SPOTLIGHT ON ACADEMICS AT ARCHBISHOP MURPHY HIGH SCHOOL

  • AMHS

AMHS is a top college preparatory high school with plenty of academic and career-related learning opportunities.

Are you looking for a school with challenging high school academics and plenty of support to help students explore their interests? Archbishop Murphy High School could be an excellent choice.

AMHS is among the top private, college preparatory high schools in the greater Seattle area.  Our low faculty to student ratio of 1:11 and small class sizes (average 19 students / class) allow our teachers to get to know our students well and nurture their unique gifts. As a result, we have a 100% graduation and college acceptance rate, with the vast majority of our students matriculating into a 4 year college or university of their choice. 

When our alumni come back to visit, they often share how well-prepared they feel for college and career success.       

OUR COURSES

Our classes are designed to appropriately challenge students to develop critical thinking skills and prepare them to become lifelong learners. With so many offerings, there is something for everyone. There is no such thing as a “typical” wildcat! 

Our students are unique, and true to our mission, we seek to nurture their individual gifts. Through our rigorous curriculum, students are challenged to grow in an environment that provides strong academic and social emotional support for their unique gifts, challenges, and interests. 

ADVANCED COURSES

Students can choose from a broad range of classes offered at a variety of levels.  Our course offerings include 21 different Advanced Placement (AP) and college in the high school courses, where students receive a college transcript for coursework completed at AMHS. 

Among these options, students can select from UW in the High School classes in French, Spanish, and Science, as well as the Seattle University Matteo Ricci program for advanced humanities coursework.  

CAREER PREPARATION

In our Experiential Learning Center, students can access career guidance and exploration, while building skills customized to their career interests. This includes resume writing workshops, mock interviews, and even opportunities to network with industry professionals and mentors.   

AMHS also offers unique, signature programs designed specifically for our school: a Health Studies program, a Business Pathway program, and a variety of STEM opportunities.

For students who wish to pursue a STEM focused curriculum, there are many opportunities, including college level math, two different AP Computer Science courses, a robotics team, and a Health Studies Program. 

The Health Studies program provides hands-on and interactive learning in science courses designed to give students exposure to the medical field. 

Our Business Pathway Program leverages an entrepreneurial mindset focused on exploration of marketing, management, and economics, while developing leadership and career skills. Students in this program may elect to do an internship and interact with mentors in the industry. Our Business students even run our student store and are actively involved in DECA with some students competing at the national level.  

THE ARTS

Throughout their four years at AMHS, all students take either visual or performing arts classes, with many students choosing to take additional electives, ranging from Graphic Design and Ceramics to Band and Choir. 

This fall, many of our student artists are already involved in the production of a full feature length film called Varsity Squad, which is the third film written, directed, and produced by AMHS students and staff. Last school year, our film Bridgehurst Asylum for the Sane was even picked up by a national distributor. 

In the winter we will begin casting and rehearsing for the annual school musical, which is always a hit at AMHS.  This past spring our student orchestra was even recognized among the 2021-2022 Fifth Avenue Theater 20th Anniversary high school musical award recipients for our production of Disney’s High School Musical. 

Our Wildcat Band is already preparing for a trip to Disneyland later this spring where they will be performing before an even larger audience. 

ACADEMIC SUPPORT

Additional support is available outside of the school day. Math Lab, Writing Lab, Language Lab, and NHS Peer Tutoring are open to all students. 

For students with diagnosed learning differences, our Academic Resource Center (ARC) coordinates accommodation plans. We offer support classes and other specially tailored courses as appropriate to the individual. 

A TYPICAL SCHOOL DAY AT AMHS

Our block schedule is structured, with alternating “Red” and “Black” day schedules with only 4 class periods meeting daily for 85 minute periods. This format allows for depth of curriculum and ample opportunity for individual interaction among students and faculty.  

All students participate in the Community Period on “Black” days, which begins in small group meetings with an assigned faculty mentor, followed by time built into the school day for academic help, social emotional learning, career exploration, clubs, and other enrichment activities. This structure creates smaller communities within the larger school community while giving students choice in activities that best fit their needs and interests.  

With 77% of our faculty holding advanced degrees, our students have highly talented teachers guiding them through their academic journey at AMHS.

Our entire faculty utilizes Canvas as our learning management system and incorporates technology into the curriculum. Students graduate with a strong toolkit of 21st century learning skills, setting them up for success in their future college and career pursuits. 

COUNSELING AND GUIDANCE

We offer personalized college counseling for all AMHS students, which starts with our counseling team getting to know our students as soon as they start high school. 

With four full-time counselors, our students can easily access support during the school day. They can map out their academic schedule and post-high school plans with an adult who knows them well. 
 

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMICS

At AMHS, we encourage mental, physical, and spiritual wellness within an intellectually stimulating environment that offers comprehensive academic programming.

The best way to get a feel for our unique programs is by visiting our campus. Our Open House gives prospective students and families a chance to interact with our faculty and learn even more about our school and who we are. 

We also encourage 8th graders to sign-up for a Shadow Day where they visit us during the school day. During a shadow visit, future wildcats interact with our current students, meet our faculty, and get a snapshot of life at AMHS.

Sign up for a campus tour today!