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

Business remains one of the most popular college majors for both men and women. Marian Catholic offers a number of comprehensive, college-oriented business classes which allow students the opportunity for students to explore core business components and enhance their communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

Courses Offered

• Computer Concepts
• Personal Finance
• Applied Business Economics
• Accounting
• Intermediate Accounting
• Business Law
• Introduction to Business (Dual Credit with Saint Xavier University)

Marian Catholic offers a proficiency exam for Computer Concepts and Information Processing which is usually held on the first Saturday in May. More information regarding the proficiency exam is released closer to the date of the exam.

Detailed information is included in the acceptance letter packet.

A total of 0.5 credits Computer Concepts and Information Processing is required for graduation.

"The rise of Google, the rise of Facebook, the rise of Apple, I think are proof that there is a place for Computer Science as something that solves problems that people face every day."
- Eric Schmidt

The technology department provides a variety of technology education opportunities for students. Programming courses ranging from introductory level to Advanced Placement are aimed at students interested in the fields of math, science, engineering, and video production.

Department Chair

Mike Carlson '91

Courses Offered

• Introduction to Television and Video Production
• Television and Video Production II
• Introduction to Web Design
• Introduction to App Development
• Computer Science A Advanced Placement
• Computer Science Principles Advanced Placement

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

The English curriculum includes the study of English grammar, composition, vocabulary, and literature. Required English courses are offered on three levels for freshmen and two levels for sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

Department Chair

Nora Zerante '11

Courses Offered

• English 1 Honors
• English 1A
• English 1 College Prep
• English 2 Honors
• English 2
• English 3 Advanced Placement: Language and Composition
• English 3: American Studies
• English 3 American Literature
• English 4 Advanced Placement: Literature and Composition
• English 4: British Traditions
• English 4: War Literature and the Soldier's Perspective
• English 4: World Literature: Voices of the Marginalized
• English 4: Postcolonial Literature
• English 4: Chicago Authors
• English 4: Dystopian Literature: Alternate Reality
• English 4: Philosophy in Literature Honors

Four years of English are required for graduation.
Completion of one term paper is required for both Junior and Senior year.

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

The Marian Catholic Fine Arts program helps students explore and develop their skills in craftsmanship through aesthetic expression to expose their talents to a broader scope, and inspire them to a greater height of expression and artistic excellence.

Department Chair

Theresa Hammons

Courses Offered

• Drawing 1
• Drawing 2
• Drawing 3
• Painting 1
• Painting 2
• Painting 3
• Pottery 1: From the Earth to the Table
• Pottery 2: Utilitarian to Conceptual
• Three Dimensional Multi-Culture Sculpture
• Introduction to Digital Photography
• Introduction to Graphic Design
• Beginning Level Drafting
• Film Study

A total of 0.5 credits in Fine Arts is required for graduation.

"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

Theresa Hammons

Courses Offered

• Cadet Band
• Concert Band
• Symphonic Band
• Jazz Band
• Honors Music Theory/History
• Music Theory
• Honors Music - Principles of Performance and Structure
• Color Guard/Flag
• Winter Guard

Over the years, Marian Catholic bands have earned hundreds of awards and honors including:

• Undefeated in Class A State Concert Competition since 1981
• State Marching Champion in Class for an unprecedented 38 consecutive years
• 18-time overall State of Illinois Marching Band Champion
• 20-time Bands of America Class AA National Champion
• Seven-time Bands of America Grand National Champion (1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1994, 1997, 2000).
• 2001 Presidential Inaugural Parade Participant
• 2004 Pearl Harbor Memorial Performer - Honolulu, Hawaii
• 2007 and 2013 Macy's Parade Participant
• 2010 Tournament of Roses Parade Participant

A total of 0.5 credits in Fine Arts is required for graduation.

"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

Theresa Hammons

Course Offered

• Concert Choir
  (Entry-Level Treble Choir)
• Spartan Choir
  (Intermediate Mixed Chorus)
• Varsity Choir
  (Auditioned Choir)

Marian Catholic choirs have recently sung on Carnegie Hall's stage and the Madonna della Strada Chapel at Loyola University.

All of Marian Catholic High School's choirs perform at four concerts each year. The choral program presents a Fall Choral Concert, a Christmas Choral Concert, a "Music in Our School's Month" Concert, and a Spring Pops Concert. In addition to these performances, the choral students also lead the entire school in song during all school Masses each academic year.

A total of 0.5 credits in Fine Arts is required for graduation.

"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

Theresa Hammons

Course Offered

• Communication Skills
• Mass Media
• Introduction to Theatre
• Performing Arts
• Oral Interpretation - Honors

Seventeen (17) IHSA State championships in the last 11 years. Performance in Round IHSA State Champions- 2008, 2016. Group Interpretation State Champions- 2010, 2012. Seventeen (17) IHSA Regional titles & Eight IHSA Sectional crowns.

A total of 0.5 credits in Fine Arts is required for graduation.

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

The Marian Catholic Mathematics Department provides a rigorous, comprehensive curriculum, engaging high-quality instruction, and a supportive collaborative learning environment for our diverse student body. We challenge our students to appreciate mathematics and persevere as we prepare them for successful roles in an ever-changing society.

Department Chair

Jennifer Lamb

Courses Offered

• Algebra 1 Honors
• Algebra 1A
• Algebra 1 College Prep
• Pre-Algebra
• Geometry Honors
• Geometry A
• Geometry College Prep
• Algebra 2 Honors
• Algebra 2A
• Algebra 2 College Prep
• Precalculus Honors
• Trigonometry - Analytic Geometry
• Trigonometry - Probability and Statistics
• Introduction to Trigonometry
• Introduction to Probability and Statistics
• Calculus Honors
• Calculus AB Advanced Placement
• Calculus BC Advanced Placement
• Multivariable Calculus Honors
• Advanced Placement Statistics

A proficiency test is provided for students who have already taken Algebra 1 or Geometry prior to their entry into Marian Catholic. Students who successfully pass one or both of these tests may begin their math courses at a higher level.

A total of 3 credits is required for graduation.

"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

Physical education courses are designed to teach and engage students in basic fitness activities as a means to achieve overall health and body fitness.

Department Chair

Mike Taylor

Courses Offered

• Introduction to Physical Education
• Health and Driver's Education
• Health and Physical Fitness
• Strength and Conditioning
• Team and Individual Sports
• Advanced Strength and Conditioning
• Sports and Society Through Literature
• Outdoor Adventure

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

Understanding science is necessary in the modern world. It is a key part of understanding breaking news, interacting with our planet, choosing and using technology, and even making healthcare decisions. The Marian Catholic Science Department prepares students for their adult life regardless of the career path they choose.

Department Chair

Ben Zerante '02

Courses Offered

• Biology Honors
• Biology A
• Biology College Prep
• Biology Advanced Placement
• Physical Science
• Chemistry Advanced Placement
• Chemistry Honors
• Chemistry A
• Chemistry College Prep
• Physics 1 Advanced Placement
• Physics Honors
• Physics
• Engineering 1 Honors
• Engineering 2 Honors
• Engineering 3 Honors
• Human Anatomy and Physiology Honors
• Human Anatomy and Physiology
• Human Anatomy
• Ecology and Environmental Science
• Introduction to Botany and Zoology
• Forensic Science

A total of three years of science is required for graduation.
Biology is required of all students.

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

Marian Catholic's Social Studies Programs enable students to learn about a variety of different disciplines, such as history, economics, geography, law, sociology, and anthropology. The ideas, information, and practices explored in social studies help students to build an informed and balanced view of our world and its citizens.

Department Chair

Scott Bodnar

Courses Offered

• World History Honors
• World History
• American Studies
• U. S. History
• Modern U.S. History
• African American Studies
• Latino American Cultural Studies
• American Government
• Introduction to Anthropology
• Psychology
• Social Issues with an Ethical Perspective
• Sociology and Criminal Justice
• Sports and Society through Literature
• Modern World History Advanced Placement
• Human Geography Advanced Placement
• U.S. History Advanced Placement
• American Government Advanced Placement
• Comparative Government Advanced Placement
• Psychology Advanced Placement
• Advanced Placement Micro and Macroeconomics

Most Marian Catholic social studies teachers have attained their master's degree, consult for the College Board, and support student activities such as Political Club, Psychology Club, and Model United Nations.

All teachers incorporate Understanding by Design, research skills, technology and writing in their courses.

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

The study of Catholic Christian theology is rooted in the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ. Through the writings, tenets, teachings, and traditions of the Catholic Church, the Theology Department strives to make the words of St. Catherine of Siena - "If you are who God meant you to be, you will set the world on fire" - an enduring understanding in the lives of each of our students. The rich history of our faith is the foundation we build upon to enable our students to preach the Gospel through the message of their lives.

Department Chair

Tim Sovereign

Courses Offered

• Theology 1: Basic Beliefs/Hebrew Scriptures
• Theology 2: Christian Scriptures/Church: Nature and History
• Theology 3: Worship, Liturgy, and Sacraments/Christian Ethics
• Theology 3: Advanced Placement Seminar: Sacraments, Liturgy, Morality

Seniors must choose one of these three courses:

• Theology 4: Christian Lifestyles
• Theology 4: Christian Living and the Writers' Vision
• Theology 4: Dominican Preaching and Christian Living

Seniors must choose one of these electives:

• Theology 4: Dominican Spirituality
• Theology 4: Social Justice
• Theology 4: Social Issues with an Ethical Perspective
• Theology 4: Discovery in Service
• Theology 4: World Religions

A total of four 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

The World Language courses at Marian Catholic emphasize communication in languages other than English, help students gain knowledge and understanding of other cultures, enable students to connect with and acquire information about other disciplines, foster the development of insight into the nature of language and culture, and encourage participation in multilingual communities at home and around the world.

Department Chair

Sarah Grauvogl

Courses Offered

Why Latin? Latin is the mother of all Romance languages, gives you a leg up on tests like the ACT and SAT, preps you to be a lawyer or doctor, and involves the study of Roman myth and culture, which is the basis of many of our modern American institutions!

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

Why Mandarin? Mandarin Chinese is currently being spoken by over 1 billion people around the world which means, YOU can be a part of 1 /5 of the planet's population that speaks Mandarin! 

• Mandarin Chinese 1
• Mandarin Chinese 2
• Mandarin Chinese 3 Honors
• Mandarin Chinese 4 Honors

Why Spanish? It's no longer a foreign language. It's an integral part of our modern American society.

• Heritage Spanish A
• Spanish 1A
• Spanish 1 College Prep
• Spanish 2 Honors
• Spanish 2A
• Spanish 2 College Prep
• Spanish 3 Honors
• Spanish 3
• Spanish 4
• Spanish 4 Honors
• Spanish 5 Honors
• Advanced Placement Spanish Language and Culture

• English as a Second Language (ESL) 1
• English as a Second Language (ESL) 2
• Freshmen Language Skills

A total of two consecutive years of the same language is required for graduation.
Marian Catholic offers a placement test for Spanish which is held in May.