Students of Madonna High School are offered subjects which cover the traditional course offerings of college preparatory, general curriculum, fine arts, and selected business and vocational areas. These courses are geared to accommodate individual differences and ability levels and to give a truly balanced education in terms of theology, sciences, mathematics, languages, and the humanities. Madonna partners with West Virginia Northern Community College and the John D. Rockefeller Career Center to provide more opportunities for our students.
Developing and nurturing a Christian atmosphere and faith is our top priority. Obedient to Christ and the Magisterium of the Catholic Church and called forth in ministry to our youth, the primary purpose of Madonna High School is to proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Liturgies are celebrated for the entire student body and faculty each week. Under the guidance and supervision of the religion department faculty, students assume an integral role in the planning and preparation of school liturgies.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation, school-wide prayer services and class retreats form another part of the students’ faith life.
Service hours are a requirement to graduate and receive a diploma. A minimum of 20 hours of service is required of all seniors and juniors, 15 hours of service is required of all sophomores and freshmen, and 10 hours of service is required of all 7th and 8th graders.
Students must complete annual requirements by the end of the third quarter of each academic year. A written evaluation of the student’s service is required from the supervisor of the service, listing the experience and time spent performing each individual service.
The religion requirements may not be waived for non-Catholic students. The concept of a Catholic school is to transmit Christian Doctrine. All students at Madonna will take the required religion courses for graduation.
Protecting God’s Children – An Overview of the Touching Safety Program
Teaching-Boundaries-and-Safety-Guide
Tutoring, at no additional cost to the parents, is provided by members of National Honor Society.
Honors Program
Based upon grades and faculty recommendation the students of Madonna High School may take honors courses to further enhance their education. These courses are designed by the faculty to provide an in-depth analysis and study of additional topics within the curriculum. Students that successfully complete 14 honors courses may be eligible to graduate with honors. Students that successfully complete 19 honors courses may be eligible to graduate with distinguished honors. The student’s diploma and transcript will note that the student did complete the requirements of the honors program. In addition, at Commencement, the student will wear a gold honor hood with the Madonna cap and gown.
Criteria to Obtain an Honors Credit
- Students must have a grade of “A” or “B in the regular coursework to be eligible for an honors class
- Students must complete all honors assignments in a timely fashion and according to the criteria established by the faculty.
- Students must maintain a grade of “A” or “B” in the honors portion of the course.
- If the student does not meet the above criteria, the course will be listed as “honors” on their transcript, but will not count toward the total number needed to graduate “With Honors”.
Criteria to Graduate with Honors
- Students must have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher in all courses.
- Students must have earned 14 honors credits. If the student earns a grade of “C” or lower in an honors course, that course will not count toward the total needed to graduate “With Honors”.
- Transfer students may transfer a maximum of 3 honors courses to Madonna, at the discretion of the administration.
- All college-level courses at Madonna High School will be counted as an honors-level class towards graduation with honors.
Criteria to Graduate with Distinguished Honors
- Students must have an overall GPA of 4.0 or higher in all courses
- Students must have earned a minimum of 19 honors credits with no grade below a “B” to be considered for “Distinguished Honors”.
- “Distinguished Honors” students will be recognized at graduation by wearing a gold hood with 2 stars.
Please see the Curriculum Guide for more information.
COLLEGE GUIDANCE SERVICES
The college guidance program provides various services to Madonna High School. Information and skills-training are made available to assist students, as well as their parents, the faculty, and staff, in developing self-understanding for religious, academic, emotional, and social growth. This establishes a foundation for the student to make realistic educational, career, and personal decisions. College guidance services are available for every student in the school. Help with home, school, and/or social problems or other concerns is available through the School Based Health office.
The College Guidance Department assists with:
- Educational and career planning
- Brief individual and group sessions with students, their families and/or faculty
- Prevention and intervention strategies and referrals
- Conferences with administrators, teachers, parents, community resource personnel, and college personnel
- Planned assessments and result interpretation to aid in determining academic strengths and weaknesses along with student interests and needs
- Administration and interpretation of standardized tests
- Career exploration
- Assistance with college admissions, scholarships and financial aid
Students, in addition to parents, faculty, and staff, are encouraged to utilize the guidance department. Student visits should be scheduled during but can also be scheduled before or after school. If a student wishes to visit the college guidance office, he/she must obtain written permission from his/her teacher during that time. Parents are asked to call and schedule an appointment.
The College Guidance Department also prepares students for or administers the following annual tests:
7th Grade NWEA, ARK (Assessment of Religious Knowledge)
8th Grade NWEA, PSAT 8/9, ARK
Freshmen NWEA, PSAT 8/9, ARK
Sophomores NWEA, PSAT/NMSQT, ARK
Juniors PSAT/NMSQT, ARK, ACT District Testing, SAT School Day
Seniors ACT and/or SAT, ARK
Juniors and Seniors who are college-bound are highly encouraged to take the ACT and/or the SAT. These tests are often required for admission into most colleges or universities and for merit-based aid. These tests are administered by the high school one time each in the Junior year under the titles, SAT School Day and ACT District Testing (Seniors may also take ACT District Testing). It is the student’s responsibility to contact ACT (www.act.org) or SAT (www.collegeboard.org) to register for the tests offered on Saturdays at locations off the Madonna campus.
If you have any questions, please contact the College Guidance office at 304-723-0545
See below for further information on preparing for college:
- Start a folder at home, make copies of everything related to college applications and financial aid.
- The entire faculty (who have experience in this process) is here to guide you in the right direction, but it is your responsibility to meet deadlines and apply for colleges, financial aid, and scholarships.
- All seniors should compose a High School resume.
- Students should challenge themselves and take a rigorous high school schedule.
- Students must fulfill all state requirements to graduate. A list of all MHS and state requirements can be found in the Madonna High School Curriculum Guide.
- Don’t make selecting a college a casual experience. If you were to pay $20,000 for a new car you would do your research and find out as much as possible about cars. A college education in most cases will cost a minimum of $40,000 and possibly over $100,000. You need to make the right choice.
- Pick a college that is right for you!
- Continuing your education is your only choice for success. College graduates make 60% more money in a lifetime than a high school graduate.)
- Continuing your education could include: the military, vocational schools, specialty schools, etc.
- Types of Degrees:
- Associates (2 years)
- Bachelors (4 years)
- Masters (after undergrad, school, usually 2 years)
- Doctorate
- Students should have a realistic idea of what they want to do after high school by their senior year. For those who need some helping exploring career options click here.
- You can also declare an “undecided” major when you enter college. The problem is that it could cost you a great deal of extra time and money.
- Students should be realistic about their chances of being accepted at the colleges where they apply.
- Students should also be realistic about where they can attend college. Geographic location is an important factor to consider.
- Admissions requirements, vary by college. Research this.
- Students must know deadlines for applications, housing, scholarships, and apply on time.
- The more prestigious or competitive the college, the earlier you have to apply.
- Most students now apply to college online. Not only is this faster but it usually saves you an application fee.
- If you fill out a paper application please follow the guidelines below:
All paper applications should be typed whenever possible. If a student can’t type their application, make sure it is done neatly in black pen.
Complete the entire application. Make sure it’s signed, essays are completed, recommendations are included, application fee is included if necessary, etc.
Take the application to the college counselor and an English teacher for proofreading.
The Counselor will mail the transcripts with the application (we keep a log of dates applications are mailed.)
If the student needs a recommendation they should give the person writing it at least a 2 week advance notice and provide with a high school resume, specifics of the recommendation, and a firm due date.
- Students who apply online must notify the college counselor immediately so that transcripts can be mailed. Failure to do so may mean deadlines are missed.
- College representatives frequently visit our school to see students. However, any student can request a meeting if they notify the college counselor two days before the visit.
- Possible questions to ask the visiting representative:
- Majors offered (be specific)
- Accredited programs
- Cost
- Class size
- Campus and commuters
- # of students in your major
- Difficulty of getting in the program
- Campus life
- Cars on campus
- Residence hall availability
- Living off campus
- Dorm life
- Extra-Curricular Activities
- 3/2 year programs
- Study abroad opportunities
- Early deposits and fees
- Admissions requirements
- Application deadlines
- Average ACT/SAT
- Scholarships
- Each senior is allowed three excused absences to visit a college.
- The visit must be pre-planned and must have the approval of the school.
- Parents should accompany the student on the visitation.
- To be considered excused, the student must have the college verify their visit in writing.
- Students are encouraged to visit all schools they are interested in.
- Either the ACT or the SAT is often required for college admission. Students must know which test the college prefers. For information about both test visit College Board or ACT.
- All Juniors will take the SAT School Day at no cost courtesy of the State of WV.
- All Juniors and interested Seniors will take the ACT District Testing in the Spring Semester.
- For all other administrations of ACT/SAT:
- Students should complete their registration online.
- The vast majority of M.H.S. students take the ACT.
- Plan ahead! Often times you may have an extra-curricular activity or sporting event on the day of a test.
- Students who procrastinate may miss college application and financial aid deadlines.
- A minimum ACT or SAT score is required to be eligible for the Promise Scholarship.
- Students must register approximately 6 weeks before their planned test date. The M.H.S. school code is 491 342.
- Part of the test fee allows students to send their results to colleges and universities of their choice.
- Students should take the sample test that comes with their registration materials. Information about how the test is scored and rules regarding guessing are also included in the registration packet.
- Practice test information can also be found here: Khan Academy and ACT Academy.
- Students will need a picture I.D. to be admitted on the day of the test. If a student does not have a picture I.D., they need to see the college counselor for an entrance form.
- The U.S. Government provides three types of financial aid: grants, loans and work study. To learn more about financial aid visit the FAFSA website.
- To apply for financial aid, each family must submit the FAFSA. A FAFSA must be submitted for each student in family attending college.
- You cannot complete the FAFSA until October 1st of the student’s senior year.
- Madonna High School holds an annual financial aid workshop in October for students and their parents.
- All families are urged to complete the FAFSA. To qualify for the WV Promise Scholarship and state financial aid you must submit a FAFSA.
- In addition to federal aid, the state of West Virginia also offers two aid programs:
-
- WVHEGP- the West Virginia Higher Education Grant Program offers grants to students who qualify. You must complete the FAFSA to be eligible for the WVHEGP.
- The Promise Scholarship
- Eligibility for financial aid is based on the results of your FAFSA.
- The government uses your FAFSA to determine what is called “expected family contribution” or EFC
- Each college to which you’ve been accepted to will give you a financial aid packet that attempts to meet your need.
- This package is made of grants, loans, and work study.
- Scholarships are available from the college /university the student will be attending. There are also local scholarships and national scholarships.
- Many scholarships are based on grades and ACT or SAT scores. Others are based on need or some type of leadership skills or a special ability.
- Students and encouraged to apply for all scholarship for which they are eligible.
- Students must know and meet scholarship deadlines.
- See a list of scholarships available here: Scholarships | Madonna High School (weirtonmadonna.org)
Click below for more information on the WV PROMISE Scholarship:
WEST VIRGINIA PROMISE SCHOLARSHIP
Click here for additional scholarships.
Helpful Links:
BIG FUTURE BY THE COLLEGE BOARD
Grading System
Grading Scale effective for 2024-2025:
| Percentage | Grade | GPA | Honors G.P. | AP/College Level G.P. |
| 90-100 | A | 4.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| 80-90 | B | 3.0 | 3.5 | 4.0 |
| 70-80 | C | 2.0 | 2.5 | 3.0 |
| 60-70 | D | 1.0 | 1.5 | 2.0 |
| 0-60 | F | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Crediting
A successfully completed:
- Eighteen-week course receives a 1/2 unit
- Thirty-six week course receives 2 half units
A passing grade must be received in both semesters of a 36-week course. Students who see they are in danger of failing the first semester should contact their teacher no later than one month before the end of the semester. Letter grades will be used for all subjects taken as requirements to meet graduation needs. Any incomplete work not made up within 3 weeks after an extended absence results in an “F”. Courses may be dropped or added within the first 5 days of school.
Each teacher is required to calculate grades according to percentages or a point system which converts to percentages. This assures the students accurate results on grading procedures. All college level courses taught at Madonna High School on the Madonna campus will use the Madonna grading scale.
Progress Reports
Progress reports are used to provide students with a warning regarding inadequate academic performance and attendance performance. They permit the students and parents to be aware of this performance and attendance performance. They permit the students and parents to be aware of this performance and the fact that failure in the subject is possible. Progress reports encourage students to take suggested means toward improvement. They also help to keep parents and students informed of the specific progress of a student in a particular subject area.
Progress Reports are completed after 4 1/2 weeks into the marking period. A Progress Report is completed on any student who is failing a subject, any student who has a grade of “D” and is not working to their best ability, or if a substantial difference exists between demonstrated performance and actual achievement. Students are re-evaluated after 6 weeks into the marking period. At the request of the administration, a student may be placed on academic and/or disciplinary probation.
Graduation Requirements: 2023-2024
Language Arts: 4 Credits
Mathematics: MINIMUM 4 credits & 1 Math class yearly
Science: 4 Credits
Social Studies: 4 Credits
Religion/Service*: 4 Credits
Physical Education: 1 Credit
Health: 1 Credit
Fine Arts: 1 Credit
Electives: 5 Credits
TOTAL FOR GRADUATION: 28 Credits
*The Religion requirements may not be waived for non-Catholic students. The concept of a Catholic school is to foster Christian Doctrine. All students at Madonna will take the required Religion courses for graduation.
Calculation of Semester Grades*
A student in grades nine through twelve semester grade consists of three components. The first semester grade is 40% of the 1st quarter grade, 40% of the 2nd quarter grade, and 20% of the midterm exam grade. The second semester grade would then be 40% of the 3rd quarter grade, 40% of the 4th quarter grade, and 20% of the final exam grade. For example, if a student obtained a 93% the 1st quarter, a 95% the 2nd quarter, and an 85% on the exam, one would calculate the semester grade as follows:
93 x 0.40 = 37.2
95 x 0.40 = 38
85 x 0.20 = 17
37.2 + 38 + 17 = 92.2 % B
Percentages ending in .5 or greater are rounded up. Anything below a .5 is not.
* Seventh and Eighth grade students do not take semester exams (except those students who are enrolled in a high school math or language course).
MOOCs (Juniors and Seniors only…online, independently)
Massive Open Online Courses. The site is MOOC.org
Below are several options that have proven successful. However, students are welcome to explore the site and upon approval of the Administration take an alternative, approved course.
The course, upon approval and successful completion will be placed on the student’s transcript, however it will not factor into a student’s GPA.
Intro to Business
This course is designed to prepare students who are interested in the business field in college. The courses are online. All the classes have a cost (Approx.. $100-$250) to obtain the certificates which are mandatory in order to be placed on the student’s transcript
Intro to Engineering
This course is designed to prepare students who are interested in the field of engineering in college. The courses are online. All the classes have a cost (Approx. $100-$250) to obtain the certificates which are mandatory in order to be placed on the student’s transcript.
Intro to Healthcare
This course is designed to prepare students who may be interested in the healthcare field in college. The courses are online. All the classes have a cost (Approx. $100-$250) to obtain the certificates which are mandatory in order to be placed on the student’s transcript..
Intro to Pre-Law
This course is designed to prepare students who are interested in the pre-law field in college. The courses are online. All the classes have a cost (Approx. $100-$250) to obtain the certificates which are mandatory in order to be placed on the student’s transcript.
Prefect System
The Madonna Senior Prefect system is designed to recognize those who put forth extra effort with greater responsibilities. As Jesus says: “Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities” (Matthew 25:21). Prefects will assist with school tours, tutoring, graduations, etc. Prefects who are not members of Student Council or Senior Class Officers will assist in planning social and/or educational activities (example: May Day, Guest Speakers, or events approved by Administrations) Additionally, Senior Prefects will be recognized at graduation by wearing a blue Prefect cord.
Prefect selection is based on: completion of application fulfilling the following:
Class of 2023:
- Member in good standing of National Honor Society
- GPA > 3.75
- Lettered in a sport or participated in the school play
- Active member of Pep Club or additional sport/or play participation
- Actively participate in one additional club with letter of recommendation from sponsor on significant contribution toward the club
- Essay on topic selected by Administration (Benefits of a Catholic Education)
- Less than ten (10) absences in a school year
- At least 75 service hours by application
- Attend ProLife March with school or other Madonna approved event
- Take 1 AP Class with an “A” in the class
Class of 2024 and following
- All of the above
- At least 100 service hours by application
- Take at least 2 AP Classes with an “A” in the class or a score of 3 or higher on AP exam
NOTE:
Service Hours must be approved by Madonna High School Administration to be considered toward valid count of necessary Prefect hours. Determination of candidates for Prefect recognition, based upon above requirements, will be made by Madonna High School Administration.
Madonna High School partners with the Rockefeller Career Center to provide two-year, career-based courses in the following areas:
- Auto Collision Repair Technology
- Electronics Systems Technician
- Diesel Equipment Technology
- Therapeutic Services
- Human Services Cluster
- Welding
Students may begin taking classes their Junior year, but Seniors can attain partial completion of the program as well.
John D. Rockefeller Career Center Website
All male students who attain the age of 18 are required to register with the Selective Service.
Click here for more information regarding the Selective Service Requirements
West Virginia Northern Community College Classes
These courses are dual credit, meaning the student will receive college credit at WVNCC and high school credit at Madonna. If a senior chooses to take the in-person classes at WVNCC they must take two classes in the fall and two classes in the spring.
Requirements to register for the Early Entrance Program at WVNCC as a rising Madonna Senior:
A or B in all English and Math Courses Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior years.
OR these minimum scores on the ACT/SAT:
- ACT: Reading – minimum 17, English – minimum 18, Math – minimum 19
- SAT: EBRW (Evidence-Based Reading & Writing) – minimum 480, Math – minimum 530
ENG 101 – College Composition I 3 Credit(s)
ENG 102 – College Composition II 3 Credit(s)
HIST 110 – The United States to 1865 3 Credit(s)
HIST 111 – The United States Since 1865 3 Credit(s)
POLS 102 – American National Government and Politics 3 Credit(s)
PSYC 105 – Introduction to Psychology 3 Credit(s)
SOC 125 – Introduction to Sociology 3 Credit(s)