With classes averaging 20 young men, and a student-faculty ratio of 13 to 1, the learning environment allows individualized attention from teachers. Archbishop Curley High School recognizes that every student has a unique educational background. With this in mind, Curley provides an individualized classroom experience designed to bring the most out of every student.
The curriculum includes class levels that allow students to challenge themselves at all times, receive individualized attention when necessary, and prepare for college in a rigorous academic environment. Every student accepted at Archbishop Curley High School has the potential to achieve in this college-preparatory environment. The curriculum is structured to provide students with the skills to enter and the discipline to succeed in the college or university of their choice.
ACADEMIC PATHWAYS
The Honors Pathway
The Honors Pathway is designed to challenge the highly talented and motivated student to pursue the AP and Honors courses, the dual-enrollment courses, and the availability of personalized attention to develop his gifts and know how to use them. For an elite group of students, the St. Bonaventure Scholars are challenged beyond the standard honors criteria to engage in their personal academic group leading to a Capstone Project. Special programs throughout the four years give a breadth, and a challenge, to their learning that goes well beyond the classroom.
The Standard Pathway
Curley’s general Standard Pathway focuses on the 21st Century skills needed for success in the modern world. A student’s placement is evaluated on a regular basis by the faculty to ensure a challenging and appropriate curriculum. In addition to preparing students for college, the College Counseling Program works with students and parents, beginning in the freshman year, to find the best college for each young man, and for that young man to reach his goals.
The St. Anthony Pathway
The St. Anthony Pathway is a multifaceted college preparatory course of study intentionally designed for young men of diverse backgrounds who are in need of adaptive learning practices due to academic challenges or a diagnosed learning difference. Students are similarly assisted by the college counseling program.
Contact info:
Mr. Peter Snarski
St. Anthony Pathway Coordinator
(410) 485-5000
psnarski@archbishopcurley.org
ACADEMIC DEPARTMENTS
Business / Technology Department
The Accounting Program within the Business Department provides the basics for a college major in accounting and possible employment in the profession. Some of our graduates have received college scholarships in accounting. The department is staffed by teachers who have all worked in some business capacity prior to working in education at Archbishop Curley. The Department is also committed to offering the most current and up-to-date facilities, technology and curriculum. Archbishop Curley High School has been upgrading its facilities and computer program to offer its students the best and most current computer instruction. The computer program is designed to grow and develop over time to incorporate new technology as it becomes available.
Freshmen: n/a
Sophomore: Computer Applications (1/2 credit)
Juniors: Accounting I, Business Management, Intro to Programming C++, Intro to Programming Visual Basic, Personal Business Management
Seniors: Accounting I, Accounting II, Intro to Programming C++, Intro to Programming Visual Basic, Consumer Education & Law, Senior Internet & Web Page Design
Instructor: Mr. Stephen Streckfus ’93
English Department
The English Department is staffed with an experienced and enthusiastic faculty who dedicate their time and effort to reading and writing across the curriculum. They infuse their teaching with dedication to the subject matter: grammar, composition, creative and practical writing, the reading and analytical study of both British and American literature, and public speaking skills. The department offers adaptive learning opportunities for Freshman and Sophomore students who benefit from reinforcement of comprehension and writing skills. Advanced Placement is offered on the Junior and Senior levels for those students who wish to challenge their academic abilities.
Freshmen: Grammar, Composition, Literature Survey, Research, Reading I
Sophomores: Composition, Literary Genres, Research, Reading II
Juniors: American Literature, Creative Writing, AP British Literature, Real World Writing
Seniors: British Literature, Practical Writing, AP American Literature
Affiliated Clubs: Visions Literary Magazine, Speech and Debate
Chairperson: Mrs. Kathy Schucker
Instructors: Ms. Kathy Maskell, Mr. Peter Snarski, Mr. Stephen Mince, Ms. Holly Turlington, Mrs. Kathy Schucker
Fine Arts
Archbishop Curley’s Fine Arts Department has a comprehensive academic program with progressive courses for the study of the Arts. The instrumental, art and vocal programs are staffed by professional musicians and artists who specialize in education. The Instrumental rooms are well equipped with a variety of quality instruments, equipment and literature including an extensive library of Concert Band, Jazz and small ensemble literature, a complete section of percussion, as well as wind instruments from the piccolo to the tuba, all for student use.
Chairperson: Mr. Michael Gaffney
Vocal Music
Director: Mr. Michael Gaffney
Courses and Groups: Music Appreciation, Curley Choir, Schola Choir, Luminare Choir, Curley Ringers
Instrumental Music
Director: Mr. Christopher Campbell
Courses and Ensembles: Musicianship, Concert Band, Curley Jazz, Drum Line
Ensembles: Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Advanced Percussion Ensemble, and Drumline
Visual Arts
Instructor: Mr. Mark Halcott ’97
Courses: Art Seminar, Design & Composition, Fine Arts, Senior Studio, Digital Photography,
World Language Department
Archbishop Curley High School’s World Language Department is staffed by excellent teachers whose emphasis is based on teaching not only the spoken language, but also on teaching respect for all cultures. An emphasis is placed on developing speaking, reading, writing and listening skills. Dual enrollment is through Anne Arundel Community College and is offered for AP Spanish Language, AP Spanish Literature, Honors Italian III and Honors Italian IV.
STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE 2 CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF A WORLD LANGUAGE TO REACH GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS, BUT ARE ENCOURAGED TO TAKE A WORLD LANGUAGE ALL FOUR YEARS.
A Spanish placement test is offered in person in the spring before freshman year.
Spanish I-IV, AP Spanish Language & Culture, AP Spanish Literature & Culture, Dual Enrollment is through Anne Arundel Community College and is offered for the AP Courses.
French I-IV
Latin I-IV
Clubs/Activities affiliated with department: Spanish National Society, Field Trips to Baltimore Museum of Art and Authentic Restaurants, International Club, Opportunities for International Trips Abroad.
Instructors: Ms. Cheryl Jose, Mr. Mark Muth ’09
Mathematics Department
The Mathematics Department strives to help students solidify basic concepts and skills and prepare for higher level mathematics. To this end, the department offers Advanced Placement mathematics courses for the mathematically talented as well as fundamental math application courses for students who struggle with quantitative analysis. Together with the National Math Honors Society, the department runs a peer tutoring program and Math Lab resources are integrated into Anthony math courses.
Freshmen: Algebra I, Honors Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra ll, Pre-Calculus
Sophomores: Algebra ll Honors, Pre-Calculus, AP Calculus AB, Plane Geometry, Solid & Coordinate Geometry, Descriptive Geometry
Juniors: AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, Honors Calculus, Pre-Calculus, Honors Algebra ll and Trigonometry, Algebra ll and Trigonometry
Seniors: AP Statistics, AP Calculus BC, AP Calculus AB, Honors Calculus, Honors Pre-Calculus, College Algebra/Probability & Statistics, Multi-Variable Calculus
Affiliated Clubs / Activities: NMHS – National Math Honor Society, Math Club
Chairperson: Ms. Carrie Jenkins
Instructors: Mr. Brendan Ryan, Mr. Tom Olszewski, Mr. Jim Pavlacka, Mr. Tom Poddles ’77, Mrs. Natalie Hax
Physical Education
The Archbishop Curley Physical Education program is based upon the acquisition of knowledge and skills that are the foundation for engaging in physical activity. Our mission is to empower all students to sustain regular, lifelong physical activity as a foundation for a healthy, productive and fulfilling life.
Freshmen: Health (½ credit)
Sophomores: Physical Education I (½ credit)
Juniors: Physical Education II (½ credit)
Seniors: Weight Training & Conditioning, Athletic Training, Senior Physical Education
Chairperson: Mr. Marty McGinty
Instructors: Mr. Travis Williams, Mr. Barry Stitz ’87, Mr. Brendan Ireton, Mr. Daniel Kelly
Science Department
The overarching goal of Archbishop Curley High School’s science department is to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to be scientifically literate citizens. To that end, students are required to pass three years of science for graduation. Many courses are offered at three levels. While the content and activities at each level are tailored to meet the students’ individual needs and abilities, a central curriculum forms the basis for all courses
For those students interested in pursuing a degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) field, we offer the Project Lead the Way engineering program.
This program offers students the opportunity to engage in hands-on project based learning. Students will learn to apply the skills they have learned both in engineering and science courses to solve real world problems and prepare them to apply these skills in both future academic and career environments.
Science Courses
Freshmen: Biology
Sophomores: Chemistry
Juniors and Seniors: Concepts of Anatomy, Human Anatomy, Anatomy & Physiology, Forensic Science, Physics, AP Physics, AP Biology, AP Environmental Science
Engineering Courses
Sophomore: Introduction to Engineering
Juniors: Principles to Engineering
Seniors: New class will be added in the 2019-2020 school year
Affiliated Clubs: Biology Club, Environmental Club, Robotics Club
Chairperson: Mr. Steve King
Instructors: Ms. Danielle Larsen, Mrs. Julie Wysocki, Mrs. Kim Burton, Mr. Ashish Pandey, Mr. Daniel Kelly
Social Studies Department
A college preparatory curriculum placing stress on writing, research, public speaking and analytical skills. In addition, the challenging elective courses offered allow students to study particular areas of interest, and through our Advanced Placement course, receive college credit. In addition, a vast collection of primary documents, historical videos, computer programs, maps and globes are the background of the Department. Through the use of these materials, figures and events are placed in perspective to be easily understood with relevance to today’s ever-evolving world.
Freshmen: World Civilization
Sophomores: United States History I (Founding to Reconstruction)
Juniors: United States History II (Reconstruction to Present)
Seniors: AP US History, AP American Government and Politics, 20th Century History, Psychology, Geography, American Military History, Economics, History of Maryland, International Relations
Affiliated Clubs / Activities: History Club, Model UN
Chairperson: Mr. Christopher Ogle
Instructors: Mr. Tyler Cuomo ’08, Mr. Robert Lombardi, Mr. Tim Skarda ’08, Ms. Elisabeth Tisdale
Theology Department
In the spirit of Saint Francis of Assisi the Theology Department at Archbishop Curley has developed a comprehensive curriculum that focuses on significant areas of Catholic Faith and Spiritual Development. At the same time, that curriculum also emphasizes the holistic, educational development of each student by emphasizing writing skills, research, oral presentation and analysis. The staff is experienced, enthusiastic and dedicated to the spiritual, intellectual and emotional growth of the individual student. In coordination with Campus Ministry, the Department provides many opportunities for individual and group prayer, participation in the liturgy and receiving the sacraments. In addition, there are retreats and social justice activities within the community. Throughout the year, activities take place in the Archbishop Curley Chapel which is available to the Department and to the school at large. The Department may also invite “outside” speakers to address students on various subjects.
Freshmen: Introduction to the Bible and Introduction to the Mystery of Jesus Christ
Sophomores: Introduction to the Mission of Jesus Christ and Introduction to the Mystery of the Church
Juniors: Sacraments and Morality
Seniors: Church History and Vocations, Introduction to Philosophy
Affiliated Organizations: Praise Band, Franciscan Youth Ministry, FLEX Team Peer Ministry Program, Mission 4 Service Program, Class Retreats
Chairperson: Ms. Meeri Kangas
Instructors: Br. Lawrence LaFlame OFM Conv. ’72, Fr. Christopher Dudek OFM Conv., Deacon Tim Maloney, Mr. Ian Gill, Mr. Hunter Smith