PROGRAM OF STUDIES:
2006-2007 Program of Studies

COURSE REQUIREMENTS
All students must take six courses each semester (3 Carnegie Units) to be considered full-time and to be eligible for activities.

FINAL ASSESSMENTS
Final assessments are required in all courses by Board of Education policy. Students must meet with the teacher for the full block and engage in an approved assessment. Alternative assessments are encouraged.

GRADING SYSTEM
A 93 - 100
B 85 - 92
C 77 - 84
D 70 - 76
Failing Below 70
Attendance Failure 69
I Incomplete

The grade for a course which has been dropped after the beginning of its second ranking period will remain on the record. If a student drops a course in the first ranking term, the course will remain on the permanent record and transcript as a ‘W’.

In order to be on the honor roll a student must be taking at least six courses for credit (3 Carnegie units) and received grades of B or higher in all subjects. Report cards are published four times a year. The report cards for the first three quarters are distributed to students. The final report is mailed home in late June.

Grade changes must be made within two weeks or the teacher must request written permission for an extension for a specific period of time.

If a student changes the level of a course, the grade of the dropped course is combined proportionally with the grade of the new course. The grade from the dropped course must be given to the new teacher at the time of transfer.

Grades will be weighted as described below:
Each course will be given a weighting factor, based upon course level. This weighting factor will be added to the grade given by the teacher to determine the weighted grade. This weighted grade is multiplied by the Carnegie units for the course, to arrive at the grade points for the course.
The grade points for all courses will be totaled and divided by the number of Carnegie units attempted to arrive at the weighted GPA. This GPA will be used to determine place in class and eligibility for the National Honor Society only and does not affect the cumulative average.

The weighting factors are as follows:
Level Weighting factor
1 & 2 CV grade + 191
3 CB grade + 193
4 H grade + 196
8 AP grade + 200
NOTES: Failed courses will be included in all calculations. The weighting factor of heterogeneous courses will be determined by the department and administration.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
To graduate from South Portland High School, students in the class of 2003 must meet the following requirements:
1. Satisfactory completion of a minimum of twenty (20) Carnegie Units, sixteen of which must be made up of semester or full year subjects - for reference see course of study booklet for South Portland High School.
2. Satisfactory completion of four (4) Carnegie units of English.
3. Satisfactory completion of two (2) Carnegie units of Social Studies, one of which must be United States History.
4. Satisfactory completion of one (1) Carnegie unit of Wellness, grades 9 through 12, and one-half (1/2) Carnegie unit of health, grade 11.
5. Satisfactory completion of two (2) Carnegie units of science. One year must be a lab science.
6. Satisfactory completion of two (2) Carnegie unites of mathematics.
7. Satisfactory completion of one (1) Carnegie unit of fine art.
8. Evidence of computer literacy.
9. NEW - GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS BEGINNING WITH
THE CLASS OF 2004

Each student must carry a minimum of 6 courses per year. Graduation will require 24 Carnegie Units, including satisfactory completion of the following: 4 years of English; 3 years of mathematics; 3 years of science; 3 years of Social Studies which includes World History I, World History II, and American History; 1 year Wellness; 1 year fine arts; ½ year health, and computer proficiency.

Credits earned through summer session courses may be accepted provided the courses in said programs are pursued for make-up credits or are related to the occupational plans of the student and provided said courses receive prior approval by the principal and are limited to an accumulation of no more than four (4) Carnegie units in total for four years.

Prior approval from the principal is necessary for course work in adult education programs and colleges and universities; and .5 credit is awarded for semester-long college courses.

Graduation Ceremonies: The school recognizes the major importance of participating in graduation activities. We also realize that meeting obligations is as important. Therefore, prior to allowing seniors to march, the following responsibilities must be met before distribution of caps and gowns:
• all academic obligations;
• all textbooks and library property must be returned or paid for;
• disciplinary consequences, including completing detention hours and fulfillment of suspension time;
• all financial obligations;

EARLY COMPLETION OF GRADUATION CREDITS
A student will be eligible for early completion of graduation credits if s/he meets the following requirements:

1. attendance for at least seven semesters (three and one- half school years) of secondary school, grades 9-12, unless ruled otherwise by the Principal of South Portland High School for the purposes of early college acceptance or other worthy training experience;
2. completion of graduation requirements as outlined by the policy of the
Board of Education;
3. declaration of a specific objective for early completion, such as early college or vocational school admission or specific job placement.

Further, it is required that for early completion, a student must make written application to the Principal and, if under eighteen years of age, meet in conference with his/her parent or guardian. A student granted early completion status shall be encouraged to communicate with his/her counselor at regular intervals until his/her class graduates. An early completion student shall receive his/her diploma with his/her class.