Important Information

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Classes at high school run on a four-block schedule. A four-block schedule is so named because there are four class periods a day. Class periods are approximately 90 minutes long. Each class lasts for nine to eighteen weeks. Under this structure, students earn .5 credits per a nine-week class, and one credit for a class that meets for two nine-week terms. There are some exceptions to this structure in that we continue to offer band, orchestra, and choral music throughout the year on an every-other-day basis.

WEIGHTED GRADES

The District values academic rigor because it increases student achievement, encourages students to stretch to their potential, and contributes to effective transitioning to postsecondary institutions. The District also recognizes that a policy of adding a minor weight to a grade can appropriately motivate more students to pursue academic rigor, which is aimed at their long-term success.

A weight of 0.025 will be added to the cumulative grade point average (GPA) for each completed half-credit within the high school resulting in a total of 0.05 additional weight per-credit course. The courses eligible for weighting are all of the Advanced Placement, Latin IV, and level 5 or 6 World Language courses.

A course taken through the Early College Credit Program (ECCP) shall have an added weight only if the course is beyond the current course sequence in math and world languages. These specific ECCP courses earning three, four, or five credits shall be eligible for an added weight. A weight of 0.05 shall be added to the GPA after successful completion of each of the designated courses. ECCP courses earning less than three credits shall not be eligible for an added weight.

ADDING/DROPPING A COURSE

Prior to the start of a term, students may drop any course and add another course in their schedule for one or more of the following reasons: ● Medical needs ● Failure of a class ● Course is needed for graduation or post secondary prerequisite for a course ● Scheduled in an inappropriate course level ● Change in performance in current year requires change to be made in next year’s schedule

If a student meets the above criteria, there is space in the class, and the change does not overload another course, then a change can be made.

DROPPING DOWN FROM AN HONORS TO A REGULAR SECTION

Students may drop down from an honors section to a regular section of a course only during the first five days of the course or term. At the end of the first term of the course, students may drop down if they have a grade of “C” or lower in the Honors class. The student may only drop down to a regular section of the same course.

A student may only drop to a regular section after meeting with specified faculty and completing requisite paperwork. The student’s grade in the non-honors class will be determined by combining the grades earned in both the honors and non-honors class.

DROPPING A COURSE AFTER THREE WEEKS

Dropping any course after the three week marking period into the term to take a study hall will only be permitted if three classes are maintained on a student’s schedule. This drop will result in placement into a study hall and an “F” in the course for the term. This grade will be permanently on the transcript unless the course is retaken for a higher grade.

FULL TIME STUDENT STATUS

Per School Board policy 6112.1, a full-time student in the district shall meet the following minimum requirements: ● A high school student shall be enrolled in six credits per year. A student can be enrolled in no more than one study hall per day. ● Exception to full-time status may be allowed under certain circumstances for a student involved in, but not limited to, such programs as the following: Individualized Education Plan: Section 504 Plan.

NCAA SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY

For any student who is planning to pursue NCAA eligibility, it is crucial that the student follows these two steps: ● Consult frequently with your school counselor regarding course selections. ● Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center by the end of your junior year. Please follow the link to the website: https://web3.ncaa.org/ecwr3/

CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES POLICY 6144

Open discussion of controversial issues is the heart of the democratic process and shall be included as a part of the curriculum. Through study of controversial issues – political, economic or social, youth develop abilities of critical evaluation which are needed for responsible citizenship. The study of controversial issues should be objective and scholarly, with minimal emphasis on opinion. No political or economic system other than our own democratic system of government shall be advocated by staff.

No student shall be required to read a book or view instructional materials if his/her parent/guardian has objections for moral, religious, and/or political reasons. Adult students who object to material for moral, religious and/or political reasons shall not be required to use the materials for study purposes. Whenever possible, substitute materials shall be provided.

A faculty member, parent/guardian, student or resident may question the appropriateness of instructional materials through a process outlined in Practice Statement 6144.

HONORS DIPLOMA

The Board of Education believes in recognizing students who achieve a 3.5 grade point average and who have taken sufficient courses selected from the courses identified below. The following criteria will be utilized to grant honors diplomas to students: 1. Students must achieve a 3.5 overall grade point average by the end of the seventh semester of high school. 2. Students must earn 6 or more credits by the end of the senior year in courses selected from the following: a. All honor courses b. All advanced placement courses c. All level 5 and 6 World Language courses and Organic Chemistry d. All Dual Enrollment/Transcripted credit courses

THE PASS-FAIL OPTION permits senior students to select courses for a credit with a Pass/Fail grade. Courses eligible for such selection must be beyond the credits required for graduation and cannot count toward the Honors Diploma (Honors, Advanced Placement, Level 5 or 6 World Language, or Organic Chemistry). Students electing the Pass/Fail

option are required to complete all of the usual coursework and must receive a course average of 70% or greater to receive the Pass grade. The Pass/Fail option must be selected before the course begins with no changes thereafter. The credit earned with the Pass/Fail option will be included in the transcript, but will not be computed in the grade point average and does not count toward the Honors Diploma. No more than a total of 1.00 credit may be earned. The Pass/Fail option encourages students to explore academic coursework they may otherwise not take.

COURSE RETAKE provides the student the opportunity to demonstrate increased mastery of the course expectations for a course previously taken. The highest course grade earned will be recorded for transcript and grade point average purposes. All other entries for the same course will be deleted from the transcript and grade point average.

ACCELERATION (subject and/or whole-grade) information can be found in Policies 5123 and 6142.1.

TALENT DEVELOPMENT / ADVANCED LEARNERS (Gifted & Talented) Refer to the Talent Development website to access the Handbook and/or other resources.

SPECIAL EDUCATION needs are met by the School District of Elmbrook according to the procedures established through Chapter 115 of the State Statutes and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of the Federal Statutes. If a student is determined to be a child with a disability and needs specialized instruction, an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is developed to identify the goals, objectives, and related services the student requires. Placement is a team decision and parents are equal participants on the team.

DRIVER EDUCATION

United Driving School has contracted with the School District of Elmbrook to offer Driver Education courses during the school day. Driver Education is offered during a student’s study hall and consists of approximately 10 days of classroom instruction and an additional 20 hours of online instruction. In addition to registering for Driver Education with the School District of Elmbrook, students/families must also formally register with United Driving School at www.uniteddrivingschoolwi.com. There is an additional fee for enrolling in Driver Education and United Driving will invoice students directly.