there much informal student-faculty contact outside of class such as students and faculty having lunch or dinner together or playing sports together?
    • Does each student have a personally assigned advisor, or is advising conducted by an “advisement center?” Does the student have an opportunity to select or change his/her advisor?
    • Is there an early-alert system at the college whereby first semester students receive feedback about their progress before they receive their final grades?
    • What services are offered to students needing help or tutoring?
    • Does the college have any special programs or courses for college seniors designed to serve as a “capstone” experience that ties together the students’ university experiences?
    • Describe student computing facilities. What is the ratio of campus computers (available for student use) to students?
    Admissions
    • What are the ranges of SAT and ACT scores and grade point average of entering freshmen?
    • What are the average SAT, ACT and GPA scores?
    • What are the deadlines for admission? Do you offer alternatives to regular admission such as early decision, early action, rolling admission? How many applications did you receive last year? What % were admitted?
    • What academic preparation do you expect in order to be admitted – which qualities and experiences are you looking for in a student? What kind of student is most successful at your university?
    • What sort of student would not be happy at your institution?
    • Do you have any pointers on writing essays that your school requires with the application?
    • Tell me about your graduation rate. How long does it usually take for full-time students to complete a degree in (specific major) at your college?
    • What is the college’s retention rate? What percent of freshmen return for sophomore year? What percentage of students who start at the college actually finish and get their degree?
    Finances
    • What is the cost of attendance? (Cost of attendance includes tuition, books, fees, room, board, transportation, etc.).
    • What percent of students receive merit-based scholarships? How much is offered for the largest merit scholarship? What is the average merit-aid given?
    • What percent of students receive need-based financial aid and grants?
    • For Catholic colleges only: Do you have any special scholarships given to students from Catholic schools?
    Housing
    • Are freshmen guaranteed housing? Is housing guaranteed beyond the freshmen year?
    • Are students required to live on campus? What % of students lives on campus?
    • What percent of students stay on campus on weekends?
    • Describe the variety of housing styles on campus: suites, apartments, etc.
    Diversity and internationalism
    • How ethnically diverse is the campus? What percent of the student body is composed of international students?
    • What are the opportunities for study abroad? Does your institution have some unique programs? What percent of your student body studies abroad?
    • Can financial aid and scholarship monies be used to study abroad? If so, for how many semesters?
    Service and Internships
    • What is the availability of campus work opportunities?
    • What volunteer/community service opportunities are available for students at the college?
    • What percent of students do internships? How does your college assist students in finding internships?
    Safety
    • What campus security measures do you have? Is an escort service provided to/from the library, for night classes?
    • Tell me about the crime statistics on your campus – assault, rape, robbery, car theft, etc. What are the most “typical” incidents of crime?
    Campus Life
    • What activities on campus are the most popular with students?
    • What transportation means are available? Around campus, to closest city, airport etc.
    • Is there a campus bus to town (or the local community) and back?
    • Which religious services, such as a Catholic Newman Center or a Hillel Center, are available on campus? Are religious denominations available on campus for social and/or counseling purposes?
    • Tell me about Greek life on your campus: are there fraternities and sororities? How big a part do they play on campus? Which ones have the highest GPA’s?

    Student-athletes who plan to participate in athletics at college may research this at a number of the links below. Note that prospective student-athletes have certain responsibilities to meet to be eligible to participate in athletics in Division I and Division II college programs. Visit NCAA Online and the NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse for more info.

    Financial Aid
    Scholarship Information

    More Info on Catholic Scholarship Promise

    Avoiding Scholarship Scams

    Each year, an estimated 300,000 students and parents are cheated by scholarship scams, according to the Financial Aid Information Page, a comprehensive financial aid web site. “Fraudulent scholarship and loan companies are counting on families in desperate need of financial resources to not thoroughly investigate their company,” cautions Bob Williams, President and CEO of the Better Business Bureau. Scholarship scams have existed for years but with increased usage of the Internet, they are on the rise. Dr. Kenneth Hartman, author of the College Board’s “Internet Guide for College-Bound Students,” and contributor to the College Board’s web site, provides the following warning: “Scholarship scam artists lurk on the World Wide Web, and they could be hazardous to your bank account.”

     Several warning signs have been reported to the Financial Aid Information Page and the Better Business Bureau. The following are just a few:

    • Scholarships with application fees
    • Scholarship services requiring fees
    • Questionable addresses
    • Unusual requests for personal information

    Source: A Fall Issue of “Higher Education Access” a publication of the Higher Education Center at the Boston Public Library.

    “Heads Up!” There are phony college scholarship services…

    Recently, the Federal Trade Commission found a number of Web sites with deceptive practices. Companies posing as scholarship search or financial-aid foundations charge from about $25 to provide lists of scholarships, to more than $800 to guarantee eligibility for a minimum amount of financial aid. These promises of guarantees are not possible. To identify false claims consult the following web site: www.ftc.gov/scholarshipscams Beware of services that do “all the work” students must apply for scholarships and grants. Advice: Don’t give out credit card or bank account information to “hold a scholarship.” Scholarship lists are available at schools and libraries or at www.fastweb.com and www.collegeboard.com.

    Source: Dallas Martin, Ph.D., president, National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, Washington D.C. www.nasfaa.org

    Beware! Six signs that a scholarship opportunity may not live up to its promise
    1. “The scholarship is guaranteed or your money back.”
    2. “You can’t get this information anywhere else.”
    3. “May I have your credit card or bank account numbers to hold this scholarship?”
    4. “We’ll do all the work.”
    5. “The scholarship will cost you money.”, “There is a small handling fee which must accompany the application.”
    6. “You’ve been selected by a national foundation to receive a scholarship”, or “You’re a finalist” in a contest you never entered.

    As students aspiring to attend the college of your choice, you need to follow the 4-year timeline to ensure you stay on track to reach your goals for college.

    Freshman Year Timeline
    • Monitor academic progress
    • Encourage involvement in a wide variety of activities
    • Start exploring the type of college/university that you want to attend
    • Select challenging, but appropriate 10th grade courses
    • Explore attending a summer program at a college/university
    • Schedule your CPR (College Preparatory Review) meeting with the School Counselor to review academic progress and PLAN test results
     
    Obtain 10 hours of community service by fall exams and 25 hours of community service by the spring exams. 
    Sophomore Year Timeline
    • Continue to monitor academic progress
    • Continue to encourage involvement in activities and the development of leadership skills
    • Take the PSAT in October
    • Attend local college fair
    • Select challenging, but appropriate 11th grade courses
    • Schedule college visits to colleges/universities that interest you
    • Schedule your CPR (College Preparatory Review) meeting the with School Counselor to review academic progress and PSAT test results
     
    Obtain 35 hours of community service by fall exams and 50 hours of community service by the spring exams.
    Junior Year Timeline
    September
    • Prepare for the PSAT (review last year’s results)
    • Assess your schedule – Review the core class and graduation requirements
    October
    • Take the PSAT (This test determines National Merit Scholars and the scores are made public to colleges wanting to contact top students)
    • Attend College Fair
    December – February
    • Review the results of your PSAT to prepare for the SAT I
    • Register for the spring round of ACT tests and SAT tests
    • Make an appointment to meet with your School Counselor for your CPR (college preparatory review) meeting
    • Prepare for SAT/ACT-explore the option of taking a review course
    • Plan for a challenging senior year
    March
    • During spring break, visit colleges to gain a sense of the various options
    • Collect information on colleges
    • Register for SAT and ACT if you have not already done so
    • Decide if you need to take the SAT II based on colleges’ requirements and register for the June test date
    • Continue SAT/ACT preparation
    April
    • Work to refine your initial college list
    • Work on your resume
    • Visit colleges
    • Select two teachers to write your letters to recommendation and give them a copy of your resume and a form from the Counseling Office (teachers need at least a three week notice to write you a letter)
    May
    • Plan your summer college visits and schedule interviews
    • Begin thinking about Early Action or Early Decision possibilities
    • Begin researching private sources of financial aid (parents, employers, community resources, etc.)
    • Turn in resume to Counseling Office by May 2nd
    • Prepare for SAT II
    • Take your AP tests
    • Finish the year strong!
    June – August
    • Continue researching, visiting, and collecting information about colleges
    • Talk with returning college students about their college experiences
    • Make corrections and additions on your resume
    • Start planning topics for your college essays and write rough drafts
    • Refine list of colleges
    • Know Early Decision and Early Action schools
    • Begin work on college applications – The more you get done over the summer, the less hectic the fall will be
    • Apply as early as you can to school of your choice. There are some schools that accept applications as early as August 1st
     
    Obtain 60 hours of community service by fall exams and 75 hours of community service by the spring exams.
    Senior Year Timeline
    August
    • Senior parent meeting regarding financial aid
    September
    • Request current admissions materials for any additional colleges to which you intend to apply
    • Visit colleges
    • Continue working on personal statement/essay for applications
    • Finalize your college applications and submit the necessary paperwork to the Counseling Office
    • Organize all application material
    • Work on essays in English class or with English teacher
    • Make a note of all deadlines – application for admissions as well as scholarships and financial aid
    • Meet with college representatives visiting the school
    • Decide whether or not to file and Early Action or Early Decision application
    • Register for October SAT I and SAT II
    • Finalize work on all college application and pay attention to deadlines
    October
    • Continue working on applications and pay attention to deadlines
    • Meet with college representatives visiting the school
    • Attend the College Fair
    November
    • Meet with college representatives visiting the school
    • Complete applications
    • Register for a PIN for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
    • Pay attention to announce scholarships and complete scholarship applications
    December
    • If accepted under Early Decision, withdraw all other applications
    • Check on need for alumni review
    • Notify Counseling Office of college acceptances
    • Complete the 110 hour service requirement needed to graduate
    January
    • Watch for all deadlines – financial aid, scholarships, etc
    • File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
    • Complete the student portion of the Bright Futures Scholarship paperwork
    February
    • Decide if more applications should be filed
    • Mid-year grades will be sent to colleges
    • Mail any supplementary information that may be helpful
    March
    • Notify the Counseling Office of all college acceptances and scholarships
    April
    • Revisit colleges if necessary
    • Work closely with your School Counselor if you are wait-listed at any school
    May
    • Take AP exams
    • Send tuition deposit to your first choice college by their deadline
    • Inform other colleges that you will not be enrolling
    June
    • Final transcripts will be sent to the colleges of your choice
     
    Obtain 85 hours of community service by fall exams and 100 hours of community service by the spring exams.

    COUNSELING

    Advocating For Students

    The mission of Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School’s Counseling Department is to provide a developmental and systematic comprehensive program that ensures academic, personal, social, and career development and achievement for all students. The program is proactive and preventative in its focus and enhances the learning process by assisting students in acquiring critical professional standards and appropriate models of best practices in the field as an integral part of education. Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School’s counseling program is designed, implemented, and managed by professionally trained and certified counselors who provide a systematic array of curriculum, interventions, and services that include the skills and knowledge of counseling, consultation, coordination, and curriculum. Professional school counselors are charged with advocating that all students benefit from the educational program. They work collaboratively with school staff, families, and members of the community to provide seamless transitions from school-to-school and school-to-career so that all are productive citizens and effective leaders. For more information email Director of Guidance or call (727) 857-2600. -Excerpt from The College Board

    Counseling Resources

    Here are a few resources to help you navigate the process of selecting a college or university and applying for admission a little easier.

    Counseling FAQ

    How can I arrange to talk to my guidance counselor?

    You can stop by the main office to request to see your guidance counselor. Who knows? Your counselor may be available to talk right now! For simpler questions or to make an appointment, email your counselor directly. It’s a great way to get a fast response. Be sure to include your homeroom teacher’s name and the period you are interested in making the appointment.

    See the “Guidance Appointments” above in the counseling resources section.

    What is BMCHS’s “school code” or “CEEB code”?

    101850

    What is BMCHS’s address and phone number?

    Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School
    13651 Hays Road
    Spring Hill, FL 34610
    Phone: 727-857-2600
    Fax: 727-857-2613

    How do I get a transcript sent?

    Complete a Transcript Release form and submit it to Guidance.

    Order Transcripts

    Transcript Ordering Guide

    What is Parchment

    How can I become involved in after school activities?

    Your student handbook has a list of activities. Listen to announcements, watch bulletin boards, talk to the advisor or your friends to find out when the next meeting is, and go! Sometimes it’s easier to start a new activity if you go the first time with a friend or someone who is already a member of the activity.

    What do I do if I have a concern about something that occurred in my (or my child’s) classroom (grades, assignments, classroom activity, student behavior, etc.)?

    Your (child’s) teacher is always the best resource for accurate and complete information about classroom events and student performance, so it is always best to begin by speaking to him or her. Your (child’s) counselor might also be a good resource for more general strategies and interventions, or to provide support to you (your child) in school. In the very rare situation where your concern can not be resolved at this level, you may want to speak to the department supervisor.

    How can I contact my child’s teacher?

    Either by voicemail or e-mail. See the staff directory.

    Does BMCHS offer tutoring to students in academic distress?

    Yes, but consider approaching your teacher first to see if he or she can assist you. In addition, the National Honor Society provides tutors in a drop-in lab and one-to-one on a limited basis. Guidance will have more information about this opportunity. Students who require intensive and ongoing remediation may have greater success by working with a private tutor. Your counselor or teacher may be able to offer some names of private tutors.

    When should I take the SAT and/or the ACT?

    It is recommended that a student take the SAT and ACT at least once before the end of their junior year.

    How many times should I take the SAT and/ or the ACT?

    This varies from student to student, but most counselors recommend taking it two or three times.

    Students should be careful in taking the SAT multiple times, as the College Board will send ALL previous scores to these universities. For this reason, students should not take the SAT more than 3 times total, and should be careful to study between these tests to make sure each successive score report shows an improvement over the previous.

    You can take the ACT more than once and can elect which scores are sent to colleges for review.

    Should I take the CollegeBoard Subject Tests? When?

    Subject Tests are sometimes requested by colleges as well, although they are seldom required. The best time to take a College Board Subject Test is at the end of a year in which a student is taking the highest level of the subject in which the student wants to take the test. Students should prepare for Subject Tests by reviewing content material for the test, so it may make sense to take biology, chemistry, physics, foreign language or math on a June test date.

    How do I register for the SAT?

    Get more info and register online at www.collegeboard.com.

    How do I register for the ACT?

    Get more info and register online at www.act.org.

    Do I really need to visit the colleges that I am applying to before I know if I’ve been accepted?

    College visits are the most critical step in completing your research. It’s the only way to get a true feel for a campus and whether it is the right fit for you. Additionally, you may be interested to know that after considering your grades, courses taken in high school, and test scores, an absolutely key variable in an admissions committee’s decision to admit a student may be whether or not that student has actually taken the time to visit the campus! This is especially true of a student whose GPA, course selection, or SAT scores are not quite as high as the committee would like. On the many college visitations that your guidance counselors have made, admissions reps frequently mention that when tough choices have to be made in admitting a few students from a pool of similarly qualified individuals, whether a student has visited campus can be the deciding factor. If at all possible, make that visit! If it is a true hardship for you to make that visit, put that and the reason for the hardship in writing and ask the admissions office to include it in your application file.

    If I can’t visit right now, what else can I do to learn more about a college that is of great interest to me?

    Many college representatives visit BMCHS each fall. If you are seriously interested in attending a college or university that takes the time to visit BMCHS, then you should make every effort to attend that meeting. The representative who visits will often be the person who does the first read of your application when you apply. Make a good impression by coming to the meeting and being prepared to participate in the conversation. It’s your chance to show your best to the person who is in the best position to advocate for you when admission decisions are being made!

    What kinds of questions should I ask college reps?

    Questions to Ask College Admissions Reps is a list of questions that may help you elicit important information about colleges you are considering. Asking pertinent questions helps to present you as an interested, active applicant rather than an apathetic passive one.

    Do my extracurricular and outside activities really matter all that much in admission to college?

    The things you do in your spare time may be the coolest thing a college admissions representative ever heard about! Don’t be afraid to tell about yourself, and the passions in your life, when you apply to that college of your dreams. If you don’t tell, who will?

    How can I find out about scholarship opportunities?

    Most often, students who receive the most merit aid receive this from the college that they choose to attend. To find this aid requires diligent research into each individual college’s available scholarships. Usually, eligible students are automatically offered scholarships for which they are qualified, but early research at college financial aid offices, or by checking a variety of resources, online and in print (Ex: CollegeBoard’s Scholarship Handbook) yields the most $$$ for students. BMCHS receives notices about many privately offered scholarships and keeps a file of applications in the Guidance Office.  For more information, visit our Scholarship Section.

    Additional Information

    • Orientation of new students
    • Cumulative records review
    • Educational referral and placement
    • Psychological referral services
    • Student referral and placement follow-up
    • Academic counseling
    • Personal-social counseling
    • Group counseling
    • Classroom guidance
    • Peer facilitation and mediation
    • Crisis intervention counseling
    • College Counseling
    • Professional development training
    • Schedule and distribution of annual standardized testing
    • Consultation for students and parents
    • Student Support Plan development and implementation
    • Referral for special services
    • Student placement assistance
    • Assist with parent/teacher conferences
    • Crisis intervention team member
    • Scheduling of community education agencies
    • Consultation for administration team as necessary
    • Guidance planning and needs assessment services
    • Guidance program evaluation and revision
    • Assist with other special administrative needs as necessary
    • Financial Aid consultation for College
    • Consultation with parents
    • Assist in development/implementation of Student Support Plan
    • Referral services available in the community
    • Assist with parent/teacher conferences
    • Resource for parenting materials
    • Participate in the pre-referral/referral process for medical and/or psychoeducational assessment
    • Assist in development/implementation of Student Support Plan
    • Coordinate placement process
    • Provide information about school to outside agencies
    • Coordinate, cooperate, and collaborate with professional service providers
    • Crisis intervention availability to other schools and organizations

    Guidance Appointments

    If you would like to meet with a member of the guidance department, please complete this online form. For additional help, contact us at 727-857-2600.

    College Visit Form Off Campus

    Please fill out the following form. For additional help, contact us at 727-857-2600.

    College Visit Form On Campus

    Please fill out the following form. For additional help, contact us at 727-857-2600.

    Class Change Form

    Please fill out the following form. For additional help, contact us at 727-857-2600. Please note, final approval of schedule changes will be determined by class availability and satisfying class requirements.