Our School
2005-2006
Marian Hutson, Principal and Academic Dean
William Weisner, Assistant Principal
Virginia O’Connor, Assistant Principal
Maureen Finn Withgott, Guidance Director, A-C
Wendy Kennedy, Counselor, D-J
Patricia Herzberg, Counselor,K- Q
Charlene Ernst, Counselor, R-Z
Bishop Watterson High School is a comprehensive, co-educational, Catholic school for grades 9-12. It is located in a suburban residential area serving the northwest quadrant of Columbus and Franklin County. A large majority of parents are college-educated, business and professional people.
Enrollment: Enrollment for 2005-2006 is 1176. Class of 2006 enrollment is 290.
Teachers: 72 teachers; over half of the staff have Master’s degrees.
Student Body: Over 90% of the students are Catholic. There is a nearly equal number of males (522) and females (654). Students come from the Columbus Public School District and seven suburban school systems – Buckeye Valley, Delaware, Dublin, Hilliard, Olentangy, Worthington, and Upper Arlington.
Curriculum: The curriculum is largely college preparatory. Over 98% of the graduates enter four-year and two-year colleges. A typical graduating class will be dispersed to fifty or more colleges throughout the United States. Many of the top quartile will be attending our country’s most competitive colleges. Honors course offerings include: Spanish IV, French IV, Italian IV; Human Anatomy and Physiology, Physics, Advanced Placement Latin, Advanced Placement Calculus, Advanced Placement English, Advanced Placement United States History, Advanced Placement American Government, Advanced Placement Computer Science and accelerated courses in Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II/Trigonometry, Chemistry, English 9 and 10 and American Literature. (Also, see "Graduation Requirements.")
School Plan: The school day consists of seven 50-minute periods. All courses meet daily.
Semester System: All students are ranked in one comprehensive ranking system. All courses are counted in
G.P.A./Rank
The ranking except for physical education which is graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory. The following grading scale is used: (Also, see "Weighting and Bonus Points.") All course failures are shown.
*When a student fails a required course but successfully completes summer school, the failing grade is still averaged into the GPA, but the credit is awarded. All failures are recorded on the transcript.
Weighting and Bonus Points:
The honors and accelerated program offers those students who qualify an opportunity to follow a stimulating curriculum designed for the academically talented. All honors courses receive a .5 bonus and accelerated courses receive an in-class weight.
Graduation Requirements: Class of 2003 – A minimum of 22 credits consisting of:
English *** 4 Credits
Science 3 Credits
Math 3 Credits
Electives 3 Credits
Health and Phys Ed 1 Credit
Religion **** 4 Credits
Social Studies 3 Credits
Visual/Performing Arts 1 Credit
Students must meet the State of Ohio Ninth Grade Proficiency test requirements.
*** Includes satisfactory completion of sophomore and senior research papers.
**** Includes satisfactory completion of sophomore service training program and senior retreat.
PSAT/NMSQT
Mean Scores Number Taking Verbal Math Writing
Class of 2004 247 53.7 52.8 51.8
Sat Profile
Mean Scores Number Taking Verbal Math
Class of 2004 247 563 561
ACT Profile
Mean Scores Number Taking Composite
Class of 2004 215 24.5
Those who completed core 138 25.6
Bishop Watterson High School meets all State of Ohio education requirements and is fully accredited by the Department of Education, State of Ohio and the Catholic Diocese of Columbus. Bishop Watterson High School also received the U.S. Department of Education Exemplary School Award.