Academic Policies

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ACADEMIC POLICIES
NOTRE DAME JUNIOR/SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
UTICA , NEW YORK

NOTRE DAME JUNIOR/SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL REQUIREMENTS 2011-2012
Required Courses	Local Diploma*** Score a 55-64 in 5 Regents exams and earn at least 24 units of credit	Regents Diploma Score a 65 or above on 5 Regents exams and earn at least 24 units of credit	Regents Diploma With Advanced Designation Score a 65 or above on 8 Regents exams and earn at least 24 units of credit
Religion	2 units	2 units	2 units
Comprehensive English	4 units plus 55-64 on Regents exam	4 units plus 65 or above on Comprehensive English Regents exam	4 units plus 65 or above on Comprehensive English Regents exam
Social Studies	4 units plus 55-64 on Global History & Geography Regents and US History & Govt. Regent	4 units plus 65 or above on Global History & Geography Regents and US History & Govt. Regents	4 units plus 65 or above on Global History & Geography Regents and US History & Govt. Regents
Mathematics	3 units plus 55-64 on Math A or Integrated Algebra** Regents exam	3 units plus 65 or above on Math A or Integrated Algebra** Regents exam	3 units plus 65 or above on both Math A and B orIntegrated Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2 and Trigonometry** Regents exams
Sciences	3 units plus 65 or above on one Science Regents exam	3 units plus 65 or above on One Science Regents exam	3 units plus 65 or above on 2 Science Regents exams
Language Other Thank English	1 unit	1 unit	*3 units plus 65 or above on foreign language regents
Health	½ unit	½ unit	½ unit
Art/Music	1 unit	1 unit	1 unit
Physical Education	2 units	2 units	2 units
Electives	3 ½ units	3 ½ units	1 ½ units
Total:	24 units	24 units	24 units

* Students seeking a Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation may be exempt from the second language requirement by completing five units in Career/Technical education (BOCES).
** Beginning with the class of 2011.
*** Beginning with the 9 th grade entering in September '08, only for students with disabilities.A Regents Diploma with Honors requires a 90 average of all Regents' examinations taken.

Please refer to the chart on the top of this page for New York State and Notre Dame Requirements for high school graduation, the Regents Diploma, and the Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation.

NOTRE DAME POLICY REGARDING PROMOTION

1. At the end of Grade 7, a student must have successfully completed courses in RELIGION 7, ENGLISH 7, SOCIAL STUDIES 7, MATH, SCIENCE, FOREIGN LANGUAGE*, HEALTH 7, MUSIC 7 or CHORUS 7/8, AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION in order to be promoted to Grade 8.

2. At the end of Grade 8, a student must have successfully completed courses in RELIGION 8, ENGLISH 8, SOCIAL STUDIES 8, MATH, SCIENCE, FOREIGN LANGUAGE*, ART 8 or CHORUS 7/8, and PHYSICAL EDUCATION in order to be promoted to Grade 9.

*Students who successfully complete two years of study of foreign language and pass the corresponding NYS Proficiency Test by the end of grade eight earn one unit of credit toward the fulfillment of the high school graduation requirements.

3. At the end of Grade 9, a student must have at least 6.0 Units including successful completion of RELIGION 9, ENGLISH 9, GLOBAL HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY 9, SCIENCE, MATH, FINE ARTS, and PHYSICAL EDUCATION 9 in order to be promoted to Grade 10.

4. At the end of Grade 10, a student must have at least 12.0 Units including successful completion of RELIGION 10, ENGLISH 10, GLOBAL HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY 10, SCIENCE, MATH, and PHYSICAL EDUCATION 10 or NAVAL SCIENCE in order to be promoted to Grade 11.

5. At the end of Grade 11, a student must have at least 18.0 Units including successful completion of RELIGION 11, ENGLISH 11, U.S. HISTORY AND GOVERNMENT, SCIENCE, MATH, and PHYSICAL EDUCATION or NAVAL SCIENCE in order to be promoted to Grade 12.

6. A student must make up all failed courses (provided they are offered in Summer School) in order to be promoted to the next year.

7. Students who fail one of the Regents Examinations required for graduation must attend summer school.

8. Students who fail a NYS Regents Examination required to earn the Regents Diploma or the Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation, but pass the course, should take the August Regents. It is highly expected that these students attend Summer School or receive tutorial classes in preparation for the August exam.

COURSE SELECTION

All students need to take the following requirements as well as electives to satisfy a minimum course load of 6 Units per year.

1. Requirements for Seniors: Religion 12, Government or MVCC Government, Economics, English 12 or AP English, Physical Education or Naval Science, Health1, if needed, and electives to total 6 units of study.

*Seniors are highly encouraged to enroll in a full schedule of classes to prepare them for the future. College-bound seniors are especially advised to take Mathematics, Science, and Foreign Language as well as electives in Social Studies or Business.

2. Requirements for Juniors: Religion 11, U.S. History & Government or AP American History, English 11 or English 11 Honors, 1 Math Unit, 1 Science Unit, Health1, if needed, and Physical Education or Naval Science.

3. Requirements for Sophomores: Religion 10, Global History & Geography 10, English 10, 1 Math Unit, 1 Science Unit, Health1, and Physical Education or Naval Science.

4. Requirements for Freshmen: Religion 9, Global History & Geography 9, English 9, one Science, one Math, 1 Fine Arts Unit, Foreign Language or Career & Technology Education, and Physical Education.

1Students may take the requirement Health course during grades 10, 11, or 12.

**BOCES students enrolled in two-year programs receive the third unit of credit in English, Math, and Science through BOCES.

NOTE: Any particular course will be offered provided that a sufficient number of requests are made. The school reserves the right to withdraw any course or section of a course, as well as to limit the number of students scheduled for a given course or section.

The final decision for course offerings and for the placement of students rests with the school.

GRADE WEIGHTING

Grade weighting has been determined as follows:

Leve;	Weight
All Required Courses	1.00
Upper Level math & Science Courses*	1.02
Honor Courses	1.03
Advance Placement Cources	1.04

*Algebra 2 & Trigonometry, Geometry, Pre-Calculus, Chemistry, Physics, Advanced Biology, French 2-4, and Spanish 2-5.

On the student Report Card, the ACTUAL GRADE for each course will be printed. The WEIGHTING will be reflected in FINAL AVERAGES and RANKINGS and for the quarterly Honor Rolls.

COURSE ADJUSTMENTS

Students are to make their course selections after consultation with their counselor, teachers and parents. AFTER THE COURSE REQUEST AND VERIFICATION PROCESSES ARE COMPLETED. ALL COURSE SELECTIONS ARE CONSIDERED FINAL.

          1. No one will be allowed to change his/her program of study in September unless there has been a change of status during the summer as the result of summer school or a change in educational or career plans.

2. During the course of the year, the following types of changes may be made:

        a. changing from a more difficult subject level to a less difficult level with the recommendation of the teacher.
        b. changing from a less difficult subject level to a more difficult level with the recommendation of the teacher.

 

3. In a situation where a student is experiencing difficulty with a subject and that difficulty can not be resolved by #2 above, the student may drop the subject provided:

        a. the student has been making a reasonable effort to succeed.
        b. the student has the recommendation of the teacher to drop the subject.
        c. the student has the approval of his/her guidance counselor.
        d. the student has parental approval. 
        e. the change is made before the first 5 weeks of school.* (*If this drop is made after 5 weeks of school have been completed, the drop may be recorded as a "WF" on the student's permanent record.)

 

4. Requests for specific teachers cannot be honored.

NOTE: All changes must have the approval of the Administration in consultation with the parties involved. Also there must be evidence that the student has MADE REASONABLE EFFORT TO SUCCEED IN THE SUBJECT.

PRINCIPAL'S LIST/HONOR ROLL/NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY/ VALEDICTORIAN/SALUTATORIAN

Principal's List: for students averaging 95% and above.
High Honor List: for students averaging 90% to 94% inclusive.
Honor List: for students averaging 85% - 89% inclusive

In order to be eligible for the Principal's List, Honor Roll, or consideration for the National Honor Society, a student mayhave no failing grades on his/her report card.

Seniors will not be eligible to be named Valedictorian or Salutatorian of their graduating class unless they are carrying at least 6 units of high school/college academic credit.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT, ADVANCED, AND HONORS COURSE POLICY

Advanced Placement, Advanced, and Honors courses are designed to challenge the more gifted student. Entry into such courses requires the understanding that the student is well-motivated and willing to accept the increased academic work.

The perquisites for Advanced Placement and Honors courses are as follows:

• Cumulative average of at least 85%.
• Cumulative average of at least 85% in the subject area.
• Some courses may have additional requirements, please see course description.

 

HIGH SCHOOL BRIDGE PROGRAM AND COLGATE SEMINAR

Arrangements can sometimes be made for students to access college courses at local colleges. Currently, both Utuca College and Mohawk Valley Community College offer Notre Dame students this opportunity. In addition, special art courses that carry no college credit are available through a partnership with Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute and Pratt Institute. The availability of such programs varies from year to year and is permitted as time and schedule allow. Grades and credits received in these courses will be shown on the student's transcript, but they are not reflected in the student's cumulative average or total credits. In order for grades to be shown on the student’s Notre Dame transcript, the student must request that the college send a copy of all grade reports to Notre Dame.

The Colgate Seminar Program is also available to seniors and juniors. Colgate Seminar offers high schoool students the opportunity to experience college level courses in an after school enrichment program.

Information regarding these programs is available through the Guidance Department.

AREA CAREER/TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION

Students interested in a BOCES program should speak directly with his/her Guidance Counselor for direction and information. The BOCES Program is primarily designed for high school students interested in course offerings developed in light of actual or anticipated opportunities for employment. These courses are suited to the needs, interests, and abilities of students who can profit from such instruction. The BOCES program is an extension of the HOME SCHOOL. Students continue to maintain their identity with the Home School attending BOCES on a half day basis and taking the other half day of classes at Notre Dame.

Career/Technology Programs include:
Advanced Culinary Arts, Advertising, Animal Science, Auto Body Repair, Automotive Technology, Computer Repair/Networking, Conservation, Construction Trades, Cosmetology, Criminal Justice, Culinary Arts, Early Childhood Education, Electricity, Food Service Occupations, Home Health Aide, Nail Technology and Waxing, Nurse Assistant, Outdoor Power/Recreational Equipment Technology, Strategic Business Applications, and Welding. New Visions programs in Business Management, Communications, Education, Engineering Technology, Health Professions, Legal Professions, and Veterinary Science careers are designed for college bound seniors with 85+ averages and are offered on a competitive basis.

Parent/Guidance Counselor/ Student communication is required before registering for BOCES.

STUDENT ACCELERATION

A seventh or eighth grade student entering Notre Dame may qualify for the accelerated program in math and science. The student is considered for acceleration if the following criteria are met:

1. A score of 90% or higher in math and reading on sixth grade standardized and placement tests.
2. Recommendation by the sixth grade teacher or administrator.
3. Fifth and sixth grade report card marks of A or the equivalent in math, science and reading.
4. Scores of at least 4 on both the NYS ELA and Math Tests.

 
A student who accepts the invitation to participate in the accelerated program will do course work in math and science that is one year above grade level. To remain in the accelerated program all students must maintain an over all minimum average of 85 in the accelerated math or science course as well as achieve a minimum of 85 on final examinations or regents. If these are not achieved, the student will be placed in grade-appropriate courses.

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