The school is divided into two sections the Junior Cycle and the Senior Cycle.
Junior Cycle
The junior cycle consists of first year, second year and third year. At the end of Third Year students sit their first state examination, the Junior Certificate (JC). This is their first major life exam. For this exam students study eleven subjects, at either higher or ordinary level of difficulty. All students study the following:
• English
• Irish
• Maths
• French/German
• History
• Science
• Geography
• Religious Education
• CSPE (Civic Social Political Education)
Students also have to study two options. The choice of options for the junior certificate are as follows:
• Art
• TG (Technical Graphics)
• Latin
• Home Economics
• Business Studies.
Senior Cycle
The Senior Cycle consists of Transition Year, fifth year and sixth year. In 5th and 6th year students prepare for their Leaving Certificate (LC). This is debatably the most important exam of your life. A student for the Leaving Certificate study normally 7 subjects maybe, more.
All students study the following:
• English
• Irish
• Maths
• French/German.
The student will also pick three option subjects from the following;
• Home economics
• TG (or design and communication graphics),
• Latin
• Accounting
• Economics
• Geography
• History
• Chemistry
• Biology
• Physics
• Applied Maths
• Religious Education
• Art
• Business
• Music
At the end of sixth year, students sit their Leaving Certificate then graduate from CBC Monkstown. From their results in the Leaving Certificate their application to third level education (college) is decided.
