Graduation Requirements - Francis Parker School

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General Information Academic Advising Freshmen and sophomores have designated class deans who serve as their academic advisors. In the junior year, each student is assigned alphabetically to one of the college counselors who will serve as their academic advisor. The academic advisor deals with academic problems when they arise, monitors graduation requirements and assists with the college application process. Student and advisor together examine the student’s educational and personal goals in relation to special interests, strengths, and weaknesses. They choose an academic program to fulfill those goals. Students ultimately assume responsibility for their course selections and their academic performance, with academic advisors guiding and supporting them through the process. Four-Year Plan Course Loads Students are encouraged to take a balanced program. A student’s transcript for college admission should reflect both depth and breadth. Each student in Francis Parker’s Upper School is expected to take and attend five academic courses each trimester. It is strongly recommended that a student take a course in each of the core academic areas — English, math, social studies, science and foreign language — every year in the Upper School. It is also normal to take one or two electives and physical education / athletics. The recommended college prep program is the following: Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12 Rhetoric World Literature American Literature # British Literature # Topics in Social Studies World History # American History # Social Studies # Math # Math # Math # Math # Physics Chemistry Biology Science # Foreign Language # Foreign Language # Foreign Language # Foreign Language # Art* or Elective Art*, Speech or Art*, Speech or Art* or Elective Health & Fitness Elective Elective PE or Athletics PE or Athletics PE or Athletics * One course selected from the Music, Visual Arts, or Drama Departments # Honors and/or AP course offered Timeline for College Admission Testing Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior PSAT (practice) PSAT SAT, ACT or SAT Fall PLAN (practice) PLAN Subject tests (repeated Winter SAT or ACT as necessary) Spring Consider SAT subject test in World History and Chemistry. Consult with teacher and class dean first. SAT or ACT Consider various SAT subject tests. Consult college counselor first. Coursework Course Additions / Changes / Withdrawals Requests to add, change, or withdraw from a course should be submitted to the Academic Dean using the Schedule Change Request Form. New courses may not be added after the second week of a trimester. If a Drama class is dropped after the fourth week of the first trimester or a year-long class is dropped after the end of the first trimester, a withdrawal (W) will appear on the official transcript. Note: A withdrawal (W) excludes a student from Honors or Honors with Distinction status, unless the withdrawal from the course was initiated by the school.
Credit / Non-Credit Independent study courses and seminar courses are graded on a Credit / Non-Credit basis. These courses may not be used to satisfy a graduation requirement and the grades for these courses will not be included in the GPA calculation. Once a student has satisfied the Parker Arts Graduation Requirement, any additional arts course may be taken for a grade or on a Credit / Non-Credit basis, but this must be indicated at the time of registration. Note: A grade of Non- Credit (NC) excludes a student from Honors or Honors with Distinction status. Honors / Advanced Placement (AP) Advanced Placement is a program of college level courses. Students earning grades of C- or better receive weighted credit. Colleges may grant credit for scores of 3 or higher on the Advanced Placement exam. However, colleges and universities should be contacted for their individual policies regarding the awarding of Advanced Placement credit. Enrollment in an Advanced Placement course requires commitment to the rigors associated with the coursework. The stress that often accompanies an AP course is not appropriate for all high school students. Note: AP and Honors courses normally require more homework than regular courses, and AP students may be required to attend mandatory review sessions in late April or early May, prior to taking the AP exam. Independent Study A student may choose to enroll in an independent program of study to pursue an interest beyond the traditional curriculum. Independent study courses may not be used to satisfy any of the graduation requirements and will be graded on a Credit / Non- Credit basis. Note: All “Special Projects” courses are considered to be Independent Study. Pass / Fail A junior or senior may elect to take one course, not required for graduation, on a Pass / Fail basis. Approval must be granted prior to the end of the grading period. A student wishing to exercise this option should consult with the Academic Dean, the College Guidance Counselor, and the appropriate department chairperson. A mark of C or better is generally required to meet a university's subject area requirement. A pass grade may not meet the subject area grade requirement of some colleges and universities. Note: Pass / Fail excludes a student from Honors or Honors with Distinction status. Homework Academic success at Parker typically requires between two and four hours of homework per day. The difference between average and outstanding academic performance is directly related to the length of time spent on homework and preparation. It should be noted that organization and efficient use of time during the school day, however, may significantly reduce the amount of work required in the evening. Testing A student's work on an examination, test, or quiz will be his or her own, performed under the same conditions as that of his or her classmates. Any effort to gain an unfair advantage is unethical. Testing protocol • No communication of any kind is permitted between students. • No books or papers shall be permitted on desks unless the teacher has specifically designated the test an open-book test. • Students may not leave their seats without permission. • Except for calculators when approved by the teacher, students may not use any electronic devices. Make-Up Tests & Quizzes Students must arrange with teachers to take tests and quizzes that have been missed due to an excused absence. A student absent only the day before an exam or the day of an exam will be expected to take the exam the first day back at school. Extended Time Students with identified learning differences may petition for extended time testing (exams, A.P., SAT, etc.). Requests for extended time testing must be verified by a certified professional (psychologist, educational therapist) and submitted to the Upper School office for review and approval by the Director of the Parker Learning Center.
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Graduation Requirements - Francis Parker School

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