General Policies

Promotion to the next grade level

Any academic failure will require the student to attend summer school for the purpose of recovering credits in the subjects failed. Summer school work is for the purpose of recovering failed credits only. Summer school grades are not factored in a student's cumulative grade point average but are indicated on the student's transcript. A student who fails more than two full credits must withdraw from St. Joseph High School.

Chronic noncompliance with the Community Handbook policies and regulations may result in expulsion from St. Joseph High School. If parent(s) fail to cooperate with school policies, the school may require that the parent withdraw their student from St. Joseph High School.

All students are required to complete fifteen hours of community service each year. The service form with all proper signatures will be collected at the end of the third quarter. Students must complete these hours and be in compliance with school attendance policies in order to be eligible to advance to the next grade level.

The Grading System

Interim Reports indicate the student’s progress to date: S/Satisfactory, U/Unsatisfactory, F/Failure

A numerical marking system is used for quarter, exam, and final grades. A passing grade is 65 and above. A failing grade is 64 and below.

To determine the final average for courses, the following formula is used:

1. Year long courses: Each marking period will count 20% of the final grade and the midyear exam and final exam will count 10% each.

2. Semester courses: Each marking period will count 40% of the final grade and the final exam will count 20%.

Grades reported on the report cards reflect additional quality points for honors level courses. The additional weighting factors (quality points) for honors level courses are:

College Level & A.P. courses +8.0

Honors I courses     +5.0

Honors II courses    +3.0

Quality points will not be awarded to unweighted grades below 65. The student career cumulative grade point average is available on the final report card.

Close of Quarters/Reports

The close of each academic quarter is listed in the community handbook. All student work is expected to be completed by the end of each quarter. Any extension of these deadlines for the purpose of accepting late work is at the sole discretion of the administration.

Report Cards - These are mailed home to parents approximately one week after the close of each marking period. (See calendar for dates) and posted to Edline.

Interim Reports - These reports, indicating academic performance at the mid-point of each marking period, are mailed home to parents. (See calendar for dates) and posted to Edline.

A record of any disciplinary referral will accompany the quarterly report card.

Parents requesting a duplicate mailing must do so in writing with the main office.

Incompletes

At the Principal’s discretion, a student may be allowed a maximum of ten school days to resolve any incompletes (daily, quarterly, etc).  After this time has elapsed the student will receive a zero for the missing assignment.

Eligibility

Participation in sports, student activities, or field trips is a privilege, and students may be denied participation if they fail to meet academic, attendance, or behavioral expectations. In order to participate in clubs, athletic teams, field trips, special class trips, or events, a student must maintain academic eligibility. If a student received two failing marks in a marking period, the student becomes ineligible until the conclusion of the next marking period and/or until the grades are posted.

Two incompletes or one incomplete and one failure will also result in ineligibility until the incompletes are successfully resolved.

In addition to academic eligibility, if a student wishes to represent St. Joseph High School in extracurricular activities, his/her school conduct and attitude, as well as out of school behavior, must be beyond reproach. Any student with unfulfilled disciplinary obligations will not be able to participate in any extracurricular activities. Students who fail to submit a proper permission form may not be permitted to participate in a field trip. Telephone calls may not be accepted in lieu of proper forms.

Homework

Students cannot hope to attain full potential unless they are willing to study. Class work and study periods during the day are not sufficient to master today’s complex subject matter and must be supplemented by homework. Students must be prepared for an average of at least two hours of homework each night. Assignments should be done with care and all written work should be neat. It would be a mistake to think that written work is the only homework necessary. Reviewing notes, preparing reports, reviewing and previewing the text, reading and independent work are important also.  If a student demonstrates a pattern of not completing homework on a timely basis, he or she may be required to attend a designated silent study during or after school.

Mid-Term/Final/AP Exams

These exams are administered at scheduled times at the end of each semester (See calendar). All students are expected to be present, punctual, and in proper school uniform, for all of their scheduled exam sessions.

If a student is registered in an AP course, the student is required to take the AP exam. Payment for the AP exam fee is the responsibility of the family and will be collected at the start of the course.

Make-ups are not arranged as a matter of convenience or preference. No student may miss an exam except with a physicians note or at the discretion of the principal. Any other exam absence may result in a zero for the missed examination.

Testing Days

In order to avoid an unfair number of assessments on the same day, we use the following test day assignments as a guide:

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Math/Fine Arts Science, Religion Language, Buisness/Computer Englsih, "Senior only" electives Social Studies, "Senior only electives"

Two full period assessments given on one day are not unreasonable.

Class Participation

Teachers may  incorporate a “class participation” grade up to 10% in each quarter grade. Attendance and tardiness to class will impact the grade along with the usual measurements.

Scheduling

Every reasonable attempt will be made to honor course requests. Due to the complexity of scheduling, not every course request can be accommodated. Students may not request an alternate teacher if they have not had the assigned teacher before.

Summer Reading

Teachers are required to incorporate a “summer reading” grade that is 10% of the first quarter grade as the summer reading class schedule dictates.

Edline

Students and parents are asked to make use of their Edline accounts for the purpose of staying informed of current course assignments and deadlines.