Deans Message Board

Reporting Allegations of Sexual Abuse of a Minor

Saint Mary's High School treats all complaints of sexual abuse seriously and deals with such allegations in a confidential, prompt and thorough manner with compassion and consideration for all those involved. If  you have any questions or concerns or would like to view a video distributed by the Diocese of Stockton on reporting sexual abuse, please see Mrs. Smith in the Dean's office.

Drug Issues

Thank you for the positive feedback and support that you have shown towards the use of drug dogs on campus We will continue lo strive to maintain a safe and healthy learning environment for all students. This program is intended to send a clear message to all concerned that substances detrimental to a student's health are prohibited at St. Mary’s High School. 

The St. Mary's community and the Diocese of Stockton are committed to offering help to our students in a compassionate and caring manner. Consistent with our concern for our students, our commitment to the sanctity of life and our Catholic faith, we encourage those that may find themselves, or a child, unexpectedly pregnant to avail themselves, in addition to the support we will try to offer, of the services of the diocesan Community of Caring, and outreach to pregnant and parenting teens as well as affording access to Project Rachel, a post-abortion counseling service.

Required Courses             

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

*Transfer student excepted

**Beginning with the Class of 2009, 5 credits of Health will be required for graduation.

Early Graduation Policy

Any student intending to graduate at the end of the first semester will take one English course at a college or university in addition to the first semester Senior English course. All other courses required for graduation will be scheduled in the first semester.

• Pick up the proper forms from the Academic Dean during the first week of February of the student's Junior year 

• Submit a letter presenting reasons for desiring early graduation.

• Submit a letter signed by the student's parents indicating their approval of early graduation.

• Submit all such requests in writing to the Academic Dean by the first week in March of the student's Junior year.

• Give evidence that all tuition owed to the school has been paid in full.

• Submit to a review of the student's grade and attendance records.

Failure Of Required Courses

If a student fails a course required for graduation, that student will not be able to participate in graduation ceremonies unless the student has successfully completed a course which is acceptable for satisfying the St. Mary's requirements. Evidence of successful completion must be submitted to the Academic Dean prior to graduation day.

Academic Guidelines

All students are required to maintain the unit-credits commensurate with their class standing. These must include passing grades in subjects required for graduation.

Academic Probation Policy

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'sand1F

• 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.

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 Academic Dean 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.

Class Rank and Cumulative G.P.A.

Class rank and cumulative G.P.A. is calculated from the semester grades earned in grades 9, 10, 11, 12, excluding Physical Education, Teacher Assistant, Cheer, and Drill.

Policy With Regard To Grade Weighting         

All Advanced Placement 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.

Advanced Placement Philosophy of 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.corn for information regarding the specific college requirements. Check under Higher Education.

Policy With Regard To Course Changes

a) Student requested course changes and/or drops will be considered for the following reasons:

• Parent request or interview.

• Successful completion of summer school.

• Obvious school related errors.

Final date for student initiated class transfers is noted in the school calendar. This is generally the third week into each semester. Parent permission is required for any class change. In order to encourage students and parents to consider course selection seriously, make the most efficient use of available staff members, and help defer clerical costs, there will be a $20 fee for any schedule changes made due to student/parent preference.

Transfer options may be limited due to impacted classes.

b) Teacher initiated requests for class transfers should be made within three weeks of the beginning of each semester and with prior approval by the counselor and/or Academic Dean. Parent permission is required for any class change.

c) Students may withdraw from an elective course, taking no credit, through the tenth week of each semester. Counselor and teacher should consult, and parent permission is required. After the tenth week, the student must remain enrolled and take a semester grade for the course. Students must remain enrolled in a minimum of 5 classes during the regular school day, A through G periods.       

Absences And Effects On Course Credits Given

If a student is absent from class 9 or more days in a given quarter or from class 18 or more days in a given semester, credit may be withheld. Excessive absences may be reflected in the grade.

In cases of serious illness, a letter from a doctor must be submitted to the Attendance Secretary, who will inform the Dean of Students, and the information will be forwarded to the appropriate counselor.

There will be cases in which a student will not be able to make up the work due to the nature of the illness/injury and the nature of the course, e.g., Physical Education. In such instances, arrangements, if possible, will be made with the Department Chairperson.

A "no credit" (NC) grade assigned because of excessive absences will be calculated as an "F" in the grade point average.

Incompletes

If a teacher gives an "Incomplete" grade to a student at the semester, such grade must be removed within two weeks of the date grades were due each semester.

Summer School Courses

St. Mary's encourages students to take advantage of summer school courses for enrichment, to improve grades, orremediate themselves. Summer school grades and credits will not be accepted for courses that are required for . graduation, specifically English, Science, and Social Studies, unless the student has first attempted the course at St. Mary's. Exceptions to the above, such as schedule conflicts, must be brought to the Department Chair or Academic Dean for written approval before the student enrolls in summer school.

Policy On Failures And Deficient Grades

It must be kept in mind that because of constrictions placed on us by our size and schedule, it is not possible for us to guarantee a student the opportunity to retake any course the student has failed. Therefore, it is imperative that each student take and pass the course the first time. If a student is dissatisfied with their achievement in a particular class, the only way to improve the grade is to repeat the class at an accredited high school or college and provide a report card or transcript indicating such completion.

Failures In Required Courses

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

Policy On Progress Reports

The purpose of progress reports is to inform parents about their student's unsatisfactory academic performance. Notices are prepared and sent once each quarter. Parents should make contact with the teachers of the courses in which the student is deficient.

Release of Records and Grades

Parents and/or guardians of currently enrolled or former pupils may request to inspect and review pupil records maintained by the Registrar, the Deans and/or the Counselor(s) during regular school hours. Access to records shall be provided no later than five days following the receipt of a written request. Qualified personnel will interpret records where appropriate. When requested by educational/scholarship institutions, transcripts and other pertinent school information will be released.

Incorporation Of Credits Earned Elsewhere Into St. Mary's Permanent Records

St. Mary's may incorporate credit for such courses in a student's permanent record under the following conditions:

When such a course is taken to make up for a deficient grade.

When the course taken is not offered at St. Mary's.

A student wishing to repeat a course in which a low grade was obtained during the regular year may have the higher grade recorded.

Summer school credits will be added to the permanent record of a student. They will be used for calculating grade-point average.

It is the responsibility of the student to notify the Registrar of a course taken at another school and to bring in the grade and proof of credit.

Grading Procedures

a) The grading system of each teacher will be fully explained by the teacher.

b) When percentages are used to indicate academic evaluation, the following are used:

Teachers keep a record of their students' progress and grades.

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 first 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 Academic Dean.

Pass/Fail Requests

A written request, signed by student and parent, must be submitted to the Academic Dean no later than two weeks before the end of the first quarter for Fall Semester courses, and no later than two weeks before the end of the third quarter for Spring Semester courses. Note that students must apply separately for each semester of a year-long course. The Pass/Fail option is only available for elective courses.

The Academic Dean will act on the request and notify the student, parent, and teacher of the action taken. Approval should not be considered automatic.

Students should be aware that taking a course on a pass/fail basis does not make failure any less likely; they must do the same work to pass as would be required under a normal letter-grade basis. A failure will be calculated in the G.P.A.

Homework Policy

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 the 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:

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

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

3.       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 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.

Honor Roll, Scholarships and Awards

Eligibility

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

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

1.         3.50 - and above for 1st Honors

2.         3.00 - 3.49 for 2nd Honors

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

Privileges Attendant Upon Honors

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

Seniors who have achieved 1st and/or 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.

Conduct

f) Electronic devices (including but not limited to cell phones and Ipods are not allowed. These items if visable during school hours will be confiscated. Confiscated items will be returned after the student serves a 45-minute detention. Video cameras are not allowed on campus unless pre-approved by a teacher and the Dean of Students. Video cameras may be confiscated and held for the remainder of the school year.