Program of Studies

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Program of Studies

In planning a high school program of studies, students determine their interests, aptitudes and goals. SCHS offers a curriculum that furnishes a solid foundation for whatever a student might choose to do after high school. Religion, language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, computer skills, fine arts, practical arts and health/physical education form the basic core curriculum which is required of all students. Electives in foreign language, art, music, business skills and practical, vocational subjects allow flexibility in pursuing personal interests and goals. A description of our complete program of studies along with requirements is published on-line in our SCHS Course Catalog.

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Graduation Requirements

CourseRequired Credits
2009-11		Required Credits
Class 2012+
Theology44
English44
Social Studies44
Math22
Science33
Foreign Language00
Speech1/21/2
Physical Education11
Health1/21/2
Personal Finance1/21/2
Fine Arts11
Computer Applications1/21/2
Electives911
Total3032

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Recommendations

College Prep Recommendations Technical/Work Prep Recommendations
ClassUnitsClassUnits
Theology4 UnitsTheology4 Units
English4 UnitsEnglish4 Units
Social Studies4 UnitsSocial Studies4 Units
Math3-4 UnitsMath2-3 Units
Science3-4 UnitsScience3 Units
Foreign Language2-4 Units
Speech1/2 UnitSpeech1/2 Unit
Health1/2 UnitHealth1/2 Unit
Physical Education1 UnitPhysical Education1 Unit
Fine Arts1 UnitFine Arts1 Unit
Practical Arts1 UnitPractical Arts1 Unit

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Grading Scale

GradePercentGradePercent
11 = A 94-100 5 = C 78-83
10 = A- 93 4 = C- 77
9 = B+ 92 3 = D+ 76
8 = B 86 - 91 2 = D 71-75
7 = B- 85 1 = D- 70
6 = C+ 84 0 = F <70

Grades are reported eight times a year. Progress reports and Grade Cards are accessible via parent link and mailed home at the end of the semester. At the end of first quarter formal parent/teacher conferences are held to discuss student progress.

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Semester Failure

Each semester stands on its own merit. No yearly average is determined. A failure of either semester results in a loss of credit for that semester. Students who fail a semester of a class necessary for graduation must retake the failed semester(s) in the subsequent summer school or repeat the course the following school year.

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Continuance of Enrollment

The following continuance guidelines have been set in order to help the student keep up with the required number of credits to insure graduation in four years:

  • Academic Probation – Any student who has two or more F’s, all subjects included, in a semester grade report will be placed on academic probation. If two F’s or more appear on his/her next semester grade report, the student will be asked to withdraw from the school unless the student takes either a similar course in summer school or a correspondence course and receives credit for the course.
  • Credits from Summer School and Correspondence Courses – Up to four credits can be earned over four years with not more than two credits in one year. Correspondence credits and summer school credits may be counted toward graduation requirements with prior approval of the Principal. Grades received from these courses will not be used to improve grade point average.
  • Seniors – Seniors who have not met the graduation requirements will not participate in the Graduation ceremony, but will be present for the prayer service, 11 Baccalaureate, Awards assembly, class picture, and Project Graduation. Diplomas will be presented when the required work is completed.

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Incomplete Grades

At the discretion of the instructor, the quarter grade of Incomplete ("I") may be given to a student who has not completed the work required for a course. This work must be completed within 10 school days following that quarter. In the case of the fourth quarter, no incomplete grades are given. If the work is not completed when due, an "I" grade is converted to an "F", unless another extension is granted.

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Adding and Dropping Courses

  • Classes may be added or dropped from a student's schedule by the completion of a Change of Schedule form in the academic advisor’s office. The completed form must be signed by the parent and approved by the academic advisor.
  • All changes in the student's class schedule must be approved during the first five class days of a new semester. Students may not change a course after the first five school days of a semester. Only in rare circumstances is a student granted a change after the first five days of a new semester.

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Academic Records

The school office maintains a permanent record of each student's performance at SCHS. These records contain absences and tardies, grades in each course, and standardized test scores. Also included on this permanent record is an indication of how a student terminated his/her career at SCHS, i.e., graduation, withdrawal, or expulsion. Circumstances around termination are included only if clearly pertinent to an accurate academic record. In general, anecdotal notes are not part of permanent files.

Upon request, a parent/guardian may inspect a child's record in the school office. Records of minors are not released to anyone without written authorization from the student's parent/guardian. Students who are 18 years of age may authorize release of their own records.

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Record Release

All school items must be returned in good condition and all fines and fees must be paid in full before student records and reports are issued. These accounts and items include but are not limited to fines and fees, tuition, textbooks, library materials, uniforms, lunch accounts, and property damage restitution. Report cards, transcripts, diplomas and other student records will be released when all outstanding accounts are cleared.

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Valedictorian & Salutatorian

These honors are conferred on students based on outstanding academic work as well as demonstrated leadership qualities and character. Selection of the valedictorian and salutatorian will be determined by an administrative committee based on the student's G.P.A. over the previous seven semesters and the depth of leadership and character exhibited over the entire high school career. The valedictorian and salutatorian must have been enrolled at SCHS for at least four semesters, three which must be in junior and senior years. These students must be enrolled in the college-prep curriculum.

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Supervised Study Guidelines

This is a special period for students to study, to receive help from the supervising teacher, and to complete assigned projects.

To establish an atmosphere conducive to study, the following guidelines are to be enforced:

  • All students must bring the necessary books and supplies to study halls. No one may go to lockers.
  • Respectful silence is to be maintained in the study hall.
  • Group study is allowed only with permission of the supervisor.
  • Permission from teachers for a student to take tests or work with the teachers must be secured and shown to the study hall supervisor before the student may leave study hall. A written note must be presented. (This includes permission to the media center).
  • Students not studying are expected to volunteer for special projects as needed.

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Semester Exams

Days are set aside at the end of each semester for examinations. During final exams, SCHS is on a revised schedule and students are required to be in attendance only during their examination time. The schedules are posted in advance throughout the school so students may have time to make necessary adjustments for conflicts, etc. Generally, semester exams compose 20% of the semester grade.

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Academic Incentive

Students meeting the following requirements will have the option of opting out of a maximum of any two semester final exams:

  • GPA of 5.0 or higher
  • Written teacher and parental approval
  • Students may not opt out of AP finals
  • Students may not opt out of any class with a “D+” or lower semester grade at time of finals

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Homework

The completion of homework is considered an essential component of a student’s academic success. As a result, students are expected to turn in all homework on time. Students (freshmen and sophomores) who do not complete homework assignments will receive a H.O.T. (Homework on Time) sheet from their teacher. After a student receives three H.O.T. sheets, he/she will fill out a form for improvement. Upon the student receiving five H.O.T. sheets the student will receive a 1-hour detention and charged $10.00, for each additional two HOT sheets, he/she will be required to attend a mandatory two-hour study hall on a designated Saturday morning. After ten H.O.T.’s, there will be a conference between the students, parents, counselors, administration, and teachers.

Each student attending the Saturday study hall is required to pay $15 to cover the costs. The money must be paid on the day of the study hall or in advance. The students must work during study hall.

If the student does not attend the scheduled Saturday study hall, he/she will be suspended for a length of time determined by the administration. If, for some reason, there are extenuating circumstances, administration must be contacted before Saturday study hall.

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Tips for Success

Teaching and learning self-motivation and self-responsibility are two of the most difficult and challenging tasks of parents, educators, and students. The following are some practical suggestions to help replace an unmotivated student’s pattern of failure with a success-oriented cycle leading to achievement and self-motivation.

Parent

  1. Students have a hard time being motivated if they are not organized.
  2. To be organized, they must know how to manage their time wisely. Take a stand on the value of studying by establishing a regular time and place for home study. SCHS teachers do give homework on a regular basis; therefore, if your son/daughter repeatedly says he/she has no homework, please check into this.
  3. Limit the time students devote to television, computer and video games, etc. in order to establish time for study.

Students

  1. Keep an assignment notebook in which daily assignments are written. Complete assignments and turn them in on time. Teachers may require after-school study if work is not turned in.
  2. Always read the textbook explanation of each section before and after it is explained in class. You will be better prepared to participate in the discussions and to ask questions about the parts you do not understand.
  3. Take clear notes in class and write down ideas the teacher illustrates on the board.
  4. Don’t hesitate to ask questions in class and outside of class. Each teacher has times available for you to get outside help if you need it.
  5. To earn your best scores on tests:
    • review notes, handouts, textbooks, and objectives several times before the day of the test to relax, increase confidence, and reduce anxiety.
    • review material with another student after you have studied it yourself.
    • get a good night’s sleep before the test.
    • during the test, read the directions and questions and then reread them to avoid misinterpretation.
    • do not spend too much time on any one question.
    • When you get the test back, find out the correct answers.
  6. Attendance and punctuality are very important. Avoid scheduling doctor and dentist appointments during any class period in which you find the material especially difficult.
  7. When you must be absent, it is to your advantage to find out what you missed, and then to take the responsibility to see your teacher about making up what you missed. It is recommended that you contact classmates who have taken thorough notes during class to get copies of those notes.
  8. Working too many hours at a job will negatively affect your grades and your learning. Research says grades begin to slip when teens put in 20 hours a week, or more, on their job.

The above suggestions will increase the student’s interest in school and result in academic achievement and success.

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College Visits

Juniors/Seniors may have two days per year for a pre-approved college campus visit. In order for the college visit to be approved, the attendance office must be notified one week in advance of the visit. The student must also present the attendance office with a letter of verification from the college with the date(s) the visit occurred.

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Academic Advising & Testing

SCHS has an academic/college advisor who is available to help students plan their academic programs. The academic advisor also administers standardized tests, oversees requests for schedule changes, and assists students with scholarship applications and college financial aid forms, administers the vo-tech program, schedules college presentations and distributes information regarding career education. With the assistance of administration, the department coordinates the following testing program:

9th Grade

  • EXPLORE (9th Grade Level ACT)

10th Grade

  • PLAN (10th Grade Level ACT)
  • PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (practice only)

11th Grade

  • PSAT/NMSQT
  • ACT (American College Test)
  • SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test)
  • ACRE Assessment Test (National Catholic Educational Association)

12th Grade

  • ACT
  • SAT

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2008-09 Bell Schedule

  • 7:45 Bell rings to allow students to lockers
  • 7:55 Bell rings for students to go to their first class
    A/B Day Schedule
  • 8:00 - 9:15 Block 1
  • 9:20 - 10:35 Block 2
  • 10:40 - 12:20 Block 3
      Lunch
    • 11:07 - 11:30 Period 1
    • 11:32 - 11:55 Period 2
    • 11:57 - 12:20 Period 3
  • 12:25 - 1:40 Block 4
  • 1:45 - 3:00 Block 5
    C Day - 2:00 Release
  • 8:00 - 9:03 Block 1
  • 9:08 - 10:11 Block 2
  • 10:16 - 11:19 Block 3
  • 11:24 - 12:52 Block 4
      Lunch
    • 11:24 - 11:47 Period 1
    • 11:49 - 12:12 Period 2
    • 12:14 - 12:37 Period 3
  • 12:57 - 2:00 Block 5
    D Day - All School Mass
  • 8:00 - 9:03 Block 1
  • 9:08 - 10:11 Block 2
  • All School Mass
  • 11:19 - 12:44 Block 3
      Lunch
    • 11:19 - 11:54 Period 1
    • 11:56 - 12:19 Period 2
    • 12:21 - 12:44 Period 3
  • 12:49 - 1:52 Block 4
  • 1:57 - 3:00 Block 5
    E Day - All School System Teachers' Meeting 12:00
  • 8:00 - 8:40 Block 1
  • 8:45 - 9:20 Block 2
  • 9:25 - 10:00 Block 3
  • 10:05 - 11:20 Block 4
      Lunch
    • 10:05 - 10:28 Period 1
    • 10:31 - 10:54 Period 2
    • 10:57 - 11:20 Period 3
  • 11:25 - 12:00 Block 5

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