Curriculum :: Calendar :: Graduates :: Homework Assignments :: Final Exams

Marking Procedures :: Academic Probation :: Failure in Required Course ::  Academic Dismissal

Honors :: AP Classes

Religion :: English :: Social Studies :: Mathematics :: Physical Education :: Science

Curriculum
 

There are ten departments at St. Mary's from which students choose their required and elective courses: Religion, English, Social Studies, Mathematics, Physical Education & Health, Science, Computer, Foreign Language, and Fine Arts. Some courses are offered on three levels: remedial, college prep, and honors.
 

In addition, students may take courses at Delta Community College or the University of the Pacific.
 

In order to graduate from St. Mary's High School, a student must have successfully completed the following:

Policy With Regard To Units That Must Be Completed

Advanced Placement courses are offered in American Literature, English Literature, Chemistry, European History, U.S. History, U.S. Government, Psychology, Calculus and Biology.

*72% of our juniors and seniors take upper division mathematics; 67% of our juniors and seniors are enrolled in upper division science. Also 69% of our students are enrolled in French, Italian, or Spanish.
 

Calendar
 

The school year is divided into Fall Semester and Spring Semester. In addition to semester exams and grades, quarter exams and grades are mailed home. Progress reports and deficiency reports are sent to parents halfway through each quarter grading period.

Graduates
 

99% of the Class of 2008 were accepted at the following colleges and universities* and earned awards and scholarships totaling over $8,250,000.

Homework Assignments

Teachers will give an out-of-class assignment each day when appropriate and beneficial.

Assignments are usually written, but reading assignments are also regarded as "homework".

It is assumed by the administration that every teacher gives an assignment for every class when appropriate. This is important in securing parental cooperation and knowledge of the school program.

In assigning homework, teachers are to be considerate of just claims of the other classes upon the students' time for study. Students are expected to spend time at home each night preparing for classes.

After an absence, it is the student's responsibility to see the teachers about making up missed work. When students are able to work during absence, they are encouraged to obtain their assignments from fellow classmates. A teacher is expected to submit a list of class assignments upon request. If a student will be absent because of illness for three days or more, parents should contact the school through the Guidance Office to obtain a list of assignments to be completed at home for the length of absence.

St. Mary's has a policy regarding unscheduled vacation time. It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to plan vacations when school is not in session. Therefore, the administration, faculty, and staff are not obliged to render any special services to any student who is absent because of vacation plans.

Final Exams Policy

Final exams are crucial to the process of student assessment. Attendance is mandatory with the following considerations:

a) Make-up or pre-arranged advance exams shall be considered for the following:

• In the event of a documented illness, medical condition or family emergency.

• In the case of a CIF-sponsored playoff event which cannot be rescheduled.

• In the case of a school-sponsored activity which covers one final exam period. Any event under this guideline must be pre-approved by the Vice-Principal or a designee.

b) All make-up or pre-arrranged advance exams must be arranged through the teacher(s) and approved by the academic dean or designee.

Marking Procedures

GPA and class rank are calculated by converting grades to honor points and dividing by attempted credits.

When a teacher chooses to employ a system of weighting quarter marks and semester exams, the system must be clearly presented to the students at the beginning of the course. Plus and minus grades may be given at any marking period.

c) A student or parent who has a concern about a grade or assignment in a particular class should speak with the teacher to clarify matters. If further discussion is necessary, the student or parent should consult with the Department Chairperson, Counselor, and finally, the Vice Principal.

Academic Probation

A student is placed on Academic Probation when they have earned any of the following grade combinations:

• 2 or more F's

• 3 or more D's

• 1 D and 1 F in required courses

• 1 D or an F with an Incomplete

• 2D's and 1F

• 1 D and 2 Incompletes

• 1 F and 2 Incompletes

• 1 F in a required course earned by a Senior

A student is placed on Academic Probation at the end of each grading period. The term of probation lasts until the end of the next quarter.

During the time of probation, a progress report on the student's academic performance will be sent to the parents and to the counselor.

Failures in Required Courses

Each department has established a policy for students making up failures.

English

Students who fail English classes must repeat and pass courses at summer school or night school. These courses can be repeated at St. Mary's if class size permits.

Mathematics

Students have sufficient time in their four years at St. Mary's to schedule the necessary required units.

Physical Education

The two year requirement can be made up through scheduling in the Junior and Senior year, in summer school or at Delta.

Religion

With the approval of the Vice Principal and Department Chairperson, a course may be repeated. Specific individual problems should be referred to the Department Chair.

Science

Students who fail Physical Science and/or Biology may attend summer school, Delta or repeat the class at St. Mary’s if class size permits.

Social Studies

Geography, Modern World History, U.S. History, Economics and Government must be repeated and passed at summer school, or night school. These courses can be repeated at St. Mary’s if class size permits.

Academic Dismissal

Students who show evidence of a pattern of failure in courses required for graduation may be asked to withdraw from St. Mary's.

Such a pattern of failures will qualify a student for Academic Probation. The parent(s) will receive a letter notifying both student and parent of this status.

A student who because of multiple failures does not have the necessary number of units to advance to the next grade level may be asked not to return in August, especially for the Junior and/or Senior year.

After June grades, the Vice Principal will inform the parent(s) by letter of the student's status. The letter will be of two kinds: i) letter of warning, stating that the student has one more year to show improvement. ii) letter stating that because the student has not shown improvement in grades, the student cannot return in the Fall.

Honors
 

In order to be eligible for the school Honor Roll, a student must:

1) Earn a college-prep grade point average of: (PE and TA excepted)

a) 3.50 - and above for 1st Honors

b) 3.00 - 3.49 for 2nd Honors

2) Have no "D's" or "F's" or Incompletes on the report card.

Academic privileges are granted to those students who are eligible for the school Honor Roll:

Seniors who have achieved 1st andlor 2nd Honors for the first seven (7) semesters receive special recognition in the form of a gold stole.

Seniors who have achieved 1st Honors for the first seven (7) semesters receive special recognition in the form of a gold stole and a special cord and medal.

The valedictorian and salutatorian will be those students who have achieved, after the first seven (7) semesters, the highest class ranking as determined by cumulative academic grade point average. The valedictorian and salutatorian may not drop a class in the fall semester of the senior year to improve class rank. Dropping a class to improve class rank shall disqualify a student from the position of valedictorian and/or salutatorian.

NOTE: Honor Roll achievement at St. Mary's is based solely on St. Mary's grades. Make-up grades or grades for courses taken outside of St. Mary's do not count. Transfer students excepted.

In May, 2008, 50% of the freshmen, 42% of the sophomores, 53% of the juniors, and 66% of the seniors achieved honors - first and second.
 

AP Classes
 

All AdvancedPlacement classes and Honors classes (grades 11, 12 only) will be weighted. (5 points for an "A" grade, 4 points for a "B" grade, and 3 points for a "C" grade). Those courses qualifying for weighted grades are identified by the University of California, not by St. Mary's High School.

St. Mary's High School encourages its students with the necessary skills to expand their academic horizons and to fully develop their academic potential through the taking of Advanced Placement classes. Students must be aware that such courses do require additional work, and while AP classes do receive a weighted grade, students will more than earn that extra grade point. The goal of an Advanced Placement course is to prepare students for an intense competitive nationwide test for college credit* offered by the College Board in May. Students will be expected, but not required, to take AP exams in the subject areas offered. Students who are interested in scheduling such courses should contact the instructor prior to registration if they have questions regarding an AP course and its content/requirements. Students are encouraged to make mature, responsible decisions regarding AP scheduling. In many cases, an AP course contract is required prior to enrollment. The contract will usually outline course requirements and expectations. Consult with your counselor before you apply. In addition, the contract will state the length of time that a student must remain in the class before dropping or transferring (this is normally one full semester), along with the summer work requirements.

*Most colleges have special AP acceptance requirements. Contact www.apcentral.collegeboard.com for information regarding the specific college requirements. Check under Higher Education.

St. Mary's  from 1990 to 2008 has exceeded state and national averages on AP exams.

Curriculum :: Calendar :: Graduates :: Homework Assignments :: Final Exams

Marking Procedures :: Academic Probation ::  Academic Dismissal :: Honors :: AP Classes