How to Plan Your Program of Studies

​ Students are encouraged to carefully plan a program of studies that will assist them in reaching their educational and occupational goals. Course descriptions are designed to guide students in selecting the subjects that will lead them toward achieving their goals.

It is important that you select courses to ensure college and career readiness. We suggest that you:

• review all requirements for graduation;
• read the information given about each department;
• talk to your school counselor about developing a 4-year academic plan

Upper Arlington High School will make every effort to maintain current records and to keep students and parents informed about the status of progress toward completing the necessary coursework for graduation requirements. It is each student’s and parent’s responsibility to be acquainted with the necessary requirements to meet this goal. School counselors are always available to meet and assist your family with this endeavor.

Graduation Requirements

Students are encouraged to carefully plan a program of studies that will assist them in reaching their educational and occupational goals. Course descriptions are designed to guide students in selecting the subjects that will lead them toward achieving their goals.

It is important that you select courses to ensure college and career readiness. We suggest that you:

• review all requirements for graduation;
• read the information given about each department;
• study the sequence charts which suggest course patterns that lead to specific education and/or career goals; and
• talk to your school counselor about developing a 4-year academic plan.

Upper Arlington High School will make every effort to maintain current records and to keep students and parents informed about the status of progress toward completing the necessary coursework for graduation requirements. It is each student’s and parent’s responsibility to be acquainted with the necessary requirements to meet this goal. School counselors are always available to meet and assist your family with this endeavor.

Graduation Pathways Class of 2021-2022

In addition to meeting the required 21 credits, students must also complete one of three options to qualify for a high school diploma.

1. Ohio’s State Tests

Earn at least 18 points on seven end-of course state tests. End-of-course tests are:

• Algebra 1 or Integrated Math 1
• Geometry or Integrated Math 2
• English 1
• English 2
• Biology
• American Government
• American History

Each test score earns up to five graduation points. You must have a minimum of four points in math, four points in English and six points across science and social studies. Your school and district receive grades on the Ohio School Report Cards for all students’ scores and participation on state tests.

OR

2. Industry credential and workforce readiness

Earn a minimum of 12 points by receiving a State Board of Education approved, industry-recognized credential or group of credentials in a single career field and earn a 14 on WorkKeys, a work-readiness test. The state of Ohio will pay one time for you to take the WorkKeys test.

OR

3. College and career readiness tests

Earn the “remediation-free” scores* on either ACT or SAT. The Ohio Department of Higher Education works with Ohio’s universities to set the remediation free scores for the ACT and SAT tests.

ACT SAT

• English - 18 or higher Writing - 480 or higher
• Mathematics - 22 or higher Mathematics - 530 or higher
• Reading - 22 or higher Reading - 450 or higher

Upper Arlington offers the ACT, at no cost, during a one-time statewide spring test in grade 11.

OR

4. Show Competency

One of the following:

Option 1: Demonstrate Two Career-Focused Activities* : Foundational Proficient scores on WebXams A 12-point industry credential A pre-apprenticeship or acceptance into an approved apprenticeship program Supporting Work-based learning Earn the required score on WorkKeys Earn the OhioMeansJobs Readiness Seal

Option 2: Enlist in the Military Show evidence that you have signed a contract to enter a branch of the U.S. armed services upon graduation.

Option 3: Complete College Coursework Earn credit for one college-level math and/ or college-level English course through Ohio’s free College Credit Plus program.

AND Show Readiness

Earn two of the following diploma seals, choosing those that line up with your goals and interests. These seals give you the chance to demonstrate academic, technical and professional skills and knowledge that align to your passions, interests and planned next steps after high school.

At least one of the two must be Ohio-designed:

• OhioMeansJobs Readiness Seal (Ohio)
• Industry-Recognized Credential Seal (Ohio)
• College-Ready Seal (Ohio)
• Military Enlistment Seal (Ohio)
• Citizenship Seal (Ohio)
• Science Seal (Ohio)
• Honors Diploma Seal (Ohio)
• Seal of Biliteracy (Ohio)
• Technology Seal (Ohio)
• Community Service Seal (Local)
• Fine and Performing Arts Seal (Local)
• Student Engagement Seal (Local)

For additional information, see your counselor or visit www.education.ohio.gov and search graduation requirements Classes of 2021 and 2022.

Graduation Pathways Class of 2023 & Beyond

Show competency by earning a passing score on Ohio’s high school Algebra I and English II tests. Students who do not pass the test will be offered additional support and must retake the test at least once. Is testing not your strength? After you have taken your tests, there are three additional ways to show competency!

Option 1: Demonstrate Two Career-Focused Activities* : Foundational Proficient scores on WebXams A 12-point industry credential A pre-apprenticeship or acceptance into an approved apprenticeship program Supporting Work-based learning Earn the required score on WorkKeys Earn the OhioMeansJobs Readiness Seal

Option 2: Enlist in the Military Show evidence that you have signed a contract to enter a branch of the U.S. armed services upon graduation.

Option 3: Complete College Coursework Earn credit for one college-level math and/ or college-level English course through Ohio’s free College Credit Plus program.

AND Show Readiness

Earn two of the following diploma seals, choosing those that line up with your goals and interests. These seals give you the chance to demonstrate academic, technical and professional skills and knowledge that align to your passions, interests and planned next steps after high school. At least one of the two must be Ohio-designed:

• OhioMeansJobs Readiness Seal (Ohio)
• Industry-Recognized Credential Seal (Ohio)
• College-Ready Seal (Ohio)
• Military Enlistment Seal (Ohio)
• Citizenship Seal (Ohio)
• Science Seal (Ohio)
• Honors Diploma Seal (Ohio)
• Seal of Biliteracy (Ohio)
• Technology Seal (Ohio)
• Community Service Seal (Local)
• Fine and Performing Arts Seal (Local)
• Student Engagement Seal (Local)

For additional information, see your counselor or visit www.education.ohio.gov and search graduation requirements Classes of 2023 and beyond.

Senior Capstone

The Senior Capstone Project is the culmination of each student’s academic experience at Upper Arlington High School. This is a genuine way for seniors to merge their interests, passions, and curiosities with their academic goals. Seniors are given the opportunity to demonstrate the autonomy, complexity and uniqueness of their Senior Capstone Project in written and oral formats.

Successful completion of the Senior Capstone Project is required for graduation.

Early Completion of Graduation Requirements

It is possible for a student to organize his/her schedule of studies to complete graduation requirements in less than the traditional four-year period. In such situations, the student may pursue any post-high-school option open to the regular four-year graduate. In the situation of 3-1/2-year completion, there is no mid-year graduation ceremony; however, a student is eligible and encouraged to return and participate in the graduation exercises of that year’s class.

If this option is exercised, it is the responsibility of the student and parent to make arrangements with their high school counselor to complete the early graduation form and to finalize details. We recommend that this meeting occur as soon as this option is being considered by a family.

Method of Determining Grade Point Average

A student’s Grade Point Average (GPA) is determined by converting all semester letter grades to the numerical value assigned to these grades (see chart on this page) then adding these points to determine a total point value. The next step is to determine the total number of credits associated with the converted grades. Dividing the total point value by the total number of credits will provide the student’s GPA.

Courses taken for Audit and Pass/Fail are not included in computing grade point average. Additionally, semester examinations are reported in numerical percentages and are to constitute 1/5 (20%) of a semester letter grade.

Method of Determining Semester Grade

Semester grades are calculated using both quarter grades and the exam grade. If for some reason there is not an exam grade then just the two quarter grades will determine the semester grade.

Changing a Schedule During the School Year

Core class and elective schedule changes take place the first three days of each semester. Only parent(s)/guardian(s) will be able to submit request(s) through an online form. Requests will be processed based on the order received. In addition, changes will be made as class size allows. See UAHS website for the date when the form will be available.

Class changes generally will be made for the following reasons:

1. Courses scheduled in conflict

2. A senior needs to make a change to meet graduation requirements

3. A technical error was made in the schedule

4. The course has been completed in summer school

5. A more appropriate level of a subject for the student is determined after discussion with student, family and teacher.

Dropping a course may endanger athletic eligibility.

There will be no schedule changes to accommodate lunch period preferences.

Students cannot schedule more than two study halls during any semester.

Auditing a Course

It is possible for a student to “audit” a course if space permits and proper approval is secured. The following conditions and understandings apply for audited courses:

• Students are expected to actively participate and regularly attend the class.
• All work will be reviewed by the instructor and the student will receive feedback (not necessarily a grade) regarding the quality of work submitted.
• Students must be enrolled in five (5) additional courses for credit.
• Audited courses do not count toward athletic eligibility.
• Credit will not be awarded in the course and an “N” will appear on the transcript to indicated “audit”.
• Graduation requirements cannot be taken as an audit.
• An audit cannot be changed back to a letter grade.

Withdrawal From a Course

At times it is necessary for a student to change his/her schedule or drop a subject during the school year.

The timeline for students to drop a course without penalty is within the first six weeks of each semester.

If a student drops a course after the first six weeks, the student will receive a withdraw fail (W/E) on their transcript.

Repeating a Course

Credit for a specific course will be granted only once. Repeating a course is an option for:

a.) grade improvement - repeat a course for an improved grade (C- or lower).

b.) recovering a credit during the school year or in summer school

When a student repeats a course, either to improve a grade or gain a credit because of a failure the transcript will show both attempts and both grades. The higher of the grades earned will become the grade calculated into the GPA.

Talk to your school counselor about options.

Pass-Fail Grading Option

The Pass-Fail grading option permits a student to take up to one (1) full credit per year in grades 9-12 without receiving a standard letter grade. Three restrictions are placed upon this choice:

• no more than one credit may be elected in a given subject area during the four years (9th grade through graduation);
• Students may not elect pass-fail in a subject required for graduation;
• A student may elect only one pass-fail option per semester.

In a Pass-Fail choice, a grade of “P” is recorded for a course that is passed. An “F” is recorded if the course is failed. The grade (“P” or “F”) received in a Pass-Fail option is not used in computing a student’s Grade Point Average.

The Pass-Fail selection must be made by the student no later than five (5) days after the end of the first grading period. The Pass-Fail option for a second semester course must be made by the student no later than five (5) days after the end of the third grading period. If at any time after the option is selected and prior to the completion of the course the student would prefer the standard letter grade, the option may be dropped. The student would receive a letter grade for every marking period during that course of study. When the student drops the pass-fail option, the student may not use that particular option again during that school year.

Please note:

• Electing the Pass-Fail option in NCAA core courses may affect athletic participation in college.
• For students who elect this option in a Global Language, the following will be reported on the grade card:
• A grade of Pass (P) is recorded, provided that the student demonstrates PROFICIENCY in EVERY SKILL: listening, speaking, reading and writing.

• A grade of Not Proficient (NP) is recorded for students who are not proficient on one or more skills, but whose grade remains 60% or higher. The NP counts as an athletic credit during a nine weeks grading period, because the student is performing at a 60% or better.

• A No Credit (NC) will be reported as a final grade for students who are not proficient in one or more areas at completion of the course.

• A Failing Grade (F) will be recorded for students with a percentile grade less than 60% in the course at the end of a nine weeks, a semester, and as the final course grade when appropriate.

• A final grade of (NC) or (F) will result in no credit granted for taking the Global Language course.

Incomplete Policy

Students at Upper Arlington High School are expected to complete their course assignments on time in compliance with teacher-established deadlines.

In the event a student cannot meet this expectation due to extended excused absences (more than three days), the student may be given a grade of “Incomplete” on the report card. It will be the student’s responsibility to complete the work in fourteen calendar days or fewer in order to earn a letter grade. Students failure to complete the incomplete work within the prescribed time of two weeks will result in the student’s grade being changed from “Incomplete” to the letter grade earned without completion of outstanding work.

Exceptions to this policy due to unique or extenuating circumstances must be made with the principal or his designee in writing.

2.0 Policy

It is important that students meet the following academic requirements in order to participate in athletics, extracurricular or co-curricular activities in grades 7-12.

• A student must earn at least a 2.0 grade point average (GPA) in order to be eligible for participation.
• A student’s eligibility will be determined according to his or her GPA for each quarter. Because of the comprehensive nature of exams, semester and final exams are not calculated into the quarter GPA. A student’s eligibility will be determined by examining each quarter GPA independent of prior grading periods. The individual quarter GPA will be used by itself to determine a student’s eligibility. Eligibility can be maintained, gained, or lost each grading period.

Provisions may be made for individual students with special needs and/or extenuating circumstances. A total of two waivers may be granted to a student during his/her high school career. One waiver may be granted during the 9th or 10th grade year and a second waiver may be granted during a student’s 11th or 12th grade year. An eligibility board will review such situations on an individual basis and may waive certain requirements as appropriate. This provision is intended to meet unique situations of students with special or adjusted educational needs. The eligibility board will hear requests of students and/or parents in regard to special needs, extenuating circumstances such as long-term illness, and/or appeals regarding eligibility.

NCAA Eligibility Clearinghouse - Athletic Requirements

Students planning to participate in Division I or Division II college athletics must meet NCAA eligibility requirements. Athletic eligibility is determined by the NCAA Clearinghouse. It is important that students and parents familiarize themselves with these requirements as early as possible in their high school careers. Please refer to eligibility center for more information.

Please note: Most flex credit and correspondence courses do not meet NCAA eligibility requirements. Please check with your counselor about specific requirements.

Students are encouraged to apply to the NCAA Clearinghouse online at the NCAA Clearinghouse during their sophomore year.