Academic
We pride ourselves in helping students to achieve their very best, irrespective of their academic ability.
We believe that teaching and learning should be both challenging and enjoyable for students of all abilities and we aim for the highest possible standards.
The measure of an excellent school is the progress its students make, regardless of what their starting point is, and our unique strength is the capacity to draw out the very best from each student according to their ability. Our aim is that every student should experience the rewards and challenges of academic study and be able to discover particular areas of learning in which they can excel. Rathdown School teachers engender both a love for their subject and of learning for its own sake. Consistently ranked among the top schools in Ireland, we provide an outstanding academic programme.
Curriculum
With the exception of Transition Year, our subject curriculum is set by the Department of Education and Science.
All students prepare for the Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate State Examinations. We recognise the importance of a broad and balanced curriculum that provides the right academic foundations while encouraging intellectual curiosity and independent thinking. Both academic achievement and diligence are rewarded.
Academic life at Rathdown spans six years and is marked by two State Examinations
- The Junior Cycle in 3rd Year
- The Leaving Certificate in 6th Year.
Students have the opportunity to pursue a range of subject areas depending on their interests and abilities. We offer a wide range of academic subjects, with a particular emphasis on mathematics, sciences and languages.
Please refer to the subject choice section of our website for a full list of available subjects:
There is a high uptake of STEM subjects, demonstrating our success and offering students the widest possible academic and career opportunities.
Academic Achievement
A Place of Achievement
Our first-class examination results are a reflection of our strong academic ethos in which both students’ and parents’ high expectations are met and, more usually, surpassed.
Rathdown students achieve excellent examination results in State Examinations and secure places in third-level education across Ireland, the UK, Europe, the US and beyond. Most students gain places at their first choice of university.
Our Leaving Certificate results for the previous 6 years, 2014 to 2019 inclusive make for most impressive reading.
Over this time period:
- 1 in 5 of students scored over 550 points
- 2 in 5 scored over 500 points
- 60% scored over 450 points
- Three-quarters of all students scored over 400 points
- Our median point score (the middle score) is 475 points
We are a mixed ability school, meaning we have students with a wide range of academic ability. At one end, a very high percentage of our students perform exceptionally well, scoring high points. If your child is around the middle of their class in terms of ability, based on the statistics above in Rathdown they would achieve 475 points. I am sure you will agree this is a very high level of achievement. Furthermore, we ensure that everyone is catered for, and the achievements at the other end are equally impressive.
When we look at the names and stories behind each result, we see a correlation between high achievement and participation in school life. We have an extensive extra-curricular offering in Rathdown. Our students participate in very high numbers in hockey, cricket, athletics, tennis, Model United Nations, Lego Club, Green Schools, Eco Club, music, drama, student leadership, prefects, student council etc. Busy, active, fit and healthy students achieve or outperform expectations. It dispels the myth that you have to give up everything, and devote all available spare time to studies.