ROOTED IN FAITH, COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE
ACADEMIC OVERVIEW
Academic Excellence Rooted in Faith and Innovation
CSHM offers students a diverse and challenging college prep curriculum designed to provide a high school education deeply rooted in the Catholic faith. The school offers a dynamic blend of required and elective courses developed and presented by faculty members who encourage students to develop their full potential both inside and outside of the classroom. Our academic requirements are designed to meet or exceed the admission requirements of all public and private four year universities. A large selection of elective courses are offered in all departments with the largest selection found in the Fine Arts. CSHM offers an extensive WCEA/WASC accredited program that encourages students to develop and master skills needed to become lifelong learners who live their faith.
We are responding in a dynamic way to the changing needs of 21st Century education with the incorporation of our 1:1 iPad program, the use of online textbooks, and an increasing emphasis on student engagement in the learning process. CSHM graduates demonstrate the school's Integral Student Outcomes (ISO's, outlined below): Our graduates are young men and women of Catholic Character and Christian Values, Social Justice Awareness, Harmonious Healthy Living, and Multiple Academic Skills who practice the CSHM motto, Age Cum Anima Christi (Act with the Character of Christ).
PROJECT LEAD THE WAY
Building a Strong Foundation for College and Career
The PLTW Biomedical Science program engages students in hands-on activities such as suturing practice and building body systems with clay, providing a dynamic and immersive learning experience. Through this approach, students not only gain foundational knowledge in biomedical science but also develop essential, transferable skills like problem solving, critical and creative thinking, communication, and collaboration. The curriculum challenges students to think beyond conventional methods, encouraging innovation and real-world application. Rather than memorizing facts, students actively explore how biological systems function together in practical scenarios. Topics include human physiology, medical history, treatments, and autopsy analysis, all while guiding students through the research process and experimental design to address real biomedical challenges.
DUAL ENROLLMENT PROGRAM AT CSHM
East Los Angeles College (ELAC) Classes
CSHM partners with East Los Angeles College (ELAC) to provide students with a dual (high school-university) enrollment program. During fall and spring semesters, ELAC offers college classes on the CSHM campus at no cost to CSHM students. These classes, which are open to all CSHM students, not only allow students the opportunity to earn college credit while still attending high school, but also help increase high school grade point averages. Classes introduce students to the rigor of college coursework and give them an idea of what full-time college will be like. When applying to college, admissions officers will see these college classes listed on students' transcripts--this shows admissions' officers that students have the ability to handle difficult college level work. Additionally, these classes allow students to begin accumulating college credits, which may actually help them graduate from college earlier.
Some ELAC classes offered at CSHM during the last few years include:
Abnormal Psychology
American Sign Language
Art History
Chicano Studies
Child Development
Drawing I
Introduction to Criminal Justice
Introduction to Engineering
Psychology
Speech
1:1 iPAD PROGRAM:
Learning Beyond the Classroom
At Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary High School, our 1:1 iPad program enhances student learning by integrating technology into every aspect of the academic experience. Each student uses an iPad to access coursework, complete assignments, and engage with digital tools that build essential skills like organization, communication, and critical thinking.
This model mirrors the expectations of today’s colleges, where students are often required to manage learning independently. Through platforms like Canvas and Aeries, CSHM students stay connected and prepared—anytime, anywhere. Explore the FAQs below for details on device requirements, digital textbooks, and support.
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CSHM uses the Apple iPad as a central location for accessing and organizing the learning activities that take place in and outside of the classroom. This has allowed teachers to diversify their instruction to meet the needs of the students. It also gives students the creative ability to showcase their learning in innovative ways. As a result of the use of the iPad, college preparation occurs beyond the classroom, and beyond the hours of the school day. Teachers routinely post their assignments and grades on the online platform Canvas, in order to cater to the asynchronous learning that is expected of today’s university students. These assignments can include online math homework, online quizzes/tests, online discussions, or even viewing teacher lectures and resources. One of our primary goals is to ensure that all CSHM students are prepared to complete the tasks in the same manner they are expected to in higher education. At this point, the iPad is the best and most cost efficient choice for CSHM students to practice online assignments, digital citizenship, organization, time management, and critical communication skills.
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CSHM utilizes a wide variety of digital resources to enhance the learning process, including, but limited to: apps, videos, websites, wikis, and electronic textbooks. Nearly all required textbooks can be accessed on the iPad, even without an Internet connection. CSHM uses electronic books from the iBooks, Kindle, and Inkling apps. Other electronic books are their own app, or are PDF documents.
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Currently, the iPad has the highest quality digital textbooks and largest availability of educational apps/resources. In order to give the students the best and most cost efficient college preparatory education and to promote equity amongst all students, the iPad is the only device accepted at this time. We will continue to explore the use of other devices for the future.
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The wireless network is open and spread out throughout the campus, including all classrooms, the cafeteria, and outdoor areas.
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All CSHM students will be given: Aeries account to access grades online & a Canvas account to access and submit online assignments.
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For questions about how the iPads will be used in the classroom, or any additional help contact Mr. Chavez at: jchavez@cshm.org. We truly thank you for supporting our school community in this 1:1 program in order to develop the best and most engaging learning environment for all of our students.
COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES
With 98% of graduates going on to college—80% of them accepted to four-year universities and 40% admitted to the University of California system—CSHM High School stands out with an unmatched record of preparing young people for college success in our community.
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