The Leaving Certificate is a two-year programme that aims to provide learners with a broad, balanced education while also offering some specialisation towards a particular career option.
The school provides a wide range of subjects at all levels which caters for the career progression of students beyond second level.
The curriculum is based on the syllabus of the Department of Education for Leaving Certificate.
Career Guidance is provided to all students in the selection of subjects at the appropriate level.
The Leaving Certificate runs for two years. Subjects are normally studied at either Ordinary or Higher Level. Two subjects, Irish and Mathematics, can be studied at Foundation Level. Foundation Level is geared to the needs of students who might have difficulty with those subjects at Ordinary or Higher Level.
The three core subjects of English, Maths and Irish are generally compulsary.
Archbishop McHale College offers a number of optional subjects to choose from. Students usually take between six to eight subjects, with seven being the norm.