Tampa Catholic High School

2008-2009 Student Handbook: Academics

 

All students who are accepted to Tampa Catholic are accepted conditionally. There is a probationary period of one academic semester to determine the suitability of the relationship between the student and Tampa Catholic.

 

Each course at Tampa Catholic requires careful preparation as well as complete attention during class.  This preparation includes both study and homework.  It is the student's responsibility to prepare for each class and to attend each class. 

 

Tampa Catholic utilizes PowerSchool, a web-based student information system.  It is the responsibility of both parents and students to use the PowerSchool software to monitor academic progress.

 

 1.      Quarter Grades

          The Quarter Grade for each course is determined by homework, classwork, quiz scores, tests, and other projects assigned by the teacher. The specific weight attached to each of these categories is determined by the teacher and listed in the Course Expectation Sheet posted on PowerSchool.

 

 2.      Semester Exams

          At the end of the second and fourth quarters cumulative semester exams will be given.  This exam schedule is published at the beginning of the school year.  Attendance for all semester exams is mandatory.  No student will be allowed to take an exam before the scheduled time.  If a student is absent from an exam due to illness, he/she must provide a doctor’s note.  With a doctor’s note semester exams can be rescheduled and made up for full credit.  If semester exams are missed due to an extreme family emergency, administration may grant permission to make up exams for full credit.  Missing semester exams for family trips or other commitments will result in the student rescheduling make-up exams on which they can earn a maximum grade of 65%.  Semester exams not taken by a date set by administration will result in a grade of “0” being entered as the exam grade.  Failure and/or refusal to take a semester exam may result in immediate dismissal from Tampa Catholic.  A senior may be denied participation in graduation for failure and/or refusal to take a semester exam.

 

          As part of the academic requirements, all students must take the required exams.  The only exception would be for a senior who has been exempted from taking a second semester exam.  Failure and/or refusal to take an exam may result in immediate dismissal from Tampa Catho­lic.  A senior may also be denied the privilege of gradua­tion.

 

          Students will not be allowed to sit for exams unless Christian Service hours are current and all financial accounts are paid and up-to-date, or arrangements have been made with the Principal regarding a payment plan.

 

 3.      Semester Grade

          At the end of the second and fourth quarters, the student will receive a semester grade for each course.  The semester grades are the grades posted on the transcript and used to calculate the cumulative grade point average.  This grade will be determined by the two numerical quarter grades and the examination grade.  The weight of these grades is determined by each department. 

 

          An "F" semester grade means a loss of 0.5 credit in that course.  It is possible for a student to fail one semester and pass the other of a two-semester course.  If a student fails a semester of a course, he/she must make up the 0.5 credit in summer school or night school.  Eligible students may make up failed course work in night school during the school year with approval of the guidance coun­selor.  Core courses must ordinarily be taken at Tampa Catholic.  A student may not take a course for credit in night school while concurrently registered for that course at Tampa Catholic.

 

 4.     Summer School/Night School Credit Policy

a.        Students may not be re-admitted to Tampa Catholic High School if they are deficient in credits unless arrangements to make up the credits have been made to the satisfaction of the Administration.

b.        Deficient credits must be made up by arrangement with the Tampa Catholic Guidance Department.

c.        A student must ordinarily maintain a weighted cumulative GPA of 2.00 per semester for re-admittance to Tampa Catholic High School.

d.        Arrangements to take enhancement courses to raise a GPA must be made through the Tampa Catholic Guidance Department.  The actual grade earned is the grade recorded at Tampa Catholic.

e.        A student must have received a failing grade for a semester course before retaking the course for credit.  In order to retake a failed course, the student will be required to obtain written permission from the guidance counselor.

f.                   Students receiving a grade of “F” for a semester course will not have the “F” removed from their transcript.  When the failed course is retaken, the grade earned for the retake will be added to the student’s transcript.       

         

 5.      Christian Service

          The three-fold purpose of Catholic education is to teach the gospel message, to build community, and to foster service to others.  At Tampa Catholic High School, the Christian Service Program provid­es concrete opportunities for all students to build com­munity by serving others as Jesus did.

 

          In their theology classes, students are provided with the scrip­tural, theological, moral, and social background for the exercise of stewardship.  Because service is a direct expression of religious conviction, accountability for service projects is maintained through the Theology Department.

 

          Since students belong to several communities, the Christian Service Program is directed toward the needs of the school, parish, and local communities, thereby providing students with a variety of opportunities through which they may be of service to others.

 

          Tampa Catholic requires every student to complete twenty (20) hours of community service each school year.  Christian Service progress will be graded on a PASS/FAIL basis.  The student’s theology teacher will evaluate the Student Service hours each quarter.  Students are required to complete a minimum of ten (10) service hours per semester.  It is strongly recommended that a student complete a minimum of five (5) hours per quarter.

 

          A student will not be permitted to take first semester exams unless he/she has completed at least ten of the twenty service hours required for the current school year.  A student will not be permitted to take second semester exams if all twenty service hours are not completed.  Please reference the current school calendar for the dates that service hours are due.

 

          Students will receive a quarterly grade of PASS or FAIL.  Students may complete service hours in advance of the quarter for which the hours are credited.  Credit is earned for actual services provided, not for attendance at meetings, rallies, vigils, etc.  If desired, students may complete all 20 hours in the summer immediately preceding the school year.  If Christian Service hours are completed during the summer, a letter of verification must be obtained from the organization.

 

          Service hours are to be performed for non-profit organizations such as parishes, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, etc.  Work done for family members or other individuals, although it may constitute Christian service, does not qualify for the Tampa Catholic High School Christian Service Program.  Parents and other close family members may not be the supervisor signing the Service Hour Verification form.  Service hours will not be awarded for service performed during the school day.  The only exception is for blood donations during Tampa Catholic sponsored blood drives.

 

          To obtain credit for service hours, students must:

1.        Complete and submit to the Christian Service coordinator the approval sheet PRIOR to performing the service.

          2.     Complete the hours approved on the verification form.

          3.     Submit the signed verification form to the Christian Service Coordinator. (Credit will be given for the following quarter if the verification form is received after the posted due date.)

 

6.       Senior Exam Exemption Policy

          Seniors may exempt second semester exams for which they meet all the criteria with the exception of Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment courses.  The exam grade recorded for an exempted exam will be the numerical average of the third and fourth quarter grades.

 

          Criteria necessary for exam exemption:

          1.     A minimum grade of 90% or above combining the numerical 3rd and 4th quarter grades as of the exam exemption date. 

          2.     Four (4) or fewer absences during the semester from the class whose exam will be exempted, excluding absences due to school business (games, field trips, retreats), doctor verified prolonged illness, injury or surgery, death in the family, or other reasons at the discretion of the Administration

          3.     A student may not exempt an exam for a particular course if the student received a Dean's Referral in that class.

          4.     Seniors who receive a referral for tardiness any time during senior year will not be allowed to exempt exams.

          5.     At the discretion of the Administration, students guilty of serious or repeated disregard of school policy may be denied the exam exemption privilege.

          6.     A student may not exempt exams if his/her tuition account is in arrears.

          7.     No exams may be exempted if Christian Service requirements are not met.

 

7.       Work Missed During an Absence

          When a student is absent from school, it is the student's responsibility to make specific arrangements to make up work missed during an absence.  Under normal circumstances, a student has one day for each day of absence to make up work.  This does not include the first day the student returns to school.  Work should be turned in on the morning following the last allowed make-up day.  For example, if a student is absent Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, assignments would be due on the following Friday morning.  However, if a student is absent the day an assignment is due and the student was informed in class of the assignment, test, or project prior to his/her absence, the work is due the day the student returns.

 

8.       Marking Period Grades

          Marking period grades are posted in PowerSchool at the end of each quarter. The student will receive a numerical grade for each course.  If parents/guardians or students have any questions concerning grades, they must contact the teacher within ten (10) days.  After this time all grades will be con­sidered accurate.  All quarter and semester grades are considered final two weeks after the end of each quarter or semester.  Formal Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled twice a year and are by appointment only. The dates are indicated on the school calendar.

 

          Academic Grades:  A letter grade will be given for each course.  The following scale will be used to convert numerical grades to letter grades:

 

                          LETTER                    RANGE                    QUALITY POINTS   

                               A                        90-100                               4.0

                               B                         80 - 89                               3.0

                               C                         70 - 79                               2.0

                               D                         65 - 69                               1.0

                               F                           0-  64                                  0

 

          Quality Points are used to compute the student's overall average and to determine class rank.  Courses designated as Honors will carry an added one-half (.5) quality point.  Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment courses will carry an added one (1.0) quality point.  These extra quality points, added to the GPA, constitute a “weighted” GPA. GPA’s listed on PowerSchool are weighted GPA’s.  Honor points are not awarded for any grade below a “C”.

 

          The grade point average of a student who transfers to Tampa Catholic is computed by converting the transferred grades into the Tampa Catholic grading scale.  This conversion will be made by the Registrar.  Honors credit and/or Advanced Placement credit will be given if, and only if, the course was specifically designated as "Honors" or "Advanced Placement" by the school from which the student is transferring.

 

9.       Honor Roll

          At the end of each quarter a student may achieve distinction if he/she satisfies the following require­ments:

          a.             Principal's Honors:  A student must have earned all A's.

          b.             High Honors:  A student must have a weighted grade point average of at least 3.75 with no grade less than C.

          c.             Honors :  A student must have a weighted grade point average of at least a 3.5 with no grade less than C.

 

10.     Academic Probation

          Academic Probation signifies that the student's enrollment at and graduation from Tampa Catholic may be in jeopardy.  A student will be placed on Academic Probation for the quarter or semester immediately following any quarter in which the student receives 1.99 or below in weighted grade point average or has two or more failures.  If a student who is on Academic Probation receives a quarter grade that places the student on Academic Probation for a second consecutive quarter, the student is subject to dismissal at the semester.  Students on Academic Probation may be ineligible for participation in sports or other student activities.             While on Academic Probation, students will be reviewed by the Probation Committee, consisting of Administration and the Guidance Department.

 

          NOTE:  Any student who remains on Academic Probation for two consecutive quarters will have his/her case reviewed by the Probation Retention Committee.  Teacher recommendations are considered when the committee makes its final recommendation to the Principal regarding the student's future status at Tampa Catholic.

 

11.     Dual Enrollment in College Level Courses

          Students will be eligible to participate in Dual Enrollment courses offered at Tampa Catholic High School by Hillsboro­ugh Community College if they meet the following criteria:

          a.       Have a 3.0 unweighted cumulative grade point average

          b.       Obtain passing score on CPT or equivalent score on ACT or SAT

 

Grades for Dual Enrollment courses are calculated based on the Tampa Catholic grading scale.

 

12.     Valedictorian and Salutatorian

          The Valedictorian is usually the graduating senior with the highest weighted cumulative grade point average after 8 semesters and the Salutatorian is usually the graduating senior with the second highest weighted cumulative grade point average after 8 semesters.  The following conditions must be met:

          a.     The student must have completed the entire junior and senior year at Tampa Catholic.

          b.     The student must be a model of exemplary behavior and must have no major disciplinary infractions.

          c.     This honor may be rescinded for any violation of campus rules or the Code of Conduct at any time up to and including the graduation ceremony.

                                                         

13.     Graduation Policy

          A graduation ceremony is a public celebration of a student’s successful completion of a published list of school requirements.  Therefore, if a student does not successfully complete the academic requirements for graduation, the student will not be allowed to participate in the commencement ceremony.

 

          Diocesan policy stipulates that in order to participate in graduation exercises, which include but are not limited to, the Senior Farewell Assembly, the Baccalaureate Mass, and the Commencement Ceremony, a student must fulfill the school's academic, disciplinary, Christian Service, and financial requirements.  In order to receive a diploma at the Commencement Ceremony, a student must participate in all graduation exercises.

 

          Academic Guidelines:

          a.       28 credits required with a minimum 2.0 weighted cumulative GPA

                    4          Theology

                    4          English

                    4          Mathematics (including Algebra 1)

                    4          Science (including 2 laboratory classes)

                    4          Social Studies (including American History, World History, American Government, Economics)

                    1          Physical Education, beginning with the class of 2011

                    ½         Personal Fitness **

                    ½         Team Sports **

                    ½         Health/Life Management Skills **

1               Performing Fine Arts/Practical Arts Vocational **

1          Fine Arts, beginning with the class of 2011

5½       Electives (2 years of World Language are necessary for college-preparatory students.)

 

            ** applies to class of 2009 and 2010

 

          b.       Students must make up all deficient credits prior to the end of senior year.

c.           Students must earn seven credits at Tampa Catholic High School          during their senior year.

          d.       Students must complete Christian Service requirements.

 

          Disciplinary Requirements

          In order for a member of the Senior Class to be eligible for participation in graduation exercises, he/she must cooperate with the disciplinary requirements and Code of Conduct at Tampa Catholic High School and maintain a satisfactory disciplinary record.  Seniors may forfeit any or all graduation privileges or honors for violating any campus rules or the Code of Conduct.

 

          Financial Requirements

          A student is eligible for graduation only if all tuition, fees, and financial obligations have been met to the satisfaction of the Finance Office.  All accounts, excluding final F.A.C.T.S. payment, must be paid in full by Monday, April 21, 2008.

 

14.     Schedule Change Policy

          1. Core Course Changes

              a.   Teacher Initiated

                    Before a placement change is made, the teacher of the specific subject will confer with the department chairperson and the student’s guidance counselor.  The teacher will then contact the parents or guardians and explain why he/she recommends this change.

              b.   Guidance Initiated

                    The counselor will first discuss the proposed change with the teachers concerned and will then contact parents/guardians.  Parents/guardians and students with placement concerns should contact the Guidance Department.

 

          2.       Elective Changes

                    Elective course change requests made by the student or the parent/guardian will be considered only during the first two (2) weeks of each semester.  For year-long elective courses, no changes will be allowed for the second semester.

 

15.     Transfer Students:

          a.       Tuition

                    Students transferring to Tampa Catholic for the second semester must pay the semester's tuition in full.

          b.       Academics

                    Students entering Tampa Catholic past the mid-point of a quarter receive a temporary grade for that quarter. The grade for the subsequent quarter becomes the grade for the quarter in which the student enrolled.

 

16.     Course Catalog

Each student attending Tampa Catholic will be issued a Course Catalog. The catalog is to aid the student and his/her parents or guardians in course selection and program planning.  Students and parents/guardians are expected to read the policies and information in the Course Catalog as well as those contained in the Student-Parent Handbook.