For years, new Patriots have been introduced to JC by Patriot Transitions, a class taught by former Dean of Students Sean Ireton. Now that Mr. Ireton has retired from his role, a new class has taken its place.

Patriot Pathways, a required class for all freshmen, is taught by Assistant Principal Jake Hollin.
The goal of Patriot Pathways is to help students be successful “not only in high school, but beyond,” Mr. Hollin said.

While Patriot Transitions was centered around rules and discipline, Mr. Hollin said that administrators wanted to include more things like “diversity training and leadership skills” in this new course.

Mr. Hollin said, “We wanted Patriot Pathways to be structured so that it gives information to students that we deem extremely important, but they may not get in their other curriculum.”

Additionally, the Patriot Pathways curriculum will be used to help transfer students adjust to their new school environment. Mr. Hollin said, “We will use the material that we cover in Patriot Pathways for any transfer student who will come [to JC].”

Patriot Pathways is a two-year course. After freshmen have taken Patriot Pathways I, they will advance to Patriot Pathways II at the beginning of their sophomore year.

The first course focuses more on introducing students to high school. Each quarter of the school year is devoted to a different topic: “The Patriot Way,” “Academics and Skill Building,” “Health and Wellness,” and “Peace, Justice, and Moral Courage.”

This month students have been learning about The Patriot Way. Not only are they mastering how to be a Patriot, but they are also learning about the history of the school.

Freshman Pieper McCue said, “I learned that John Carroll was the first bishop of the United States.”

In Patriot Pathways II, the same system of themes will continue, but instead the themes will include Leadership Training, Financial Literacy, Career and College Counseling, and Capstone/Senior Project Prep.

These themes will prepare students to take their first steps into adulthood. For example, in financial literacy students will discuss “taxes, insurance, and credit cards,” said Mr. Hollin.

Mr. Hollin describes himself as the “host” of Patriot Pathways. While he will teach Patriot Pathways classes, he has also scheduled others such as department chairmen to speak to the classes.

Before the freshmen class traveled to the Baltimore Basilica for their retreat, Mr. Kenneth Goedeke, Director of Mission and Ministry, came to speak to the students in Patriot Pathways as the first “guest.”

As the school year continues, freshmen will continue to learn from experienced teachers and administrators, and develop a unique understanding of their home for the next four years.