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ADVANCED ACADEMICS
O’Dowd offers a competitive and comprehensive academic program designed to prepare students for success in college and beyond. Students have access to Advanced Placement (AP) courses, Honors classes, and options to earn early college credit through a partnership with the College of the Siskiyous.
Students who achieve high standards of scholarship and exemplify academic excellence are also eligible for state and national academic achievement organizations, including the California Scholarship Federation and the National Honor Society.
California Scholarship Federation
The California Scholarship Federation (CSF) is a statewide organization that recognizes and promotes high standards of scholarship, service, and citizenship among students in California. Bishop O’Dowd High School is an official CSF chapter. Membership in CSF is based on a point system that evaluates students’ grades in pre-approved courses, as outlined in the CSF State By-Laws. The list of Bishop O’Dowd’s approved courses is included with each semester’s application.
Students must apply for membership each semester; it is not automatic and cannot be applied for retroactively. Membership is active for one semester only. To qualify for Life Membership (Sealbearer), students must be accepted into CSF for at least four semesters, and at least one of those semesters must be based on grades earned during the senior year. For this reason, students are encouraged to begin applying early in their high school career.
2026 Spring Membership Application Cycle: Wednesday, January 7 - Wednesday, January 28, 2026. Community Service hours completed between 8/11/25 and 1/5/26 can be applied for Active membership.
Spring Application will be linked here in January, 2026
Payment link will be linked here in January, 2026
How to Apply Online
Volunteer Log
CSF Frequently Asked Questions
CSF Advisor: Email Ms. Brooks, or visit Dominican Hall - Room 26
CSF Members
2025-26 Fall CSF Members
Class of 2025 CSF Life Members
2024-25 Spring CSF Members
2024-25 Fall CSF Members
Class of 2024 CSF Life Members
2023-24 Spring CSF Members
2023-24 Fall CSF Members
National Honor Society
The National Honor Society (NHS) is a nationwide organization that recognizes high school students who demonstrate excellence in scholarship, leadership, service, and character. At O'Dowd, NHS emphasizes a well-rounded approach to student achievement, with a particular focus on leadership development and active participation in service initiatives. Students involved in NHS at O'Dowd are celebrated not only for their academic performance but also for their contributions to the community and their strength of character.
NHS Advisor: Email Ms. Jeanty, or visit Dominican Hall - Room 28
Honor Roll
Honor roll is based on weighted GPA and calculated after the closing of each semester.
First Honors: 3.5 GPA and above
Second Honors: 3.0 - 3.49 GPA
Semester 2 - Spring 2025
Semester 1 - Fall 2024
Semester 2 - Spring 2024
Semester 1 - Fall 2023
Click Here for Honor Roll Archive
Course Planning Resources
2025-2026 Course Selection Presentation
Schedule Change Form (Spring ‘25)
AP Art & Design Info slides '25-26 | Zoom recording
AP Chinese slides ‘25-26 | Zoom Recording
AP French slides '25-26 | Email Dr. Polsky with questions
AP Spanish slides ‘25-26 | Email Mr. turnacliff with questions
AP English slides ‘25-26 | Email Ms. Cunnane with questions
AP Math slides '25-26 | Zoom recording
AP Social Studies slides '25-26 | Zoom recording
AP Science slides '25-26 | Zoom recording (start recording at 2:32 min.)
Advanced Placement (AP) Courses
O’Dowd gives students the opportunity to enroll in a robust course list of 24 Advanced Placement classes and an additional 8 Honors classes. AP coursework is college level and students may receive college credit of advanced standing upon completion. Students who enroll are required to take the AP College Board exam at the end of the course.
Students who wish to enroll in an AP course next year must indicate the AP course of choice during online course registration in PowerSchool.
Please Note: Students who do not meet the AP course prerequisite requirements MUST complete the appropriate AP Challenge form to be considered for enrollment. AP Course Challenge Forms are linked throughout this document. The deadline is Friday, February 28, 2025 at 3:30pm.
Student & Family Course Information Night, January 14, 2025.
2025-2026 Course Selection Presentation
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: Theater
AP Course Zoom Info Sessions: January 15-16, 2025.
Schedule is here
College Credit
O’Dowd works with the College of the Siskiyous to offer early college credit courses that fulfill general education requirements for most colleges. These courses can translate to college cost- savings, provide a guided transition to college level work, and create more college scheduling flexibility. Beginning in 10th grade, students can take an online college course each semester and each summer. Participating students can earn between 3–23 units of transferable college credit.
AP Course and College of Siskiyous Information is in the Course Catalog »
Contact the counseling office for additional information and forms.