The following subjects are taught in the school:
- Art
- Biology (Senior cycle)
- Business Studies (Junior cycle)
- Business (Senior cycle)
- Chemistry (Senior cycle)
- CSPE (Junior cycle)
- Economics (Senior cycle)
- English
- French
- Geography
- History
- Irish
- IT (Junior cycle)
- Maths
- Music
- Philosophy (Transition Year only)
- Physical Education
- Physics (Senior cycle)
- Politics (Transition Year only)
- Science (Junior cycle)
- Spanish
- SPHE (Junior Cycle)
- Religious Knowledge
Here’s how the basic curriculum works’ The standard day is divided into three periods of three 40 minute classes with a short break at 11 a.m. and a longer break at 1.10 p.m. On two days each week (Wednesday & Friday) the school day finishes 40 minutes earlier than the standard day (i.e. at 3.10 p.m.). (This timetable includes 2 or 3 periods of sports per week across all years).
Sign in takes place from 8.40 a.m to 8.50 a.m. Classes start at 9 a.m. Similarly after lunch, the 1.50 time marks the beginning of classes. The Class Mass time is 10.20 a.m. each day.
1st year – Our policy is to prioritise, with 5periods each per week, the core subjects of Mathematics, English, and Irish. Other subjects vary from one to four periods per week each. In general subjects commenced in first year are carried to the end of 3rd year when students sit the Junior Certificate examination. Students have the option of studying Art or Music in first year.
2nd & 3rd year – Students commence the Junior Certificate examination syllabus in all subjects. All subjects are taught at the higher level. However, students displaying real difficulty with Irish in 1st year have the option of attending an ordinary level class. A similar division in Mathematics happens, usually in the middle of 2nd year, and also in English at the beginning of 3rd year.
Apart from any subject choice that might be offered to students (e.g. Art or Music, Spanish or French) students are required to study all subjects on the timetable for their class. Students are required to study Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE), Computer Studies and Physical Education but they do not sit these in the Junior Certificate examination.
4th year (Transition Year) – The syllabus for the year is set by the school, drawing on internal and external resources. There is a strong emphasis on out-of-school learning, project work, and leadership development, as well as allowing students to sample Leaving Certificate subjects. Transition Year is generally recommended to all students but it is optional.
5th and 6th year – Students must study Irish, English and Mathematics for the Leaving Certificate examination (at the end of 6th year). They then choose four (or five) other subjects from a menu of subjects. This menu is drawn up following consultation with students when they are in 4th year. Students are also required to study Religious Knowledge and to participate in Physical Education, although these are not examined in the Leaving Certificate examination.
