The academics at National Cathedral School (NCS) are rigorous to say the least. The English Department is commonly considered the best department. By having students read college level classics such as Shakespeare's plays, Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales", "Beowulf", "The Odyssey", etc. NCS gives their students an upper-hand in college. I am an English Major and there have only been a handful of pieces of literature that I have come across in college that I did not already study in high school. NCS is also known for being extremely writing intensive. Though the high writing expectations can cause some students to struggle in the end it makes them so much more prepared than other students for the type of writing Professors expect. NCS's learning philosophy seems to be to expose students to college level curriculum and expectations early so that they are thoroughly prepared for college. For students who are having difficulties for the rigor of the curriculum NCS offers many resources. The main resource is of course the teachers. The class sizes at NCS are usually a maximum of sixteen which allows students to get more attention from their teachers . The teachers also have multiple periods during the day free to meet with students and they are always willing to set up meetings before and after school. Aside from meeting with teachers, students who are struggling can also go to the Teaching and Learning Center. The TLC as it is affectionally called has staff who are trained to teach you study skills, test for learning disabilities, and help you with projects. There are also tutors available through the school for students who need individualized help. These tutors are better than hiring an outside tutor because they have been screened by the administration and are familiar with the school's curriculum. For students who want to be challenged more NCS offers many APs and the few APs that they do not offer students can take at the boy's school St. Albans. The Math department is considered to be less rigorous than other school's on the area. This is only true if you do not take any advanced math classes. If you take advanced math classes you will be getting just as rigorous courses as students at other private schools in the area. Math placement is determined by the student's grades from the previous year's math. The science department is rigorous and has extremely intelligent teachers. The complaint that many people have about the science department is that the science's are done in a different order than at most schools. Freshman year you take Conceptual Physics, Sophomore year you take Chemistry, and Junior year you take BIology. Only three years of sciences are required for graduation but you can take AP and elective sciences senior year. The rigorous curriculum breeds competitiveness and stress. There are some students who thrive on the competitive nature and other's who find it intimidating and nerve racking.