At Cretin-Derham Hall, learning begins before the first bell. Teachers are available in their classrooms before school so students can get help on a homework assignment, ask questions before an exam, or talk through an upcoming project. It’s also a collaborative environment where students who’ve come in with similar questions can team up to work through problems together. After getting the help they need, many students begin gathering in the cafeteria or Library Learning Center to work on some homework or socialize with friends as they arrive for the school day. 

Period 1 - Values

After the whole student body is joined together for morning prayer and announcements over the loud speakers, students begin their first class of the day. 

Values is CDH’s signature ninth-grade class, combining English, Social Studies, and Religion to count towards two of their seven classes. This interdisciplinary curriculum examines CDH’s seven core values—Catholic, Academic, Leadership, Community, Service, Diversity, and Equity—through various areas of study, like essay writing techniques, ancient civilizations, and Catholic Social Teaching. 

Students remain with their Values classmates and three Values teachers—one for each discipline—through the entire school year, making it a foundational social experience as well as an academic one. Values is designed to give students a built in sense of community from the very first day of class and becomes the launchpad for many of their first high school friendships as they work through group projects and discussions with peers at their assigned tables.

Period 2 - Science and Engineering

All ninth-graders take Science and Engineering, a foundational course that introduces students to the engineering process and develops a problem-solving mindset. Students engage with technology like Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 3D modeling and specialized lab equipment for hands-on practice with experimental methods, data interpretation, and scientific communication. 

This course is offered at three different levels—college preparatory, advanced, and honors—to best support each student based on their math abilities. 

Period 3 - World Language or Community Time

All CDH students are citizens of a global society, and to live more fully in that society, it is essential that they learn to communicate in multiple languages. CDH requires all students to take at least two years of a World Language—Spanish, French, or Mandarin. By learning another language, students’ appreciation of other cultures also adds dimension and depth to their world view. 

Ninth-graders are welcome to start studying a new language at CDH or take a placement test to continue learning a language at a higher level. CDH offers five years of each language, in addition to AP courses. 

CDH uses a block schedule that alternates between Purple, Gold, and Community days so that students meet with each class two out of every three days. On Purple and Gold days, students meet with five of their classes, but on Community days, students meet with four and have Community time during third period. This time is set aside for assemblies, cultural celebrations, grade meetings, Masses, and, once a month, CASA. CASA combines a few students from each grade in a small group with a couple faculty members to build a community for social, academic, and spiritual support. 

Flex and Lunch

At CDH, Flex Time and Lunch runs from 11:30 am to 12:40 pm, providing students with a flexible break in the day to eat lunch, connect with teachers, and participate in activities. During this time, students may eat in supervised areas like the cafeteria, Commons, or hallways.

Teachers offer open office hours, where students from any grade can stop by for help—no sign-up required. 

Academic Support Time (AST) is also offered weekly during Community Time for targeted academic support, and Open Gym is available Monday through Thursday from 12:05 to 12:40.

Period 4 - Math

Knowledge and appreciation of mathematics is essential to students’ intellectual development.

To make this possible, all incoming ninth graders take a math assessment and are placed into one of six courses available for first year students: Introduction to Algebra, Algebra I (College Prep), Algebra I (Advanced), Geometry (Advanced), Geometry (Honors), and Algebra II/Trigonometry (Honor). This array of classes means each student can be challenged and supported based on their math abilities and experience.  

A member of the math faculty is available in the Math Help Lab during each period of the school day to assist students. Students can also meet with their teachers before school, after school, or during Flex.

Period 5 - Electives

Ninth-graders can choose from a wide range of electives their first year. Many take a Fine Arts or Physical Education class to begin fulfilling their requirements in each.

Within Fine Arts, students can take Studio Art, like Drawing, Painting, and Printmaking or explore Performance Arts like Beginning Band, Choir, and Theater. 

For Physical Education, students enroll in Individualized Fitness and have the choice to participate in yoga or aerobics, strength training, and an activity or game each day. Some students complete their Physical Education requirement through JROTC.

For freshmen in JROTC, their first class, Leadership Education and Training 1, alternates classroom instruction on citizenship, leadership, personal responsibility, and service with Physical Education days. 

CDH also uniquely allows ninth graders to take their first AP class—AP Human Geography. By taking an AP class as a ninth grader, students learn how to prepare for AP exams before balancing a more rigorous upperclassmen class load and have more opportunities to qualify for college credit. 

Ninth graders can also use electives to explore academic interests outside of class requirements, such as Computer Science and NEXT: Entrepreneurship & Innovation Series. Through these departments, ninth graders can take Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Computer Animation, Introduction to Programming, Digital Media, Game Design, Entrepreneurial Mindsets, and Marketing and Storytelling.  

After School

After school, students have another opportunity to receive academic help. All after-school activities have a delayed start time to make sure students have the chance to meet with teachers before heading off to meetings or practice. 

Almost all CDH students—98%—participate in one or more co-curriculars or sports. CDH co-curriculars span academic competitions, creative outlets, service opportunities, non-varsity athletics, and leadership opportunities. CDH also offers 29 varsity sports with additional teams at the JV, B-Squad, and 9th grade levels—14 are no cut. 

These experiences are a great way for ninth graders to make friends and feel integrated in the CDH community.