Boarding Secondary School in Ireland

St Columba's College, Dublin:
Founded in 1843, St Columba's College is a co-educational boarding school of 300 pupils, aged 11 to 18, in a beautiful setting at the foothills of the mountains overlooking Dublin Bay. We are seven miles south of Dublin city centre. We do have local day pupils, but about 80% of pupils are seven-day boarders. The pursuit of academic excellence is the everyday priority of our highly qualified professional staff. There are 38 full-time members of the teaching staff for the 300 pupils, and the resulting overall pupil-to-staff ratio of under 10-to-1 means small classes and close individual attention. In regular formal staff meetings, individuals' academic problems are discussed. The academic progress of each pupil is at all times closely monitored.

Academic Excellence
The pursuit of academic excellence is the everyday priority of our highly qualified professional staff. There are 38 full-time members of the teaching staff for the 300 pupils, and the resulting overall pupil-to-staff ratio of under 10-to-1 means small classes and close individual attention. In regular formal staff meetings, individuals’ academic problems are discussed.

Form Structure
Form VI
Preparation for the Leaving Certificate.

Form V
The point of entry for pupils starting the Leaving Certificate course.

Form IV
A Transition Year Programme at this level concentrates upon a wide variety of academic subjects and deep experience of extra-curricular activities. There is considerable emphasis on drama, art, music and outward bound experience, careers guidance and future subject choice.

Form III
All pupils take the Junior Certificate in June of this year. An internal Scholarship is sat by selected candidates.

Form II
The normal point of entry from Preparatory Schools for boys and girls examined by the Common Entrance Examination.

Form I
A point of entry from Primary Schools for boys and girls examined by the Junior School Entrance Test.

Form Primary
An alternative point of entry from Primary Schools, also examined by the Junior School Entrance Test. The syllabus is similar to that of the top form of a Primary School but includes Latin and more French. It is a useful transition from overseas or from the fifth year of a Primary School to our curriculum, which looks for a strong foundation in languages and mathematics.