You will find detailed information in this section and the next few sections.  To access the J. L. Mann Guidance website click   here.

GRADING SYSTEM 

The grading system, as well as the method for computing semester and final grades, will be the same throughout the district and is as follows: 

Grade point ratio (GPR) and rank in class shall be determined at the end of the student’s sixth and seventh semesters. Total quality points will be calculated using the S.C. uniform grading scale.  Grade point ratio shall be calculated by the following formula:

                     Grade point ratio =       Total Quality Points

                                             Total Units Attempted

REPORT CARDS

Student grades are available live through Backpack to students and parents.  Please see the Backpack page in this handbook for directions on how to access Backpack.

ACADEMIC HONORS

Academic Honors at Graduation

For a student to receive an Academic Achievement Honors at graduation, the student must:

(1) complete twenty-four units of credit as prescribed;

(2) maintain an overall GPA of 4.5 or higher;

(3) achieve either a score of 710 on the SAT verbal or a score of 690 on the

    SAT math, or an ACT score of 30 on English or 33 on mathematics

– OR –

(1) completed twenty-four units of high school credit;

(2) be eligible for graduation with a state high school honors diploma;

(3) have a combined score of 1400 on the SAT verbal and math sections, or an ACT

    composite score of 31.

Of the twenty-four units earned, eighteen units must be college preparatory course work, four units in additional electives, and two units in one or more of the following: English, science, social studies or mathematics. College preparatory coursework includes: English [English I or above] (four units); Mathematics [Algebra I or above] (four units); laboratory science (three units); social studies [United States/South Carolina studies, Economics/Government, and one unit of global studies/world history, global studies/world geography or western civilization] (three units); computer science (one unit); physical education (one unit); and foreign language (two units)

Academic Letters and Bars

Beginning in their freshman year students can earn an Academic Letter by achieving a cumulative GPA of 4.5 or higher at the end of their 2nd semester in high school.  Students who continue on this path and maintain a 4.5 cumulative GPA or higher will receive an Academic Bar after their 4th semester (end of the sophomore year), after their 6th semester (end of the junior year), and after their 7th semester (middle of the senior year).  Over their four years in high school, it is possible for a student to earn an Academic Letter and up to three Academic Bars if they maintain a 4.5 or higher GPA throughout high school.

• Academic Letter – earned at the end of the freshman year (after the 2nd semester in high school) when a student achieves a cumulative GPA of 4.5 or higher

• First Academic Bar – earned at the end of the sophomore year (after the 4th semester in high school) when a student with an Academic Letter achieves a cumulative GPA of 4.5 or higher

• Second Academic Bar – earned at the end of the junior year (after the 6th semester in high school) when a student with an Academic Letter and one Academic Bar achieves a cumulative GPA of 4.5 or higher

• Third Academic Bar – earned at the first semester of the senior year of the senior year (after the 8th semester in high school) when a student with an Academic Letter and two Academic Bars achieves a cumulative GPA of 4.5 or higher