Recognition and Honors

Success is recognized in many ways at the Middle School. Academic Recognition Award assemblies are held by grade level at the end of each quarter to recognize student talent and achievement. Examples of awards presented are:

Academic Achievement Awards

• Principal’s List : All A’s (including A‘s)

• High Honor Roll : A- Average (3.67 GPA) or better

• Honor Roll : B+ Average (3.33 GPA) or better

Calculation Chart

• A+: 4.33 B+: 3.33 C+: 2.33 D+: 1.33

• A: 4.0 B: 3.0 C: 2.0 D: 1.0

• A-: 3.67 B-: 2.67 C-: 1.67 D-: 0.67

Students with Incomplete or Failing (F) quarter grades are not eligible for academic honors.

End-of-Year Departmental Awards

At the end of each academic year individual teachers present awards to students for each of their courses. Awards go to students with high academic achievement and for greatest improvement.

Presidential Award

Awarded at the 8th-grade Graduation Ceremony.

Athletic Awards

• Field Day Awards: Awarded to individuals and Class / Team Houses at the annual Middle School Field Day.

• Presidential Fitness Award: This award recognizes students who achieve an outstanding level of physical fitness. To earn this award students must score at or above the 85th percentile on all five activities.

• National Fitness Award: Students earn this award for scoring above the 50th percentile on all five activities.

Recognition Awards

• Warren Shepard Award: Awarded at Graduation to an 8th grade student for all-around excellence.

• Stanley Haas/Luke Hansen (NESA) Nomination: Nominations to NESA for recognition of students who exhibit exemplary citizenship, character, and service.

• Students of the Month: The ACS Athens MS Students of the Month are chosen based on qualities such as character, leadership, and citizenship, not necessarily solely on academics. The student of the month must be a diligent student, completing his/her assignments on time, showing a strong effort to learn the subjects. The student of the month displays excellent behavior inside and outside the classroom, is well mannered, and respectful to both peers and teachers. The student of the month displays excellent citizenship. Lastly, the student of the month shows exemplary character through his/her compassion, honesty, trustworthiness, responsibility, optimism, and loyalty in creating a positive school environment.

• “Caught in Action”: The ACS Athens MS "Caught in Action" initiative allows the positive behavior of students to be recognized. These are students that go above and beyond daily expectations and display the institutional philosophy of: "Be Ready. Be Respectful. Be Responsible."

Homework

Homework is assigned by classroom teachers on a regular basis. If absent from school for any reason, the student is responsible for making up all of the classwork and homework missed. Assignments are posted on Moodle.

If they know in advance about absence from school for any reason, students must inform all teachers and Citizenship Coordinator in advance.

Homework Habits

1. Check Moodle regularly.

2. Write down assignments and due dates in your digital calendar.

3. Understand the instructions before leaving class.

4. Take home all materials needed to complete the assignment.

5. Learn to plan study time.

6. Set aside study time in a quiet place at home.

7. Carefully check completed assignments.

8. Turn in completed work by the due date.

9. Do not put work off until the last minute.

10. Take notes in class and from books.

11. Use the library, math, and writing studios frequently.

12. Makeup work missed during an illness or excused absence.

13. Learn to ask questions concerning assignments.

14. Take pride in the appearance of finished work.

Tutoring Policy

ACS Athens teachers may never tutor an ACS Athens student for pay. Teachers are available by appointment to provide additional help for their students. No private paid tutoring of any sort may be done on campus, either during school hours or after school. Furthermore, it is against school rules for ACS Athens teachers to meet with private tutors or discuss student issues.