Catherine McAuley Honors Scholars

The Catherine McAuley Honors Scholars (CMHS) is a program instituted to recognize superior academic achievement, offer opportunities for academic and cultural enrichment, encourage further development of skills and talents, and reward high-achieving students for their endeavors. Students may be invited to membership after their first semester freshman year through second semester sophomore year. 

The program was named for Catherine McAuley who founded the Sisters of Mercy in Dublin, Ireland. From Dublin, Catherine sent her sisters all over the world to serve the poor. One of her strongest beliefs was “no work of society can be more productive of good to society than the careful instruction of women.” We continue this tradition of educating women so they can better the world in which they live just as Catherine did.

Class of 2023 CMHS Members

Meet the Directors of the CMHS Program

Elaine Gralak
English Faculty
egralak@mothermcauley.org

Amanda Sorice
Social Science Faculty
asorice@mothermcauley.org

CMHS Benefits

  • Provides an additional resource for securing information about academics,  college preparation, career planning, and holistic development.
  • CMHS Enrichment Opportunities
    • Academic: course selection and advising
    • College: preparation, planning, selection, scholarship search, essay writing, applications
    • Career: advising, visits from alumnae, workplace field trips, exploration
    • Holistic Development: executive functioning workshops (time management, organization, self-advocacy, etc.), de-stress events, service opportunities, leadership development
  • Big Sister/Little Sister program provides mentorship opportunities for underclasswomen and leadership experience for upperclasswomen. 
  • Offers friendship and support from other students in the program.
  • Affords special recognition at commencement.

Program Requirements*

  • Enroll in at least four honors classes or Advanced Placement (AP) classes each semester.
  • Complete at least five AP classes before graduation.
  • Maintain a 4.1 average each semester (beginning with the Class of 2025; class of 2024 continue to maintain a GPA of 4.05).
  • Participate in at least one extra-curricular activity at McAuley each year.
  • Attend all required whole group programs and events – approximately two to three each semester.
  • Select and attend a minimum of three enrichment offerings per year.
  • Consult with a CMHS Program Director during scheduling time.
  • Create and maintain an electronic portfolio.
  • Participate in the Big Sister/Little Sister Program which includes three meetings per semester. 
  • Signed parent and student agreement.

*At the start of each semester, students who fail to meet requirements will be placed on a one semester probation. If requirements are not met by the end of this probationary semester, students will be removed from the program. Upon removal from the program, readmission will not be allowed. Only one semester of probation per student will be allowed.