Matteo Ricci Program

O’Dea High School has a longstanding history in partnership with Seattle University (SU) to offer College in the Classroom credits through the Matteo Ricci Institute. At SU, the Matteo Ricci Institute offers three Humanities degrees and a minor, with the purpose of forming more humane persons and to promote justice in our shared world. The Institute also works with high schools to enable their students to complete coursework to receive college credits through SU.

At O’Dea, you currently have an opportunity to earn 30 quarter college credits with an official transcript from Seattle University. These courses are available at the 11-12th grades and taught by O’Dea faculty, with collaboration and oversight from Seattle University faculty. Current courses include Difference, Power, and Social Change, English 11 Honors, English 12 Honors, Spanish 1250, and Calculus 1 & 2. O’Dea is the first area high school to offer STEM credits, beginning with College in the Classroom credits for Calculus 1 and 2 at Seattle University. To learn more about Matteo Ricci, click here. For questions regarding Matteo Ricci at O’Dea, please contact Lucas Dobbs, Assistant Principal of Academics.

Matteo Ricci Partnership Goals

Offering a model where students can earn college credit without taking a high stakes exam at the end of the class will allow teachers to tailor their instruction to meet the needs of our students. This also makes earning college credits more equitable, with more students having access to college credits before they leave high school. Our goal is to be in a place where all students attending O’Dea High School have an opportunity to earn up to 20 college level courses upon graduation. As we strive to reach this goal, we may offer fewer AP courses in an attempt to provide more options for Matteo Ricci courses.

Partnership Benefits

An important outcome of College in the Classroom is that you can earn college credits without taking a high stakes exam at the end of the class. College in the Classroom also allows teachers to tailor their instruction to meet the needs of our students. This makes earning college credits more equitable, with more students having access to college credits before they leave high school. Our goal is every student attending O’Dea High School has an opportunity to earn up to 30 college level quarter credits documented on a Seattle University transcript upon graduation.

Matteo Ricci Courses

Frequently Asked Questions

How does taking Matteo Ricci classes impact college acceptance?

The O’Dea Counseling Department has communicated with a number of universities who all note that a dual-enrollment college course with SU will be considered a rigorous course in the review process, just like an AP course. Each university will determine how to transfer the credit and whether it will count as a core course or an elective course.

What is the process for applying for credits from SU?

In the fall, we will send notice to families and students with a link to register and pay for credits from SU. SU is firm on their policy that you need to decide early in the process on whether or not you want to purchase credits. Students must earn a 70% or higher to earn credits from SU. Student SU transcripts will be available in August following completion of the course. Transcripts can be ordered from the SU website, through the National Clearinghouse.

Can I take both AP credits and SU credits for the same course?

Yes, you can take both. However, colleges will not accept both AP test credits and SU transfer credits from the same subject, only one or the other. You are welcome to take both, potentially to improve your test outcome, but you may end up spending money you don’t need to spend.

What classes does O'Dea recommend?

O’Dea recommends students take the Matteo Ricci classes, where the credits are guaranteed if you pass the class and not contingent on a test score. The cost for credits is more expensive than the AP test but SU has options available for families who may not be able to pay full price for the credits. Do not let money be the deciding factor. The grades on the SU transcript will show up as CR instead of a letter grade so it will not impact your college GPA.