Academics

Challenging every student's academic ability and motivating that student in his/her pursuit of academic excellence are fundamental parts of its mission. Father Ryan High School offers over 150 courses, ranging from challenging college preparatory courses to advanced and honors levels of these courses. As part of the school's mission, Father Ryan also offers a Cooperative Support Program and an Academic Support Program for students with learning challenges.

Father Ryan offers its students courses at four levels (College Preparatory, Advanced, Honors, and Advanced Placement), as well as placement in smaller Cooperative Support classes, to ensure their successful transition to higher education and to maintain a level of enrollment that provides optimum opportunities for academic and co-curricular success. Student selection for Advanced, Honors and Advanced Placement courses is based upon successful completion of prerequisite courses, teacher recommendations and standardized test scores. Twenty-five Advanced Placement courses are offered.

Course Selection Catalog 2012-2013

College Profile 2011-2012

Credit Requirements for Graduation

The minimum number of credits required for graduation is 28 credits.

Theology – 4 credits
English – 4 credits
Mathematics – 4 credits (Algebra I, II, Geometry, and 4th math)
Social Studies – 2 credits (One must be U.S. History)
Science – 3 credits (One physical and one biological recommended, plus one additional)
Foreign Language – 2 credits (in the same foreign language)
Physical Education – 1 credit
Fine Arts – 1 credit
Health - 1/2 credit
Technology - 1/2 credit
Electives – Sufficient to meet graduation requirements

Accreditation and Affiliations

Accredited by:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and Southern Association of Independent Schools. (Father Ryan was the first school in the nation to receive dual accreditation from these two organizations.)

Membership in:

Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, The College Board, Cum Laude Society, Independent Schools of the Nashville Area, National Association of Secondary School Principals, National Catholic Education Association, National Honor Society, Southern Association for College Admission Counseling, National Association for College Admission Counseling, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Southern Association of Independent Schools and Tennessee Association of Independent Schools.

Faculty

Father Ryan High School has 64 full time and 9 part-time faculty. Sixty-three percent of the faculty hold master’s degrees or higher. There is a ratio of one faculty member to 13 students with an average class size of 16 students.