Math & Science Academy

About the Program

Cathedral High School’s Math and Science Academy (MSA) is a prominent program designed to empower and prepare students for success in competitive college STEM programs and careers. Through a rigorous academic curriculum, hands-on experiences, and dedicated support, MSA students develop the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in STEM-related fields.

Benefits of the MSA Program

Students accepted into the MSA Program will:

• Engage in Advanced Coursework:
  • Complete a challenging curriculum that includes Honors and AP courses, such as:
    • Algebra II Honors
    • AP Pre-Calculus
    • AP Calculus AB & AP Calculus BC
    • Honors Biology
    • AP Chemistry
    • AP Physics
    • AP Biology
• Participate in Enrichment Opportunities:
  • Take part in extracurricular STEM activities, including:
    • Educational field trips
    • Guest speaker sessions with industry professionals
    • Tailored information about summer program opportunities
  • Past MSA students have attended summer programs at UPenn, Stanford, UCLA, MIT, Johns Hopkins, Duke, UC Davis, and Michigan State.
• Receive Personalized Academic Support:
  • Gain four years of dedicated academic counseling from the MSA Director through:
    • Group meetings
    • One-on-one advising sessions, as needed
    • Ongoing mentorship to ensure academic success

Program Impact

The Math and Science Academy challenges students with demanding coursework, leading to high achievement on college entrance exams and placement tests. As a result, MSA graduates are well-prepared for the demands of collegiate-level STEM programs.

• 100% of MSA students are accepted into four-year universities.
• Graduates have been admitted to respected institutions such as:
  • MIT, Cornell University, Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University
  • University of Southern California, Marquette University, Santa Clara University
  • University of Pennsylvania, Boston University, Pepperdine, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
  • University of Pittsburgh, Gustavus Adolphus College
  • University of California campuses (Berkeley, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Davis, Santa Cruz)

Admission Requirements

To be considered for the Math and Science Academy, incoming freshmen must meet the following criteria:

• Strong Academic Performance:
  • A top score on the High School Placement Test (HSPT)
  • A high GPA demonstrating academic excellence
• Application Components:
  • A letter of recommendation highlighting the student’s motivation and ability to excel in a rigorous academic environment
  • An interview with Cathedral High School’s MSA Admissions Committee

MSA Program Expectations

To remain in good standing within the program, MSA students must:

• Maintain a minimum 3.5 overall GPA
• Earn no more than one C per grading period (mid-semester and semester)
• Students receiving a D, F, or two or more C’s may be placed on academic contract or probation