Archbishop Curley High School’s rigorous academic program challenges each student to develop the skills necessary for success in the college or university of his choice. Our dedicated faculty guide students through the learning process and help them maximize their potential. Curley’s required courses provide a firm foundation for future success, while introducing students to elective courses designed to open minds to future college majors and careers.
In the Franciscan education model, each Curley Man is engaged in an active learning environment that asks him to think, discuss, investigate and create. In these ways the student accepts more responsibility to grow in knowledge, thus preparing him to be a lifelong learner.
Proof of our students’ academic success can be measured by a 100% college acceptance rate, from an impressive list of colleges and universities, and over $21 million in merit scholarships awarded to the Class of 2023. Individual success is measured by readiness for college, and the development of critical thinking, effective communication, and academic leadership.
ACADEMIC Programs
The St. Bonaventure Scholars Program
For an elite group of students, the St. Bonaventure Scholars Program offers an academic challenge beyond the honors curriculum. The St. Bonaventure Scholars program is a comprehensive experience that combines high-level academic coursework with opportunities and experiences that go beyond the classroom. A Capstone Project, the Days of Discovery program, and out-of-state college visits provide a rich and well-rounded experience for students who earn acceptance to this program.
The Honors Program
Archbishop Curley’s Honors Program is designed to challenge highly talented and motivated students to pursue Advanced Placement (AP) and Honors level courses. Archbishop Curley maintains relationships with several local colleges and universities, encouraging students to earn college credits through dual-enrollment opportunities.
Contact info:
Ms. Cheryl Jose
St. Bonaventure Program Coordinator
(410) 485-5000
[email protected]
The St. Anthony Program
The St. Anthony Program is a multifaceted college preparatory program intentionally designed for young men who require adaptive learning practices due to academic challenges, a diagnosed learning difference, or different learning styles. This program is meant to support students and provide its graduates with the tools necessary to succeed at the next level of education.
Contact info:
Mr. Peter Snarski
St. Anthony Program Coordinator
(410) 485-5000
[email protected]
ACADEMIC DEPARTMENTS
Business Department
The Accounting Program within the Business Department provides the basis for a college major in accounting and possible employment in the profession. Some of our graduates have received college scholarships in accounting and are currently employed at various firms in and around Baltimore, including the Big 4. We also offer a Personal Finance course and an Introduction to Principles of Business, which, in part, includes an overview of marketing, leadership, ethics and economics. 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 focuses on developing practical, real-world skills for the 21st century using project-based learning.
Juniors: Accounting I, Principles of Business, Intro to Programming C++, Personal Finance, Yearbook
Seniors: Accounting I, Accounting II, Yearbook
Instructors: Mr. Stephen Streckfus ’93, and Mr. Karl Snyder
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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 commitment to the subject matter: grammar, creative and practical composition, the reading and analytical study of British, American, and World Literature, and public speaking skills. The department offers adaptive learning opportunities for Freshmen and Sophomore students who benefit from the reinforcement of organizational, comprehension, and writing skills. Advanced Placement is offered on the Junior and Senior levels for those students who wish to challenge their academic abilities and seek dual enrollment on the collegiate level.
Freshmen: Composition, Grammar, and Literature Survey; Reading and Writing I
Sophomores: Composition, Literary Genres, and World Literature; Reading and Writing II
Juniors: American Literature, Advanced Placement English Language and Composition; Real World Reading and Writing
Seniors: Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition; British Literature; Literary and Mass Media Arts
Affiliated Clubs: The Curley Chronicle Student Newspaper; Visions Literary Magazine; Curley Podcasting Club
Chairperson: Mrs. Kathy Schucker
Instructors: Mr. Owen Edwards, Mrs. Kathy Schucker, Mr. Peter Snarski, Ms. Holly Turlington, Mrs. Emily Vandergriff, Ms. Victoria Vandergriff, Mr. Anthony Patino
Fine Arts
Archbishop Curley’s Fine Arts Department features a comprehensive academic program with progressive courses for the study of the arts. The instrumental music, choral music and visual arts programs are staffed by professional musicians and artists who specialize in music/art education.
The instrumental music facilities are well-equipped with a variety of quality instruments, from the piccolo to the tuba, all for student use. Also featured is an extensive library of symphonic band, jazz ensemble and percussion ensemble musical repertoire.
The choral music facilities include large and medium-sized rehearsal spaces, and extensive choral music library and solo practice facilities which include a variety of keyboard instruments. Hand bells and choir chimes are also available for ensemble use.
The visual arts studio is full equipped with a variety of traditional and digital tools available for Curley art students to explore.
Chairperson: Mr. Michael Gaffney
Choral Music
Director: Mr. Michael Gaffney
Courses and Ensembles: Curley Choir, Curley Schola, Luminare Choir & Curley Ringers
Instrumental Music
Director: Dr. Jeff Osarczuk
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, AP Studio & AP Photography
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.
Students are required to take four consecutive years of mathematics to reach graduation requirements
A mathematics placement test is offered in the spring before freshman year
Algebra I, Honors Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra ll, Pre-Calculus, Algebra ll Honors, AP Calculus AB, Plane Geometry, Solid & Coordinate Geometry, Descriptive Geometry, AP Calculus BC, Honors Calculus, Honors Algebra ll and Trigonometry, Probability and Statistics, Financial Algebra, AP Statistics, Honors Pre-Calculus, Multi-Variable Calculus
Affiliated Clubs / Activities: NMHS – National Math Honor Society, Math Club
Chairperson: Ms. Carrie Jenkins
Instructors: Ms. Carrie Jenkins, Mr. Tom Olszewski, Mr. Jim Pavlacka, Mrs. Natalie Hax, Ms. Nancy Dalina, Mr. Karl Snyder, Ms. Catherine Smith, Mrs. Elizabeth Kunkoski
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), Athletic Training (1 credit), Weight Training & Conditioning (1/2 credit)
Seniors: Weight Training & Conditioning (1/2 credit), Athletic Training, Athletic Training (1 credit)
Chairperson: Mr. Marty McGinty
Instructors: Mr. Travis Williams, Mr. Daniel Kelly, Mr. Robert Jones
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: Human Anatomy, Anatomy & Physiology, Topics in Biotechnology, Forensic Science, Physics, AP Physics, AP Biology, AP Environmental Science, Computer Science Principles
Project Lead The Way (PLTW) is a nonprofit organization that provides a transformative learning experience for K-12 students and teachers, and Archbishop Curley joins more than 8,000 schools across the U.S. in offering PLTW programs to students.
PLTW Engineering empowers students to step into the role of an engineer, adopt a problem-solving mindset, and make the leap from dreamers to doers. The program engages students in collaborative, real-life activities like working with a client to design a home, using a flight simulator to learn basic pilot skills, or exploring algae as a biofuel source. As students work together to imagine and design solutions to local and global challenges, they test their limits and question what’s possible. And by pushing themselves to rework and refine their projects, PLTW Engineering students learn that both failure and perseverance are key to learning and innovation.
Engineering Courses
Freshmen: Engineering Essentials (1/2 Credit)
Sophomore: Introduction to Engineering
Juniors: Principles of Engineering
Seniors: Aerospace Engineering or Electric Vehicle (EV)
Affiliated Clubs: HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America), Robotics Club
Chairperson: Mrs. Kimberly Burton
Instructors: Mrs. Kimberly Burton, Ms. Danielle Larsen, Mrs. Julie Wysocki, Dr. Ashish Pandey, Mr. Daniel Kelly, Mrs. Maria Hernandez
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, Psychology, Geography, American Military History, International Relations
Affiliated Clubs / Activities: History Club, Model UN
Chairperson: Mr. Christopher Ogle
Instructors: Mr. Daniel Ayd, Mr. Gordon Topper, Mr. Conor McCue, Mr.Karl Dotterweich, Mr. Nicholas Brownlee
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: God and Life’s Big Questions- An Introduction to Catholicism and the Old Testament
Sophomores: An Encounter with God’s Love: The Person of Jesus Christ and the Church- The New Testament, Sacraments, and the Church
Juniors: Character, Conscience, and Community: An Introduction to Christian Ethics-Morality and Catholic Social Teaching OR Junior Catholic Leadership
Seniors: Faith Explorations: History, World Religions, and Vocations OR Senior Catholic Leadership
Electives: Introduction to Philosophy
Affiliated Organizations: Praise Band, Franciscan Youth Ministry (FYM), FLEX Team Peer Ministry Program, Mission 4 Service Program, Class Retreats
Chairperson: Fr. Chris Dudek OFM Conv.
Instructors: Deacon Tim Maloney, Fr. Emmanuel Wenke OFM Conv., Mr. Matthew Walton, Deacon Daniel Miller, Mr. John Paul Harper
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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 Notre Dame of Maryland University and is offered for AP Spanish Language, AP Spanish Literature, Honors Latin III and Honors Latin 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 the spring before freshman year.
Spanish I-IV, AP Spanish Language & Culture, AP Spanish Literature & Culture
Dual Enrollment is offered through Notre Dame of Maryland University for the AP Courses.
French I-IV
Latin I-IV
Classical Mythology
Clubs/Activities affiliated with department: Global Seal of Biliteracy, Spanish National Society, Field Trips to Baltimore Museum of Art and Authentic Restaurants, Opportunities for International Trips Abroad
Chairperson: Mr. Mark Muth ’09
Instructors: Ms. Cheryl Jose, Mr. Mark Muth ’09, Mrs. Annie Bartomioli, Mr. Richard Golden