Program of Studies 2008/09
Curriculum Information
Inside this section:
- Guidance and Counseling
- Social Work
- Awarding of Credits
- Report Cards / Progress Reports
- Grading and Marking System
- Special Education
- Final Examination Policy
Guidance and Counseling
NCCHS offers many opportunities for students to participate in challenging and rewarding activities. Because NCCHS offers so many activities, the guidance office is available to help students in learning how to maintain a balance between academics, extra-curricular activities, and personal life obligations. The Guidance Office offers an array of academic and personal counseling services for each individual student.
Counseling is an integral part of the school. During the four years, a student will have many opportunities to see his/her counselor as often as necessary. (Guidance information will be presented to students as part of a Guidance Curriculum during lunch, Individual Career Planning Sessions, or Individual Responsive Service Sessions). Services provided by the counseling staff include: individual counseling, group counseling, course selection, career planning, testing and test interpretation, and consultation for post secondary education transition.
Social Work
Social Work service provides consultation and/or direct intervention to the students and families of NCCHS. Concerns regarding a student’s social emotional or behavioral health can be referred for social work intervention. The school social workers can be contacted in the Guidance Office.
Awarding of Credits
Unit of Credit: NCCHS awards credit on the basis of the “Carnegie Unit.” The Carnegie Unit is the amount of credit given for successful completion of a course that meets for a minimum of 40 minutes daily, 5 days per week, for at least 36 weeks of the equivalent amount (120 clock hours) of time within a school year. All regularly scheduled courses at NCCHS, both academic and vocational, meet for a minimum of 45 minutes per day, 5 days a week for at least 36 weeks. Academic courses offered in summer school fulfill the 120- clock hour requirement. The instructional staff of the respective disciplines defines successful completion performance. Students are awarded .5 (½ credit) for each course completed during a semester.
Transfers: Students transferring into NCCHS will have their transcript evaluated by the school’s counselor/registrar and credits will be converted to our system. Transfer students must be in attendance for a minimum of 14 weeks to receive credits for current semester, unless student has withdrawal grades, when entering NCCHS. Transfer students must meet all graduation requirements (at least seven semesters of high school attendance, 24 credits and all required courses) before these students are eligible for a NCCHS diploma. Also, all transfer students must be in attendance at NCCHS during the regular school year for at least one full semester of their senior year to receive a diploma from NCCHS. (There may be some military exceptions).
Correspondence Courses: District 187 will accept a maximum of three (3) credits for schools approved and certified by the Illinois State Board of Education.
Report Cards / Progress Reports
Report cards: The academic year is divided into two semesters, each consisting of two 9-week grading periods (Quarters). The semester grades are the only grades that become a part of the student’s permanent record and contain the weighted average of the two 9-week grades and the semester exam grade. At the end of each 9-week grading period, every student will receive one electronic processed grade card, containing all of his/her grades. Along with this service, there will be the computing of honor points; class ranking and honor roll assignment.
Progress Reports: Electronic processed progress reports will be mailed to the homes of all students for a 4-week grading period each quarter.
Grading and Marking System
The following grade system was approved by the Board in May 2006 and is used to rank students performance:
| Grade | Description | Percentage | GPA Points |
| A | Excellent or Superior Work | 94 - 100% | 4 |
| B | Good or Above Average Work | 82 - 93% | 3 |
| C | Average Work | 76 - 81% | 2 |
| D | Below Average Work | 68 - 75% | 1 |
| F | Failing | Below 67% | 0 |
I |
Incomplete Work Not Finished | n/a | n/a |
Special Services
All special education students follow the same sequence and are required to meet the same graduation requirements as the regular education students. The courses are modified and adapted according to each student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP). The student’s special education team yearly maps and implements this plan.
Final Examination Policy
At the end of each semester, final examination days are scheduled to provide time for written or oral examination or the equivalent, i.e., an individual interview or research projects. The final examination, or its equivalent, counts as twenty percent toward the semester grade in each course. (See Report Cards and Progress Reports). Exams will be taken as scheduled. Extenuating circumstances should be brought to the attention of the Associate Principal for Curriculum and Instruction for approval of a change in the final exam schedule.