Page 31 - Course Catalog 2019-2020 (updated 2-4-19)

General Information

8. Semester examinations – Semester examinations shall be given in all courses giving 0.5 unit of credit
for a semester’s work. Seniors who have an “A” (90%) for both grading periods second semester are
excused from the second semester exam. No other students are excused from semester examinations.
Anyone not reporting for a scheduled final examination (December and May), without prior permission,
will receive an F for the course. Any exception will be made at the discretion of an administrator.

9. Semester Grades - Semester grades are determined by using the student’s numerical average. The sum
of the first grading period average (multiplied by 2), the second grading period average (multiplied by
2) and the semester exam grade is divided by five. This numerical average is used as the student’s
semester grade. In unusual circumstances when a student has earned a very low percentage grade for
one grading period, the teacher, school counselor, and appropriate administrator will design an
alternative method for determining the semester grade. Semester grades in courses that do not give a
final exam are determined by using the student’s numerical average. The sum of the first grading period
average and the second grading period average is divided by two. This numerical average is used as
the student’s semester grade.

10. Advanced Placement Courses – All students enrolled in Advanced Placement courses are
required to take the Advanced Placement exam in May. The Advanced Placement exam costs
approximately $94.00 and will be an assessed student fee (AP Seminar/AP Research costs
approximately $142.00). Students taking the AP Exam will be excused from taking a final exam
during the second semester in that subject. The fourth grading period grade will be used as the final
exam grade. A score of a 2 on the AP Biology, AP US History and/or AP Government test can count
in place of the content’s end of year exam.

If a student refuses to take the Advanced Placement Exam, then the “AP” designation will be removed
from the title of the course, the weighting will be removed from the calculation of the Grade Point
Average, and the student will need to take the final exam for the course.

AP Courses are designed to make the program available to those that will profit from the challenging
work offered.

Please take into account the following when considering an AP Course:
 Workload - in class and homework - Will exceed that assigned in other courses at the same
level/same department.
 Independent work - May be greater than other courses.
 Complexity and Difficulty – Material is more complex than general education curricula.
 Critical Thinking – Greater amount of synthesis and evaluation.

11. Report cards – The district utilizes an electronic student management system, which provides students
and parents the pupil’s achievement and attendance record.

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