General Information

This course description book is designed to give students information about classes and educational opportunities offered at Merrill High School. The courses you select now will have an impact your career goals. Whether your plans include being accepted to college, enlisting in the military or securing meaningful employment upon high school graduation, you must give serious consideration to your course choices. Do not select a class because you think it will be easy or because all of your friends are taking it; select a class because it will have educational value for you.

Be sure to discuss your hopes, dreams, and goals with your parents. Make a point of talking to your school counselor and teachers, seeking their advice and assistance.

CREDITS

It is highly recommended that students carry three credits per semester and six credits per year.  All students must carry a minimum of five (5) credits per year (2.5 per semester) per Merrill Area Public Schools Board of Education policy.

EARLY GRADUATION

Students interested in graduating in less than 4 years must apply to Student Services by October 1st of their senior year.

CLASS RANK/GRADE POINT AVERAGE

Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) on student transcripts is based on semester grades only. Class rank is based on cumulative GPA after the first seven semesters and is updated each semester.

QUARTERLY HONOR ROLL/GOLD TASSELS/HONOR CORDS

Honor Roll is determined by GPA as follows:

Gold tassels are awarded to seniors earning a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA through the 7th semester of high school.  National Honor Society members are awarded gold tassels (and honor cords if they meet all requirements) to be worn at the graduation ceremony. 

DROPPING COURSES

Students are encouraged to select courses carefully and fulfill their commitment to complete each course. Occasionally, it may be necessary for a student to drop a course during the semester.  It is expected that the student would first discuss dropping the course and the consequences with the teacher and parents.  In rare situations, the following procedure will apply:

PROCEDURES FOR INCOMPLETES ON MHS GRADING SYSTEMS, REPORT CARDS, and MIDTERM PROGRESS REPORTS

To promote student achievement and encourage responsibility, the criteria for Incomplete (INC) grades will be excused absences only. (One day excused absent = one day to make up assignments; two days excused absent = two days to make up assignments, etc.)

It is the student’s responsibility to complete and submit work.  Incomplete grades will be used sparingly.  The procedure for teachers is to use the code ‘INC’ on the report card and then to submit grade changes to the Student Services secretary within five school days after the grading window closes.  All Incomplete grade changes have to be individually entered by the Student Services secretary. It is not automatic.  Honor Rolls cannot be calculated until Incompletes have been removed and grades finalized.  All students will receive midterm progress report grades.  Those earning D’s or F’s will also have required teacher comments.

TEACHER CHANGE REQUESTS

During registration, requests for specific teachers will NOT be honored.  Students are encouraged to work through difficulties and seek teacher help early. Rarely will teacher changes be considered.

Parent AND student requests to change to a different teacher require all of the following:

Teacher requests for a student to be changed to a different teacher’s class require all of the following:

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

All AUDIT courses, independent study courses, can be initiated and approved by the principal or designee according to the established deadline to change schedules (drop courses).

GUIDELINES IN CLASS CHANGES

The total high school program (teacher and student class assignments) is set up based on the course choices students make during the initial registration process.  To ensure an efficient school operation, it is necessary to maintain as much as possible the original class schedule.  Program changes can produce the following undesirable effects:  1) reduce class size to a point where it would no longer be practical to offer the course; 2) increase class enrollment to the extent that a good learning environment would no longer be present; 3) make it difficult for teachers to begin instruction at the start of a semester; and 4) suggests to students that prior planning is not important to the development of a schedule.

Even though schedule adjustments have a tendency to be disruptive to the school process, some changes are necessary to meet the educational needs of students.  Some of the reasons below will give an indication of what program adjustments are allowable and which requests will not be honored.

Permitted:

1. Student fails a required class and needs to make up the credit.

2. Student decides to take a class at a higher ability level.

3. Student wishes to add a class (space permitting).

4. Unusual circumstances such as family hardships, illness, or other major event/changes.

5. Evidence of scheduling error/computer error.

6. Teacher recommends course is not in accordance with student ability.

Not Permitted:

1. Student wishing to drop a course they selected and add a similar course due to change of mind. 

2. Change of schedule because of personal preference of lunch or resource time.

3. Class “isn’t what I thought it would be”/”I don’t like the class.”

4. Because “the class is getting too hard.”

5. Change classes to improve GPA.

6. Add a yearlong class after first semester.

*Schedule changes will not be made without written consent of a parent or guardian.