Academic requirements, policies and procedures 

More information about course offerings, scheduling, and programs is available in the EHS Program of Studies.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS The East Penn School District requires that all students complete a minimum of twenty-one (21) credits as defined in the Program of Studies between grades 9 and 12 to graduate. Credits must be completed in the following areas: 

Subject Area Number of Credits

English 4 

Social Studies 4 

Science (three full years) 3 

Mathematics 3

Arts/Humanities 2

Wellness/Fitness 1

Health .50

Driver Education .25

Family and Consumer Science .50

STEM* .50

Elective Credits *Elective courses that fulfill this requirement will be denoted in the course description. 2.25

In addition, any science or mathematics course taken beyond the above listed requirements may also be used for this purpose. All students are required to complete four credits of Social Studies. One of the courses can fulfill one of the two required credits in Arts/Humanities. As students select courses to fulfill the four credit requirement, they must complete all of the following: 1. American Studies (American Studies 1 and 2 OR U.S History, Advanced Placement) 2. World Studies (World Studies; European History, Advanced Placement; or World History, Advanced Placement) 3. Government (Government/Economics, GP; Government, CP; U.S. Government, Advanced Placement; U.S. History, Advanced Placement; or Humanities).

Students must take three full years of science, at least one of which must include Biology. 

Arts/Humanities: Any course offered in the following departments may be used to satisfy the Arts/Humanities requirements: Art Music (including band, orchestra and chorus when offered for credit) English Family and Consumer Science Social Studies World Language Technology Education Students must complete four (4) Wellness/Fitness courses (one each year). One of these must be Aquatics. 

Students transferring into the East Penn School District who are in jeopardy of not satisfying local graduation requirements due to differences in requirements between the East Penn School District and the previous school(s) attended and/or students enrolled in approved differentiated academic programs are entitled to an adjustment in the graduation requirements according to procedures established by the Superintendent/Principal.  

KEYSTONE EXAMS 

The Keystone Exams are end-of-course assessments designed to assess proficiency. Keystone exams are administered in the subject areas of Algebra 1, Literature, and Biology. The Keystone Exams are one component of Pennsylvania’s system of high school graduation requirements. Keystone Exams help school districts guide students toward meeting state standards-aligned with expectations for success in college and the workplace. In order to receive a diploma, students must also meet local district graduation requirements. 

Detailed information about the Keystone Exams can be found at: http://www.pdesas.org/Assessment/Keystone#  

PREREQUISITES 

Students are expected to review and consider prerequisites before registering for any course. Students who have not satisfied the prerequisite and/or who are not recommended by their current teacher to take the desired course may submit a formal request to their counselor to override the recommendation. This request will be reviewed and approved or denied by a committee based on the information presented. Students should see their school counselor for more information regarding this procedure. 

SEMESTERS, FULL TERMS 

Emmaus High School will operate on an A/B block schedule. In an A/B block schedule, students attend a maximum of four classes per day, which are longer in duration than on a traditional schedule. Students attend half of their classes each day, on an A/B rotation. One credit courses run for a full year. Half credit courses run for one semester (two marking periods). Quarter credit classes run for one marking period. A few courses receive more than 1.0 credit - these meet both A & B days to complete in-depth lab activities.

MARKING SYSTEM- Students will receive a numerical grade for each course at the end of each quarter. This rule is not necessarily applicable to Independent Study, except as contracted. Grade will be numerical. The grading system used is as follows: 

Percentage Range 

90 – 100 % A 

80 – 89 % B 

70 – 79 % C 

60 – 69 % D 

0 – 59 % F 

Other Marks

• I - Incomplete (used when a student owes work for various reasons. The grade must be converted to a percentage grade by the next grading period). 

• P - Pass (used when a student is in a course identified as a pass/fail course). 

• F - Fail (used when a student is in a course identified as a pass/fail course). 

• W - Withdrawn (used when a student withdraws from school or from a course and is used as the final grade). 

COURSE SELECTION

Course selection is regarded as an important function and should be given very serious consideration by students and parents. On the basis of both the wide variety of course offerings and the non-discrimination policy at Emmaus High School, the student is encouraged to extend career horizons beyond the traditional stereotypes and to select a program of studies which fits the student’s unique interests, strengths, and abilities. 

It is required that a student’s academic program consist of a minimum of 5.25 credits per year. LCTI students must meet as many of the requirements as their schedule allows. In addition, the student must meet the requirements listed under “Graduation Requirements.” The scheduling process involves input from teachers and counselors during each academic year. 

PLEASE NOTE: All course request changes must be made before the announced date. A listed course may not be offered because an insufficient number of students selected the course, a certified teacher is not available, or budgetary funds are not available. 

Students are able to sign up for various levels of courses, and should take their counselor's and teacher's advice, as well as their plans for future education into consideration when making a decision. Students are required to meet prerequisites and grade minimums in order to qualify for certain course levels. Students may also choose different levels for different classes (ex. Honors English, Biology CP, and AP Calculus).  Student counselor's should be contacted with any questions or concerns regarding course registration and level choices. 

ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP)

• AP courses are a national curriculum designed by the College Board. The courses are taught similarly to college courses because a student has the potential to gain college credit. The classes move at a rapid pace . The AP tests are offered in May and although students are encouraged to take them, they are not required to take the AP tests. For a complete listing of AP and other courses, consult the Program of Studies booklet or contact the counseling office.

HONORS

• The material in honors courses is covered at a rapid pace and provides excellent preparation for admission to, and success at, highly selective colleges. 

   COLLEGE PREPARATORY (CP) or ON LEVEL

• These courses are demanding, the pace is accelerated, and they are designed to prepare students to enter college. They provide a solid foundation for admission to most colleges and universities.

   GENERAL PREPARATORY (GP)

• This level is designed to provide practical applications of subject material to prepare students to enter the workforce, two-year colleges, technical schools, the military, and a number of four-year colleges.

Students may submit a formal request to their counselor and grade level Assistant Principal if they want to override a recommendation. This can be approved or denied upon the discretion of administration. 

HONORS AND ADVANCED PLACEMENT SEQUENCE 

The Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses are intended for students who are interested in an enriched experience in a specific subject. Enrollment in the courses is open to all students who have satisfied the prerequisites and have the ability and desire to handle the increased academic demands. Students who complete an AP course are encouraged to take the AP examination. Any costs for courses outside of the regular high school program will be the responsibility of the student and his/her family  

CLASS TRANSFER AND WITHDRAWAL 

Students with an interest in a class transfer and/or withdrawal from a course must follow the process for requesting a course change. Once a class has started, transfers and/or withdrawals from scheduled classes will be considered only in special circumstances. Exceptions will be made only if a student has been scheduled for a course that he or she did not request or, in rare cases, if an error exists on the student’s schedule. The process for requesting a change is as follows: 1. Parent and/or student contacts counselor to request a change 2. Counselor provides Special Circumstance form to complete, if the presented reason qualifies as a special circumstance 3. The committee comprised of counselors and administrator(s) reviews the request. The outcome is determined by the committee after analyzing the student’s record and consulting with the teacher, parents and the student involved A withdrawal that does not result in a transfer to another course in the same academic content area will receive a W as the final grade on a student’s transcript after a marking period grade has been issued.

REPORT CARDS 

Report cards are issued four times during the school term, and are available to view online in PowerSchool. The Vocational-Technical School issues report cards four times during the year for the courses taken there. 

GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA) 

The Grade Point Average (GPA) is a system for calculating a student’s scholastic average on a 0 to 4+ scale. 

Wellness/Fitness, courses that are taken pass/fail, and courses that are taken as an independent study are not used in calculating the GPA.

The GPA calculation is based on final grades earned in each course. Final grades are awarded based on quarter and semester exam grades. GPA is calculated and reported once annually and additionally, at the end of a student’s seventh semester. These calculations are performed in the following manner:  

A mark is assigned a numerical value called the Quality Point (QP). The Quality Point values for course marks are: 

Grade AP Honors Others 

90 - 100 5 QP 4.5 QP 4 QP 

80 - 89 4 QP 3.5 QP 3 QP 

70 - 79 3 QP 2.5 QP 2 QP 

60 - 69 2 QP 1.5 QP 1 QP 

0 - 59 0 QP 0.0 QP 0 QP

I, W, P and F are not used in calculating GPA  

Each course has an assigned credit value. A course’s credit value is based on the number of meeting times per cycle and the length of the course  

The course value for each quarter is multiplied times the Quality Point Value of the grade earned 

The GPA is determined by dividing the total Quality Points for all courses by the total attempted course credits attempted for all courses. Note: This calculation is reported once annually and additionally, at the end of a student’s seventh semester 

The official cumulative GPA is reported at the end of the academic year. This sum will be divided by the total attempted credits to calculate the cumulative GPA. 

A cumulative GPA, which includes all completed coursework through the end of a student’s seventh semester, will be calculated and provided to colleges that require a mid-year report from applicants upon student request.   

 COLLEGE COURSES, OUTSIDE COURSES, GRADE POINT AND AVERAGE (GPA) 

A number of local colleges and universities provide affordable opportunities for Emmaus High School students to take college courses while still in high school. Students interested in such an opportunity should contact their school counselor. Prior written approval of the high school principal is required for all college courses. College courses and any other course exceptions (i.e. pass/ fail, exam exempted courses, courses exempted by private tutoring and independent study) will receive grades and, in some cases, will be reflected on the transcript but will not be counted as part of the GPA. 

Any costs for courses outside of the regular high school program will be the responsibility of the student and his/her family. 

PRINCIPAL’S HONOR LIST AND HONOR ROLL 

The Principal’s Honor List contains the names of students having a 4.000 Quarterly Point Average (QPA) or greater and no grade lower than a C in all courses that are entered into the calculation of the QPA. 

The Honor Roll contains the names of students having a QPA from 3.25 to 3.999 and no grade lower than a C in all courses that are entered into the calculation of the QPA. 

A student who received an incomplete mark (“I“), a W, or a failing mark in any course is not eligible for either the Principal’s Honor List or the Honor Roll. 

A student who believes that an error exists in either the Principal's Honor List or the Honor Roll should immediately report the discrepancy to his/her counselor. 

HONOR GRADS

Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.800 at the conclusion of the second quarter of the senior year will be considered Honor Graduates. (No rounding up of GPA will be considered, i.e. a student with a GPA of 3.799 will not be listed as an honor graduate.) 

A final cumulative GPA will be calculated after all courses have been completed. Any senior who has a 3.8000 cumulative average at this time will be added to the group, which was determined in the second quarter but their name will not appear in the program at graduation. No change

PASS/FAIL OPTION
A course may be taken on a Pass/Fail basis if the below conditions are satisfied. All arrangements for Pass/Fail courses must be completed prior to the midway date in the first grading period of the course. 

1. Students must take a minimum of 5.00 credits in the academic year 

2. Students may not take graduation requirements pass/fail. This includes specific subject requirements and total course requirements 

3. The request must be approved by the parent, teacher, counselor, and principal or grade level assistant principal 

4. The teacher may recommend withdrawal from the course if the student is not meeting the course responsibilities   

VESPA Remote Learning

VESPA is the completely remote online learning option for students in the East Penn School District. Please refer to the VESPA website for more information:  https://sites.google.com/eastpennsd.org/vespa/program-details/high-school 

INDEPENDENT STUDY 

Independent study programs are available in unusual situations when it is determined that a course is a necessary component of a student’s program, but it cannot be scheduled. The course must be in the Program of Studies and offered during the academic school year. Courses taken in this manner will receive a grade and assigned course value, but the grade will not be included in GPA calculations. Independent Study arrangements must be approved by the teacher, parent, school counselor, and principal in writing, and the agreement must be completed prior to midway date in the first grading period of the course. Please reference school board policies 116.1 and 118 for additional information regarding Independent Study.

EXEMPTING COURSES BY EXAM

The purpose of this exemption, whenever available, shall be to allow a student, in unusual circumstances, to exempt a particular course because of an existing knowledge base. All arrangements must be approved by the principal or his/her designee by the determined deadline. Exempting exams will be offered during midterm exams, final exams and during the summer. Please reference School Board Policy 116.1for more information. Please contact your school counselor if interested.

EXEMPTING COURSES BY TUTORING
The purpose of this exemption shall be to move students ahead of the district adopted sequence of courses in a particular academic subject through private tutoring. All arrangements must be approved by the principal or his/her designee by the determined deadline. Please reference School Board Policy 116.1. Please contact your school counselor if interested.

GIFTED SUPPORT PROGRAM
Emmaus High School offers programming options for students enrolled in the Gifted Support Program. EHS gifted teachers in the high school develop and implement Gifted Individualized Education Plans (GIEPs). The gifted teachers provide students with enrichment and acceleration when appropriate, and conduct consultations and collaborations for the differentiation of instruction. Finally, electives for ninth through twelfth grade students may be program options (see course listings for more details). 

LEHIGH CAREER AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTE (LCTI)
The Lehigh Career and Technical Institute (LCTI) is an extension of the home school. The various programs offered are an integral part of the curriculum of the home high school. Students enrolled in the LCTI half-day program take their required courses at the home school during one-half of the school day and attend LCTI the other half day for their specialized career program. Students receive credit for the successful completion of one year of vocational training. An alternative to the half-day program, LCTI's Academic Center provides tenth through twelfth grade students the opportunity to attend LCTI for a full day. This program allows students to take both academic and technical classes at LCTI. The Academic Center also affords students the opportunity to take advanced coursework at Lehigh Carbon Community College in dual enrollment. An application is required for this program. Ask your school counselor for more information. Diplomas awarded at graduation are given only by the home high school and not LCTI. The Lehigh Career and Technical Institute does, however, present a certificate to each graduating student who has successfully met LCTI standards. Lehigh Career and Technical Institute graduates also receive a listing of competencies completed in their trade area. Students who wish to enroll in LCTI during their ninth grade year must first meet specific academic eligibility requirements established by the East Penn School District. Students should see their school counselor for more information about these criteria.

NCAA ELIGIBILITY

All student athletes interested in continuing their athletic careers at the collegiate level (Divisions I and II only, Division III is not affected) must familiarize themselves with NCAA Eligibility rules and requirements, as high school course selection can have an impact on future collegiate academic eligibility. Student athletes are advised to begin planning early in their high school careers in order to meet NCAA requirements, which are found in detail here: www.eligibilitycenter.org. It is the student athlete’s responsibility to be aware of NCAA requirements. Please contact your coach, the EHS Athletic Office, or your school counselor, if you have any questions. Courses approved by the NCAA are identified with an NCAA icon.

LCCC DUAL ENROLLMENT PROGRAM

Lehigh Carbon Community College and Emmaus High School have partnered together to offer Dual Enrollment courses. This program enables students who have achieved certain academic standards to take one or more college courses while still in high school. Students participating in the Dual Enrollment Program can earn transferable college credits for each course taken and also work toward meeting high school graduation requirements. Courses are taught at the high school during the regular school day. Courses are taught by qualified high school teachers serving as an LCCC adjunct instructor. Faculty teaching Dual Enrollment courses are required to meet the hiring standards of LCCC's accrediting agency. Taking advantage of this postsecondary experience will not only jump-start a student's college career, but may give them the opportunity to earn transferable college credits while they are still in high school. The cost for Dual Enrollment courses taught in sponsoring high schools by high school faculty is $30 per credit, or $90 for a three-credit course. There is no application fee for Dual Enrollment students. Students should consult with their prospective colleges/universities to determine their policy for dual enrollment coursework.

CAREER READINESS

To help ensure that all students in Pennsylvania are on track for meaningful postsecondary engagement and success, the Pennsylvania Department of Education has included a measure of students’ career exploration, preparation, and readiness as part of Pennsylvania’s state and federal accountability system through the Future Ready PA Index and under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The Career Education and Work Standards are part of the State Board of Education’s regulations of required education for all students in Pennsylvania. The Career Education and Work Standards address four areas of knowledge:

 Career Awareness and Preparation

 Career Acquisition (Getting a Job)

 Career Retention and Advancement

 Entrepreneurship

In conjunction with the requirements set forth by the PA Department of Education, Emmaus High School students are required to submit a minimum of eight (8)

artifacts (2 within each area of knowledge), showing they have met Career Readiness standards by April of their junior year. Students receive, track, and

submit this information through their respective Schoology grade level classroom. Throughout grades 9-11, EHS students have many opportunities to fulfill this

requirement, including, but not limited to: classwork activities, college/career visits, Naviance activities and reflections, and Schoology Classroom activities. If

students have any questions regarding the fulfillment of Career Readiness standards, they should contact their school counselor. 

STANDARDIZED TESTS

PSAT/NMSQT

This is recommended for all college-bound juniors who plan on taking the SAT and/or wish to compete for the National Merit Scholarship. PSAT testing occurs in October each year.

SAT TESTS

Emmaus High School will also offer the SAT & Subject Tests three times during the first semester of the 2022-2023 school year, as well as the SAT two times during the second semester. Please see www.collegeboard.org for specific dates and to register for a test. A student with a disability, whose condition substantially limits their ability to participate in College Board tests, may be eligible for accommodations. The request for accommodations is initiated by completing a Student Eligibility Form. This eligibility form has specific deadline dates and can be obtained on the College Board website.

KEYSTONE EXAMS

As noted previously within graduation requirements, the Keystone Exams are end-of-course assessments designed to assess proficiency in various subjects.  They will be offered in the winter and in the spring of each school year.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) EXAMS

Emmaus High School will offer AP exams for College Board approved Advanced Placement courses taught at EHS. AP Exams are standardized exams designed to measure how well a student has mastered the content and skills of a specific AP course. For more information on AP testing, please go to https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/. Students may earn college credit for an AP course, depending on their AP exam score. For more information on this aspect of AP testing, please visit specific college websites, as each institution has their own AP credit policy. 

SUMMER LEARNING ACADEMY

Emmaus High School does offer summer school for both remediation and advancement purposes. Information regarding summer school becomes available in mid-April and registration begins in May. Student Counselors should be contacted for more information regarding Summer Learning Academy information.

HIVE

HIVE is an after-school remediation program offered to students who have failed a course during the school day.  Information can be obtained from school counselors.

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY  

The East Penn School District is an equal opportunity education institution and will not discriminate in its educational programs, activities or employment practices on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, ancestry, disability, union membership or other legally protected classification. Announcement of this policy is in accordance with state and federal laws, including Title VI, Title IX, Section 504 and ADA.

For information regarding 1) civil rights, 2) grievance procedures, 3) services, activities and facilities that are accessible to and usable by handicapped persons, or 4) employee or participant complaints of harassment or discrimination, contact Director of Human Resources (Compliance Officer), 800 Pine Street, Emmaus, PA 18049. The Federal Drug-Free Workplace Act requires that your workplace be free of the illegal use of drugs and requires that we issue the following statement to you. No one is allowed to use, make, sell, distribute, or have in their possession any illegal drugs. Any violation of the act will lead to severe disciplinary action which will normally include dismissal.