GFHS
academic & grading information

ALL STUDENTS MUST BE SCHEDULED FOR A MINIMUM OF 6.5 CREDITS EACH YEAR

During summer, school counselors work to resolve schedule conflicts.  They will contact students whose courses are in conflict in order to make new selections, as allowed by the school’s master schedule.  All requests for changes in course selection must be communicated before schedules are released in August. 

Once released, schedules are considered final. There will be a limited two week window to add or drop courses each semester.

• If a student changes a level of a course (i.e. honors to Regents or AP to Regents), the grades earned in the original course will transfer to the new course.

Please note, the following requests will not be accommodated:

• Teacher changes

• A different time of day for certain classes

• To share classes, lunch, or study halls with specific students

Report Cards:  Report cards are posted to Portal and mailed to parents/guardians at the end of each marking period.  Report cards provide a record of the student’s achievement and effort for each course taken during that grading period.  For full-year courses, final grades are determined by averaging each marking period grade (20%) with the mid-year (8%) and final (12%) examinations.  Final grades for half-year (one semester) courses are determined by averaging each marking period grade (40%) with the final examination (20%).  

Progress Reports:  Progress Reports are posted to Portal and mailed to parents/guardians at the middle of each marking period, in order to indicate the student’s achievement and effort up to that point. 

Minimum Grades:  For a full year course (four marking periods in length), the lowest grade a student can receive for first and second marking periods is a 50. For a half year course (two marking periods in length), the lowest grade a student can receive for the first marking period of the course is a 50.

College-level Courses:  AP, IB, and college courses taken at GFHS or GFHS sponsored programs will be listed on students´ report cards and transcripts.  Final course grades will receive an additional 5 points when weighted cumulative averages are computed.  Be advised students’ transcripts will show the unweighted final grade for college-level courses.  The weighted grade is used for cumulative average calculation.  College courses taken independently of a GFHS sponsored program, and approved for required graduation credit, will be graded P/F with no value in cumulative average calculations.  All other college courses taken independently are not included on transcripts. 

Honor Roll:  An Honor Roll is determined after each marking period.  A student must attain an average of at least 85 for Honor Roll and 90 or above for High Honor Roll. Incompletes automatically exclude students from the Honor Roll. 

Incomplete Grades: It is sometimes necessary to assign an incomplete to a student. Any owed work must be completed per arrangements made between the student and teacher. 

Class rank is calculated using final grades for students in grades 9, 10, 11, and 12.  Seventh semester cumulative averages are calculated to determine mid-year ranks for seniors only. These ranks are used for academic recognition of students in the graduating class.  Per Board of Education Policy, students transferring into the Glens Falls City School District after completing four full semesters of high school elsewhere will be eligible to share but not displace anyone in the top ten. 

GFHS Student Transcripts display scores from the following assessments:

Second Language Proficiency (SLP) Exams

Regents Exams

In instances where SLP or Regents exams are taken more than once, only the highest score will be displayed.  

If a student takes any ACT (PreACT, ACT), College Board (PSAT, SAT, or AP), or ASVAB exams, their scores WILL NOT be displayed on GFHS Student Transcripts.  Students wishing to submit their scores to colleges or other institutions or organizations will need to access their score report from the associated testing agency.  

Grade placement is determined by the number of credits completed as follows:

To enter grade 10­: 5 credits
To enter grade 11: 10 credits
To enter grade 12: 15 credits & the ability to graduate in June

Per Board of Education Policy, a student may be eligible for early graduation (fewer than eight semesters) if the student completes all requirements for graduation, excluding physical education.  The district will consult with appropriate personnel, the student, and persons in parental relation, and consider factors such as the student’s grades, performance in school, future plans, and benefits to graduating early in making its decision.

GFHS Procedures for Early Graduation
A letter requesting early graduation shall be submitted to the high school principal by the parent/legal guardian by the end of the 4th semester of high school.  First semester of high school begins when the student leaves eighth grade and enters high school as a full-time ninth grader. High school credits earned while in middle school do not constitute a semester of high school work.  Such a student who chooses to graduate early will be eligible to participate in both junior and senior activities.  Students approved for early graduation will be eligible for all Glens Falls High School senior awards and scholarships.  Please note that students graduating early are not eligible for valedictorian or salutatorian honors.

Per Board of Education Policy, a Glens Falls High School student who chooses to study abroad during their junior or senior year is considered to be a full-time Glens Falls High School student.  Such a student will be considered a member of their graduating class and will not be subject to the terms of the Early Graduation Policy.

Per Board of Education Policy, students who have demonstrated intellectual and social maturity may choose to matriculate at any one of the colleges that have a cooperative agreement with the District.  Students who wish to enroll in college-level coursework must meet all academic, grade level, and coursework requirements.  These opportunities may include early admission to college, collegiate-level work offered in the high school, or other means of providing advanced work.  The administration will review and approve any college courses before they are taken during the school day.  The Board will not pay tuition and other related costs for those high school students enrolled in college courses.

Per Board of Education Policy, upon successful completion of New York State and Glens Falls High School graduation requirements, a Glens Falls High School student who chooses to enroll in a college bridging program, will be eligible to participate in the Glens Falls High School graduation ceremony.  Such a student will not be eligible for Glens Falls High School senior awards and scholarships.

GFHS dual enrollment courses are college/university courses taught by our faculty in our high school. This provides students the opportunity to register for a college course while in high school. Students who register for credit and successfully complete the course will be awarded both high school and college credit. Glens Falls High School offers dual enrollment courses from Syracuse University, Siena College, University at Albany, and SUNY Adirondack. Tuition costs vary by institution. More information is available at the websites listed below. 

COLLEGE TRANSCRIPT REQUESTS
For all dual enrollment college courses, students must request final transcripts from the affiliated college to submit to their post-secondary college of attendance to be considered for credit at that institution.

SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY PROJECT ADVANCE (SUPA)
projectadvance.syracuse.edu

College Psychology
College Economics
College Academic Writing
College Creative Nonfiction

SIENA COLLEGE
siena.edu/offices/registrar

College Introduction to Computer Science

UALBANY: UNIVERSITY IN THE HIGH SCHOOL (UHS)
albany.edu/uhs

College French 4
College French 5
College Spanish 4
College Spanish 5
College Public Policy

SUNY ADIRONDACK: High School Academy Courses
sunyacc.edu/programs-courses/high-school-programs-college-academy/college-high-school-chs

College Pre-Calculus
College Calculus
College Probability and Statistics

Per NYSED & GFHS procedures, in order to obtain credit for acceleration/testing out, a student must:

• Submit a request to the High School Principal

• Have a grade of at least 90 percent in the course in which they are now enrolled  

• Receive the recommendation of the teacher in whose class the student is currently enrolled  

• Receive the High School Principal’s approval of readiness

• Receive a grade of at least 85 percent on the Regents or a State approved exam for the course out of which a student is accelerating/testing out 

• Complete a project arranged by the student and supervising teacher of the course through which the student is accelerating

• Complete the exam during June exam week and the project by August 15th for a full year course and for a half year course complete exam by the end of the semester and the project six weeks from the exam

• Quarterly reviews will be completed by the supervising teacher to ensure satisfactory progress

• Eligible students will have the option of earning up to 6.5 credits (of the 22 required for graduation) by examination and special project

Per GFHS procedures, independent study is an option for a student who can demonstrate entry skills and enough background coursework to function independently and efficiently in an area of study that is an extension of, specialization in, or related to, course work available in the high school. Independent study cannot be used solely to resolve scheduling conflicts; therefore it cannot be used instead of enrollment in a course that is offered in the high school.
Independent study can be used only to supplement a full schedule, not to take the place of one of the required 6.5 credits.  No student can attempt to earn more than one full credit of independent study per year, though independent study proposals can be made for .5 or 1 credit.

PROCEDURES

1. The student should initiate the independent study option well in advance of beginning the program by first reviewing interest with their school counselor

2. The student should then seek a sponsoring teacher who will provide guidance and serve as a resource for proposal preparation and progress evaluation

3. The student must prepare an independent study proposal. The proposal requires the student to:

• Identify the goals and objectives of the proposed study

• Identify tasks to be completed and a projected time frame for their completion

• Review specific departmental requirements for independent study and reflect these in the proposal

• Have the proposal approved by the sponsoring teacher, the department chairperson, and the principal

• Identify a point within the first quarter of the study at which the student and teacher determine the  probability of successful completion. The student and teacher may agree to modify the proposal at this time. At this point the proposal becomes a contract that the student must complete successfully or be liable for failure. After this meeting it is no longer possible to terminate the contract without penalty.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
The student should have the ability and commitment to work without a need for continual supervision and instruction from a teacher. The student must use their own time available to do their independent study work.  For study that demands the use of equipment or supplies that are only available in school areas and require teacher supervision, the proposal would not be approved unless this can be mutually agreed upon by the student and the teacher. The student must meet with the teacher at least bi-weekly to review progress. Any expenses for materials, books, or travel on the part of the student are the responsibility of the student.

TEACHER RESPONSIBILITIES
The sponsoring teacher is responsible for assisting the student in preparing the contract.  The teacher will meet with the student at least bi-weekly and continue to serve as a resource and evaluate student progress by preparing grade reports.

WHAT IS THE AP PROGRAM?
The Advanced Placement Program (AP) is a division of the College Board and is a collaborative effort among motivated students, dedicated teachers, and committed high schools, colleges, and universities. Since its inception in 1955, the program has allowed millions of students to take college-level courses and exams.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF AP?
Taking AP classes can offer several benefits, including the opportunity to earn college credit, demonstrate academic rigor to colleges, enhance critical thinking  skills, and potentially stand out in the college admissions process.  Additionally, AP courses can provide a preview of college-level coursework and better prepare students for the challenges of higher education.

For more information about the AP Program visit: apstudent.collegeboard.org

ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES AT GFHS
Advanced Placement (AP) courses available at GFHS are noted below.  AP courses cover the breadth of information, skills, and types of assignments found in similar college courses.  To prepare for enrollment in an AP course, students are encouraged to engage in rigorous coursework.  GFHS supports open enrollment for AP courses (prerequisites apply for some courses).  Students can select AP courses during the course request process.  AP teachers provide academic support throughout the school year. 

AP Calculus AB
AP Seminar
AP English Language and Composition (11th grade)
AP English Literature and Composition (12th grade)
AP Biology
AP Chemistry
AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based
AP European History
AP U.S. History

AP EXAMS
Each AP course has a corresponding exam that participating schools administer in May. AP Exams contain multiple-choice questions and a free-response section (either essay or problem-solving). AP Exams represent the culmination of AP courses and are thus an integral part of the program. As a result, Glens Falls High School requires students who enroll in an AP course to take the corresponding AP Exam. Nearly all colleges and universities in the United States grant credit and placement for qualifying AP scores.

EXAM FEES
GFCSD does not require students to pay the AP exam fee.