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An Intellectual
Tradition
At Nolan Catholic High School, our mission extends beyond academics; we are dedicated to nurturing the intellect, character, and leadership potential of our students. Our curriculum (comprised of a core of five subjects in addition to 30+ elective options) is meticulously crafted to cultivate well-rounded individuals who are academically proficient, morally grounded, and equipped to make a positive impact in the world. To see our complete course guide, click here; to see our reading list, click here.
“The philosophy of education at Nolan Catholic is based on the Catholic philosophy of life which embodies a complete conception of reality. Realizing that humans are not only physical, but also spiritual in nature, Christian education seeks to prepare the student to attain their goal. By maintaining a balance between scholarship and extra-curricular activities, the school seeks to develop the full potential of each student.”
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- NCHS Archives, 1967
The Core:
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At Nolan Catholic, our students collectively embark on a transformative journey to study the most important achievements of human history. This special program, called the "Core," is a shared educational pathway undertaken by all Nolan Catholic students, encompassing literature, history, philosophy, theology, economics, politics, science, mathematics, language, and fine arts.
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Mathematics: Ranging from Algebra to Calculus, our students not only acquire mathematical skills but also develop creative-thinking and problem-solving abilities, essential traits for effective leadership.
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Science: A four year sequence starting with Biology, our students develop a deep sense of wonder as well as responsibility towards the world, promoting ethical leadership in science and technology.
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Theology: Laying the foundation in Scripture, our students explore the writings of the early and post-Nicene Fathers, while also developing a strong sense of their calling in the world. This deep scriptural understanding is essential for guiding their leadership decisions and actions.
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Literature: Our literature courses expose students to a diverse collection of classics from different historical contexts, enabling them to relate to the experiences of others and develop leadership qualities rooted in compassion and empathy.
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History: Our history program emphasizes the importance of understanding human affairs. By studying the events and decisions of the past, students gain insights into the consequences of leadership choices, empowering them to be thoughtful and responsible leaders in their own right.
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Character and Leadership Development
At Nolan Catholic High School, character and leadership development are woven into the fabric of our core curriculum. We intentionally design assignments and classroom discussions to encourage problem solving, ethical reflection, and leadership skills. Students engage in service-learning opportunities, allowing them to apply their knowledge and values in real-world contexts.
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Head of school meeting with our Leadership Council captains.
READING LIST
Our carefully curated reading list plays a pivotal role in character development. Through exposure to a wide range of literary works, students gain a deep understanding of the human condition and the complexities of the past. This understanding equips them to analyze contemporary issues, make informed decisions, and actively shape a more just and compassionate future.
At Nolan Catholic, we are committed to nurturing the whole person and preparing students to be leaders who inspire change and uphold the highest moral and ethical standards.
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*The following sample list is not exhaustive and is subject to yearly revision.
Antigone (Sophocles)
The Odyssey (Homer)
The Illiad (Homer)
Midsummer’s Night Dream (Shakespeare)
The Aeneid (Vergil)
The Republic (Plato)
Macbeth (Shakespeare)
All Quiet on the Western Front (Erich Maria Remarque)
Night (Elie Wiesel)
One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich (Alexander Solzhenitsyn)
The Metamorphosis (Ovid)
The Crucible (Arthur Miller)
“Letter from a Birmingham Jail” (Martin Luther King)
The Great Gatsby (F. Scott Fitzgerald)
Our Town (Thorton Wilder)
Fahrenheit 451 (Ray Bradbury)
Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl (Harriet Jacobs)
The Didache
Works and Days (Hesiod)
Confessions (St. Augusatine)
Summa Theologica (St. Thomas Aquinas)
Poetics (Aristotle)
Much Ado About Nothing (Shakespeare)
Hamlet (Shakespeare)
Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen)
Frankenstein (Mary Shelley)
Oedipus Rex (Sophocles; R. Fagles trans.)
The Importance of Being Earnest (Oscar Wilde)
Screwtape Letters (C. S. Lewis)
As You Like It (Shakespeare)
Rhetoric (Aristotle)
Collection of timeless poems
Collection of great speeches
NUTS & BOLTS
Nolan Catholic High School provides a rigorous college preparatory curriculum requiring 30 Carnegie units for graduation. A student’s coursework includes theology classes each of his/her four years and weekly attendance at Mass.
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We offer Dual Credit, Advanced Placement, and Honors courses in multiple disciplines. The school term is divided into two semesters, which are 18 to 20 weeks in length.
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At the completion of each semester, credits are awarded for successfully completed coursework. Successfully completed coursework for one-semester courses earns one-half credit. Coursework completed for courses lasting one-year results in one full credit.
Course Guide
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Click HERE for Class of 2027 and future incoming freshmen classes