GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
View our Course Catalog to explore the classes offered. While four courses at a time is considered a full load, students can take as many or as few courses as they’d like at Ben Lippen School Online.
Additional Requirements for Diploma with Honors Distinction class of 2026:
1. Students must earn at least a 4.50 cumulative, final SCUGP GPA.
2. Students must earn at least 12 credits classified as Honors, Advanced Placement, or Dual Credit.
3. Students must earn at least 9 credits in Math and English combined, with at least 4 in each discipline.
4. Students must earn at least 28 total credits.
Aditional Requirements for Diploma with Honors Distinction class of 2027 onward:
1. Students must earn at least a 4.50 cumulative, final SCUGP GPA.
2. Students must earn at least 15 credits classified as Honors, Advanced Placement, or Dual Credit.
3. Students must take a minimum of two Advanced Placement Courses.
BLSO GRADING SCALE
The guidance office computes each student’s grade point average (GPA) at the end of each semester. Each student transcript includes two GPA calculations: the South Carolina Uniform Grading Policy GPA (UGP GPA) and an unweighted GPA (UGPA) on an absolute 4.000 scale
Ben Lippen School Online uses the South Carolina Uniform Grading Policy (UGP) for grades 9-12. The UGP designates the quality point range for each numeric grade and gives weighted credit. Only high school level courses will receive quality points and Carnegie Units.
BLSO POLICIES
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Ben Lippen School Online does not tolerate cheating in any form. Since the root issue is one of integrity, Ben Lippen School Online does not distinguish in consequences between cheating on homework, classwork, formal assessments, papers, projects, exams, etc.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) USE POLICY
To maintain academic integrity and ensure that all student work reflects individual understanding and effort, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools by students will be permitted by Ben Lippen School Online (BLSO). Generative AI platforms such as ChatGPT, Grammarly, Copilot, etc. can be used by students within reason. Students may use these tools to encourage thought provocation, create general outlines, obtain direction in research, assist in understanding of a topic or concept, and check grammar and writing, but the student may not use these tools to generate any portion of the student’s assignment. All assignments for BLSO courses shall be the original work of the student and demonstrate the student’s understanding. BLSO instructors have the right to allow more freedom or further restrict the use of AI in their respective courses, and students must abide by the instructor’s direction.
LATE WORK
Ben Lippen School Online students are encouraged to practice consistent responsibility and diligence in their academic lives. Any work submitted late will result in a penalty of 10 percent per day for four days. After the fourth day, the assignment will earn a “zero.” The same penalty applies to other assessments, such as projects, essays, and presentations. Teachers may not accept late work more than 2 weeks past the due date during the last week of the quarter without Ben Lippen School Online director’s approval.
FORM AND STYLE
Ben Lippen School Online uses two different style manuals for formatting papers.
1. For science courses, you will be asked to use the 7th edition of the APA manual.
2. For all other courses, you will be asked to use the 9th edition MLA manual
GRADUATION
To earn a diploma from BLSO, students must complete at least 25% of the graduation requirements (equivalent to 6.5 credits) with BLSO. All state-mandated graduation requirements must still be met, alongside those in the BLSO Academic Handbook.
PLAGIARISM
Plagiarism is a form of cheating. Plagiarism, regardless of intent, is the presentation of words or ideas of another as one’s own. For example:
• A student submits work using the words, sentences, ideas, conclusions, examples and/or organization of an assignment borrowed from a source (e.g., a book, an article, another student’s paper, webpage, etc.) without properly acknowledging the source.
• A student submits work done by another student, in part or whole, as his or her own work.
• A student submits assignments received from commercial firms or any other person or group.
• A student knowingly aids another student in plagiarizing an assignment as defined above.
• A student knowingly submits the same work for credit in two courses without obtaining permission from the teacher.
Collaboration between students - working together on an assignment leading to a mutual and greater understanding where all parties are actively engaged in the learning process and approximately equal contributors - is acceptable when given permission by the classroom teacher. Students should take care to understand and follow the expectations of their teachers before collaborating on an assignment. Collaboration that is not approved by the teacher will be considered cheating.
Students involved in any form of cheating will receive a referral to the administration which will likely result in, at minimum, a zero on the assignment, a suspension, and the student will be required to take the semester exam regardless of final semester average. National Honor Society members may also lose membership per chapter bylaws. Any student knowingly allowing or aiding another student to cheat should expect a similar consequence. Multiple cheating incidents (including plagiarism) may result in further administrative action including the possibility of expulsion.
BLSO POLICIES
TRANSFERING COURSES
Ben Lippen School Online (BLSO) will apply credits earned from another school to the student’s BLSO transcript. While all transfer credits are accepted, not all transfer credits may be applied towards graduation. Completed transfer courses with a grade of D (60%) or higher can be used to meet graduation requirements. BLSO reserves the right to request transcripts and/or course descriptions from the student for evaluation. The BLSO administration holds final authority on approving or denying transfer credits.
ACADEMIC SUCCESS CENTER (ASC)
Guidance services seeks to assist students and their parents in discovering the unique calling God has placed on each student. See the Ben Lippen School Online Website for additional information.
Ben Lippen School Online Individual Learning Plan:
Ben Lippen School Online student body is comprised of a rich diversity of students, including students with challenges to their learning, such as learning differences, emotional challenges, and medical conditions. We believe all of our students are created in the image of God and are called by Him to steward their education in a manner that glorifies Christ. Our mission is to partner with parents in an effort to provide reasonable accommodation for students with documented needs and to help these students develop educational ownership.
Ben Lippen School Online is equipped to serve students with the following needs:
a. Learning Differences: A learning difference is defined as any learning condition that makes it particularly difficult for a student to complete his/ her work or adequately demonstrate learning. Common learning differences among students at Ben Lippen School Online include ADHD and mild to moderate Specific Learning Disorders (reading, writing, math).
b. Emotional Challenges: An emotional challenge is defined as a condition that affects the student’s ability to function well emotionally under normal circumstances at school or in schoolwork. Common emotional challenges among students at Ben Lippen School Online include depression and anxiety.
c. Medical Condition: A medical condition is defined as any medical condition that makes it difficult for a student to accurately demonstrate learning at school. Common medical conditions among Ben Lippen School Online students include concussions, seizures, surgeries that require prolonged absence, diabetes, and some chronic illness.
Individual Learning Plan Application Process:
Students interested in applying for an Individual Learning Plan should contact the school counselor and ask for a Ben Lippen School Online Individual Learning Plan Packet. This packet includes a detailed description of the process associated with Individual Learning Plans, as well as necessary forms.
In general, in order to receive an Individual Learning Plan, the school must have a copy of the psycho-educational report (for learning differences), of the medical report (for medical conditions), or of the medical/ psychiatric report (for emotional challenges). The report must document the need for a plan. Psycho-educational reports need to be dated within the past three years. Dates for medical and psychiatric reports vary based on the concern.
Using data from the report and input from the student’s teachers, the school counselor will write an Individual Learning Plan for the remainder of the school year. Parents and the student will meet with the teachers and the school counselor to review the plan.
Parents and the student must complete the necessary paperwork each spring to ensure the continuation of Individual Learning Plan the following academic year. The plan will be reviewed periodically and is expected to change as the student develops stronger skills and as his or her academic and behavioral needs change over time.
Note about ADHD:
In order for a student to receive an Individual Learning Plan for ADHD, the student must have psycho-educational testing. At times, ADHD is co-morbid with other diagnoses, such as Specific Learning Disorders, Anxiety, and/or Depression. A thorough assessment, including achievement 50 and aptitude, should be administered. Thus, a diagnosis from a medical doctor is not sufficient documentation to receive an Individual Learning Plan for an ADHD diagnosis.
TUITION & FEES
*Students are recommended to only take four credits per semester.
**Students are recommended to only take eight credits per year.
NON-REFUNDABLE, NEW STUDENT APPLICATION FEE
$75 per new student, submitted with the online application.
ENROLLMENT DEPOSIT
A $650 deposit, per enrolling student, is due to secure the student’s enrollment. This deposit will be applied toward the student’s annual tuition balance. This deposit becomes non-refundable after 11:59 p.m. on the first Friday of classes.
ADDITIONAL FEES
An $11 processing fee will be applied to each student’s tuition bill each semester.
FINANCIAL AID
Ben Lippen School Online offers a 50% discount to dependents of full-time missionaries and pastors. Evidence of deployment and/or employment is required.
PAYMENT PLAN
Ben Lippen School Online does not offer a payment plan. All accounts must be settled before the start of term.
PAYMENTS & REFUNDS
PAYMENT DEADLINE
Students’ balances must be paid in full before the start of classes each term.
LATE PAYMENTS
Payment is considered late if not received before the 2nd Monday of classes. Ben Lippen School Online does not apply late fees to the students’ accounts for unpaid balances, but the student could be at risk of having their Canvas account deactivated and access to courses suspended until the balance is reconciled.
TUITION REFUND
If a student makes a good faith effort to communicate the desire to drop a course (or courses) before the 2nd Monday of classes, tuition may be refunded in full. Communication must be received through formal channels like email. Courses dropped after the 2nd Monday of classes are ineligible for a refund.