EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM INFORMATION
ACADEMIC PLACEMENT AND INSTRUCTIONAL LEVELS
Academic teachers will recommend the following year’s placement in each subject. While we believe it is important to challenge students academically, we are also equally cautious to recommend placements that will afford students the greatest opportunity for success. All recommendations are made with careful consideration of a student’s 1) demonstrated abilities and performance in the classroom; 2) his/her academic goals; 3) the required knowledge and skill for the level of the course requested.
Placement Process: The placement process helps to reduce the number of inappropriate course selections and the number of eventual schedule changes. In January, all core subject and world language teachers will make their first recommendation for students’ placements for the following year. Teachers will inform each student of their recommendation. Students will then have an opportunity to request elective courses in February.
The core subject recommendations and requested elective courses are not guaranteed to be on the final student schedule. They are the basis upon which the school’s master schedule for the next year will be built in the spring. Parents and students should note that some alternate elective choices may be substituted for courses that cannot fit into students’ schedules.
In early June, teachers will review the student course placements for a final time. If necessary, students’ schedules will be adjusted to reflect these changes. Tentative student schedules will be made available on Skyward Family Access over the summer.
Instructional Levels: Each course description in this booklet indicates the academic instructional level at which the course is taught. These academic instructional levels are: Standard (ST), College Preparatory (CP), Honors (H), and Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate (AP/IB). Each level denotes the degree of academic difficulty, the depth of the course content, and the nature of assignments and assessments required. These levels are defined as follows:
▪ Standard: designed for those students who demonstrate an average command of language and other academic skills, and who advance at a moderate rate.
▪ College Preparatory: designed to challenge students who demonstrate an above average command of academic skills, learn rapidly, and plan to attend a post-secondary school.
▪ Honors: designed for those students who are academically accelerated and college-bound. These courses have substantial academic criteria and prerequisites that must be attained before enrollment.
▪ Advanced Placement: designed for academically accelerated students who meet the criteria of the program and plan to attend a four year college. Course work follows a syllabus prescribed and prepared by The College Board. Students will be prepared to take AP exams in the spring of each year. Students may be awarded college credit or advanced standing based on their test scores and the policies of the college they ultimately attend.
▪ International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP): IBDP classes are offered as part of our IB Career Program at OJRHS. IBDP classes are academically challenging courses that prepare students who plan to attend a four-year college. IB Diploma Program (DP) courses follow a prescribed curriculum prepared by the International Baccalaureate and are taught by teachers trained specifically for those courses. Students will be prepared to take IBDP exams in the spring of each year. Students may be awarded college credit or advanced standing based on their test scores and the policies of the college they ultimately attend. Details regarding this opportunity can be found in the Program of Studies.
Parents who have questions concerning instructional levels or the placement level of their child should contact the teacher making the recommendation or their child’s school counselor. School Counselors
COURSE SELECTION PROCESS
General information and instructions regarding the course scheduling process is provided to all students. An evening session is held for parents to learn about the process and changes each year. During these meetings, school counselors discuss the course selection process and provide students/parents with relevant materials.
Students are given a deadline to complete their elective requests. During this registration period, students are encouraged to carefully select those elective subjects that will complete their schedule for the next school year. Students are also strongly encouraged to seek assistance and advice from teachers, school counselors, and parents. Please note, late completion of course request items can cause delays in the scheduling process and many unnecessary schedule changes that affect class size and staffing. Parents and students are strongly encouraged to take this process seriously, request all courses carefully, and complete by stated deadlines.
For more detailed information on the Course Selection process, please consult the Program of Studies.
GRADING SYSTEM AND REPORTING
Grades are issued to students every nine weeks as an indication of the academic progress made for that period. The grade is to reflect all aspects of academic achievement and is to be a composite of many factors including: test results, classroom participation, academic effort, homework and study assignments, and any other educationally sound criteria used as a basis for grading. The final grade is the average of four nine-week period grades and the mid-term and /or final exam, where applicable. The following are general guidelines with respect to grading:
A = 92%-100%- Excellent
B = 83%-91%- Good
C = 74%-82%-Fair
D = 65%-73%- Passing
F = 0- 64%- Failed to do satisfactory work
Honor Roll: Distinguished…………………………… All 92% - 100% and S Grades
Honor……………………………………..All 83% - 100% and S Grades
WP - Withdraw Passing; WF - Withdraw Failure
M - Medical; S - Satisfactory; U – Unsatisfactory, NG-No Grade
A medical grade requires a statement from a physician; otherwise, a regular grade will be recorded. The statement must include the reason for the medical excuse, the duration, and the limitations. The medical grade will be replaced by a regular grade upon satisfactory completion of course requirements. No credit will be awarded for a medical grade.
The teacher, within 10 schools days following the issue of report cards, must receive all appeals of grades. Failure to appeal within the specified time will mean that the grade is final and irrevocable.
Grading Rubric
The following rubric outlines the basic criteria upon which student performance and class work will be evaluated in all subject areas. In an effort to clarify expectations of academic rigor and maintain consistency in grading, all teachers will use this rubric as guide to determining student achievement.
Grade Description
A (92-100)
● Student work achieves superior clarity, originality, and depth of thought and analysis about the subject.
● Student work demonstrates both excellence in effort and mastery of skills, and a deep grasp of prior knowledge; uses that knowledge to create new ideas.
● Student work is virtually free of error.
B (83-91)
● Student work demonstrates an above average effort and mastery of skills.
● Student work is comprehensive, coherent, and logically organized.
● Student work contains some errors.
C (74-82)
● Student work exhibits inconsistent effort and preparation for classroom activities.
● Student work meets minimal requirements.
● Student work demonstrates little or no original thought.
● Student work contains more than a few errors.
D (65-73)
● Student work is weak on every level: organization, presentation, and in ideas, arguments, and descriptions.
● Student work contains many errors.
F (below 65)
● Student work is unacceptable.
● Student work may indicate a lack of knowledge, effort and/or skills.
● Student work is plagiarized.
● Student work is consistently missing or incomplete.
Computation of Grade Point Average
At the end of each school year, final grades will be reported on the report card and student transcript on the 100 point scale, previously outlined. Grade point average (GPA) will be computed on a weighted 4.0 scale at the conclusion of the school year by converting the final grade in a course to a point value and multiplied by the credit received for the course. The weighting scale for computation of grade point average is located in the Program of Studies. The sum of the point values is divided by the credit total to yield the GPA. Any final grade below 65 (including withdraw failure) is calculated as zero point value towards GPA.
All courses are included in GPA with the exception of Seminar/Strategies (Learning Support), School/Community Service, SAT Prep and original credit summer courses. The weighting for all courses is indicated within the course description in the Program of Studies.
The designation of class valedictory and salutatory status will be determined in the spring of each year based on student achievement and GPA. More than one student may qualify for each category.
Courses Taken outside of Owen J. Roberts:
● Students transferring into Owen J. Roberts: Courses taken at another high school or any middle school will not be counted towards GPA. Transfer students must enter Owen J. Roberts High School by the beginning of the second semester of the sophomore year to be considered for the valedictory of salutatory designation.
● Original credit courses: College courses, courses offered by online providers, and any other external course must be pre-approved. See your school counselor for more information. These courses do not count towards GPA.
COURSE AND CREDIT REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION
Owen J. Roberts High School’s requirements for graduation are based on criteria as determined by the Owen J. Roberts School Board and the Pennsylvania school code. To be graduated from OJRHS, students must complete the following requirements:
24 total credits required
▪ Four years (4.0 credits) of English
▪ Three years (3.0 credits) each of mathematics, science and social studies.
▪ Four years (1.6 credits minimum) of physical education. Physical education must be taken every year.
Transfer students must take one physical education course each semester they attend OJRHS. If a transfer student has failed a physical education course prior to entering OJRHS they musts remediate that course.
▪ Two years (0.8 credits) of health
▪ A minimum of 7.6 elective credits
Keystone Exams:
Beginning with the Class of 2023, students will need to meet one of the following criteria in order to graduate:
➢ Earn a score of proficient or higher on each of the three Keystone Exams.
➢ Earn a satisfactory composite score on the Algebra I, Literature and Biology Keystone Exams. Students achieving a minimum scaled score of less than 1500 on a Keystone Exam may meet statewide requirements under the new Keystone Composite Pathway provided: No score of Below Basic was earned for any Keystone Exam, A score of Proficient or Advanced was achieved on at least one Keystone Exam.
➢ Earn a passing grade on the course associated with each Keystone Exam, and earn a specific score on certain exams, complete a pre-apprenticeship program, gain acceptance to an accredited 4-year nonprofit institution of higher education or meet other requirements.
➢ For Career and Technical Education (CTE) concentrators, earn a passing grade on the course associated with each Keystone Exam, and attain an industry-based certification, pass an industry-based assessment or meet other requirements.
➢ Earn a passing grade on the course associated with each Keystone Exam and demonstrate readiness for postsecondary engagement through three pieces of evidence aligned to student goals and career plan.
College Entrance Requirements:
● It should be understood that the requirements for graduation and those for college entrance may be quite different. Students planning to attend college should consult their school counselor for the scheduling of appropriate courses.
NCAA Eligibility Center Academic Requirements:
● Please see NCAA Eligibility Center section in the Program of Studies for more information.
PROMOTION REQUIREMENTS
Students must earn credit in each grade in order to make progress toward graduation from high school in four years. Credit for a subject is awarded at the conclusion of a course after the student has satisfactorily completed all the requirements of that subject and has satisfied all instructional obligations with a passing final grade. Therefore, the credit a student earns determines if the student meets the requirements to be promoted each year to the next grade level.
Minimum credits:
5.0 credits (earned in 9th grade) Promotion to: Grade 10
11.0 credits (earned in 9th & 10th grade) Promotion to: Grade 11
17.5 credits (earned in 9th, 10th, & 11th grade) Promotion to: Grade 12
Notes:
- All students must also pass English every year in order to be promoted.
- Promotion to the next grade level does not guarantee a student has the necessary number of credits to be on track to graduate. Students should carefully check their credit status with their school counselor when scheduling classes.
SUMMER SCHOOL
Students who fail a course and are in need of course remediation will have the opportunity to enroll in the credit retrieval courses offered by the Brandywine Virtual Academy. Brandywine Virtual Academy is affiliated with the Chester County Intermediate Unit and will offer a wide range of academic opportunities for our students.
To register for Summer School Credit Retrieval courses please contact BVA at: www.bvapa.org
Brandywine Virtual Academy
455 Boot Road
Downingtown, PA 19335
(484)237-5350
Hours of operation: Monday – Friday 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
Students may also enroll in the Owen J. Roberts Summer Enrichment Program where they can schedule original credit courses. Please make an appointment with your school counselor to discuss this option.
A student will not be eligible for summer school if:
their grade average for the course is less than 50%
they have 25 or more absences during the regular school year
TEXTBOOKS
When a student accepts textbooks or equipment issued by the school, they are entrusted with the responsibility of taking care of the books and equipment to the extent that they are not damaged beyond ordinary usage. Books issued to a student will be properly stamped and numbered. An accurate record of book assignments and conditions will be kept for each student. Students are required to place covers on their hardcover textbooks.
If a student loses or misplaces a book or other school-issued items, they are liable for its cost, allowing for normal depreciation. If a student’s book is stolen, they are responsible. Any payment costs by students will be determined by the book's condition and the number of years it has been used.
CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION
The Chester County Technical College High School Pickering Campus is a public high school specializing in Career and Technical Education (CTE) and is available for students in grades 10-12. Owen J. Roberts students entering grades 10-12 are eligible to apply for half-day enrollment at TCHS and will receive be enrolled at OJRHS for academic subjects for the other half day. CTE programs prepare students for success in college, the workplace and life. All CTE programs at the Pickering Campus are designated as High Priority Occupations (HPO) by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry and are aligned with the Pennsylvania State Academic Standards and national industry certifications. For more information go to the TCHS Pickering website or visit our Program of Studies.