Christopher Columbus High School

A Catholic School for Young Men in the Marist Tradition since 1958
Academics

Curriculum

A Challenging & Supportive Academic Tradition

Columbus provides a rich academic curriculum that challenges all students to achieve their full potential. Courses are offered in ability groupings in order to accommodate the different learning styles and abilities.  Course curriculum frameworks are aligned with standards and guidelines set forth by the Florida Department of Education, the Archdiocese of Miami, the Marist Brothers, the national councils for each subject area, and the College Board's AP Audits.

Explore Different Paths to Success

The process of deciding a career path for many Explorers begins as early as freshman year. Using various exploration tools, our guidance staff helps students throughout their years at Columbus identify their strengths and interests, as well as colleges and other educational institutions where they can pursue post high school education.

Seven identified curriculum pathways also enable students to think critically about their academic and professional goals by offering:
  • related careers within a focused field of study,
  • targeted core and recommended course options in the strand,
  • school and community-based opportunities for enrichment and recognition. 
By engaging in academic and elective courses that meet his identified interests and skills, a student may gain the necessary knowledge and proficiency to pursue a career path in any number of strand-related fields at the post-secondary level. Where possible, these strands are also enhanced by externships and extracurricular experiences that complement and further enrich the student’s learning process.

Students are strongly encouraged to discuss the different options with their guidance and career counselors, teachers and parents. Click here to download our sample course curriculum by grade level.

List of 5 items.

  • The Mas Family Program

    The Mas Family Program is considered to be one of the most challenging academic programs in South Florida. Designed for the gifted highly motivated student, the program balances AP, dual-enrollment and honors courses with enrichment activities, summer classes, a guest lecture series, internships and independent study projects.

  • Advanced Placement, Dual Enrollment, Honors Level Classes

    These courses offer our proficient young men opportunities to excel at an accelerated pace and possibly earn sophomore standing at many colleges upon completion of their high school years.

  • AP Capstone

    AP Capstone™ is a College Board program that equips students with the independent research, collaborative teamwork, and communication skills that are increasingly valued by colleges. It cultivates curious, independent, and collaborative scholars and prepares them to make logical, evidence-based decisions.

    AP Capstone is comprised of two AP courses — AP Seminar and AP Research — and is designed to complement and enhance the discipline-specific study in other AP courses. Participating schools can use the AP Capstone program to provide unique research opportunities for current AP students, or to expand access to AP by encouraging students to master the argument-based writing skills that the AP Capstone program develops.

  • Project Lead The Way

    Project Lead The Way provides a transformative learning experience for our Christopher Columbus High School students interested in STEM curriculum. Through PLTW courses, we create engaging, hands-on classroom environments and empower our young men to develop in-demand knowledge and skills. PLTW also provides professional development training, resources and support for our educators.

  • College Preparatory

    This program features a variety of instructional strategies and enrichment programs to serve a diverse learning community.  Sound educational practices along with various summer and after school enrichment opportunities provide optimal opportunities for all of our students to succeed.

Contact:

List of 3 members.

  • Photo of Juan Vila

    Dr. Juan Vila 

    Academic Dean
    ext. 2265
    CCHS Class of 1997
  • Photo of Pedro Garcia-Casals

    Mr. Pedro Garcia-Casals 

    Dean of Curriculum & Professional Development
    ext. 2270
    Florida International University - BA
    University of North Carolina Chapell Hill - MA
  • Photo of Christina Insua

    Mrs. Christina Insua 

    Dean of Faculty
    ext. 2659
Christopher Columbus High School | 3000 SW 87 Avenue | Miami, FL 33165 | (305) 223-5650
Brotherhood, Faith, and Scholarship define the Marist Brothers Catholic education at Christopher Columbus High School.  By making Jesus Christ known and loved and creating an inspiring academic and extracurricular environment, we prepare young men for higher learning and a life-long commitment to leadership and service through Gospel and Marist values.

Columbus is fully accredited by Cognia and is a member of the Marist Association of Secondary schools, the National Catholic Education Association and the Independent Schools of South Florida.