AC A D E M IC I N F ORM AT I ON A ND P OL I C I ES • •
Obtaining help on homework or on take-home tests that is beyond the limit specified by the teacher. Plagiarizing: presenting work as one’s own, in part or full from some other source (be it published work, a parent, another student’s work, an Internet site, Spark Notes, or any similar aid).
AVOIDING PLAGIARISM
In most written work, one can avoid the charge of plagiarism or unauthorized aid by acknowledging sources in the following ways: • Formal footnoting – many guides are available; consult your M.L.A. handbook section 1.6; • Formal or informal bibliography – listing at the end of the paper any sources you have consulted while writing; • Internal citation – giving credit in your text to the original source for a direct quotation or paraphrase (restating the text in another form or in other words); • Checking with your class teacher when in doubt.
TAMPA PREP UNWEIGHTED GRADE SCALE LETTER POINTS GPA
LETTER POINTS GPA
A+ 97-100 4.33 C+ 77-79 2.33 A 93-96 4.00 C 73-76 2.00 A- 90-92 3.67 C- 70-72 1.67 B+ 87-89 3.33 D+ 67-69 1.33 B 83-86 3.00 D 63-66 1.00 B- 80-82 2.67 D- 60-62 0.67 F <60 0.00 CLASS RANK
Because of the highly academic nature of the School, Tampa Prep does not rank students numerically. Instead, the School reports individual grade point averages to colleges. HEAD'S LIST
Those students who have a semester unweighted average of A- (3.67) or higher (no rounding) attain the Head’s List. In the Middle School, PE class are not included in calculations for Head’s List candidacy.
DISCIPLINARY ACTION FOR ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
HONORS LIST
Academic honesty violations will be addressed by the Dean of Students and/or administration directly. Major violations, as determined by the administration, will be referred to the Conduct Review Board for assessment and recommendation. In all cases (minor and major violations), disciplinary action will be determined by the severity of the infraction, the student’s prior record of similar violations, and the student’s cooperation and honesty in the investigatory process.
Those students who have a semester unweighted average of B (3.0) or higher (no rounding) attain the Honors List. In the Middle School, PE classes are not included in calculations for Honors List candidacy.
Penalties for Honor Code violations may include one or more of the following: • An “F” on the test, quiz, examination or paper in which the violation occurred. • Lowering of the student’s final grade. • Failure in the course involved. • Suspension from School. • Expulsion from School. Students who are suspended for Honor Code violations will be required to make up all academic work missed while on suspension.
TAMPA PREP GRADING OVERVIEW Grades and comments are issued to parents four times a year, at the middle and end of each semester. Parents are encouraged to discuss their student’s progress with the student’s advisor. Should further concern arise, appointments should be made with Mr. Fenlon (for Grades 6, 7, 8) or Mrs. Jisha (Grade 9), Mr. Clements (Grade 10), Mr. Morrison (Grade 11), or Ms. Leonhardt (Grade 12). In addition, teachers and advisors are encouraged to communicate with parents regarding overall school performance.
14 | GUIDE FOR ACADEMICS AND STUDENT LIFE
CREDITS
A passing average at the end of each semester earns a student one-half credit for each semester of a year-long course and one-half credit for a one semester course. No fractional credit is awarded for partial completion of courses. GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA)
The unweighted and weighted cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated using semester grades beginning with the freshman year and includes only courses taken in grades 9 through 12. In order to determine a weighted GPA, the following points are added to the unweighted GPA of these classes: • Honors (H) courses: 0.5 points • Advanced Honors (ADV) courses: 0.75 points • Advanced Placement (AP) courses: 1.0 points • College Placement (CP) courses are not weighted
UPPER SCHOOL ADD/DROP POLICY When adding or dropping a course or changing sections, students must complete an Add/Drop Form and return it to the Upper School Academic Dean. Forms can be found in the Upper School Academic Deans' office and in the Appendix. a. Signatures are always required from the teacher, student, parent/legal guardian, advisor and Head of the Upper School. Seniors must also obtain the College Counselor's signature. b. If a student participates in a Concentration, the Concentration Coordinator's signature is required.