Graduation Requirements
In order to be a graduate of Mount Desert Island High School, students must be in full compliance with the academic requirements outlined.
Coursework
Students must complete twenty-three (23) credits in grades 9 through 12. These expectations are in compliance with Maine State Law, Chapter 207-A, Subchapter III and require additional local requirements. Students must earn at least the stated number of credits in the following areas:
English - 4 credits
Social Studies - 3 credits, including 1 U.S. History
Mathematics - 3 credits
Science - 3 credits
Physical Education - 1 credit
Health - .5 credit
Fine Arts - 1 credit
Life Skills -1 credit from Business Education, Family Education or Technology (or a combination thereof)
Minimum Credit Load
All students must carry the equivalent of six (6) potential credits each academic year unless permission is granted from the Director of Guidance and the principal. All students are required to carry a minimum of 200 minutes of class time each school day to meet Maine Principal Association eligibility requirements.
Proficiency and Credit
Each class is based upon standards aligned with the Maine Learning Results. Students receive credit for a class when they achieve an averaged score for all standards that is a 2.0. Students are considered proficient in standards when their collective body of evidence for each standard achieves an average of 2.5. Due to COVID, MDIHS has temporarily halted requiring proficiency on all graduation standards to receive a diploma. This may change during the 2022-2023 school year and thus, will be updated accordingly.
The following criteria were used to select the Graduation Standards:
Endurance--We believe that these standards contain the knowledge and skills our students need to take into adulthood.
Leverage--We believe that these standards include the knowledge and skills shared by multiple subjects.
Readiness--We believe that these standards are essential for the next level of instruction.
Rigor--We believe that these standards are not “harder” per se, but purposeful, and as such, worth the effort.
21st Century Learning Expectations--These standards serve as evidence of the Guiding Principles and our Mission Statement and prepare students for College and Career.
Community Service Requirements
Community Service provides unique opportunities for students to see the role of active citizenship and positively contribute to their community. MDIHS has instituted the following requirements for community service:
Class of 2023 = 15 hours
Class of 2024 and beyond = 20 hours
Community Service Verification Form: View Download.
Procedures
Scheduling Procedure
During the second semester, the new Program of Studies booklet will be published on the high school’s website. Students will be asked to register for courses that they wish to enroll in for the next year after consulting with their school counselor and parents. The master schedule is then developed based on student requests. Not all students will be able to be scheduled for all of their desired courses due to conflicts. If such is the case, students will be notified in the spring so that alternative plans can be made before leaving for summer vacation. Students are expected to make any further schedule changes during the summer office hours with their guidance counselor.
Add/Drop Procedures for Class Changes
In order to maximize student learning and continuity of instruction, students are expected to complete all schedule changes within the designated add/drop period (5 school days into class). All schedule changes must take place through the Guidance Office.
AFTER THE ADD/DROP PERIOD, NO SCHEDULE CHANGES WILL BE ALLOWED unless significant extenuating circumstances exist. If this is the case, a schedule change request form must be completed. The schedule change requires approval by guidance, student, teacher, parent, and administrator. If there is a disagreement, a parent conference should be held.
Changes to the first-semester schedule should be made during the summer prior to the beginning of school. For the second-semester, schedule changes should be made before the start of the semester. It must be noted that with the 4x4 schedule it is extremely hard to enter a class after the add/drop period due to the speed at which material is covered in the course.
Withdrawal from Courses
The following regulations are in effect for all courses:
After the add/drop period ends, students wishing to withdraw from a course must complete a schedule change request form. The schedule change requires approval by guidance, student, teacher and a parent/guardian. If there is a disagreement, a parent conference should be held.
Only the principal, Dean of Students, or Dean of Curriculum may permanently remove a student from a course if the student does not comply with classroom procedures.
At the mid-point of the course, dependent upon the grade at the time of withdrawal, a grade of withdrawal passing (WP) or withdrawal failing (WF) will be recorded on the transcript.
A class may not be dropped during the last two weeks of a course.
Transfer Students
Students who transfer into the school for their senior year may have the number of credits required for graduation adjusted based on requirements from their sending school.
Graduation
Only students receiving diplomas, attending all graduation practices and attending awards night may participate in graduation exercises.
Academic Recognition and Latin Honors
Academic excellence is recognized with Latin honors. Colleges and universities are familiar with this academic tradition that recognizes students on standard measures. MDIHS identifies these as students who have consistently met and exceeded rigorous standards and earned the following GPAs in identified coursework:
Summa Cum Laude: 3.5-4.0 including 12 credits in AP/Honors classes
Magna Cum Laude: 3.5-4.0 without AP/Honors classes OR 3.0-3.49 including 12 credits in AP/Honors classes
Cum Laude: 3.0-3.49 without AP/Honors classes
MDIHS does not rank students in its proficiency-based system. Class rank measures students against other students, not against their performance against standards. This is contrary to our educational system that recognizes all students who consistently meet and exceed standards (Latin honors).
Early Graduation/Completion
We do not encourage early graduation or early completion for Mount Desert Island High School students; however, students who can provide specific plans that meet their educational needs and wish to graduate before they complete four years of high school are required to:
Apply for early graduation/completion a semester in advance of the desired date of completion;
Obtain parental approval in writing;
Obtain guidance and administrative approval in writing.
Alternatives to Withdrawal from School
Mount Desert Island High School is committed to student success. Alternative pathways are available and plans may be developed with guidance, teachers, parents/guardians, and administration.
Remote Learning
Remote learning refers to the opportunity for students to participate in classes virtually from their homes or non-school locations. There are times in which the superintendent may deem it necessary for classes to be held remotely. Once a decision for remote learning has been made:
Teachers will have 48 hours to prepare for and communicate with students when and how instruction will take place.
Students are responsible for attending all classes as scheduled unless an agreement has been made between the student, teacher and approved by guidance or administration.
Technical assistance/equipment may be provided based on availability upon request.
Additionally, students who are absent from school beyond 3 days due to a physical illness may also participate in a modified form of remote learning. If classes are in session in person, a student may observe a class. It will be at the individual teacher's discretion if more involvement is warranted based upon the instructional activities.
Remote learning is not an option in situations of extended vacations, attendance or scheduling alternatives, or other non-medical reasons.
Student Registration
New or returning student registration is conducted through the Guidance Office by appointment. Students with their parents or guardian will register by filling out the required forms and meeting with a school counselor. Students may start classes the following day unless a transitional meeting needs to be held. A transition team will be appointed and a meeting scheduled as soon as possible to develop a transitional plan to support student success. Students may enter school after a transitional plan is developed.
Course Options
All courses taken to meet Mount Desert Island High School graduation requirements that are not a part of the regular curriculum must be approved in advance by the Director of Guidance and the principal.
Courses offered by the College of the Atlantic, University of Maine and University College Center at Ellsworth
The College of the Atlantic, the University of Maine at Ellsworth, Eastern Maine Community College, and the University of Maine Augusta at Hancock County Higher Education Office offer special student status to academically qualified students. Students participate fully in class activities and credit is fully transferable to college; normal evaluations are provided an official transcript records are created. This option is open to juniors and seniors with a recommendation by the Director of Guidance and administration. Students must fill out the appropriate paperwork in Guidance. Three college credits will equal 1 high school credit. Mount Desert Island High School will not pay any cost for students who are participating in this program. Admission criteria are available through the Guidance Office.
Extension Programs / Experiential Education
MDIHS guidance, staff, and administration support student attendance in alternative education and experiential programs ( ie, foreign exchange programs, Chewonki Foundation, High Mountain Institute, etc.) and accepts credits awarded by such programs.
Correspondence Courses / On-Line Courses
Such courses are not seen as a part of the standard curriculum at Mount Desert Island High School. In extenuating circumstances, courses necessary for graduation must be approved by the Director of Guidance and Dean of Curriculum. All such courses may be approved on a case by case basis. Virtual High School courses are offered through MDIHS and are open to all students in subject areas not taught at MDI for elective credit. Students are responsible for the cost of the course should they drop it after the deadline or fail the course.
Independent Study
Independent study will be reserved for work that is not offered in our regular curriculum or cannot be scheduled. The Director of Guidance, Dean of Curriculum, sponsoring department and teacher will determine the appropriateness and credit of such study. Applications and details are available in the Guidance Office.
Internship / Cooperative Education
Experiential learning is an important part of student growth and development. Internships and co-op placements must be approved through the guidance office. Credit varies and will count toward meeting the minimum course load.
Tutoring
On rare occasions, credit may be awarded through instruction from a tutor outside of the regular school program. The tutor must be certified in the subject area taught and approved in advance. Such arrangements are at parent expense and do not fulfill the minimum six credit requirement. The Dean of Curriculum, Director of Guidance and sponsoring teacher will determine the appropriateness and credit of such study.
Mid-Term Reports
In addition to report cards, midterm reports are posted by teachers in our electronic gradebook system. These reports are updated during the fifth week of each ranking period. Parents who wish to receive paper copies of mid-term reports may do so by alerting the main office. If more frequent feedback is required because of individual circumstances, arrangements can be made through the classroom teacher or Guidance Office. If parents have concerns about a son/daughter’s progress in class, they are encouraged to contact the teacher directly.