O’DOWD 2014Bishop O’Dowd High SchoolFinding God in All Things

THE CHARISM OF Bishop o’DowD high school

Finding God in all things calls us toCommunity in DiversityStrength of CharacterAcademic ExcellenceKinship with CreationSocial JusticeJoy

The O’Dowd Catholic College-Prep Experience

We pledge to: ‣Offer an engaging environment where students will cultivate their intelligence, creativity, spirituality, leadership and moral character.

‣Prepare students for future challenges and opportunities in the colleges and careers of their choice.

‣Provide outstanding, caring teachers and counselors dedicated to developing intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity.

‣Deliver cutting-edge curriculum and technology programs that encourage our students to challenge themselves.

‣Support an educational experience rooted in the Christian teachings of social justice, moral choice, tolerance and compassion.

The most distinctive aspect of the O’Dowd community is the emphasis on providing each student with every opportunity to explore and deepen individual academic, co-curricular and spiritual interests. As a result, it is commonplace to hear students talk about “finding their passion” here. It’s this passion that later inspires students to academic and personal success.

Welcome to the O’Dowd community where

students discover their passions and purpose.

The O’Dowd College-Prep ExperienceO’Dowd students achieve their potential within a culture of academic rigor, innovation and personalized care. With talented and committed faculty in every academic department and an array of distinctive electives and advanced courses, many students complete one or two semesters of college credits before graduation. Student instruction takes place in a variety of engaging formats. To prepare students for the 21st century university, we offer stimulating classroom instruction, seminars, college-style lectures, and online courses.

International ProgramBishop O’Dowd High School has one of the Bay Area’s most seasoned international programs. Recent international students have attended O’Dowd from Abu Dhabi, Brazil, China, Columbia, Denmark, Germany, Mexico, New Zealand, South Korea and Switzerland. International students are fully immersed into the academic, athletic, and social atmospheres within the community. This immersion undoubtedly adds to the cultural richness already present on our campus, helping prepare all students for our increasingly global world.

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O’Dowd fully prepares every student for the demands of today’s university by enriching our students’ learning experience with:

‣Required UC standard college-prep curriculum augmented by Advanced Placement and Honors courses ‣State-of-the-art technology, laboratories and classrooms to inspire scientific discovery through STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) curriculum ‣Fine arts and music programs and a premier performing arts theater ‣Co-curricular programs, activities and athletics ‣Student retreats, community volunteerism, liturgies and daily prayer ‣College and career counseling and an extensive library resource center

11 Honors CoursesEnglish 1,2,3GeometryAlgebra 2/TrigonometryPre-CalculusChemistryPhysicsGeo-HistoryFrench 3Spanish 3

17 Advanced Placement Courses:BiologyChemistryCalculus BCComputer Science AEnglish Literature and CompEnvironmental ScienceFrench Language & CultureGovernment Politics:

ComparativeGovernment Politics: USHuman GeographyMacro EconomicsPsychologyPhysics (test only)Spanish Language & CultureStatisticsStudio ArtUS History

At O’Dowd, students may take higher level Advanced Placement (AP) and college level courses. In fact, each year about 300 students sit for two or more exams.

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LEARNING BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

With encouragement fromtheir teachers and counselors, students build the knowledge and confidence to take on personally engaging intellectual challenges as they learn in the classroom, the Living Lab, or around the world.

Journey even farther on our school-sponsored research

trips to:BajaBelizeCosta RiCathe GalÁpaGos islandsGeRmany and polandWashinGton d.C.yelloWstoneyosemite

The Center for Environmental Studies connects the ecological study area and wildlife habitat of the Living Lab and inspires the experiential programs that make O’Dowd a model of sustainability. The Living Lab, an on-campus 4.5-acre certified wildlife habitat, is O’Dowd’s outdoor experiential learning site for science, arts, religious studies and world languages.

The environmental studies curriculum at O’Dowd comprises an interdisciplinary course of instruction that includes lab research experience and a strong field study component using the Living Lab, national and international immersion research opportunities and our Center for Environmental Studies.

Every freshman will take Environmental Science as their first lab course.

Our science classes provide students the scientific principles, concepts and methodologies required to

‣Understand the interconnectedness of the natural world ‣ Identify and analyze natural and man-made environmental issues ‣Evaluate the relative risks and opportunities associated with these concerns ‣Examine alternative solutions to resolving and/or preventing issues

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LEARNING BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

Online courses at O’Dowd are designed and developed by our very own teachers. These courses complement the college-prep educational experience, familiarizing our students with tools they will use in college and the workplace. In these interactive courses, our students acquire critical skills to create and analyze while they learn.

Discussion sessions provide the opportunity to contribute new ideas, clarify concepts and creatively express viewpoints.

With online learning, O’Dowd students

‣Explore learning experiences beyond the traditional classroom ‣Reinforce reading and writing skills ‣Prepare for college and career ‣Develop as self-directed learners ‣Expand time management and organizational skills

ONLINE INSTRUCTION

Earn college credit at O’DowdO’Dowd students may take college level online general education coursework that is transferable to all UC and CSU schools along with many out-of-state and private universities. Through our partnership with the College of the Siskiyous, students can earn as many as 23 college credits providing these benefits:

‣Cost savings on college courses ‣Guided transition to college level work ‣College scheduling flexibility

O’Dowd students consistently score on average about 200 points higher on the SAT than California seniors overall. The average scores chart below demonstrates this consistent trend with

our Class of 2014.

Critical Reading Math Writing TotalO’Dowd Top 50 690 684 697 2071O’Dowd All Seniors 575 576 576 1727California Seniors* 498 512 495 1505

* most recent test scores available are from 2013

O’DOWD GRADUATES ARE PREPARED FOR COLLEGE

The authentic diversity of the O’Dowd community is enlivened by the varied cultural and socio-economic backgrounds of our students and is strengthened by their unique interests and talents. This vibrant environment prepares our students for success in the multi-dimensional world of today’s univeristy.

Bishop O’Dowd High School—Dreams Achieved

Academy of ArtAgnes Scott CollegeAmerican UniversityArizona StateAuburn UniversityBard CollegeBarry UniversityBaylorBeloit CollegeBethany CollegeBinghamton UniversityBoise StateBoston CollegeBoston UniversityCalifornia LutheranUniversity

California MaritimeAcademy

California State Universities:

‣ Channel Islands ‣ Chico ‣ East Bay ‣ Fresno ‣ Fullerton ‣ Humboldt ‣ Long Beach ‣ Monterey Bay ‣ Northridge ‣ Pomona ‣ Sacramento ‣ San Diego ‣ San Francisco ‣ San Jose ‣ San Luis Obispo ‣ Sonoma

Carlton CollegeCarnegie MellonCentral WashingtonChaminade UniversityChapman UniversityClark AtlantaCogswell PolytechColbyColorado School of MinesColorado StateColumbia College, ChicagoColumbia Concordia UniversityConnecticut CollegeCornell UniversityCumberland UniversityDartmouthDenisonDePaul UniversityDigiPen Instituteof Technology

DominicanDrexel

Since 2012, our graduates have been accepted to these universi t ies and col leges.

DukeEast Carolina UniversityElon UniversityEmbry-Riddle AeronauticalUniversity

Emerson CollegeThe Evergreen State CollegeFordhamFort Lewis CollegeGeorge Washington UniversityGeorgetown Gettysburg CollegeGonzagaGrinnellGustavus Adolphus CollegeHampshire CollegeHampton UniversityHarvardHawaii PacificHofstraHoly NamesHope CollegeHoward UniversityIndiana UniversityJohns HopkinsKalamazoo CollegeLa Salle UniversityLewis & ClarkLinfield CollegeLouisiana State UniversityLoyola MarymountLoyola University, ChicagoLoyola University,New Orleans

Lynchburg CollegeLynn UniversityManhattan School of MusicMarquette UniversityMaster’s College and SeminaryMenlo CollegeMiami University (Ohio)MiddleburyMills CollegeMontana StateMorehouse CollegeMount St. Mary’s CollegeNew Mexico HighlandsNew York UniversityNorth Carolina A&TNortheasternNorthern Arizona UniversityNorthwesternNotre DameOccidentalOle MissOregon StatePace UniversityPacific Lutheran UniversityPenn State

PepperdinePitzer CollegePomona CollegePortland StatePrairie View A&MPurdueQuinnipiac UniversityReed CollegeRider UniversityRoanoke CollegeRobert Morris UniversityRutgersSaint Anselm CollegeSt. John’s UniversitySt. Mary’s College, INSt. Mary’s College ofCalifornia

Salve Regina UniversitySanta Clara UniversityScripps CollegeSeattle UniversitySmithSouth Dakota StateSouthern MethodistUniversity

Southern UniversitySpelmanSpring Hill CollegeStanfordStetson UniversitySusquehanna UniversitySyracuse UniversityTexas Christian UniversityTexas Southern UniversityTrinityTulaneUnited States Naval AcademyUnity CollegeUniversity of AlabamaUniversity of ArizonaUniversity of BritishColumbia

Universities ofCalifornia:

‣ Berkeley ‣ Davis ‣ Irvine ‣ Los Angeles ‣ Merced ‣ Riverside ‣ San Diego ‣ Santa Barbara ‣ Santa Cruz

University of ConnecticutUniversity of ChicagoUniversity of Colorado,Boulder

University of DenverUniversity of Georgia

University of HawaiiUniversity of IdahoUniversity of Illinois,Urbana-Champaign

University of IowaUniversity of Massachusetts, Amherst

University ofMassachusetts, Boston

University of MichiganUniversity of MontanaUniversity of Nevada, RenoUniversity of NorthCarolina, Chapel Hill

University of NorthCarolina, Greensboro

University of OregonUniversity of the PacificUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of PittsburghUniversity of PortlandUniversity of Puget SoundUniversity of RedlandsUniversity of St. Andrews, Scotland

University of San DiegoUniversity of San FranciscoUniversity of SouthernCalifornia

University of Tennessee,Chattanooga

University of Tennessee,Knoxville

University of Texas, AustinUniversity of VermontUniversity of WashingtonUniversity ofWisconsin-Madison

VanderbiltVillanovaWashington StateWashington Universityin St. Louis

WellesleyWestern New EnglandUniversity

Western Oregon UniversityWhitmanWhittierWilliam Penn UniversityWilliams CollegeWilliametteWoosterXavier UniversityXavier University ofLouisiana

Yale

DEBATE

Experience O’Dowd and find your passion

O’DOWD THE CATHOLIC COLLEGE-PREP HIGH SCHOOL FOR YOUATHLETICS

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Experience O’Dowd and find your passion

O’DOWD THE CATHOLIC COLLEGE-PREP HIGH SCHOOL FOR YOUATHLETICS

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Our full-time counseling professionals are dedicated to providing individualized attention to every student. They collaborate with a network of faculty, campus ministers, administrators, coaches and tutors to meet the needs of each student.

With personal support from their academic advisors through all four years at O’Dowd, students gain knowledge and confidence to be successful. We are committed to assisting all of our students to learn, grow and succeed.

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84faculty members who do more than

teach. They advise, challenge, nurture, mentor, encourage, model and inspire.

students who do more than learn. They explore, discover, strive, emulate, initiate, develop, venture, travel, stretch, play and

dream.

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THE COUNSELING CENTER

14:1student : teacher ratio

Counseling: Thriving at O’DowdO’Dowd students benefit from one-on-one advising for:

‣College and career counseling ‣Course planning and preferences ‣Personal academic counseling and support ‣Learning differences programs ‣ International student support

Over the course of four years, each student works closely with his or her counselor to design the current course of study to prepare for the future. Even before freshmen officially arrive on campus, our counselors begin meeting with students to understand their strengths and abilities. By forming a relationship with each student, counselors develop unique personalized academic plans to help students achieve mutually-agreed upon goals.

Support: Championing Each StudentThe academic and cognitive diversity of O’Dowd students enriches our school community. We welcome students with individual learning styles and we provide support systems that ensure everyone is successful.

Through our Career Partnerships Program, O’Dowd offers:

‣Multiple opportunities to meet and shadow professionals ‣Visits to local universities ‣Participation in career development activities ‣Communication and networking skill buildingTHE COUNSELING CENTER

To meet the needs of today’s students, our religious studies courses focus on:

Adolescent Development andRelationships

Catholic TraditionsMoral Development and EthicsSpiritualityScriptureSocial Justice IssuesWorld Religions

Our Religious Studies classes enhance student understanding of the Catholic faith and the roles religion, ethics, prayer, spirituality and service have in shaping their lives and building a just and thriving society.

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At O’Dowd, we honor, present and symbolize the teachings and traditions of our Catholic faith. We are proud of our Christian foundation while we also respect and embrace the diversity of religious backgrounds and beliefs our students bring to our vibrant school community.

Our student-dedicated Campus Ministry Department designs and leads:

‣Freshman class retreat ‣Sophomore class immersion with St. Anthony’s Foundation in San Francisco ‣Schoolwide liturgies and daily prayer ‣Day-long, overnight and Kairos retreats ‣Class campus ministry teams ‣Service learning volunteer programs ‣Campus-wide philanthropic fundraisers ‣ Immersion trips during the summer and Easter breaks

FAITH

Social Justice calls us to stewardship, and our Service Learning Program and immersions direct our students towards volunteer service in our local area, across the country and throughout the world.

Service LearningStrengthening the community here and beyond is an integral part of the O’Dowd experience. Our volunteer program ensures that all students complete at least 100 community service hours during their four years at O’Dowd. We support more than 200 sites in the Bay Area.

ImmersionsThese are intensive service retreats where students participate in situations outside their daily experience. Each trip addresses social justice, simple living, spirituality, community and service. Our students have recently served in New Orleans, Native American Reservations, El Salvador, South Africa and China.

34,860+The class of 2014 contributed more than 34,860 hours of supervised community service in the Bay Area, United States and abroad. That averages to almost 143 hours of service learning for each senior.

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CREATIVIT Y

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Through our extensive fine arts and performing arts programs, O’Dowd offers healthy creative outlets that compliment our rigorous academic courses. From ceramics to drama to choir to photography, we offer courses to inspire creative expression in every student.

At Bishop O’Dowd High School, our arts curriculum prepares our students for a design-driven world. Our programs pique their enthusiasm in a wide range of interests, college majors and careers.

Each student enrolled in an upper division arts course creates a unique portfolio that adds an extra dimension to his or her college application.

O’Dowd is consistently recognized for its award-winning original, student-written and professional plays and musicals.

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of our students engage in music and the performing or visual arts during their four years at O’Dowd.

Encore performance of “Voices”, a student-written and directed award-winning play.

Spring Concert 2014

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DRAGON PRIDE

We are even more proud of our scholar-athletes.

Started in 2008, the Elmer Brown Memorial Award for Excellence is awarded by the North Coast Section to those schools that excel in academics and athletics by ranking and recognizing programs based on performance in the fall, winter and spring seasons.

For all seven years of the award’s existence, O’Dowd has annually finished in the Top Ten from among the more than 170 public and private schools that are members of the North Coast Section.

Since 2009, more than 115 O’Dowd seniors have earned college scholarships based on athletic and academic merit.

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cross country

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golf

lacrosse

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swimming

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track & fielD

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water polo

We value our 63-year athletic tradition.

5 State Championships

13 NorCal Titles

65 North Coast Section Titles

272 League Championships

56 North Coast Sectional

Scholastic Championships

O’Dowd provides an academic and social setting where students quickly make friends and become active members of the campus community.

At O’Dowd, we’re proud to meet a diverse range of student interests by offering more than 50 student-run clubs, events and activities. Our extensive list of student activities means we have something for everyone. We invite all students to try new activities that broaden their experience and develop their leadership skills.

Only at O’Dowd will students find the wide variety of opportunities that create a positive environment that makes all students feel welcomed, engaged and able to connect with activities most meaningful to them.

Our students are encouraged to organize clubs and take a hands-on approach to shaping their unique high school experience. The participation of all students in campus activities ensures that everyone finds a passion and purpose in the O’Dowd community.

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ACTIVITIES

ASB LeadershipThe Associated Student Body is led by the student-elected Executive Council that organizes activities that make O’Dowd feel like a small college campus. The Council involves students in planning, promoting and producing events, is the bridge between the students and the faculty, addresses important student issues and communicates schoolwide.

‣Rallies and Spirit Events ‣Videos ‣Dances ‣Community Relations ‣Environmental Action ‣Peer Leadership

California Scholarship FederationThe California Scholarship Federation (CSF) promotes and recognizes high standards of scholarship, service and citizenship on the part of students in California schools. Members of CSF are recognized at graduation.

National Honor SocietyNational Honor Society was established to recognize and honor students throughout the United States who exemplify academic excellence, personal character, leadership and service to both school and community. Junior and senior students are eligible to apply for membership to this prestigious organization. To be chosen for membership, students must have a record of leadership and service throughout their high school years, employment experience and consistently high grades. A faculty panel chooses students in September and January, and an induction ceremony is held in February of each year. Members of NHS are recognized at graduation.

Application available online www.bishopodowd.org/apply

Open House — Explore O’Dowd November 2, 2014 1-3 p.m.Dragon Morning at a Glance October 2,9,16 and December 4 9-11a.m.

Student/Parent Visit and InfoShadow Visits (sign up online) November through January 9:30 a.m.Application Dates

Courtesy Deadline December 5, 2014Final Deadline January 5, 2015 (fee increased)

HSPT Prep Workshop (register online) December 13, 2014 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.High School Placement Test (HSPT) January 10, 2015 8 a.m.

For more information: www.bishopodowd.org/admissions

Accredited by:Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA)National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)

Kerryn Pincus, Director of Admissions(510) 577-9100, ext. 603kpincus@bishopodowd.org

Bishop o’DowD high school9500 Stearns AvenueOakland, CA 94605(510) 577-9100www.bishopodowd.org

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