FAQs
Q. What are the entrance requirements for Union Catholic High School?
Freshman applicants must take the high school entrance exam, complete the Union Catholic application, and submit records for 6th, 7th, and first marking period of 8th grade and the most recent standardized test scores. Be sure to include all Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 plans, if applicable. Transfer applicants must complete the Union Catholic application. A completed transcript includes all standardized test scores, attendance records, and grades (with discipline comments) from the current and previous school years. Upon review of these records, candidates will be interviewed by an admissions representative, and a final decision will be made regarding acceptance.
Union Catholic does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national, or ethnic origin in administration of its admissions, educational, athletic, or school policies.
Q. Is any financial aid or scholarship assistance available?
Applications for financial aid, independent of Union Catholic, are available through the Scholarship Fund for Inner City Children. Union Catholic has several scholarship opportunities available to incoming freshmen.
Q. Does Union Catholic provide bus transportation?
Currently, Union Catholic provides bus transportation to/from 45 different cities and townships. Our routes vary from year to year, and are determined by enrollment. The annual cost to participate in our private transportation program is $1,600 and requires a full-year financial commitment. This non-refundable fee may be made in three installments. The first payment of $525 is due in June, the second payment of $500 in November, and the third payment of $500 in January.
Some school districts provide aid-in-lieu payments for transportation-related expenses. Contact your local board of education to see if your family qualifies. There is no late bus for students who participate in after-school activities.
Q. What comprises Union Catholic's academic curriculum?
Union Catholic provides academic instruction on six learning levels. A minimum of 124 credits is required for graduation. Credits are earned for both required and elective courses.
Required Courses include:
- English – 4 years
- Lab Science – 2 years
- Math – 3 years
- Physical Education 2 years (4 semesters)
- Religion (passing grade)
- U.S. History – 2 years
- World History – 1 year
- World Language – 2 years of the same language
- Electives are available in academic areas as well as in fine arts and technology
Advanced Placement courses are offered in:
- Biology
- Calculus
- Chemistry
- English Language and Composition
- English Literature and Composition
- Environmental Science
- European History
- Government and Politics
- Physics
- Spanish
- Statistics
- U.S. History
Accelerated and honors courses are offered in English, history, foreign languages, mathematics, and science. Students may also take advanced placement and other elective courses through Virtual High School.
Students also have the option of designing a course of study based on their individual interests and strengths. For example, students wishing to pursue science may elect to take the equivalent of six years of science by choosing two such courses in their junior and senior years. Students with interest in journalism may opt for electives, such as TV production, creative writing, and reporting for our school newspaper.
Q. Are laptops required, and from whom are they purchased?
All students are required to participate in our laptop program. The laptop must be purchased through Union Catholic; the price includes a four-year warranty, on-site service, a laptop loaner program, and off-site shipping arrangements. Full payment for the laptop is due by August 1. Insurance must be purchased on the laptop for items not covered under warranty; coverage is offered through mindSHIFT Technologies at an annual premium of $150.00. If you choose instead to put the laptop on your homeowner's insurance policy, a copy of that policy must be on file with Union Catholic. Credit card payments are accepted for the laptop and insurance coverage.
Q. What is the daily schedule at Union Catholic High School?
The building opens at 7:15. Breakfast may be purchased in the cafeteria starting at 7:30. Classes begin at 8 a.m. and end at 2:10; they meet for 50 minutes on a rotating schedule. Lab science courses include a "double period" once a week. After school, students can attend supervised homework club, athletic events, play practices, and club meetings.
Q. What percentage of Union Catholic graduates go on to college?
Our school maintains a 100% college acceptance rate. On average, 98% of our graduates attend college in the fall semester following graduation.
Q. Are students required to wear uniforms?
Students can wear their Union Catholic Under Armour polo shirts year-round. A detailed description of the dress code can be found in our student handbook.
Q. What programs/services are in place to help me adjust to high school?
Before the start of the semester, incoming students are invited to special events at which they’ll meet classmates. Upon registration, freshmen are assigned a big brother or sister, who introduces them to the school and answers any questions.
Freshman orientation takes place on the first full day of school. Your big brother or big sister will help you find your way around the school and to lunch in the cafeteria. Once the school year begins, you’ll meet with your guidance counselor to review any concerns.
Tutoring services are provided by students who are members of the National Honor Society. Homework clubs, supervised by faculty members, occur Monday through Thursday after school. Our teachers are happy to meet with students who need help with any of their assignments.
All new students will attend club orientation in early October to learn about the many activities offered. Club periods are held each month to allow students to participate in as many activities as they wish.
Q. What sports do you offer for freshman?
Freshmen can try out for any athletic program.