Academic Information

All programs, activities, and courses at Medfield High School are offered without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, handicap, religion, gender identity, and sexual orientation.

GRADING SYSTEM

Students will receive grades for each of the four individual quarters. The first-semester grade is the average of the first and second academic quarters. The second-semester grade is the average of  the third and fourth academic quarters each weighted at forty-five percent and the final examination weighted at ten percent. The final course grade will be the average of the first-semester grade and the second-semester grade.

Marking System

A+ (97-100), A (93- 96),  A- (90- 92)

B+ (87- 89),   B (83- 86),  B- (80- 82)

C+ (77- 79),    C (73- 76),   C- (70- 72)

D+ (67- 69),   D (63- 66),  D- (60- 62)

F (Below 60)

W (Withdrawn), WF (Withdrawn Fail), WP (Withdrawn Pass)

P (Passing)

I (Incomplete)

H (Honors, P/F Course)

N (No Grade, No Credit)

Open Gradebooks

At approximately the midpoint of each marking period, all teacher grade books will be visible through Aspen. If a student has a question about the posted information, the student should speak directly with the classroom teacher.

Report Cards

Report Cards are posted to both family and student Aspen accounts at the end of each marking period (quarterly).

Honor Roll

1. High Honors – All As

2. Honors – All As and Bs

3. Any student with a grade of C, D, F, or I in any subject is excluded from consideration regardless of grade average.

4. A student must earn grades in five or more courses to be eligible for honors.

Credits

Credits are granted upon the successful completion of course requirements. Following are some special provisions:

1. When students transfer to MHS, the Assistant Principal and the guidance counselor will evaluate their transcripts, and credits will be granted according to Medfield High School’s standards.

2. If a student exceeds six (6) unexcused absences or fifteen (15) total absences, they will not receive credit for that term. If a student exceeds fifteen (15) absences in a single term, they will also not receive a grade for that term (marked with ‘N’ on the report card). Credit recovery options will be made available to students to regain lost credit.

3. If a student receives an N (no grade) for two terms in a full-year course or one term for a semester course, the final grade for that course will be an N and no credit will be given.

GRADE POINT AVERAGES  (comprehensive chart at the bottom of this section)

Each Medfield High School student is provided with two GPA profiles, weighted and unweighted. The GPA is only calculated at the end of the semester and based on a 4.0 scale.

The GPA is calculated by utilizing the grades earned in all courses with the exception of Pass/Fail courses. The weighted GPA profile is calculated by providing students with an additional 0.8 for all classes taken at the honors or advanced placement (AP) level.

The GPA of students who transfer to Medfield High School will only reflect work completed at Medfield High School.

Grade C2/C1 H/AP Grade C2/C1 H/AP Grade C2/C1 H/AP Grade C2/C1 H/AP

A+ 4.33      5.13 B+ 3.33 4.13 C+ 2.33 3.13 D+ 1.33 2.13

 A 4.00      4.80 B 3.00 3.80 C 2.00 2.80 D 1.00 1.80

A- 3.67 4.47 B- 2.67 3.47 C- 1.67 2.47 D- 0.67 1.47

PROMOTION AND GRADUATION

It is expected that every student takes seven courses per semester.  Students are expected to earn 35 credits each year, keeping in mind that graduation requirements (listed below) must be fulfilled. Any student with a question regarding the number of credits he or she has earned should check with his or her guidance counselor.  Any student not achieving the required number of credits will be retained in the appropriate grade.

 In order to remain on track for graduation in four years, students should earn approximately 30 credits per year. 

REQUIREMENTS FOR A DIPLOMA

1.  Students must pass a minimum number of full-year courses or their equivalency according to the chart listed below:

Required Courses

English- 20 credits

Social Studies- 15 credits (5 must be in US History)

Science- 15 credits

Mathematics*- 15 credits

World Languages- 10 credits (of the same language at the high school level)

Wellness- 10 credits (one semester each year of high school)

Visual, Fine & Applied Arts***- 5 credits

Total credit requirements: 115 credits

*Please note:  The Massachusetts State Colleges and Universities will require four years of Mathematics.

*** Included in this category are Visual Arts, Performing Arts or Business and Technology courses, as well as Culinary Arts, International Cuisine and Culture, Journalism, Yearbook Design and Publishing, Creative Writing, and Speech.

2.  Students must achieve a competency determination on the English/Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science MCAS tests.

COURSE CHANGE/ COURSE WITHDRAWAL 

Students are expected to select courses carefully. The master schedule is determined by students’ course requests. Once the student has made initial course selections, changes should not be requested unless absolutely necessary.   For information about the course change procedures, please see this information posted in the Program of Studies.  

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Medfield High School expects academic integrity from all students. Academic Integrity is commonly defined as honesty and responsibility in academic work.  Behavior contrary to this includes but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, improper/unauthorized collaboration, unauthorized use of resources, and/or other instances of academic dishonesty. 

While Artificial Intelligence tools such as chatGPT can be valuable in educational contexts, the use of AI to produce or supplement student work without permission is prohibited unless specifically authorized by a teacher.  Should any student violate Medfield High School’s expectation of academic integrity, the following will occur.

First violation of academic integrity:

1. The teacher will conference with the student.

2. Should the conference result in a determination that academic integrity has been violated, the student will receive a grade of 50% for that assessment or assignment. If the student would have scored lower than 50% on the assessment or assignment, then the student will receive the lower of the two grades.

3. The teacher will communicate with the student’s parent(s) and or guardian(s) to report the incident.

4. This violation of academic integrity will be documented by the teacher.

5. The assistant principals will also be informed of this violation of academic integrity.

6. Should additional notification be necessary, the Assistant Principals will contact the necessary advisors of clubs and societies.

Second violation of academic integrity:

1. The teacher will conference with the student.

2. Should the conference result in a determination that academic integrity has been violated, the student will receive a score of a zero for that assessment or assignment.

3. The teacher will communicate with the student’s parent(s) and or guardian(s) to report the incident.

4. This violation of academic integrity will be documented by the teacher.

5. The assistant principals will also be informed of this violation of academic integrity.

6. Should additional notification be necessary, the assistant principals will contact the necessary advisors of clubs and societies.

A more in-depth account of procedures and practices can be found on the Academic Integrity Pamphlet distributed in classes.

HONOR ESSAYISTS

Each year two graduating seniors will be recognized at graduation exercises by being named Honor Essayists. A representative faculty committee will select these essayists. The committee will utilize the following criteria in selecting the Honor Essayists:

1. High academic achievement which places the student in the top 10 percent of the weighted GPA range of the class

2. Outstanding work in both arts and sciences

3. The ability to speak and write articulately

4. Evidence of leadership

5. Good citizenship involving social responsibility

6. Impeccable character

7. A positive attitude toward learning

8. Active involvement in extracurricular activities, including but not limited to clubs, sports, volunteer work, and community service

The faculty committee will use the following process for the selection of Honor Essayists:

• Identify the top 10 percent of the weighted GPA range after the first semester of senior year.

• Notify eligible students after the completion of semester 1 with a description of the application process and criteria for selection.

• Eligible students wishing to be considered will submit a completed application to the committee, including:

  1. A well-constructed and articulated essay to be delivered at graduation (approximately 5 minutes in length).

  2. The selection committee will review the applications and interview students with completed portfolios in April.

  3. The committee will select the two essayists no later than the first week in May, and the principal will notify all applicants of their status.

EVENING OF EXCELLENCE AWARDS

A special awards ceremony will be held each year after graduation for students in grades nine through eleven, and to honor academic achievement and excellence.

PARTICIPATION IN HEALTH INSTRUCTION 

Each year, Wellness classes cover sexuality education. This curriculum is part of a comprehensive K-­12 health education program and is taught by professionally trained instructors. If a parent/guardian does not want their student to participate in ​this educational program, they have the option to remove the student from class. In this event, an alternative curriculum will be provided for the student. Parents/guardians are encouraged to contact the Wellness Department Chair, Stephen Marks, or their student’s guidance counselor should they have concerns about this topic or wish to remove their student from this unit of study.