Academics

Graduation Requirements

Graduation: Completion of the requirements for a high school diploma is an achievement that contributes to the community as well as the individual. Students participating in the celebration must successfully complete the graduation requirements of the school district.  Participation in graduation ceremonies is a privilege and a student's privilege of participating in a graduation ceremony may be revoked as a consequence of violating student discipline policies.The graduation status of all students will  be reviewed by school counselors upon completion of the junior year. Senior students with insufficient credits for graduation shall be granted all privileges and opportunities afforded other seniors with the exception of participation in  the graduation exercises. It is the responsibility of the student and his or her  family to make sure all graduation requirements are met.

Portfolio Requirement: All students will complete an Academic & Career Portfolio  (ACP) with Individual Learning Plan and participate in a senior year presentation and exit interview with parents, teachers and community members. At the principal’s discretion, students in alternative educational programs, including virtual  school, may be exempted from this requirement. Students need to complete a minimum of  ten (10) Volunteer or Community Service hours as a part of their portfolio to be eligible for graduation.

Civics Exam Requirement: All public, charter, and private voucher schools may not grant a diploma to a  pupil unless the pupil has successfully completed the civics exam; and an  individual may not receive a GED or HSED until they successfully complete  the civics exam. This will be a locally administered exam (not part of the  statewide pupil assessments.) The specific requirements can be found on the DPI’s website.

Early Graduation: The School Board believes that with rare exception, the  benefits of a high school education cannot be fully realized in less than four  years. Further, the senior year is viewed as an important period for academic  growth, exploration, and enrichment, as well as for social growth and maturity.  The following rules are established for students who choose early graduation:  

Requirements: The candidate must have completed seven semesters of  high school attendance, met all the graduation credit requirements, and  followed the procedures below (B). Students meeting the requirement after  six semesters who have special circumstances may petition the high school  principal and district administrator for early graduation. If circumstances are deemed valid, the student must follow the procedures below:  

• A letter from the student requesting early graduation should  be submitted to the high school principal before the start of the  second semester of the junior year. Requests made after the  start of the second semester may not be considered.  

• The high school principal will request a meeting with the  student, his/her parents/legal guardians, and his/her counselor to discuss the early graduation request.

• Once the student has completed graduation requirements  and has left school, the student will not be eligible to participate  in any curricular or co-curricular activities. The student may,  however, participate in graduation exercises.

• A student who does not participate in the graduation exercise  will receive a diploma after graduation.

Grade Level Benchmarks: To encourage students to make normal progress  towards graduation, the following benchmarks have been established for  grade level advancement.

Grading Periods / Notifications

Progress Checks: The purpose of a progress check is to provide a vehicle for communicating specific student accomplishments or difficulties to parents throughout the grading period. Please note that the Infinite Campus gradebook is available at any time and parents are encouraged to check their student’s academic progress on a consistent basis.  

Report Cards:  Report cards and official transcripts will become available in Infinite Campus one week after the completion of 1st and 2nd semester.  Requests for transcripts may be made by filling out the Transcript Request Form on the Student Services webpage. All semester grades will be included on the report cards for GPA   Grades are awarded using the scale found below.  An incomplete (“I”) is considered an “F” until it is made up.  

Weighted Grades: The primary purpose of a weighted grading system is to encourage high school students to take more rigorous courses. This effort is then acknowledged by more weight being given to the grade for dual credit classes. All courses in which a student earns Dual Credit (any course which awards high school credit and post secondary credit) will qualify for the weighted grading scale. This includes courses in: Advanced Placement, UW- Whitewater Partners in Education (PIE), Early College Credit Program (four year college courses), Start Start College Now (two year college courses), Transcripted credit (college courses taught by WHS teachers) , Vanguard (Gateway Technical College Distance Learning courses), HS Academies (Gateway Technical College courses) and other courses designed as Dual Credit.