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Guidance Information > High School Planning > General Information

 

General Information

This comprehensive planning guide has been prepared to assist parents and students throughout the high school years. It contains information concerning attendance, grading policy, independent study, eligibility, and various other information important to your success in high school. Scroll through for general information or click on one of the specific topics below.

An understanding of the following will help you get started.

Class Load - Attendance - Homework - Grading Policy - Independent Study - Summer Session - Eligibility for Participation in Activities

Class Load Class Load This is the number of classes students take during the course of the day. All ninth and tenth graders are required to take a minimum of six(6) classes and all eleventh and twelfth graders must take a minimum of five(5) classes. Physical education and its equivalents, such as athletics, Southern California Regional Occupation Center(SCROC), and work experience are included as part of the class load. Students may increase their class load by supplementing with college classes offered on the high school campus in the late afternoon or on the college campus.

Homework - The District homework policy is based on the firm belief that homework helps students master the contents of the classroom through practice, review, reinforcement, and enrichment - develop good study habits - develop time-management skills Homework is an extension of the work in the regular school program. It is assigned to all students on a regular basis and students in grades 9-12 can expect to have assignments Monday through Friday. The amount of work will vary with the program and with the student's ability to complete the assignment. Each student should allow the appropriate amount of time required. Usually two-and-one half hours of homework per academic subject per week should be allowed.

Grading Policy - Students at the high school level are graded on basis of the following academic achievement in relation to other students at the same grade level - effort and attitude on an individual basis Academic and citizenship grades are reported quarterly. Quarter grades are distributed to the student and semester grades are mailed. Only semester grades appear on the transcript. Whenever a student is in danger of failing a course, the parents are notified. (Reference Board Policy 5220)

Independent Study A program of independent study is available to students who are unable to attend their regularly assigned classes because of extenuating circumstances and/or family travel. Check in the Counseling office and/or attendance office for information on a "long term" alternative program of not less than one quarter. The "short term" independent study program applies to absences shorter in length than one quarter and may be arranged through the attendance office at each site. This program allows students to continue educational progress when they are unable to attend regular class for a specified period of time.

Summer Session - A summer school program is offered to high school students at no fee in the following areas: special education - makeup classes for non-graduating seniors - internship programs in work related areas - academic decathlon - math workshops - SCROC Information on these programs is distributed at the high schools in the spring. Students may also enroll in high school classes through Marymount College, local community colleges or other programs through accredited schools or colleges. Some of these programs are located on the high school campus and are fee based and/or require the purchase of a textbook. Information regarding off campus classes may be found in the COLLEGE CAREER CENTER With the exception of high school classes taken through Marymount College, in order to receive credit, students must request that a transcript be sent from the credit granting agency to the high school the student regularly attends.

Attendance The absence of a student from school has a twofold effect upon the educational process. The absence not only removes the student from the classroom setting, but also impacts the District’s ability to provide quality instruction. It is recognized that most absences are unavoidable and that most students make-up work missed. However, it must be noted that substitute activities and assignments cannot replace the dynamics of the classroom. In the event of an absence a family may lessen the impact of the absence by following the guidelines listed below. - Notify the Attendance Office by phone whenever a student is to be absent. - Secure assignments from a classmate for 1 or 2 day absences. - Request assignments from the school when the student is unexpectedly absent for 3 or more days. - Arrange with the school to receive work in advance when planned absences are fewer than 5 days students. - Request an Independent Study Contract from the designated school official when an anticipated absence extends to 5 days or longer. - Investigate the availability of home teaching for illnesses that extend beyond four weeks. - Families are encouraged to plan activities during holidays or vacations to ensure the best possible learning experience. However, if it becomes necessary for students to participate in family activities during school time, parents may assist in the recovery of funds by: having the student fulfill the Independent Study Contract. - making a $26.00 donation for each day the student is absent. Working together allows schools to provide the strongest possible educational opportunities. Parent cooperation is important to the success of all Palos Verdes Peninsula students.

Eligibility for Participation in Co-curricular and Extra-curricular Activities District policy and state law require that students have a record of satisfactory educational progress as a condition of participation in school or District-sponsored co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, including athletics, pep squad, band, and Academic Decathlon, etc. Specifically, students are required to * achieve a minimum grade point average of 2.o in all classes taken in the previous grading period as a condition of eligibility * demonstrate a record of good citizenship, with no more than one unsatisfactory grade during the immediately preceeding grading period * maintain a record of regular attendance, with not more than three (3) days of truancy in any one school year The policy does make provisions for a probationary period of one quarter, during which time the student is assign to probationary status, but remains eligible to participate and compete. These requirements are supplementary to those stipulated by the Southern California Interscholastic Federation (CIF).