SCHOLASTIC INFORMATION

College and Career Readiness

Old Saybrook High School’s College and Career Readiness Program is designed to provide students with highly individualized opportunities to become self-aware, to be exposed to a variety of post-secondary options and career pathways, and to interact with or be exposed to career professionals. Students will have opportunities to pursue knowledge in areas of interest and to engage in experiences that will allow for informed decision-making and a fluid transition upon graduation.  The College and Career Readiness coordinators also provide college essay, resume creation, and application assistance as well as guided exploration of military and straight to work pathways, assistance with finding seasonal employment, and more.  Students will meet with the coordinators throughout their high school experience to determine the best possible way to meet the 0.5 CCR graduation requirement.  

Final Exam Exemption Policy for Full-year and Semester Courses

Seniors who have maintained a 90 or better in a year-long or semester course may be exempt from taking the final exam in that course with teacher approval.

Make-Up Work

Students are expected to consult with their classroom teachers about work missed as a result of an absence or absences on the first day of their return with the understanding that teachers will give a reasonable deadline to complete assignments (in most cases, not to exceed five days). If the student absence is planned or known ahead of the time by the student (e.g., sports dismissal, field trip), the student is expected to complete and turn in any assigned work due that class period prior to the absence, or to make appropriate arrangements to complete anticipated work with the teacher in advance of the absence.

Mandatory After-School Study Halls 

Required for all students deemed academically ineligible or on probation for athletics or co-curricular activities and who wish to remain eligible for such activities. Students earning two or more Ds, an incomplete (I) or an (F) on a progress report or a quarter report card will be required to attend the mandatory study hall three days a week from 2:40-3:20 p.m. A certified staff member will supervise this study hall and students will be required to work on improving their academic performance. Students may receive additional support from their classroom teachers in the location of the study period during this time. 

Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)

OSHS uses a tiered approach to meet students where they are and provide support in addition to the general, Tier 1 programming, not in place of it. The support structure addresses both academic and social/emotional needs of students. More detailed information can be found on the OSHS MTSS website. 

National Honor Society 

The following is taken from the National Honor Society Old Saybrook Chapter Bylaws:

Membership

Section 1:  Membership in this chapter is an honor bestowed upon deserving students by the faculty and shall be based on the criteria of scholarship, service, leadership, and character.

Section 2:  Membership in this chapter shall be known as active, honorary, and alumni.  Active members become alumni members at graduation. Alumni and honorary members have no voice or vote in chapter affairs.

Section 3:  Eligibility

1. Candidates eligible for selection to this chapter must be members of the junior, or senior class. 

2. To be eligible for selection to membership in this chapter, the candidate must have been enrolled for a period equivalent to one semester at Old Saybrook High School.

3. Candidates eligible for election to the chapter shall have a minimum cumulative weighted grade point average of 92% on a 100 scale. 

4. Upon meeting the grade level, enrollment, and GPA standards, candidates shall then be considered based on their service, leadership, and character.

For comprehensive NHS Chapter Bylaws, selection process, etc., refer to the school website.

Senior Privileges 

Seniors who demonstrate responsibility in regards to academic performance, attendance and behavior will be eligible for Late Arrival/Early Dismissal privileges.

Expectations/requirements for senior privileges

1. Report cards, attendance and behavior will be reviewed at the end of each marking period.  To earn privileges for any marking period, students must meet the academic, attendance and behavior criterion for the previous marking period.  

2. Students must be in good academic standing to earn and maintain this privilege.  A grade of 73 or greater is required in every course at the end of each quarter.

3. Students exhibiting excessive tardiness to school could result in suspension or elimination of senior privileges.

4. Only students in positive behavioral standing will be eligible for senior privileges each marking period.  Any student who earns a suspension, whether in-school or out-of-school, will not be eligible for senior privileges for the remainder of the marking period, as well as the entire next marking period.

Requirements for participation in senior privileges

1. 1. Parental permission via signature on the permission slip which can be picked up in the main office.

   2. Student signature on the appropriate form indicating his/her acceptance and understanding of responsibility to maintain the late arrival/early dismissal privilege.

   3. If a senior with privileges has no assigned class during the first period or during both the first and second period in the morning, he or she may arrive prior to his/her first class.  Students must sign in at the office upon arriving at school, and, if arriving before the end of a period, will be expected to report to either the cafeteria or the LMC until their scheduled class begins.

   4. Seniors are responsible for attending class meetings, all school assemblies, and detentions, regardless of their arrival/dismissal status.  

Summer School

Any student in Old Saybrook High School who has numerically failed a course for the year may, with teacher recommendation and/or administrative approval, under the conditions outlined below, attend an approved summer school program.  No more than two courses may be taken at summer school.

Summer School Program Regulations:  The State of Connecticut must certify the teacher.  The program must be parallel to the course failed and represent at least 30 class hours. The Guidance Department, prior to the close of school, must approve the program and the teacher.  A transcript must be sent to the Guidance Office at the end of the summer program.

Valedictorian/Salutatorian

Valedictorian: A student ranking highest in the graduating class who delivers the farewell oration at graduation exercises.

Salutatorian:  A student ranking second highest in the graduating class who delivers an oration at graduation exercises.

Students who graduate from Old Saybrook High School are eligible for Valedictorian/Salutatorian honors if:

• At the end of the third quarter preceding graduation in June, the student is first or second academically among the potential graduates.

• At the time of graduation in June, the student has been enrolled continuously at Old Saybrook High School starting (at the latest) the first day in October immediately preceding the academic year.