is available for those who qualify. Columbus is an Elite Smart Showcase School and a participating school in the Catholic High School Honor Roll for 2012–2013. In order to graduate, students require twenty-four credits and a grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0. They must also complete one hundred hours of community service by the end of their senior year. The academics at Columbus are based on a phasing system: Phase 2 classes are for the academically challenged who require more time to absorb a given subject, Phase 3 classes are for average students, Phase 4 refers to honors classes for the academically gifted, and Phase 5 refers to Advanced Placement (AP) classes, which have a college-level format and where academically motivated students have the opportunity to gain college credit should they earn the proper score on the AP exam. Depending on a given phase of a class, a student will earn a certain number of points, which are then weighted and averaged to generate a student's GPA, the average GPA being a 3.2. Columbus has more students taking AP classes than any other Catholic school in Miami-Dade County and their passing averages on AP exams are five times higher than the state and national averages. Curriculum design Dual-enrollment classes are offered through St Thomas University, Barry University and Florida International University. Mas Family Scholars Program Started in the 2005–2006 school year, the Mas Family Scholars Program is an accelerated program at Christopher Columbus High School. The program was started by the Mas Family, who founded MasTec, Inc., a telecommunications company. In addition to having an advanced curriculum, the students in the program participate in extracurricular activities. Mas Scholars are encouraged to participate in sports and to encompass the ideal of the student athlete. Mas Scholars The program is a continuing collaborative effort between Columbus and the Mas Family. Brothers Jorge Mas, Juan Carlos Mas, and Jose Mas, sons of the late Jorge Mas Canosa, founder of MasTec, Inc. and The Cuban American National Foundation (CANF), are all Columbus graduates. Program requirements : Top 10% score in the Columbus Entrance Exam Recommendation from junior high school principal Completion of enrichment courses during the summer A minimum of four Honors/AP/Dual Enrollment courses during junior year and five during senior year B+ or higher cumulative GPA. Involvement in minimally 1 extracurricular activity per year Attendance at a minimum of two enrichment