Incoming Freshmen/HSP Courses
Class of 2028: Welcome to Mater Dei High School!
OVERVIEW:
The HSP classes are built to prepare incoming Freshmen for their first year of high school at Mater Dei. Students of all levels are welcome to enroll in these classes to more smoothly transition into high school. Additionally, these classes provide an advanced opportunity to get acquainted with the campus and meet new classmates before the school year begins. HSP courses taken will be noted on the students’ transcripts; however, grades will not be factored in the students’ GPA.
IMPORTANT: Please review your student's Admissions Letter and Course Placement Letter for any specific requirements or recommendations before proceeding with registration.
- Based on the High School Placement Test scores and Admissions Committee review, some students are required or recommended to take the HSP English and HSP Math* courses. Students and their families are informed of the specific requirement/recommendation in the Admissions Letter; please review this letter prior to registering for classes.
- In some cases, taking the HSP course may improve your placement for the upcoming school year. For example, students who take High School Preparatory Math may be able to earn placement into Algebra I for the next school year. Please consult the respective Department Chairs or Placement Specialists for information regarding placements.
High School Preparatory English*
- This course emphasizes both English literature comprehension and composition skills enhancement. Students engage in the analysis of English literature while refining their writing abilities through frequent composition tasks. Additionally, the course aims to enhance reading comprehension skills, preparing students not only for English literature but also for texts across various high school subjects. Feedback from the teacher is provided to students on their compositions to facilitate their growth and development in both areas.
High School Preparatory Math*
- This course is a review of the basic arithmetic and Pre-Algebra skills necessary to do well in a more comprehensive Algebra course. All the topics and concepts addressed in this course have been covered in grades 5 through 8 of primary education. The purpose of this course is to assist students in becoming more proficient in the recall, understanding, and use of concepts and problem-solving methods which will lead to greater success in Algebra I and higher level math courses.
High School Preparatory Science Readiness
- The HSP Science Readiness course is intended for all incoming Freshmen to develop their fundamental understanding of topics, laboratory writing, scientific principles, and critical thinking skills.
- This introductory course can provide students with a strong foundation for further study in any Freshmen science course and help them develop essential skills applicable across various disciplines.
High School Preparatory Geometry Readiness
- Unlike the HSP Math course, enrollment in the HSP Geometry Readiness class must be pre-approved by the Math Department. Please review any communication you have received from the Math Department to ensure that you have selected the correct course before registering.
- This course is recommended for incoming Freshmen who were placed in Algebra I or Honors Algebra I but are interested in taking Geometry; students placed in Geometry may also register for this course as preparation for the school year.
COURSE DATES, TIMES, & FEES:
The HSP courses are offered at the following dates & times. When registering, you will select your preferred section(s).
- All courses are held on campus (in-person); remote option are not offered.
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WEDNESDAYS are considered FLEX DAYS. These days are reserved for Office Hours, make-ups, labs, or other specific meetings as determined by the teacher.
Course offerings and schedule are subject to change. If necessary, registered students will receive notification of any modifications.
INCOMING FRESHMEN: OTHER COURSE OPTIONS
Art I is a Credit Advancement course designed to fulfill the Art requirement for graduation. This course enables students to accelerate their progress by fulfilling prerequisites for advanced-level Art courses. This course offers the flexibility for students to complete both Semesters within a single Summer session or opt to split the Semesters between two Summers.
- Incoming Freshmen are eligible to take one or both Semester of Art I before entering high school. If interested, please visit our Credit Advancement page for more information.
Monarch Bootcamp is a Workshop exclusively tailored for incoming Freshmen and Transfer students. Students will have the opportunity to explore Mater Dei and learn what it is to be a Monarch. Students will get to know the campus, meet several key people, and get acquainted with resources for formation and success. Some topics include: school schedule and time management, social-emotional learning, theology, navigating service hours, essential MD technology, and more – all while getting to know future classmates.
- July 8-12, 2024 – 1:00PM-4:00PM (On-Campus)
- Workshops are NOT courses and do not earn students any credits towards graduation. No grades will be given, and these will not appear on the student’s transcript.
- For more information, please visit our Workshops page.
