Mas Family Program

Director:
Mrs. Sylvie Galvez-Cuesta - sgalvez-cuesta@columbushs.com

*1 AP Freshman Year (World)

*2 AP Sophomore (Euro and AP Seminar for capstone)

*3 AP Junior Year (AP Lang, AP Research for capstone)

*3+ AP Senior Year (macro/micro)

  All remainder of courses will be Honors level for core classes

***Core subject areas: English, Math, Science and Social Studies.

GPA Requirement:

3.6 unweighted GPA

*Must initiate one service project that directly impacts community either immediate or global

*Must graduate with at least 80 externship hours (2 weeks)

The distinction of Mas Scholar is the most distinguished title under the Mas umbrella. All young men graduating Mas Scholar will have completed the most rigorous course load available at Christopher Columbus high school and will have been given the opportunity to receive the AP Capstone Diploma, in addition to his high school diploma. Students that fall under this distinction will also have completed at least 80 hours of externship experience and would have initiated an original service project that directly impacts their community.    

If Students do not directly test into Mas Scholar, then they are given another chance during subject selection of their Sophomore year, for promotion into AP Capstone completion Junior and Senior year. All Mas Scholars must have a consistent 3.5 unweighted GPA and no “C”s as final grades.                                                            

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Coordinator:

Mrs. Adriana Amador - aamador@columbushs.com

GPA Requirement:

3.4 unweighted GPA

Course Requirements:  
9th Grade:

-1 Optional AP course (AP World History) 
-4 Honors courses (English, Math, Biology & Theology)

10th Grade:

-1 Optional AP course (AP European History)

-3 Honors courses in core* subject areas 

OR  (if not taking AP European History)

-4 Honors courses in core* subject areas

11th Grade:

-3 AP courses in core* subject areas  

-3 Honors courses in remaining core* subject areas and Theology 

12th Grade:
-3 AP courses in core* subject areas

-3 Honors courses in remaining core* subject areas and Theology

*Core subject areas: English, Math, Science and Social Studies.

In an effort to elucidate the difference between the Mas Scholar pathway and the Mas Honors pathway, it is important to understand that, despite the pathways chosen for each student, the intended goal is to assure that each student is meeting his individualized academic goals and that the curriculum designated for that student will provide the most holistic and complete high school experience. While our aim is always to provide the highest level of rigor to both groups, the Mas Scholars will graduate with the superior distinction of the AP Capstone Diploma.

Although both pathways will demand a service project initiation and externship hours, both groups have different GPA requirements. The Mas Scholars need to maintain a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.5 while the Mas Honors Students are required to maintain an unweighted GPA of 3.33. All students must sustain A and B level grades in their courses, as "C"s will result in probation and possibly cause the student to have to be demoted from his pathway, or be exited from the program all together. Constant counseling and grade monitoring is provided to all students in the program and the assurance of constant teacher, counselor and parent communication to try and maximize individual student success. Although the curriculum requirements do differ, both pathways demand that participants take courses at the honors and AP levels, the entire time they are under the Mas Family umbrella. 

Mas Scholars are expected to complete at least 80 externship hours prior to graduation, and Mas Honors students will have completed at least 40 hours.  All students under the Mas Family umbrella are promised the highest level of rigor and most culturally enriching experiences at our disposal. The pathways were designed to tailor to each student’s individual goals and academic needs.

The Mas Family Program offers students and their families an unparalleled and personalized educational journey. Beyond its rigorous coursework, standardized test preparation, and unique enrichment opportunities, the program ensures every student benefits from highly individualized counseling. From the moment they receive their acceptance letter to the day they graduate, students are supported with ongoing grade monitoring, tailored curriculum guidance, consistent communication with parents and teachers, one-on-one meetings, and a deeply personalized college application process.

The Mas Family Program embodies Christopher Columbus High School’s tradition of brotherhood by fostering close, meaningful relationships between students and counselors. This sense of family creates a supportive environment where students thrive academically and personally. Program highlights for ninth and tenth graders include a business etiquette curriculum, enriching summer experiences, and a challenging honors and AP course load. Underclassmen also benefit from boot camps and tutoring sessions to prepare for the PSAT.

For upperclassmen, the program shifts focus to college readiness with workshops and the highly impactful summer College Application Boot Camp, designed to give seniors a head start in the application process. A concentrated effort on standardized testing has elevated the school’s success, resulting in a record number of National Merit Scholars and National Hispanic Scholars. The Mas Family Program continues to set the standard for excellence, preparing students to excel in academics, leadership, and life.