Academic Overview

Academic dishonesty refers not only to cheating on classroom exams but also to any behavior that violates academic standards, such as plagiarism, copying homework or misuse of technology. The usual penalty for academic dishonesty is to receive zero credit on the test or assignment. In certain cases, further disciplinary measures may be implemented. Students need to be aware that colleges will expel students for cheating and plagiarism.

A student may be dismissed for academic reasons. A student needs to demonstrate her ability to achieve average grades of a "C" in academic classes each quarter in order to progress toward graduation. A student who receives two "F’s" in any grading period is subject to academic dismissal.

 

A student incurs probation when she is unable to maintain a 2.0 G.P.A., has an "F" in any class, or more than one "D" in any quarter. Incoming freshmen may be placed on probation at the time of admission. All new students are considered to be on probation during their first semester.

 

Progress reports will be sent at mid-quarter to parents of students who need special academic attention. These reports do not necessarily mean that a student is failing, but that an academic deficiency (e.g., homework, attendance, participation, test results, etc.) that needs correction is noted. Quarter failures may appear on the report card without any special warning; however, the teacher generally makes an effort to notify parents of unsatisfactory achievement.

An evening is scheduled in August to give parents the opportunity to meet teachers and to be informed of class expectations.

Students qualify for courses by meeting prerequisites. Normally no student or parent-initiated requests will be considered after ten (10) school days of the semester have elapsed. Class schedule changes are based on subject difficulty levels; a choice of teacher is not a valid reason and will not be considered.

 

All students must take seven classes every year at St. Lucy’s. Courses taken at other schools may be sent to St. Lucy’s and added to the student’s transcript, the units will count toward those required by St. Lucy’s. Students must still take the required number of units of classes at St. Lucy’s. State required courses must be taken as part of the minimum units needed for graduation.

 

Before registering for classes at another high school or online provider, students should consult with their guidance counselor, since these decisions often impact college admission.

 

Course Description Guides are available online and requirements are discussed with the students during an orientation session in April. Registration packets are given to all students and forms must be completed and submitted with the appropriate fees by the published deadline date.

 

A student may be excluded from participation in graduation exercises for reasonable cause. Participation in the ceremony is a privilege, not a right. Only students who are currently attending school and who have earned a diploma may take part in graduation ceremonies. A St. Lucy’s diploma is awarded after the completion of the required units.

 

Diplomas are not granted at the conclusion of the first semester. St. Lucy’s only grants a diploma to a student who is currently enrolled in the school’s academic courses.

 

The school’s tradition is that all students are congratulated at graduation and a valedictorian and salutatorian are not recognized during the ceremony.

 

Diplomas may be withheld until students or parents satisfy their financial obligations and fulfill educational or disciplinary responsibilities.

 

School calendars are published in advance and students are required to attend the legal number of days in order to receive credit. Semester exams are not administered earlier than scheduled. If a student will be absent for exams, the student must contact the Teacher. The teacher and student must arrange date and time of when the administration of the exams will occur. Due to additional staffing that may be required, a fee may be assessed for accommodation to proctor exams as personnel must be assigned outside of the previous scheduled time.

 

It is expected that students perform an adequate amount of study outside school hours. At least three to four hours of daily homework may be required in the academic studies.

 

Homework may be assigned each night. If an extension of time is needed for long-range research papers, projects, or supplementary readings, the student must make arrangements with the teacher before the assignment is due.

 

The purpose of the Honor Roll is to encourage every student to measure up to her full academic potential. Requirements are as follows:

 

 

A student must take at least four academic classes to qualify for the Honor Roll. Also, a student who has an unsatisfactory, "U," in effort or conduct, a "D" OR "F" in any subject, or three or more "NI’s" on a quarterly report is not eligible for honors.

 

Students who have earned a 3.5 or better each quarter are encouraged to challenge themselves academically by enrolling in honors or advanced placement courses. In addition to the 3.5 G.P.A., classes may have other prerequisites. Furthermore, final enrollment in the class is at the discretion of the teacher and the Assistant Principal. These courses are more challenging than the regular courses, cover the material in greater depth and demand from the student a high level of self-discipline, creativity and involvement. Students in advanced placement classes prepare for exams in May that, if passed, can result in college credit. Students enrolled in A.P. classes are required to take the Advanced Placement Exam. Students enrolled in Honors Chemistry and A.P. classes receive an extra grade point in their St. Lucy’s G.P.A. for grades of "C" or better.

 

Grade "I," Incomplete, is assigned to a student who has failed to complete all the assignments or who has missed the final examination. With the approval of the teacher, a student may complete the work no later than three weeks after the end of the quarter. The student is then assigned the grade based on her quarter work and the performance in the examination. If after the three weeks the "Incomplete" is not removed, the grade automatically becomes an "F."

 

Although the school does not have the resources or personnel to assist students with serious learning disabilities, every feasible effort is made to accommodate students with identified learning disabilities. Parents who know or suspect that their daughter may have a learning disability should contact her counselor during freshman year or as soon as possible. Classroom accommodations must be in place for four months prior to requesting assistance in standardized testing. The first College Board test is in October of sophomore year.

 

Make-up grades for a failure on an assignment or a test can never be higher than a "C." Students absent for a test may not receive full credit upon making up a test. When a student is absent from school, she is responsible for notes, assignments, quizzes and tests. Late assignments do not receive full credit.

 

A parent conference night is scheduled in October. If additional meeting time is needed, a conference can be scheduled by appointment at a convenient time for both parents and the teacher. Parents are asked to request a meeting with the teacher via email. Meetings can take place before school, after school or during a prep period if a teacher is available. No teacher is free during class hours or while serving in any supervisory capacity.

 

Quarterly reports are mailed to parents or guardians; dates and times are announced in the school mailings. Report cards are normally issued seven to eight days after the end of each quarter.