Our academic program is intended to provide an inspiring formative education, set within a nurturing environment that facilitates our students’ exploration and discovery of their best and truest selves, thereby equipping them to be successful in their future academic, professional, civic, religious, and family lives – embodying traits from the Profile of the Mission Prep Graduate.

Our faculty work to inspire students within the academic program by providing them with a range of course offerings that appeal to their varied skills and interests. We work to support students in being successful in rigorous college preparatory, honors, and advanced placement courses. As well, we work to create students who are scholars in that they understand the value of inquiry and knowledge and are fervent in their pursuit of both. 

Mission College Preparatory Catholic School is accredited by the Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA). WCEA accredits Catholic elementary and secondary schools in nine western states (26 (arch) dioceses) and the US Territory of Guam. WCEA co-accredits and is in partnership with three Regional agencies (WASC, NAAS, NCA CASI) and two private agencies (CAIS and HAIS). WCEA began in 1957 in San Francisco and has a long and successful history of assisting school improvement through the accreditation process.

The task of education at MCP is to facilitate that voyage of self-discovery for the young person such that intellectual and spiritual growth becomes hallmarks of their whole life. The academic program is directed to the education of the whole person. As such, it is aimed at formation of people, rather than just filling up students’ heads. We pursue our formative process through cultural evangelization rather than through rote activities or legalistic approaches. Our school’s mission statement specifies our way: Mission College Prep creates a culture of care and accountability in partnership with families to form women and men of scholarship, inspiration, and leadership in service to deeper life with God and deeper life with one another. The intended results of this cultural and formative work with our students are reflected in our Profile of the Mission Prep Graduate (formerly ESLR’s):

Guided by the Mission of MCP to prepare students for lives of intellectual and spiritual growth, graduates are unique individuals who will be:

• Faith-filled
• Academic achievers
• Spirited individuals
• Ethical decision-makers
• Effective communicators
• Compassionate leaders
• Globally responsible citizens
• Lifelong learners

Mission Prep boasts a talented student-body of 288 young men and women currently. The faculty consists of 14 full-time and 12 part-time men and women, many who hold advanced degrees. Over 60% of the faculty have over 18 years of teaching experience. The average class size is 20.1. Students are challenged and supported by caring faculty and held accountable for their performance. Over the last eight years, our graduating seniors have had a 98% college acceptance rate. On average, 50% of the senior class earns dual enrollment, UC-transferable college credit through our Cuesta program.

Administrative staff support in the area of Academics includes: Principal, Assistant Principal of Academics, Director of Instruction and Professional Development, Registrar, Director of Student Services and College Counseling, Dean of Students, Director of Information Technology, Freshman Care Team Members, Academic Department Chairpersons, and Academic Advisors.

We offer 54 college prep courses approved and certified by the University of California meeting “a-g” requirements. Nine honors courses and seven Advanced Placement courses are offered. In addition, we offer 11 courses based in leadership, technology, physical education, health and athletic training, and Catholic Theology. Our elective offerings have been expanded based on student interest to include video production, web technology, digital photography, art, music and drama. Students attend 7 courses per day lasting 47 minutes per class. Community Service is a requirement for graduation.

Our Advanced Placement test results are an outstanding indication of our academic prowess here at MCP. Among the 196 Advanced Placement Tests taken across 8 subject areas here at MCP in May of 2009, our students passed at a highly impressive 81% rate, receiving 51 scores of ‘5’. Because we uniquely require every student in the AP class to take the test, our results demonstrate the singular caliber of our academic departments and radically set us apart from other area schools. MCP’s AP scores have steadily increased in number of tests being taken, and increased in pass-rates over the same time-period.

As of January 2010, student weighted GPA for the school (286 students) is as follows: 62 students (22%) with a 4.0 or higher, 64 students (22%) with a 3.5 to 3.99, 85 students (30%) with a 3.0 to 3.49, and 58 (20%) with a 2.0 to 2.99.

By class is as follows: Seniors (77 students) have 29 students (38%) with a 4.0 or higher, 17 students (22%) with a 3.5 to 3.99, 22 students (29%) with a 3.0 to 3.49, and 11 (9%) with a 2.0 to 2.99. Juniors (56 students) have 17 students (30%) with a 4.0 or higher, 13 students (23%) with a 3.5 to 3.99, 15 students (27%) with a 3.0 to 3.49, and 11 (20%) with a 2.0 to 2.99. Sophomores (71 students) have 20 students (28%) with a 4.0 or higher, 14 students (20%) with a 3.5 to 3.99, 15 students (21%) with a 3.0 to 3.49, and 20 (28%) with a 2.0 to 2.99. Freshman (82 students) have 19 students (23%) with a 4.0 or higher, 20 students (24%) with a 3.5 to 3.99, 20 students (24%) with a 3.0 to 3.49, and 18 (22%) with a 2.0 to 2.99.

Historically, 90% of seniors attend a 4-year college, and 10% attend a 2-year college.

As of February 9, 2010, looking at the 77 current senior students, 92% (71) of them took the SAT Reasoning on the 2400 scale with a mean score of 1790. Our students’ mean score is in the top 25% of the national average as well as in the top 25% of the CA average. Our Mean Critical Reading Score: 596; Mean Math Score: 595; Mean Writing Score: 599. The top 25% of MCP SAT Test takers (range of 1990 to 2310—with a mean score of 2119) scored in the top 97% nationally. 66% of the Class of 2010 took the ACT with a mean composite score of 27.2 that is in the 88% nationally. Our top 25% Of MCP ACT Test takers (range 31-34—with a composite mean score of 33) scored in the 99% nationally.

Mechanisms of care and student support are currently in place in the following ways: The teachers of freshmen provide support for new 9th graders by meeting at least 4 times a year to discuss freshman students who they are concerned about. After school tutoring is available for an hour after school Monday through Thursday each week for all students. All students and parents have access to their grades, homework, assignments, etc. online. Progress reports are emailed home approximately every six weeks. Advisory meetings for students are held prior to progress reports being emailed home. At these meetings the advisor talks to each student privately and discusses what is working and what is not working. Student Review Committee meetings are scheduled for students and their parents after each marking period for students who have two or more D’s or worse. During end of the year faculty meetings, teachers and staff identify students who they are concern about and a discussion of how to best work with this student is held.

A Professional Formation Program at MCP supports and nurtures the community of professional educators within an environment of accountability to provide for student success in alignment with the mission of Mission College Preparatory: to form women and men of scholarship, inspiration, and leadership.