Department Overviews

"We now accept the face that learning is a lifelong process of keeping abreast of change  and the most pressing task is to teach people how to learn."
- Peter Drucker

The Business and Computer Sciences are dedicated to preparing students with the critical knowledge and practical skills needed to thrive in an ever-evolving, technology-driven world. More specifically, Business courses strive to cultivate financial responsibility and ethical decision-making, and our Computer Science coursework fosters creativity, critical thinking skills, media & digital literacy skills, and technological fluency. Through innovative instruction and authentic learning experiences, the departments seek to empower students to become responsible leaders, problem-solvers, and innovators in their communities and future professions.

Courses Offered

• Digital Literacy
• Personal Finance and Business Concepts 
• Accounting 
• Intermediate Accounting 
• Business Law

• Introduction to Web Design
• Introduction to App Development 
• Advanced Placement Computer Science A
• Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles 

0.5 credit required

"Language is the blood of the soul into which thoughts run and out of which they grow."
- Oliver Wendell Holmes

The Marian Catholic English Department is dedicated to cultivating thoughtful and confident communicators. Our curriculum aims to strengthen the writing ability of all our students through extensive and meticulous feedback. We also emphasize the analysis of the writer’s craft, in-depth examination of literature, and college-level research strategies, preparing students for their post-secondary goals. We empower students with the skills necessary to communicate with purpose and integrity.

Department Chair

Mrs. Amy Dudgeon

Courses Offered

 

• English 1 Honors
• English 1 Accelerated 
• English 1 College Prep 
• Freshmen Language Skills 

• English 2 Honors

• English 2 Accelerated 
• English 2 College Prep 

• English 3: Advanced Placement Language and Composition
• English 3 Accelerated

• English 4: Advanced Placement/Dual Credit Literature and Composition
• English 4 Accelerated

• AP Capstone: Additional Electives

• Advanced Placement Seminar 
• Advanced Placement Research 

4.0 credits required

"I dream of painting and then I paint my dream."
- Vincent Van Gogh

The Marian Catholic Fine Arts Department empowers students to discover, develop, and showcase their unique talents through exceptional opportunities in Band, Choir, Theater, Visual Arts, and Digital Media. With a commitment to artistic excellence, creativity, and collaboration, students are encouraged to explore their passions in a supportive and dynamic environment. Through the fine arts, they connect their personal expression to the broader world, cultivating both individual growth and a lifelong appreciation for the arts. 

Department Chair

Mr. Steve Pyter

Courses Offered

• Foundations of Visual Art 
• Drawing and Painting 1
• Drawing and Painting 2
• Ceramics 1
• Ceramics 2
• Sculpture 
• Advanced Placement Studio Art 1
• Advanced Placement Studio Art 2
• Graphic Design

0.5 credit required

"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything."
- Plato

The Marian Catholic band program has a reputation as one of the outstanding concert and marching bands in the United States. The band's educational and competitive philosophies have been used as models for band programs in nearly every state of the union.

Department Chair

Steve Pyter

Courses Offered

• Cadet Band
• Concert Band
• Symphonic Band 
• Honors Music: Principles of Performance & Structure
• Color Guard

0.5 credit required

"The only thing better than singing, is more singing."
- Ella Fitzgerald

The Choral Music program is designed to enhance the musical, creative and expressive qualities of all students. Musical opportunities are provided for every child to learn the basic skills of singing, playing and reading music, developing song repertoire, broadening listening skills, and experiencing the interrelated nature of music with other cultures and content areas.

Department Chair

Steve Pyter

Course Offered

• Foundations of Music and Singing
• Concert Choir
• Spartan Choir 
• Chorale 
• Advanced Placement Music Theory

0.5 credit required

"The theater was my first training ground. It taught me discipline, dedication, and appreciation of hard work."
- Ben Vereen

One of the largest activities at Marian Catholic, the Speech Team competes on the IHSA level from August to February traveling to 8-12 competitions a year. This prestigious, award-winning program focuses on 14 individual events in Acting, Speaking and Interpretation that culminate in team awards. The Marian Catholic Speech Team boasts an abundance of awards and championships.

Department Chair

Steve Pyter

Course Offered

• Foundations of Filmmaking: From Script to Screen 
• Communication Skills
• Introduction to Theatre 
• Introduction to Television & Video Production
• Film Study 
• Performing Arts
• Oral Interpretation Honors

0.5 credit required

"Mathematics is the language with which God has written the universe."
- Galileo

The Mathematics Department cultivates curious, confident problem-solvers who use mathematics to understand the world, make sound decisions, and communicate their thinking with clarity and integrity. We believe every student can grow in mathematics, and we design learning experiences that are rigorous, relevant, and responsive to diverse strengths, backgrounds, and goals.

Department Chair

Mrs. Jennifer Lamb

Courses Offered

• Pre-Algebra 
• Algebra 1 Honors
• Algebra 1 Accelerated
• Algebra 1 College Prep

• Geometry Honors
• Geometry Accelerated 
• Geometry College Prep

• Algebra 2 Honors
• Algebra 2 Accelerated
• Algebra 2 College Prep

• PreCalculus A
• Introduction to Trigonometry 
• Statistics 

• Calculus Honors 
• Multivariable Calculus Honors

• Advanced Placement Pre-Calculus 
• Advanced Placement AB/Dual Credit Calculus 1
• Advanced Placement BC/Dual Credit Calculus 1 and 2
• Advanced Placement Statistics

3.0 credits required

"Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and intellectual activity."
- John F. Kennedy

The Physical Education Department at Marian Catholic is committed to empowering students with the knowledge, skills, and habits needed to lead healthy, active, and balanced lives. Through a comprehensive curriculum, the Physical Education Department strives to cultivate lifelong wellness, personal responsibility, and a growth mindset. By engaging students in a diverse and intentional program, we aim to inspire them to achieve their personal best, embrace healthy lifestyles, and contribute positively to their communities.

Courses Offered

• Introduction to Physical Education
• Health & Driver’s Education
• Health & Physical Fitness 
• Strength & Conditioning 
• Team and Individual Sports 
• Advanced Strength and Conditioning

"Equipped with his five senses, man explores the universe around him and call the adventure science."
- Edwin Powell Hubble

Marian Catholic's Science Department strives to deliver rigorous inquiry based instruction to students at all levels. Students will develop lab skills, competency in data analysis and critical thinking, and content knowledge that will prepare them for coursework at the college level. Advanced students have the opportunity to take college level courses while enrolled at Marian as we offer AP or Dual Credit courses in all major sciences. Students can also enroll in comprehensive Anatomy, Environmental Science, and Forensic Science programs for career focused exposure allowing them to explore their interests before picking a major.  

Department Chair

Mr. Ben Zerante '02

Courses Offered

• Biology Honors
• Biology 
• Advanced Placement Biology 

• Chemistry Honors
• Chemistry Accelerated
• Integrated Chemistry and Physics  
• Advanced Placement/Dual Credit Chemistry

• Physics 1 Accelerated
• Physics 1 Honors
• Physics 2
• Advanced Placement Physics 

• Human Anatomy and Physiology Honors
• Human Anatomy and Physiology 
• Human Anatomy

• Environmental Science 
• Ecology and Environmental Science 

• Forensic Science 

• Engineering 1 Honors
• Engineering 2 Honors
• Engineering 3 Honors
   

3.0 credits required

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
- George Santayana

The Marian Catholic Social Studies Department emphasizes reading and writing skills. The students are challenged to think analytically by forming claims and supporting their claims with evidence in every social studies course.  It is important for the students to explore the past and to connect to the present then to critically think about how to plan for the future. 

Department Chair

Mr. Scott Bodnar

Courses Offered

• World History 
• Advanced Placement Modern World History

• U.S. History
• Advanced Placement/Dual Credit U.S. History

• African American History
• Psychology
• Sociology 
• American Government  

• Advanced Placement American Government 
• Advanced Placement Comparative Government 
• Advanced Placement Human Geography 
• Advanced Placement Micro and Macroeconomics
• Advanced Placement/Dual Credit Psychology
   

"... For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake..."
- 2 Corinthians 4:5

At Marian Catholic High School, Theology is a journey of faith formation and intellectual growth rooted in Dominican tradition. Through engaging studies of Scripture, Catholic Social Teaching, and Church history, students deepen their relationship with Christ, understand the moral foundations of our faith, and become servant leaders in their communities and the world. The curriculum fosters critical thinking, ethical discernment, and a lifelong commitment to living out the Gospel message. Theology instruction at Marian Catholic follows the Framework and textbooks approved by the USCCB: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Department Chair

Maura Mullins

Courses Offered

• Theology 1: The Revelation of Jesus Christ
• Theology 2: The Mission of Jesus Christ/Jesus Christ’s Mission Continues in the Church
• Theology 3: Sacraments as Privileged Encounters with Jesus Christ 

 

• Theology 4: Sacred Scripture
• Theology 4: History of the Catholic Church
• Theology 4: Living as a Disciple of Jesus Christ in Society
• Theology 4: Discovery in Service: Social Justice Living as a Disciple of Jesus Christ in Society 
• Theology 4: Christian Lifestyles: Responding to the Call of Jesus Christ 
• Theology 4: World Religions: Ecumenical & Interreligious Issues 
• Theology 4: Dominican Preaching

 

• Theology 4 Dual Credit: Catholic Social Teaching
• Theology 4 Dual Credit: World Religions

A total of 4.0 credits is required for graduation.

"If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart."
- Nelson Mandela

In accordance with the Dominican charisms and the 5 C's (culture, communication, connections, comparisons, communities) of foreign language learning, the World Language Department of Marian Catholic High School seeks to help students embrace all cultures with intentionality and respect for the dignity of each individual. We work to empower our students with the skills and knowledge necessary to communicate in the 21st century and accompany them on their learning journey through informed, diverse instruction as well as a culturally rich curriculum. 

Department Chair

Ms. Sarah Grauvogl

Courses Offered

• Latin 1
• Latin 2
• Latin 2 Honors
• Latin 3 Honors
• Latin 4 Honors 

• Heritage Spanish Accelerated
• Spanish 1 Accelerated
• Spanish 1 College Prep

• Spanish 2 Honors
• Spanish 2 Accelerated 
• Spanish 2 College Prep

• Spanish 3 Honors 
• Spanish 3 Accelerated

• Spanish 4 Honors
• Spanish 4 Accelerated
• Advanced Placement Spanish Language & Culture
   

2.0 credits of the same language required.
Marian Catholic offers a placement test for Spanish which is held in May.