Academics

At Marianapolis, academic curriculum fosters the development of critical and disciplined thinking, precise communication, scientific analysis, creative problem solving, and an understanding of global perspectives. At all grade levels, the curriculum encourages students to think creatively and to articulate ideas effectively.

Students successfully navigate challenges they encounter in classes by utilizing a series of behaviors called the Habits of Mind. Cultivating these patterns of behavior leads to a set of valued dispositions that students develop so they are more capable of successfully working at a higher level. The six habits of mind are: Preparation, Participation, Curiosity, Organization, Self-Advocacy, and Perseverance.

In addition to Habits of Mind, students will use the Social Emotional Learning skills to continue their development of growth and character. The six SEL skills are: Self-Awareness, Executive Functioning, Problem Solving, Self-Advocacy, Resilience, and Prosocial Behavior.

Together, these academic, social, and personal habits create a foundation for lifelong learning. By practicing the Habits of Mind and Social Emotional Learning skills, Marianapolis students not only strengthen their intellectual abilities, but also build the resilience, confidence, and character needed to thrive beyond the classroom. This intentional approach ensures that graduates leave Marianapolis prepared to engage meaningfully with the world, equipped with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to succeed in college, career, and life.

Signature Programs

Beyond core coursework, Marianapolis students can engage in Signature Programs designed to deepen learning and broaden perspective. Whether through specialized study in our Centers of Excellence, experiential LEAP journeys, or year-round Online Learning, these programs prepare students to thrive in college and in life.

Discover our Signature Programs

Academic & Course Information

Course Catalog

Graduation Requirements

Minimum Course Load: 6 courses each semester

Minimum Graduation Credits: 24 credits (Adjusted for students seeking reclassification)

Department Requirements

English and/or English Language	Four Academic Years
Fine Art	Visual Art: 1/2 Credit Performance Art: 1/2 Credit in Ensemble or Performance Art
History	Two Courses (Humanities/World History I, US History)
Informatics	Casimir Seminar or Computer Science I or an equivalent course in Introductory Technology & Coding
Mathematics	Three High School Level Courses Must include all prerequisites
Modern Language	Three High School Level Courses in the Second Language of choice English as a First Language students only
Science	Three Courses Must include Conceptual Physics, Chemistry, Biology, or its equivalents and each must have a lab component
Religious Studies	One grade-level course per academic year

Advanced Placement Courses

Advanced Placement (AP®) courses are college-level courses offered in almost all academic departments, in grades 10, 11, and 12. Classes are taught as the equivalent of courses taken by college freshmen, and students are expected to produce college-level work in the course; that is, work showing greater depth, more sophisticated reasoning and higher creativity than the work in regular courses. These courses will include outside reading and other assignments, additional class time and significant amounts of homework each night. Because of the rigors of these classes, students are encouraged not to take more than three AP® courses in a given year. If four AP® courses are taken, an additional study period is required during the school day. Midterm and Final Examinations are weighted as one-third of the term average for all AP® level courses.

Students are carefully selected for AP® courses according to the following criteria:

Recommendations of the student’s prior teachers in the subject matter
Evaluation of all Habits of Mind indicators
Excellent grades in prerequisite courses
High achievement as shown on standardized test scores
Evaluation of the student’s total academic program, particularly the student’s performance (including grades
on any prior AP® courses and any approval that the student has received to take other concurrent AP® courses)
Other specific departmental requirements (see appropriate section)
A mandatory commitment to the AP® examination in mid-May.

The school expects students to give serious commitment to AP® courses and to take the AP® examination in mid-May.* A sufficiently high score on an AP® examination may allow the student to earn credit in the college they eventually attend.

*Students will be responsible for the fee associated with these tests.

Students are recognized for their commitment to this level of learning through the Weighted GPA calculation, 0.5 for all AP® level courses and 0.33 for all Honors level courses. Additionally, all Honors and AP® level courses are noted on the official transcript.

Honors Courses

Honors courses are offered by most departments at all grade levels. These courses are significantly more rigorous than regular courses. Students need specific departmental recommendation to take Honors courses.

The facility to produce Honors level work consistently and independently
An eagerness to take risks and embrace ambiguity when encountering the unknown
A willingness to persist with challenging questions or tasks
The desire to explore ideas deeply, not merely complete assignments
The ability to make connections to other areas of knowledge or fields of study
A readiness to embrace, process, and use feedback to improve performance
An intellectual appetite that is awake or awakening to the pleasures of the mind
A commitment to all Habits of Mind indicators

Students are recognized for their commitment to this level of learning through the Weighted GPA calculation, 0.5 for all AP® level courses and 0.33 for all Honors level courses. Additionally, all Honors and AP® level courses are noted on the official transcript.

Independent Study

Independent Studies, in which students do considerable work on their own with periodic supervision by an assigned teacher, are sometimes available. With solid academic standing, administration and departmental chair approval, students may elect to fulfill a requirement or an elective through special independent work. Prior to the commencement of the course of study, the student must present a proposed project outline, including a statement of what the student hopes to achieve by the completion of the course. The student is free to organize their project and to decide its basic direction, seeking advice and direction from the assigned faculty member when the student feels it is necessary. The student must produce tangible evidence of scholarship (a research paper, a scientific experiment, a work of art) at the conclusion of the course of study. This proposal must be approved by the Department Chair and Associate Head of School for Academics prior to the start of the school year.

Academic Resources

Our academic environment at Marianapolis is designed to empower every student with personalized support, flexible learning paths, and opportunities to discover their strengths. Whether you're navigating course selections, leveraging peer tutoring, or engaging in dynamic online learning, our Academic Resources are here to ensure you thrive.

Explore how the Academic Resource Advisor, structured advisories, peer tutoring, and office hours help foster organization, self-advocacy, and critical thinking. To learn more about these offerings and start accessing support tools and programs available to students, visit our Academic Resources page.