Each morning, DLS Math Teacher Mr. Joe Novak, DLS Class of 2003, teaches a 7 a.m. Algebra I class to 14 eighth-graders from three area Catholic grade schools: Immaculate Conception (Warren), St. Anne (Warren), and St. Isaac Jogues (St. Clair Shores). 

The students’ parents provide the transportation to DLS for the class, and a DLS bus delivers the students to their respective schools immediately afterwards. 

Novak said that the initial students, who are now DLS juniors, took Geometry as freshmen,  Advanced Algebra 2 and Trigonometry/Advanced Pre-Calculus as sophomores, and are now in Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus AB as juniors. 

“If they stay in our advanced track, they will be in AP Calculus BC as seniors,” Novak said. “Some will also enroll in AP Statistics.” 

One of the current juniors, Padraic Barrett, has indeed followed that course progression. Younger brother Peter, a sophomore, is also on track. And a third brother, an eighth-grader at St. Isaac Jogues, is in the current morning class. 

When Padraic found out about the class, he decided to enroll. 

“I decided to enroll as an eighth-grader, I thought what a great opportunity,” he said. “In the morning, before school, was hard, but I made the right decision. I got a feel for De La Salle and it's one of the main reasons I came here.” 

In addition to his AP Math course, Padraic is taking AP Government, AP Chemistry, AP Language and Composition, Honors Spanish 3, and Aviation Science  

He plays varsity baseball, but also participates in various IM sports, and joins the lunchtime Bible study and Rosary groups. 

Padraic is unsure of his future career, but - not surprisingly - thinks it will be math-oriented.