Academics

Program of Studies

To graduate from the Prep, a student must earn a minimum of 26 academic credits (as outlined below), satisfy the State of Pennsylvania requirement for physical education, and fulfill community service requirements through the Ignatian Service Program.
The Prep offers approximately 20 different Advanced Placement (AP) Courses. Students who take AP courses will sit for the respective AP exams in May, and many will receive college credit as a result of their performance. Prep students perform well above the national and local average; in 2016, 74% achieved a score of 3 or higher (on a scale of 1-5).

Admission to all AP Courses requires the approval of the academic department chairs, and the selection process is highly competitive.

Click below to Download the Program of Studies 2024-25

AP courses are offered in the following areas of study:

List of 7 items.

  • Classics

  • Computer Science

  • English

  • History and Social Studies

  • Mathematics

  • Modern Languages

  • Science

Credits

Course
Credits
Notes
Religious Studies
4
 
English
4
 
Mathematics / Computer Science
4
The mathematics / computer science requirement may be fulfilled by the successful completion of four credits, with a minimum of three credits being earned in mathematics courses.
History
3
World History (or AP Human Geography), US History, and US Government are required.
Science
3
Biology and Chemistry must be taken to fulfill part of the science requirement.
Classics & Modern Languages
5
The language requirement must be fulfilled by the successful completion of a combined total of five credits earned studying Classics and one modern language (French, German,
Spanish or Mandarin Chinese). A minimum of two credits must be earned in both Classics and the same modern language. An additional single credit of language (Classics or the
same modern language) must be completed for a total of five credits.
Fine Arts
1
 
Electives
2
 

Course Load

Freshmen and sophomores are required to enroll in 7 courses. Juniors and seniors are required to enroll in 6 courses per semester.

Students with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 may elect to enroll in a minimum of 6 courses during their junior and/or senior year. Many seniors choose to enroll in 6 courses so that they may have more time to meet with college representatives, prepare college applications, and research schools. No student may carry fewer than 6 courses per semester.

Special Note:

St. Joseph's Prep does not rank its students: a decision derived from the philosophy which encourages care for the individual, not necessarily in comparison to others, and also from a recognition that the Prep is a school with a selective student body and a rigorous college preparatory curriculum. Therefore, class rank is not an accurate measure of individual achievement and could be misleading in determining a student's ability to complete college work successfully.
Grade
Quality Point Equivalent
Numerical Equivalency
A
4.0
100 - 93%
A-
3.7
92 - 90%
B+
3.3
89 - 87%
B
3.0
86 - 83%
B-
2.7
82 - 80%
C+
2.3
79 - 77%
C
2.0
76 - 73%
C-
1.7
72 - 70%
D+
1.3
69 - 67%
D
1.0
66 - 65%
F
0.0
Below 65%
I
N/A
Student's work is incomplete

Faculty Directory & Course Catalog

Address

1733 W. Girard Avenue, Philadelphia PA 19130
Phone Number: (215) 978-1950

Resources

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