2. Academic Information

ACADEMIC HONORS & LETTERING

Academic Recognition and Honor Roll

District #279 Secondary Schools have an “A” and “B” Honor Roll. Students must earn at least 5 letter grades (A, B, C, D) from Osseo Senior High to qualify for the honor roll. All subjects are included except courses earning “P” (Pass), which does not impact the honor points. The “A” Honor Roll is composed of students receiving 3.667 averages or higher and the “B” Honor Roll is composed of students receiving a grade point average of 2.667 through 3.666. Honor points are not rounded up or down.

Academic Lettering

Students who achieve a weighted or unweighted GPA of 3.80 or higher, based on Trimesters 1 and 2 of the current school year, earn an academic letter. These accolades are awarded at a celebration in May. See Megan McDonough in the Activities Office for more information.

Weighted Grades

ISD 279 high schools allow for the use of weighted grades for classes that involve a more rigorous curriculum and Autonomous Learner Program (ALP) classes. District high schools will specifically designate in registration handbooks all classes which afford weighted grading due to academic rigor.

The weighted grading system adds value of .34 to any grade of "C" or higher earned in identified courses. Final transcripts will show both weighted and unweighted GPA.

PSEO

Educational options exist outside of the high school setting. More information is available in the registration handbook. Students should consult with their counselor regarding other educational opportunities.

Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Act (PSEO) - Eligible 10th, 11th and 12th grade students may attend a MN college or university that participates in the PSEO program. This program allows students to earn both high school and post-secondary school credit. In order to participate in this program, students must attend the informational meeting held during the winter trimester. PSEO students who drop a college course must follow the college’s protocol. College courses dropped after the 5th day of the term result in an F on your high school transcript, regardless of what appears on the college transcript. In addition, the student must also notify his or her high school counselor as soon as possible. Students who would like more information about this program should schedule an appointment with their counselor.

Senior Honors

Honors and High Honors awards are determined by the student’s cumulative weighted or unweighted GPA at mid trimester during the 3rd trimester. All grades entered in the system at that time are used in the calculation. At graduation, students are given recognition in the following manner:

High Honor – students with a cumulative 3.800 and above are individually recognized. An honors medallion is presented to each student during the commencement ceremony. High honor students also have the opportunity to purchase and wear a gold honors stole and a gold tassel.

Honor – students with a 3.000 have the opportunity to purchase and wear a gold tassel and students are identified in the program.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate from District #279 schools, students must satisfy the following minimum requirements in grades 9-12 (see ISD279 Policy 613 for more information):

12 credits of English (3 each Eng 9, Eng 10, Eng 11, Eng 12)

3 credits of Science 9 or Physics 9

3 credits of Biology

3 credits of Chemistry or Physics

9 credits of Math (must include Non-linear Algebra, Geometry and Algebra 2)

1 credit of Life Fitness

1 credit of Health

10 credits in Social Studies (See registration catalog for specific class requirements)

3 credits of Fine Arts

19 credits of electives

64 total credits

• Successful completion of Advisory is also required for graduation.

Credit Load

Regardless of the number of credits previously earned, students are required to carry at least five classes per trimester. With a minimum of five classes and full-time attendance, students are defined as “full-time” students. Students participating in Minnesota State High School League activities must be enrolled in five classes to maintain eligibility.

With limitations, other courses are available outside of the regular high school day. Administrative approval is necessary, prior to enrollment, to receive credits toward graduation. Students may attempt to earn a total of 21 credits in any school year. Total credits include summer school, independent study, Zero Hour credit-bearing courses, PSEO, and online course offerings throughout the school year. State guidelines define a school year as June 11 of one year through June 10 of the following year. Any questions should be directed to the counseling department.

Report Cards

It is the right of every student and parent/guardian to be informed of the student’s academic progress. Report cards are distributed to the students at the end of trimesters 1 and 2, with the expectation that it is given to the student’s parent/guardian. Trimester 3 report cards are sent by mail.

Enrollment

Students enrolling after the 10th instructional day will be awarded credit on an individual basis unless withdrawal grades can be obtained from the previous school.

Withdrawal Procedures

If a student moves from the district, or transfers to another school in the district, parents are asked to call the school or send a written message to that effect to the registrar’s office. The student should report to the registrar’s office the morning of his/her day of withdrawal. The withdrawal process includes:

1. Obtain the withdrawal forms from the registrar.

2. Obtain the necessary signatures on the withdrawal form.

3. Return the completed withdrawal form to the registrar.

We remain concerned about students who leave high school before completion (dropping out). Before considering this option the student should talk with their school counselor to discuss other options and resources to earn their high school diploma or equivalency.

Pass / Fail

Pass/fail grading may be assigned to a student by administrative action. These circumstances would include medical issues, hospitalizations and other situations deemed as appropriate by administration.

Standards-Based Grading

Outlined in ISD 279 Policy 626, the School Board recognizes that in order to achieve its mission, communication of student achievement and progress must be meaningful, accurate, consistent and supportive of learning. It is the School Board’s position that a standards-based grading system designed to accurately report student achievement of academic standards by providing consistency in grading practices across schools and classrooms, and aligning grading and reporting with standards-based instruction and graduation requirements supports student learning and provides the most meaningful, accurate and consistent communication of a student’s progress.

General Statement of Policy: Grading and Reporting Standards of Practice:

• Student academic grades will communicate academic achievement based on clearly defined academic performance standards.

• Academic achievement will be separated from all other non-academic behaviors when teachers assign student grades.

• Quality assessments and properly recorded evidence of achievement will be used when determining grades on student work.

• Term grades will be determined in a manner that accurately represents students’ attainment of the standards and promotes student learning.

• Teachers will involve students in the assessment and grading process throughout the learning cycle in an age-appropriate manner.

ACADEMIC SUPPORT

Tuesday Tutoring

Students seeking academic assistance can attend weekly tutoring sessions on Tuesdays from 2:15pm-4:15pm in the Media Center. Tuesday Tutoring is staffed by core content area teachers. Entrance to Tuesday Tutoring after 2:30pm requires a blue after school pass from a staff member.

Incompletes

Incompletes will remain on a student’s transcript until the student makes up the course work; or passes the missing standards for the course in which the incomplete was earned; or until the end of the current school year, at which time the incomplete will be converted to a letter grade of “F”. The deadline for grade changes is the second Friday following the students’ last day.

Repeating Credits

Students may repeat a course to receive a higher grade if there is room in the class. If a student repeats a previously failed class, the “F” will be removed from the transcript and replaced with an “NC”, which does not impact the GPA. In both cases, it is the student’s responsibility to inform the registrar of the grade change. For the purpose of creating final and complete transcripts for graduating seniors, the deadline to inform the registrar of any grade changes will be the second Friday following the student’s last day.

Credit Recovery

Independent Study

OSH students can recover missed credits by taking part in Independent Study courses. Independent Study courses are sponsored through a partnership with the Osseo Area Learning Center (OALC). Courses at OSH are offered from 2:30pm-4:30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Students who pursue Independent Study coursework need to apply with their counselor, and attendance at an orientation session is mandatory prior to beginning the course.

Students will be able to choose between pursuing Independent Study coursework after the school day ends, or during Zero Hour.

Blended Credit Recovery

Our partnership with the OALC also includes enrollment in blended credit recovery courses. Students who enroll in this coursework receive face-to-face instruction from a staff member at least once a week, however the coursework is primarily housed and competed online.

Students pursuing blended credit recovery opportunities during Zero Hour will meet on the 3rd floor of OSH.

Students with transportation will be able to take part in blended credit recovery courses from 2:20pm-3:20pm at the OALC.

Osseo Area Learning Center (OALC)

District 279’s ALC is located in Brooklyn Park and provides alternative options for helping you earn your high school diploma. The OALC offers smaller class sizes, focuses on basic skills, on-site daycare, career planning and vocation on-the-job training. New students are admitted every three weeks. For an application and/or information, speak with your OSH school counselor.. Click here for more information about the OALC. For an OALC registration form, click here.