Course Credit Guidelines

AP Exams are administered each year in May and represent the culmination of college-level work in a given discipline in a secondary school setting. Rigorously developed by committees of college and AP high school faculty, the AP Exams test students' ability to perform at a college level. Students who perform well can receive course credit and/or advanced standing at thousands of universities worldwide. For more information about AP Exams, including preparation, dates and fees, visit the College Board's AP Central site.

AP Limits

Freshmen will no longer be able to take Advanced Placement (AP) classes. As they progress through high school, students will be limited to no more than nine (9) AP classes total between their sophomore and senior years.

Loss of credit may be appealed to the School Attendance Committee. The principal makes decisions regarding loss of credit. Any decision to deny credit or promotion may be appealed to the Superintendent or designee for final disposition.

If a class is missed due to early dismissal, it is considered an absence. As noted previously, absences are recorded by individual classes not by school day. Three early dismissals equals an absence in the applicable class(es).

ACPS is committed to a balanced and equitable assessment system. Balanced assessment systems provide accurate and timely information about student learning and achievement. The crux of a balanced assessment system is equitable grading practices. Healthy grading practices encourage and support learning by helping students and teachers see that their continued efforts will result in success.

Resources:

• Grading Handbook for Families and Students
• School Board Policy IKBA, Grading Policy

Transcripts for international students in grades 9-12 transferring to U.S. schools for the first time require evaluation to determine units of credit that may count toward graduation. When provided, an international transcript evaluation must be completed and standard units of credits are awarded as part of the registration process with the International & ESOL Program. International transcripts must be official to confer credit. If needed, the ESOL Office will obtain translation of these documents in accordance with federal law.

Students who have been absent or are suspended are responsible for any work missed. See student handbook for details.

After the third calendar day of absences resulting from out-of-school suspension, days of subsequent suspension count against the limit of absences for earning credit. The Attendance Committee gives special attention to these absences and may withhold a final decision on loss of credit until the end of the semester or the current school year, as appropriate. During this time, the student’s behavior is monitored to assess progress.

Course selection for the upcoming year is an opportunity for each student to think carefully about interests, achievement, and educational and career goals. Give very serious consideration to this registration process.

After students make their selections for the following year, teachers will indicate their recommendations in PowerSchool and connect with families that have chosen a different course than what the teacher recommends.

School counselors will meet with students individually to review course selections and graduation requirements and to make sure students are on track with post-secondary goals.

All requests for schedule changes must be made by the last Friday in March (of the previous school year). It may not be possible to accommodate requests for changes.

Credits cannot be earned for courses entered after ten (10) school days have passed for year-long classes, and five (5) school days have passed for semester classes.

Other considerations:

• Due to budget and staffing guidelines, course selections are finalized by the end of the preceding school year.
• Selected courses may be offered during zero period, which meets before school. Students who register for these courses must provide their own transportation.
• A course is offered only if enough student requests support that course.
• Electives: alternate choices are made, as the school reserves the right to assign students the alternate choice if necessary or if scheduling conflicts occur.
• Corrections to student schedules must take place on or before the 5th day of the semester for semester-long courses and on or before the 10th day for year-long courses, to a prevent penalty or notation on the student’s transcript.
• Added Classes: Classes may only be added under extenuating circumstances and must take place on or before the 5th day of the semester for semester-long courses and on or before the 10th day for year-long courses.
• Dropped Classes: Classes dropped after the 5th day of the semester for semester-long courses and after the 10th day for year-long courses but before the 2nd week after the 1st interim period will have a “W” (withdraw) noted on the transcript. The “W” is not factored into the GPA. Permission of the Principal is required.
• Under extenuating circumstances, exceptions may be considered by the Principal for a class to be dropped after the above dates. A withdrawn failure (WF) is recorded on the student’s transcript. The withdrawn failure (WF) is included in the GPA calculation.
• An appeal of this policy may be considered by the Principal for the student to receive a Withdrawn (W) on their transcript and not have the course included in the GPA calculation.
• Dual Enrollment/college courses follow the college's add/drop procedures.

All courses taken and grades earned are recorded on the transcript, including courses retaken. However, only the highest grade is calculated in the GPA.

School attendance is critical to academic achievement and preparing students for the world of work and personal success. Each parent or guardian having charge of a child within the compulsory attendance age is responsible for the child’s regular and punctual attendance at school as required under provisions of state law. Please refer to School Board Policy JED, Student Absences/Excuses/Dismissals, for specifics.

A note about chronic absences: The middle school principal and the high school principal have the discretion to deny high school credit toward graduation for a course to a student who misses more than ten (10) single class periods during the school year. Any decision to deny credit may be appealed to the principal or principal’s designee for restoration under conditions determined by the principal.

Students receiving a “Pass” in a course designated as pass/fail are credited with completion of the course, but the grade from such a course is not included in the calculation of the GPA. Students receiving a “Fail” in a pass/fail course receive a grade point of 0, which is included in calculations of the GPA.