Academic Information

Registration

Registration for classes takes place in the spring of the preceding academic year. Program of Study booklets and registration information will be mailed home to parents of 8th graders. The Program of Studies is also posted on our website. In addition, there is a meeting with parents and guidance personnel, to review the registration process and to answer any questions regarding appropriate course choices. Parents should also feel free to call their School Counselors at any time in this process, to discuss their child’s course selection.

Course Load

Students are expected to carry a full load of classes. Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors must have six (6) classes each semester, while seniors will be enrolled in a minimum of five (5) classes each semester. If your class load drops below these levels, see your School Counselor immediately.

Competency-Based Learning

Competency-based credit acquisition has been mandated by the New Hampshire Department of Education. Competencies are defined as content, skills and understandings that are critically important to the students' current and future academic success. In order to earn credit, students must demonstrate proficiency in all competencies with a grade of 70 and earn a grade of 70 or better to pass the course. Students who do not achieve a grade of 70 will need to remediate the competency (e.g. Academic Advisory, VLACS options, summer work) until a 70 is achieved or the student will need to repeat the course. School Counselor approval is necessary to determine VLACS eligibility. Teachers articulate the course competencies in their course descriptions.

NCC - No Course Credit

The term NCC will be used in the event a student did not demonstrate proficiency in all competencies with a grade of 70 or better at the end of the semester or at the end of the school year.

Reassessment Procedure/Plan

The goal of the reassessment plan is to provide students the opportunity to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary for proficiency while also ensuring that they appreciate and acquire the work habits required for success. To be clear, the spirit of the reassessment plan is not grade enhancement; reassessment is not recommended for students who have shown competency with grades of 80% or greater. There is a two tiered system approach to reassessment. Please see below for more information.

Tier 1 - Evidence Plan

Students will turn in clear evidence of preparation and practice prior to or at the time of any summative assessment. The standards for this evidence will be specifically stated by each academic department. Given that the student has demonstrated measurable effort and care for learning, the student will be eligible to receive whatever grade is achieved through the reassessment process.

Teachers will list what types of evidence they are going to require in their course syllabus.

Tier 2 - Non-Evidence Plan

Students who do not turn in clear evidence of preparation and practice prior to or at the time of any summative assessment must complete the necessary requirements as prescribed by each academic department in order to reassess. Given that the student has not demonstrated measurable effort and care for learning prior to assessment, the student will be eligible to receive a competency grade of 70% on the reassessment.

* All reassessments must be completed within 10 school days of the assessment being returned to the student.

Graduation Requirements

Students need twenty-four (24) credits, with a specific distribution, in order to graduate. These requirements are outlined in the Program of Studies booklet. See your School Counselor to be sure you are following the correct curriculum.

Request for Early Graduation

Request for early graduation must be made by June 1st of the student’s sophomore year. The appropriate policies and procedures may be obtained from the school counseling office.

Course Changes/Withdrawal from Class

In order to make course changes and/or withdraw from a class, a student must meet with the School Counselor, complete the appropriate Add / Drop Form, and collect the appropriate signatures (including that of their parent/guardian). Students are allowed to meet with school counseling staff to make adjustments to their schedules during the designated drop/add period - usually the first full week of a semester). In order to make these changes, the student must obtain proper documentation as delineated by the drop/add form located in the School Counseling Office.

A student may not drop a course after the designated drop/add period. Under compelling circumstances, a student may appeal to the principal to be allowed to drop a course. This will only be allowed when the student is carrying courses in excess of the number required.

Established procedures will be followed, including the completion of a preliminary request form (available in the School Counseling Office) and a meeting of the student, parent(s), school counselor and administrator. Should the decision be made to allow the student to withdraw from the course, the student’s transcript will reflect that decision by zero credit being awarded. "WP" on the student's record will indicate that the student was passing at the time of withdrawal. "WF" will indicate that the student was failing at the time of withdrawal.

College Visitation

If a student is planning to visit a college or technical school during school time, s/he must obtain a Visitation Request and Report Form from a school counselor at least 24 hours prior to the visitation. This form must be completed, signed, and returned to the Main Office prior to the visit. Failure to comply with this process could result in an unexcused absence being assigned.

Homework

Homework is part of our educational program. In addition to scheduled class instruction, students are expected to spend the time needed to learn and achieve. Some assignments are long range in nature and require planned study time for their completion. Planned study eliminates the need to spend many hours on an assignment the night before it is due. Students should strive to complete each assignment within the time allotted by your teachers.

Audit

The opportunity to audit a course is provided for students who wish to learn a body of material in a regular classroom without the pressure of grades (and without the benefit of credit). The student attends the meetings of the class, does the work, takes the tests and quizzes, writes the papers, and participates in all of the learning activities. The course is listed on the report card and transcript of the student, but no grades are shown; instead, an indication of Audit is shown. The decision to audit a course must be made by the end of the drop/add period with permission of the instructor, school counselor, and administrator. The complete list of regulations regarding auditing a course is available in the school counseling office.

Grading and Reporting Procedures

Hopkinton Middle High School reports grades per semester. These reports recognize that all children are individuals and progress at varying speeds. Progress reports are available through Aspen.

Grading Scale:

Academic Integrity:

Academic integrity is of the utmost importance in the Hopkinton educational school and community. Located below are definitions of terms, informational websites, and school wide consequences for any violation committed. The faculty and staff are committed to teaching the principles of academic integrity and holding the educational community accountable.

Academic Dishonesty is defined as any of the following:

Cheating:

Using unauthorized notes or information on an examination; altering a graded or previously graded assignment after it has been returned, then submitting the assignment for re-grading (*assignments/papers written for a particular class may not be submitted for a different class unless permission is granted by both instructors) allowing another person to do one’s work and submitting that work under one’s own name.

Plagiarism:

Submitting material that in part or whole is not entirely one’s own work without attributing those same portions to their correct source. Students who are unsure of how to avoid plagiarizing another written work can meet with their teacher, visit the library for a mini lesson, or go to http://www.plagiarism.org to further their understanding.

Fabrication:

Falsifying or inventing any information, data or citation; generating data and failing to include an accurate account of the method by which the data were gathered or collected.

Obtaining an Unfair Advantage:

Stealing, reproducing, circulating or otherwise gaining access to examination materials prior to the time authorized by the instructor
Stealing, destroying, defacing or concealing library materials with the purpose of depriving others of their use
Unauthorized collaborating on an academic assignment
Retaining, possessing, using or circulating previously given examination materials, where those materials clearly indicate that they are to be returned to the instructor at the conclusion of the examination
Intentionally obstructing or interfering with another student’s academic work
Otherwise undertaking activity with the purpose of creating or obtaining an unfair academic advantage over other students academic work

Aiding and Abetting Academic Dishonesty:

Providing material, information, or other assistance to another person with knowledge that such aid could be used in any of the violations stated above, or providing false information in connection with any inquiry regarding academic integrity.

Falsification of Records and Official Documents:

Altering documents affecting academic records; forging signatures of authorization or falsifying information on an official academic document, grade report, letter of permission, petition, drop/add form, ID card, or any other official school document.

Unauthorized Access to Computerized Academic or Administrative Records or Systems:

Modifying computer programs or systems, releasing or dispensing information gained via unauthorized access.

Violations:

High School:

First offense in a school year – Students will meet with administration and review the Academic Dishonesty Policy. Students will be allowed to remediate the work to achieve competency (and a grade of 70). The teacher will call home.

Second offense in a school year – Students will meet with administration and will be suspended from school. Students may only receive a grade of 50 for the assignment. The teacher will call home.

Third offense in a school year – Students will meet with administration and be suspended from school. Students will not receive credit for the assignment. The teacher will call home.

Middle School:

Second offense in a school year – Students will meet with administration and will attend a Saturday Education. Students may only receive a grade of 50 for the assignment. The teacher will call home.

Third offense in a school year – Students will meet with administration and be suspended from school. Students will not receive credit for the assignment. The teacher will call home.

Honors Courses

Honors sections establish and maintain high academic standards requiring a higher quality of work from students, as well as an increased workload. Students have the opportunity to be in an honors section based on aptitude, interest, and commitment (they need not be placed into a full slate of honors courses). Contracts for honors-level work are available in many standard college-preparatory courses as well.

The following criteria is considered for admission into an honors section:

1. Teacher recommendation. Please note that students' Work Habits and Reassessment history will be considered as criteria for recommendation.

2. Students' grade (typically achieve an average of 90% or above in the prerequisite course).

3. Students may apply to the appropriate teacher for admission into the honors section of a course.

The application process may include any or all of the following requirements: an interview, a writing sample, a project, or a portfolio.

Recognition/Reward

Honor Roll/High Honor Roll --–HS

In order to be eligible for the honor roll, students must be enrolled in six classes. Seniors need to be enrolled in five classes.

If a student’s average, is 93% or above, with no grade below 85%, s/he is eligible for the "High Honor Roll." If students' averages are between 87% and 93%, with no grade below 80%, they are eligible for the "Honor Roll."

National Honor Society

The John L. Babson Chapter of the National Honor Society of Hopkinton High School annually recognizes outstanding students in grades eleven and twelve who demonstrate scholarship, character, leadership, and service. A list of selection procedures and description of guidelines for membership are available in the chapter by-laws in the main office.

World Language Honor Society

Students who have completed three years of a modern language and have earned an 90 average or better in their last five quarters of language study are eligible for membership in the appropriate language society.

Mid-year and Final Exams

Written cumulative exams or alternative assessments are given in all subjects in the high school at the conclusion of each semester (January, June). Students are expected to take exams as scheduled. All make-ups require the permission of the Principal. Students are responsible for returning the texts loaned for each class. If they are damaged or lost, students must pay the cost of repair or replacement. (Students and families are encouraged to search online for an affordable replacement). Please keep in mind that textbooks are very expensive.

All financial obligations need to be fulfilled or a replacement plan needs to be determined before a student can take their final or mid term exams. Students who have unmet financial obligations will need to take the exams on the make up exam day. Students will be put on a financial obligation list for the following reasons:

Lost or misplaced textbooks.
Unpaid lunch charges.
Un-returned library books, magazines or materials.

Credit Recovery

Credit Recovery is a process by which a student can "recover" a credit in a failed class by successfully completing a VLACS course. A credit is recovered only if the final grade is above a 70. Students can meet with their school counselor to begin the process.

Independent Study

Students who wish to study a subject that is not offered by the school may ask a member of the faculty to offer the course as an independent study. This option requires an exceptional commitment on the part of the student and the teacher. Together they develop a proposal that must be submitted to the School Counseling Department and the Administration for approval. Only one independent study may be taken per semester.

Awards and Scholarships

There are a variety of awards and scholarships available to graduating seniors at Hopkinton High School. Information regarding these is available from the School Counseling Office.

The Library

The Hopkinton Middle High School Library offers students, staff, and community residents a wide range of information resources, including books, audiobooks, magazines, database subscriptions for research, and lots of technology options for school projects (like cameras, audio recorders, etc.). We also borrow material from other university, public, and school libraries as needed, so if you can't find something, please ask! We will try to find it for you from another library. The librarian is available for individual research help, too.

The library is open every school day from 7:40 am to 3:10 pm. There is no limit to the number of items you may borrow as long as these are returned on time. Books and audiobooks loan for three weeks. Unless someone else is waiting, all materials may be renewed until you are finished with them. If an item is overdue, you'll receive an email notification as well as a paper notice to remind you to return your materials. If you lose an item, you are responsible for the cost of replacement. Please talk to the librarian if you have any questions.

Nurse’s Office

If students feel ill, they should ask their teacher for permission to go to the Nurse’s Office. The teacher will then call the nurse to ensure availability. Students will only be allowed to see the nurse if they have a pass from their teacher or if they are visiting for a regularly scheduled appointment. Students are not to go to the nurse’s office between classes. Students must report to class first. If the nurse is not in, they are to go directly to the main office. Under no circumstances should they remain in the lavatory or Nurse’s Office. If students are too ill to remain at school, parents/guardians will be notified and transportation home will be arranged. Students must sign out in the main office upon leaving.

Finally, the Nurse’s Office is NOT a place to be used to avoid classes, nor is it a social gathering place. Students are NOT allowed to loiter in this location. Between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM daily, the nurse's office will be closed except for emergencies.

Students receiving medications at school must have the medication brought to school by a parent, in a properly labeled container. The label must state the following: student’s name, medication, dosage, method of administration, time to be given, and doctor’s name with a phone number.