Program of Studies 2008/09
Graduation Information
Included in this section:
- Grade Level Classifications
- Graduation Requirements
- Early Graduation
- Schedule Changes
- Counselors
- Withdrawal from School
- Transcripts
- Student Records
Grade Level Classification
To be promoted, a student must obtain the required number of credits yearly as follows:
- Sophomore Level – student must have a total of 6 academic credits to be seated in a sophomore homeroom.
- Junior Level – student must have a total of 12 academic credits to be seated in a junior homeroom.
- Senior Level – student must have a total of 16 academic credits to be seated in a senior homeroom.
Graduation Requirements
It is the responsibility of each student to earn the necessary credits for advanced standing. If there are questions concerning your classification, check with your counselor. Students who have not earned enough credits to advance are notified by mail during the summer. Students must be enrolled in at least four (4) classes to be a student at NCCHS.
| English | 4 credits |
| Mathematics |
3 credits |
| Social Studies (One credit must be in U.S. History; also the Federal and State Constitution Exams and the Flag test must be passed.) |
3 credits |
| Science (Must include Physical & Biological Science) |
3 credits |
| Physical Education (Students must attend Physical Education daily) |
2 credits |
| Health Education | ½ credit |
| Consumer Education (Or passing grade on the State Consumer Economics test) |
½ credit |
| Any combination of electives (Including: Foreign Language, Vocational Education, Art, Band, Choir, Woodshop, Business, and Home Economics) |
8 credits |
| Total Credits for Graduation | 24 credits |
Early Graduation
If a student is interested in graduating early, he / she should contact his / her counselor during the first two (2) weeks of school. A letter must also be written to the Principal requesting consideration for early graduation. The letter must include an acceptable explanation for the need to graduate early. Cases will be considered on an individual basis and are not guaranteed to be approved. All students must be in attendance for four (4) academic classes per semester.
Schedule Changes
[As a general rule, schedule changes will NOT be made]. Schedule changes are considered in accordance with the recommendation of teachers based on needed changes in placement for a given level of class, in the case of computer errors, or as a result of parent, teacher, and counselor consultations. Schedule changes require administrative approval and will take place for the following reasons:
- course requested is canceled due to low enrollments
- failure of a required or prerequisite course (adding courses to graduate on time)
- to accommodate a medical condition
- academic level placement
Note: the final cut-off date for any schedule change(s) is ten (10) days into the first quarter for yearly classes and ten (10) days into the semester for semester classes.
Counselors
Every student is assigned a counselor. Counselors assist students in their education and career planning. They are trained to listen and to assist students in better understanding themselves. Some reasons to see your counselor might be:
- To get acquainted
- To help you make course decisions considering abilities, past performance, and career plans during registration time in the spring
- To discuss any difficulty you may have in a subject
- To obtain information about what career you may follow, and later on during your junior or senior year, to obtain information about college or vocational schools
- To assist in the college decision process
- To assist in developing an educational plan after high school
- To discuss test information whenever standardized tests are given
- To obtain a referral to a social worker or psychologist who can also assist if there are special problems to be addressed that are within their jurisdiction
- To discuss problems with our academic schedule
Withdrawal from School
Before a student may be officially released from school, a withdrawal slip must be obtained from the Guidance secretary by a parent or guardian only. Students must obtain signatures of clearance from various departments before any refund of fees may be made or any records forwarded to another school. In addition to this, all fees must be paid for records to be forwarded. Twenty-Four (24) hour notice is required for processing withdrawals.
Transcripts
Upon handwritten request, by the student or college(s), transcripts will be sent to colleges and prospective employers. Transcripts will be provided to prospective employers and schools for a cost of three dollars ($3.00) per request. A minimum of two (2) days notice is required for the processing of transcripts.
Student Records
Notification of Rights of Parents and Students:
- The student’s permanent record consists of basic identifying information, academic transcripts, attendance records, accident reports, a health record, record of release of permanent information, and other basic information. The permanent record shall be kept for 50 years after graduation or permanent withdrawal.
- The student’s temporary record consists of all information not required to be in the student’s permanent record including family background information, test scores, special education files, psychological evaluations, teacher anecdotal records, and disciplinary information. The temporary record will be reviewed every four years for destruction of out-of-date information and will be destroyed entirely within five (5) years after graduation or permanent withdrawal.
- Parents have the right to:
- Inspect and copy any and all information contained in the student record. There may be a small charge for copies not to exceed $0.35 per page. This fee will be waived for those unable to afford such costs.
- A parent/guardian or alum, to whom the records belong, may challenge the contents of the records by notifying the Principal or records custodian of an objection to information contained in the record. An informal conference will then be scheduled to discuss the matter. If matters are not resolved during the informal conference, a formal hearing will be scheduled that will be conducted by an impartial hearing officer
- Inspect and challenge information proposed to be transferred to another school district in the event of a move outside of District 187.
- Local, state, and federal educational officials have access to student records for educational and administrative purposes without parental consent. Student records shall also be released without parental consent pursuant to a court order or subpoena, or in connection with an emergency where the records are needed by law enforcement or medical officials to meet a threat to the health or safety of the student or other persons. All other releases of information require the informed written consent of the parent or eligible student.
- A parent or student may not be forced by any person or agency to release information from the temporary record in order to secure any right, privilege or benefit including employment, credit, or insurance.