Academic Achievement

A Place of Achievement

Our first-class examination results are a reflection of our strong academic ethos in which both students’ and parents’ high expectations are met and, more usually, surpassed.

Scholarships

Congratulations to Lucy Fitzsimmons, who has been awarded an Entrance Exhibition Scholarship to Trinity College and is studying Chemical Sciences.

Three members of the Class of 2018 who were awarded on the basis of high achievement in their Leaving Certificate. Catherine Scully (Biomedical Health and Life Sciences), Aisling Kelly (Engineering), Clare Tuohy (Business and Law).

Rathdown stduents achieve excellent examination results in State Examinations and secure places in third-level education across Ireland, the UK, Europe, the US and beyond. Most students gain places at their first choice of university.

Our Leaving Certificate results for the previous 6 years, 2014 to 2019 inclusive make for most impressive reading.

Over this time period:

1 in 5 of students scored over 550 points
2 in 5 scored over 500 points
60% scored over 450 points
Three-quarters of all students scored over 400 points
Our median point score (the middle score) is 475 points

We are a mixed ability school, meaning we have students with a wide range of academic ability. At one end, a very high percentage of our students perform exceptionally well, scoring high points. If your child is around the middle of their class in terms of ability, based on the statistics above in Rathdown they would achieve 475 points. I am sure you will agree this is a very high level of achievement. Furthermore, we ensure that everyone is catered for, and the achievements at the other end are equally impressive.

When we look at the names and stories behind each result, we see a correlation between high achievement and participation in school life. We have an extensive extra-curricular offering in Rathdown. Our students participate in very high numbers in hockey, cricket, athletics, tennis, Model United Nations, Lego Club, Green Schools, Eco Club, music, drama, student leadership, prefects, student council etc. Busy, active, fit and healthy students achieve or outperform expectations. It dispels the myth that you have to give up everything, and devote all available spare time to studies.