School Specific Terms/Policies

International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme

Cooper High School offers the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IB MYP) to all freshmen and sophomore students. The IB MYP offers a framework of critical thinking, international understanding, lifelong learning, and service as action to deliver the school’s curriculum. There are eight subject areas: Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals and Societies, Sciences, Mathematics, Physical and Health Education, Arts and Design. Honors courses are offered in Language and Literature. Advanced Placement (AP) courses are offered in Individuals and Societies and Sciences. Students taking honors or AP courses must commit to the course for a minimum of one semester.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

Cooper also offers the Diploma Programme to interested juniors and seniors. The courses are marked by high levels of rigor, international-mindedness, and inquiry. Students may choose to take individual courses and receive IB Certificates if they sit for the May exams. Or, they may choose the Diploma Candidate route, where they take all of their courses at the IB Diploma level. IB Diploma-level courses require independent reading and writing and critical thinking and justifying one’s ideas. Students who sit for the May exams can earn potential college credit.

Prerequisites

Some courses require students to take a course previous to enrolling in the one they are considering. For example, Drawing 2 cannot be taken before Drawing 1.

Class Changes

All grade students are required to enroll in at least 12 credits per year. In rare instances, principals have the authority to make modifications to student schedules. Course drops and changes are considered under five possible circumstances (see below). Changes must be made within the first 10 school days of each semester. After that time, any change in schedule may result in a grade of NC (No Credit). Exceptions to this rule may be authorized by the grade-level principal.

• A course conflict or computer error in scheduling has occurred.

• The class has been determined by the teacher to be too easy or difficult for the student.

• Student has failed the class previously and been assigned the same teacher.

• Student has been admitted to a special program.

• Student has previously taken the course.

Pass/No Credit

All required and elective courses are graded A, B, C, D, NC, or I. However, one elective course per semester may be graded Pass/No Credit. In order to do this, a student must fill out an application, which requires a signature from the parent/guardian, teacher and counselor, generally by the end of the eighth week of the semester. A grade of a P gives a credit for the class but does not affect grade point average (GPA). A grade of an NC loses credit and does affect a student’s GPA. P/NC should be used sparingly since some colleges do not recognize courses taken in this manner.

Grade of Incomplete

Final grades of Incomplete (I) must be formally changed by the teacher no later than the end of the quarter following the initial grade entry or an NC will result. It is the student’s responsibility to work with the teacher to ensure deadlines are met.

Transcript Grades

All final grades earned at Cooper or through PSEO remain part of the student’s official transcript. Once a grade is entered by a teacher it becomes part of the permanent transcript. Grades are posted on the transcript each semester. If a student retakes a course, the original grade remains on the transcript.

Credit Recovery

Students who have received an NC in a required course must do credit recovery. The new course grade will appear on the student’s transcript but will not replace the original grade. Students who have received credit in a course are not allowed to repeat that course. See the grade-level counselor regarding credit recovery options.

Credit by Assessment

It is the policy of District 281 to grant credit for prior learning to a student when the student successfully completes an approved assessment of competence in the learner outcomes of a course. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate the application for such credit. Contact the Education Service Center.

Blended Courses

Blended courses combine in-class instruction with online activities. Students do not meet in the classroom everyday. On non-meeting days, students are expected to work independently. Blended courses offer the same challenge as face-to-face instruction but require more independent work. This fits the learning style of some students better than traditional courses. Successful students in blended courses are self-motivated; can work independently; can read well and express themselves clearly in writing; are good at time management; and have good technology skills. Refer to registration form for current blended offerings.

Nondiscrimination Information

District 281 does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex or handicap in admission, treatment or access to its programs and activities, or in employment in its programs and activities. The district has designated two individuals to coordinate efforts to comply with federal laws and regulations.

The district’s designated coordinator under Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 (nondiscrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs and activities, including employment and admission) is responsible for coordinating district efforts to comply with Title IX, including investigation of complaints alleging noncompliance or alleging any actions prohibited by Title IX.

The district’s designated coordinator under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (nondiscrimination on the basis of handicap including admission, treatment or access to programs and activities, including employment in its programs or activities) is responsible for coordinating district efforts to comply with Section 504.

Inquiries concerning Title IX and Section 504 may be directed to Independent School District 281, 4148 Winnetka Avenue North, New Hope, Minnesota 55427-1288, phone number (763) 504-8000.