Academic Information

Full-Time Students

Students at Juan Diego Catholic High School must be enrolled at the school on a full-time basis. Students are considered full-time if they are enrolled in eight of eight classes. The school values building relationships, forming community, and involvement in activities by students which is only achieved when students have ample opportunity to interact with classmates, teachers, and staff on a full-time basis. Students, therefore, are not allowed to graduate early from Juan Diego or scheduled release time. On rare occasions, and only with prior approval by the Vice-Principal, students may be enrolled in fewer than eight classes. This approval, after a careful review by the student’s counselor, is granted only to students who wish to pursue educational opportunities outside of the curriculum offered at Juan Diego. Be advised that families do not receive a tuition discount if they are granted this option.

Selection of Textbooks

Textbooks and other instructional materials are a resource for literacy, information, and curriculum and are used to uphold a culture of learning in a Catholic environment. The textbook selection process involves teachers, department chairs, the librarian, and the administration. Final selection decisions rest with the administration. Textbooks are considered for adoption approximately every five years. Teachers, along with the department chairs, review current offerings and spend time analyzing and critiquing the texts. Additional consideration is given to the quantity and quality of supplemental materials. Textbooks are examined for how well they integrate into the school’s curriculum and also how well the texts meet both the Diocesan and Utah State guidelines.

Movie Policy

Showing feature films at the school is permissible if they meet the following criteria:

• Movies have an appropriate educational value pertaining to the class and advance the curriculum objectives of the course.

Teachers will notify parents before a PG-13 or R-rated movie is shown, either in the course syllabus or by email, and provide parents with an opportunity to opt their students out of the movie.  Students whose parents choose to opt them out of the movie will attend those classes in an alternate location and complete an assignment equivalent to the content learned in the movie viewing.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity and ethical behavior are expected from all Juan Diego Catholic High School students. Administration, faculty, students and their families are important contributors to upholding the academic integrity of the school community. In accordance with JDCHS's Integral Student Outcomes, students utilize technology appropriately and as an effective tool for learning.  This includes, but is not limited to artificial intelligence and technological tools.  Because generative AI tools remember everything entered into them, no staff or student is authorized to input any names, writings, or pictures/likenesses of other students or staff into any generative AI tool unless it is expressly permitted by the administration. Academic dishonesty and unethical behavior are contrary to the philosophy and goals of the school. Appropriate consequences will be assigned to any student who commits academic dishonesty by word and/or by action. A student determined to have been involved in academic dishonesty will receive a "0" for that assignment or test. The teacher will notify the student’s parent(s) and administration. Future incidents of academic dishonesty by that same student will subject him/her to possible suspension or expulsion.

Examples of academic dishonesty include but are not limited to the following:

• Plagiarizing (using the ideas of another as one’s own work without acknowledgment of the source) in written, creative or oral work.

• Submitting work that is not original.  Copying from another source and giving it as one’s own work or re-submitting work from another person or another class.

• Give or receive unauthorized assistance on exams.

• Engage in any form of academic deceit. 

• Provide notes, signature or other documents that are forged.

• Academic dishonesty.

Please reference the AI Vision and Values Statement as well as the Juan Diego AI Policy document for more information regarding AI use at Juan Diego Catholic High School

Cumulative Grade Point Average

A student’s simple cumulative grade point average (GPA) is calculated for all students by adding the point values (see Grading Scale in this section) for all grades for all courses the student has taken at JDCHS. A student’s semester cumulative GPA is calculated by adding point values for semester grades only. The semester cumulative GPA is the student’s permanent GPA; it is the GPA that appears on the student’s official transcript.

Because students come to Juan Diego from a wide variety of schools and academic programs, grade points earned from other schools are NOT calculated into a student’s JDCHS cumulative GPA. A clear explanation of this policy is sent with a student’s transcripts to the next educational institution the student attends.

Changing Classes

Changing courses is not encouraged because of several inherent disadvantages in students changing from one course to another. Because Juan Diego awards semester credits only, not quarter credits, class changes are occasionally permitted at a semester break and are rarely accepted at the end of the quarter. If, after communication with the teacher and counselor, it becomes necessary to change a course, students must complete the course change form including all the necessary signatures, by the first Friday of the new semester, pay a $30.00 change fee, and return the form to their counselor in Student Services. Only after the completed form is returned will the course be changed.  Students enrolled in an AP course have additional steps to withdraw from an AP course as outlined in the AP Contact.  Students will not be permitted to enroll in an AP course without completion of the AP Contract.

Incomplete Work

On rare occasions, a student will receive a grade of I. This grade represents an incomplete in the student’s classwork due to unforeseen circumstances. The only coursework that is eligible for an “I” is coursework that occurs after an unforeseen event. A student will have until the midterm of the following quarter to complete the work and have the grade changed. A student who fails to complete the work will be graded on the work completed and a final grade will be issued. Students who receive an “I” during the school year will have until the mid-term of the next quarter to complete the work. Students who receive an “I” at the end of the school year will have six weeks to complete the work. Seniors must complete all coursework prior to graduation.

Make-Up Classes

Any required class that is failed or has not been taken,  must be made up. The Vice-Principal must approve each make-up class in advance. The content of the make-up course must be as close to the original course requirement as possible. For example, a student deficient in U.S. History must take a U.S. History course, not a general Social Studies course.

Please note: In an effort to most accurately reflect a student’s academic record, a make-up course grade does not replace a failing grade originally received in a course. It simply makes up the deficient credit. 

A student is expected to make up any and all deficient credits prior to the first day of classes of the subsequent academic year.

Midterm Reports

Juan Diego does not mail out midterm reports to students. Parents are asked to check students’ records at the published midterm dates during each quarter through PowerSchool.

Semester Grades

Semester grades are determined by weighing each quarter 40% and the semester final 20%. Grades for courses with no final exams will be calculated by weighing each quarter grade at 50%.

Final Exams

All teachers provide summative and cumulative exam(s) during each quarter.   To be eligible to take any final exam, all fines, lunch balances, fees, and tuition must be paid in full, all detention must be served, and all books must be returned to the library (applies to semester finals only).

Please note: Only under extreme circumstances may students take a final exam(s) early or late. All final exams must be taken at the regularly scheduled times. Parents should check the school calendar for dates to make sure no vacations are scheduled during the exams. Students who miss a regularly scheduled semester exam will receive a 0 for that exam. Semester exams represent 20% of a student’s final semester grade.

Report Cards

Report cards are made available online for parents to access. Report cards are not mailed to families unless requested. The first semester consists of the first and second quarters and the second semester consists of the third and fourth quarters. Report cards will not be released until all fines, lunch balances, fees, and tuition are paid in full, all detention is served, and all books are returned to the library.

National Honor Society

The Juan Diego Catholic High School Chapter of the prestigious National Honor Society recognizes students for their achievements in scholarship, service, character, and leadership; and challenges them to continue their development in these areas. Sophomore, Junior, and Senior students must maintain a cumulative weighted GPA of 3.67 or higher, throughout their high school years. Members assist those in need through designated JDCHS service projects at the national, local, and campus levels.

Saint Katharine Drexel Program

The Saint Katharine Drexel Program was launched in January 2001 at Juan Diego Catholic High School as an outreach to students in need of educational assistance. The Drexel Program is named for Saint Katharine Drexel, canonized in 2000 by Pope John Paul II. Katharine Drexel was the only surviving heir of a wealthy nineteenth-century banker, who devoted her life and considerable wealth to educating the poor and oppressed among Native and Black American people.

The Drexel Program is a valuable resource assisting 9th and 10th-grade students with the transition from middle school to high school. In addition, to study skills that will be useful throughout their high school and college careers, students will receive supplementary support in the areas of Math, Science, and English coursework. The success of the Drexel Program depends 100% on the joint effort of the student, parents, teachers, and the Drexel Program Coordinator.

The Saint Katharine Drexel Program is in place to support Juan Diego Catholic High School in the belief that all students are an integral part of the entire student body and deserve the best education the school can offer in time, attention, and resources.

Access to Student Records

All teachers will have their grade books on the main Student Information System (PowerSchool) at the school. Parents can access their own student’s grades and records through the use of an assigned password and I.D. number. The system does not allow for anyone to change records from outside the school or to access another student’s records. Students are reminded that they, not their teachers or parents, are responsible for their academic progress.

Official educational files contain academic transcripts, academic testing, health records, and emergency information. If a student transfers to another school, only the contents of the official educational file will be forwarded to that school upon completion of the withdrawal process. Please contact your student’s counselor in Student Services to view their official educational file.

Non-Custodial Parents

Each school abides by the provisions of the Buckley Amendment and Utah law to the extent that they may apply with respect to the rights of noncustodial parents. In the absence of a court order to the contrary, the school will provide the non-custodial parent with access to the academic records and other school-related information regarding the student. If there is a court order specifying that there is to be no information given, it is the responsibility of the custodial parent to provide the school with an official copy of the court order. This is kept in the student’s cumulative record.

Privacy of Student Records

Apart from the above provision, the school will not give any personal information to any person unless the person is one of the following:

• Parent and/or guardian

• Parent and/or guardian of an 18-year-old pupil who is a dependent as defined in Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954

• Persons permitted access to pupil records by written consent of the parent(s) and/or guardian(s)

• Diocesan school officials and school administration

• Federal, state, and local education officials when the information is necessary to counsel or evaluate programs that are publicly funded (such as public officials when the law specifically requires that such information be reported to them).