In most classes the student is required to take district assessments; most, if not all will contain multiple choice as well as a free response. This district assessment is counted as a large part of the student’s grade and is often used as part of the final exam for each class.
The counseling department offers to students various testing programs throughout the year.
Students who are planning to enter college are offered the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). Both sophomores and juniors are encouraged to take this test, the purpose of which is two-fold:
1. The student learns how he/she compares in verbal and mathematical knowledge with national competition.
2. When taken during the junior year, the student automatically competes for qualification in the National Merit Scholarship Program.
For more information, see your counselor.
Most colleges and universities in the United States require the results of an entrance examination before the student is admitted. In addition, many scholarships require this test information. In Arizona, the three state universities accept results of either the American College Test (ACT) or the College Board (SAT).
In the case of out-of-state institutions, the student should check to see which examination is preferred. This information is available by corresponding with the college in which you have an interest or by consulting with your counselor. Second semester juniors and seniors are advised to schedule one or both of these tests as early as possible. Certain sophomores can benefit by taking the tests as well. If you have a question as to which test you should take, consult your counselor. Test dates are posted in the counseling office.
In cases of conflict with student’s belief system or personal sensitivities, the staff member is to provide alternate learning objectives without penalty. (Example: Such classroom activities as biological dissection or the reading of specific literary work.)
Schedules are determined through a yearly registration review of four year plans. Therefore, schedule changes will be made for the following reasons only:
· Course completion in summer school, night school or by correspondence.
· Placement, clerical, or computer error
· Teacher, counselor, or administrator recommendation
· Medical reason
All students are accountable for work missed when adding a class. No course may be added for credit after the 12th day of the semester.
No schedule changes will take place after the fourteenth week of the semester: i.e., students will not be permitted to withdraw from a first semester class after one week from issuance of the November interim reports or from a second semester class after one week from issuance of the April/May interim report.
It is the belief of the Governing Board that worthwhile, appropriate homework is an important aspect of high school education. Homework is defined as work or study assigned by the teacher for completion outside classroom time.
The following statements of responsibility help to define the expectations of students:
· Schedules his or her activities to make time for doing homework.
· Does his or her own work.
· Does neat and legible work.
· Uses correct communication as required by the teacher.
· Completes the homework assignment.
· Submits homework at the designated time.
Extended Opportunity Period (EOP) is a mandatory study session assigned by a teacher for students who are struggling in a class. Examples of why a student is assigned EOP are missing assignments, missing tests or quizzes, or retesting opportunities. Students can be assigned EOP for any day either before or after school, as well as Wednesday mornings during EOP sessions. When assigned EOP, a student is required to attend. Failure to serve an assigned EOP will result in disciplinary consequences.
8th Hour is a mandatory class. Its purpose is to assist all students that are not passing one or more of their classes. Additionally, any teacher at any grade level may require attendance of their failing student to 8th Hour. Students who are enrolled in 8th Hour will benefit from this class by:
· Receiving remediation and tutoring in the specific areas necessary for the student to be successful.
· Having the opportunity to complete current assignments and specific missing assignments that may have been identified by their teacher.
· Developing stronger organizational and study skills.
This class will be held during the last hour of the official school day, as identified on the inside front cover of the Student Handbook. Class will begin promptly at 2:45 PM and end at 3:25 PM, Monday through Thursday. A school bus will be provided for a 4:00 bus run for all students who qualify to ride the school bus. Attendance is mandatory, as it is with all their other scheduled classes. Unexcused absences will be dealt with through the Attendance Office.
Parents may create a ParentVUE account which allows you to monitor your student’s academic progress, attendance, and communicate with teachers. Current GUHSD ParentVue accounts will carry over each school year.
To activate a new GUHSD ParentVUE:
Log on to http://parentvue.guhsdaz.org
Click: I am a parent
Click: I have an activation key to create my account ----– to receive an activation key, please contact the data processor at Cortez High School.
Read the privacy statement and click: I accept
Enter your name and activation key and click:
Continue to step 3
Choose a username (at least 6 characters and click: Complete account activation
Students will NOT be permitted to withdraw from school before the end of the school semester and receive credit WITHOUT approval from the Assistant Principal for Student Services.
All courses and semester exams must be completed during the regular semester examination schedule in order for a student receive a final grade and semester credit. Early withdrawals may affect final grades. Request for early withdrawal must be obtained from the Assistant Principal for Student Services TWO WEEKS prior to the requested date of exit. Please check the school calendar for the closing day of school.
Selection to the National Honor Society is based upon four criteria: scholarship, leadership, service and character. The Cortez Chapter constitution states, “Candidates shall have spent at least one semester at Cortez High School and shall be members of the sophomore, junior or senior class. Candidates eligible for selection shall have a cumulative honor point of 3.5, or top 10%, and shall maintain the same without receiving an unsatisfactory citizenship grade. All students who rise in scholarship and citizenship to or above the qualification level shall be admitted to candidacy for selection to membership. Their qualifications shall then be reviewed for Service, Leadership, Citizenship and Character. The candidates’ qualifications on the basis of these criteria will be evaluated by the Faculty NHS Selection Committee.
The idea that one has an obligation to use one’s talents, skills and knowledge for the betterment of others is the cornerstone of Society projects and activities.
Students are encouraged to become involved early in their academic years with community, school and activity projects.
The goal of the EL program is to facilitate the education of an English Learner (EL) whose native language is other than English and who is not yet proficient in English. All instruction in the EL program is in English and incorporates the four basic skill areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Placement into the program is based on assessment of English proficiency, an interview and an academic evaluation. Students may enter at any of three levels: beginning, intermediate or advanced. Exit from the program is determined by annual re-assessment of English proficiency and may occur after one, two or three years. Additional academic support is provided through EL Resource, one period per day, if necessary.
Upon entering high school, students are automatically assigned a counselor. Counselors are professionals who have special interest in working with students as individuals and have had extra training in this field. Your counselor accepts you as you are and helps you to understand yourself, your friends and the adults with whom you must live and work.
You should see your counselor about the following things:
· School plans and courses.
· Future training - colleges, special schools, military service, etc.
· Job opportunities, requirements, and your suitability or aptitudes.
· Your general ambitions, plans, hopes and ideals.
· Your worries, fears, unhappiness, “failures”, and disappointments.
Your counselor builds a record of your work aptitudes, interest and capacities.
Your grade school record, the results of special tests, information from questionnaire forms, interview notes, reports from teachers and others - all these serve to build a picture of your personality. If you can get to know yourself while you are in high school and to understand why you feel and think the way you do, your chances for success and contentment in later life are much improved.
The school’s social worker will assess social service needs of Cortez High School students and families by consulting with teachers, counselors, and administrators about students’ educational needs or problems.