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.