Academic Success
Preparation / Improvement
In providing for the most opportunities after graduation, School Counselors strongly encourage students to be academically accountable to the UC/CSU a-g college entrance requirements. Although not everyone becomes competitively eligible, we know that holding to this intention well prepares students for all paths ahead.
Please note the following:
● In most every situation, recovery of grades below C- is essential for academic success
● Grades below D- do not earn high school credit and must be retaken for graduation
● Only exact course repeats will displace a prior grade of D+ or lower
● Students earning less than C- in both semesters, or less than C- in the 2nd semester, should strongly consider retaking the entire course
○ Entire course retakes are available at MVHS in the next term (space permitting)
● Students earning less than C- in one semester of a course should strongly consider retaking at least that semester of the course
○ Single semester retakes at MVHS may be difficult to coordinate; students should discuss this option with their School Counselor
Exceptions:
● Math & Foreign Language instruction builds on itself; it is very important that students are successful at each level before advancing.
○ Colleges recognize student success as C- or better at the end (2nd semester) of either Math or Foreign Language coursework, allowing for a lower grade in the first semester. This is known as Validation.
○ In these situations, discuss retaking a single semester with your School Counselor
Note that Validation does not apply to any other UC/CSU a-g requirements.
● Several Life/Physical/Interdisciplinary Science courses are offered; in some unique situations a single semester grade less than C- can be offset by success in a more advanced science class. Students must be prepared for the challenge at that next level and should discuss this option with their School Counselor.