Bishop Dunne Catholic School believes in the transformative power of a faith-based education and is committed to igniting purpose and unlocking potential in every student. Students are provided a learning environment where they can explore their interests, inquire about the world, lead their peers, and serve their community while becoming the person God created them to be. Students are formed into young men and women of purpose, respect, integrity, dedication, and excellence, and know they are smart, capable, and loved.
WHY BISHOP DUNNE
Bishop Dunne is a Catholic coeducational college prep school, for students in grades 6-12, educating and forming students from across the greater DFW area. We attract a culturally diverse community of exceptional learners, focused on the formation of leadership skills and the development of the whole person.
The Bishop Dunne community embraces the highest ideals of a true Catholic education: spiritual growth, servant leadership, cultural understanding, personal integrity, and social responsibility. We welcome students of all faiths who seek an education enhanced with a commitment to serve others. Bishop Dunne nurtures the whole student, body and soul.
The authentic diversity found within our halls creates a unique culture where students are met with kindness and love, and differences are both acknowledged and celebrated. Students are encouraged to participate and explore in a myriad of academic and extracurricular activities that build lasting friendships, teach the values of integrity, grit, and teamwork, and encourage students to be authentic, bold, confident, and determined.
SPIRITUAL GROWTH
Bishop Dunne Catholic School teaches students to look at the world critically and thoughtfully through a Catholic worldview, which respects and values the dignity of each person. Our school teaches students to use their God-given gifts and talents to explore, inquire, lead, and serve. And, most importantly, our school teaches students to model Christ and serve God in all things.
Students are encouraged to deepen their relationship with the Lord and His church through daily devotionals, weekly Mass, service opportunities, annual retreats, and special prayer services. Students are also asked to take on roles as spiritual leaders and are invited to special opportunities for encountering Catholicism around the world through the peer ministry, annual mission trips as well as pilgrimages.
EXPLORE YOUR INTERESTS
Whether you are an artist, athletic enthusiast or a little of both, Bishop Dunne has something for you. Explore your interests through extracurricular clubs and activities, travel opportunities, community outreach and leadership roles.
INQUIRE ABOUT THE WORLD
The world offers countless opportunities to experience life, culture, and traditions. Bishop Dunne exposes its students to these experiences through international mission trips in countries such as Costa Rica and Mexico, local community outreach programs and pilgrimages to countries including Spain and Italy. Experiencing a culture by immersing oneself in the experiences of daily life creates immeasurable lifetime memories and bonds.
LEAD YOUR PEERS
Leadership at Bishop Dunne is recognized in many ways. Academic, extracurricular activities, club membership, fine arts or athletics, leaders arise from all aspects of student life. Whether you become a member of a club and rise to become president, or establish a new club on campus, leadership opportunities are waiting to be discovered. At Bishop Dunne, your leadership experiences are only as limited as your dedication and your imagination!
SERVE YOUR COMMUNITY
Every club and organization, whether athletic, academic, or extra-curricular has a service element as part of its creed. Giving back to the community is embedded in our students, faculty and staff, and a vital part of the full formation of our students. Recognizing a need and working to help fulfill that need is part of the Bishop Dunne mission.
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Bishop Dunne integrates academic, emotional, and spiritual formation into a wide assortment of programs and course offerings. By curriculum design, all Bishop Dunne graduates earn the Distinguished Level of Achievement and the Multidisciplinary Endorsement. Students have the option of tailoring their educational experience to achieve additional academic recognitions including: STEM Endorsement, Arts & Humanities Endorsement, Seal of Biliteracy, AP Capstone Diploma or Certificate, and an Associate of Science from Dallas College through the dual credit program.
EXCEPTIONAL TEACHING
Bishop Dunne is accredited by the TCCB ED (Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops Education Department). Our school regularly undergoes a rigorous accreditation process to ensure our quality of education, development and leadership continues with excellence. Bishop Dunne teachers were recent recipients of TCCB ED’s highest award, Teacher of the Year, for two consecutive years.
The trend of excellence continued with several teachers recognized by the Catholic Foundation and the Diocese of Dallas as Educators of the Year.
More than 59 percent of our faculty have earned advanced degrees, which allows them to teach dual credit classes on campus while promoting innovative and inspiring teaching for our students.
One of the most compelling aspects of Bishop Dunne is the wide range of opportunities it offers to explore my interests. Whether it’s through various clubs, extracurricular activities, or the diverse academic programs, I’ve been able to delve deeply into subjects and activities that resonate with me. This has allowed me to discover my true passions and develop a sense of purpose in my educational journey.
I chose Bishop Dunne because it is more than just a school; it is a place where I can truly explore, learn, and grow. I am continually expanding my interests, discovering my value, and working to become the best version of myself.
Amaris Espinoza ‘24 Student
ONE SCHOOL
MIDDLE SCHOOL THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL
Bishop Dunne is the only Catholic School in the area to teach grades 6–12. Studies have shown positive effects on students who change schools less frequently. Offering a cohesive school environment for seven years encourages students to build stronger relationships, incur less academic disruption and experience increased education attainment.
Students in grades 6 through 10 choose at least eight courses each semester from the major areas of study, and students in grade 11 choose at least seven. Seniors may elect a minimum of six courses, providing time to research colleges and complete the application process.
Detailed course information for Middle School and High School is available at bdcs.org/academics.
Bishop Dunne graduates earn the highest diploma offered by the state of Texas, a Distinguished Diploma with a Multidisciplinary Endorsement, with additional endorsements available. The Distinguished Diploma plan and endorsements provide students collegiate and scholarship opportunities for education after Bishop Dunne.
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Bishop Dunne offers sixth through eighth grade students an accelerated, academic curriculum combined with an integrated technology approach, preparing students to excel in a college preparatory environment. Our approach in the Middle School is to balance academic excellence with a nurturing school culture that empowers students to confidently achieve and grow beyond their expectations. We offer a full program of academics, sports, and activities, and encourage our students to participate in multiple sports and clubs. Many of our students earn high school credit while they are in middle school. Outside of the classroom, students can participate in a wide variety of extracurricular activities including athletics, music, and community service.
HIGH SCHOOL
High school starts at ninth grade and continues a strong academic curriculum with expanded opportunities for advanced learning and additional extracurricular activities. High school students enjoy overnight retreats, mission trips, and advanced courses such as AP Capstone and dual credit. If enrolled, our Collegiate Institute starts in ninth grade and follows a four-year curriculum. Successful completion of Collegiate Institute awards an associate degree along with a high school diploma.
OPPORTUNITIES
AP CAPSTONE
Bishop Dunne is proud to be recognized by College Board as one of the select locations for the AP Capstone Diploma in North Texas. AP Capstone™ is a diploma program based on two AP courses: AP Seminar and AP Research. These yearlong courses focus on developing the critical thinking, research, collaboration, time management, and presentation skills students need for college-level work.
COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE AND DUAL CREDIT
Bishop Dunne’s competitive dual credit program is partnered with Dallas College, allowing high school students to enroll in college and earn high school and college credit simultaneously. Most dual credit classes are taken on our campus and taught by our accredited faculty, at no additional cost to the family.
The Collegiate Institute, exclusive to Bishop Dunne, offers a specific curriculum which students start in the ninth grade, taking dual credit classes throughout their high school career. Students who successfully complete the program earn an Associate of Science degree along with their high school diploma upon graduation.
TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
Bishop Dunne Catholic School recognizes the importance of equipping and inspiring our students for leadership in STEM fields. Our focus on STEM initiatives empowers each of our students with the skills and confidence to inspire, innovate, and contribute to the betterment of the global world.
Classes such as Computer Applications, Engineering, GeoTech – Drones, GPS and GIS combine real life experience with learning, by participating in projects that study local issues like violent crime, or global humanitarian online efforts for the International Red Cross for disasters like hurricanes or earthquakes.
Gaming is a hands-on elective concentrating on the development of casual games, while gaining an understanding of the various programming languages and platforms used for developing 2D games. Classes in Advanced Gaming and VR place students working in teams to create 2D and 3D games.
Graphic Design and Web Design classes, from beginner to advanced, encourage creative thinking using Adobe software products to design visual communication and websites combining an individual’s style with working functionality.
These classes are designed to educate and challenge students, through innovative, hands-on, thought-provoking teaching, in state-of-the art labs.
RESOURCES
LEARNING RESOURCE CENTER
At Bishop Dunne we realize that all students learn in their own unique ways, and different learning styles benefit from different kinds of instruction and support. To support our students, we strive to fulfill their needs by offering a variety of resources to aid students with diverse learning styles.
We serve all college-bound students, including those with special learning needs and those having academic difficulty in school. Students with special needs bring diverse and unique strengths to the school and the Learning Resource Center provides an inclusive environment with expert teachers and mentors. All will benefit and become independent learners and self-advocates—both important keys to success in college and career.
COLLEGE GUIDANCE/READINESS
Bishop Dunne is wholly dedicated to helping prepare its students for the next phase of their academic careers. Numerous programs are in place to guide and inform students and parents about the college process.
We begin the college admissions planning with students and parents starting freshman year. Our middle school students are introduced to the college process too, as we believe its understanding is crucial to developing a strong road map for the future. Over the school year, several meetings and events are planned to walk with families through the college planning process, and parents and students are encouraged to schedule an appointment to meet with counselors to work on long-term plans.
