Grading Policies
Progress Reports and Report Cards
The grading system in L’Anse Creuse is a standard A/B/C/D/F scale. The school year is divided into two 20-week semesters, and each semester is divided into two 10-week marking periods. “Mid-marking” refers to the five week mark into each marking period. Progress reports are distributed at Parent/Teacher Conferences (when applicable in October and March) or sent home to parents at this time to indicate student progress. Teachers will provide a grade range at this time. At the end of the first 10-week marking period of each semester, a report card is sent home (usually about one week after the end of the marking period) showing progress in individual classes, including a letter grade. A student’s grade represents all work done in connection with a class, including class participation, attendance and punctuality, homework assignments and projects, quizzes and tests, and laboratory experiences.
At the end of the second 10-week marking period of each semester (January and June), the report card shows the marking period grade as well as the final semester grade for each course. This final semester grade represents the student’s overall performance for the course and is calculated based on the two 10-week marking period grades, as well as the final exam given in each course. Note that this final grade is the only grade that will appear on a student’s permanent transcript.
Incomplete Grades
An “I” will be given to a student who, due to extenuating circumstances, has unfinished work after the end of a marking period. It is the student’s responsibility to make necessary arrangements with teachers to complete any work that is incomplete. Grade changes will be done by the teacher through the counseling office. Exceptions to this policy may be permissible only in instances of prolonged illness, and a written plan must be approved by the principal prior to the end of a 10 day period.
Failing Grades
If a student has received a failing grade as a final semester grade, this grade is recorded on the permanent record with no credit given for the class. If the class failed is a required course (such as US History), then it must be repeated. If a student fails an elective course, he or she may choose to repeat the class or substitute another course in its place.
Weighted Grading
In order to provide challenging college preparatory programs for students who desire greater depth and an accelerated pace in certain content areas, L’Anse Creuse Public Schools offers a number of Advanced Placement courses. In recognition of the rigorous academic standard that AP courses represent, a student may add 0.5 point per course taken when calculating their overall grade point averages on the four point scale. Obviously, because of this additional weighting, a student’s overall GPA and ranking in the graduating class will be affected by enrolling in and successfully completing AP coursework. See the section at the end of “Departmental Course Offerings” for a list of all Advanced Placement courses offered through L’Anse Creuse Public Schools. Also, each course is described within the specific appropriate departmental listing.
Testing Out
§ The Board of Education recognizes the need to provide alternative means by which students achieve the goals of the district.
§ Any high school student who wishes to test out of a course in which he or she is not enrolled may do so by taking a comprehensive examination, or series of smaller examinations, for the course and receiving a grade of at least C+; or by demonstrating mastery of the subject matter as determined by the assessment used in lieu of a comprehensive examination.
§ Credit for a course earned by a student through this process may be used to fulfill a course or course-sequence requirement, and may be counted toward the required number of credits for graduation. The grade on the assessment will not be used to determine the student’s GPA.
§ Testing out examinations typically occur prior to the first semester and in the month of January, prior to the second semester. Students who wish to test out of a course must make their intentions known six weeks before the end of the current semester. Students interested in pursuing the testing out option for the upcoming school year should see a counselor to be apprised of deadlines for applications. Students must use the district examination for the course.
Transfer Student Requirements
A student transferring to the L’Anse Creuse district must satisfy all requirements for graduation as specified by the L’Anse Creuse Board of Education. Comparable coursework taken at a previous school will be evaluated, and appropriate credit will be applied toward the L’Anse Creuse requirement.
