Grades 9-12

Academic Programs

Language Arts	Mathematics
Science and Air Force Junior ROTC	Social Studies
Art	Music
World Languages	Family and Consumer Science
Industrial and Technology Education	Business Education
Health and Physical Education	Special Education

GROUPING 

In both the required and elective subjects, there is normally a wide range of achievement in any public high school. In order to help students and parents select the instructional level most appropriate for their abilities and needs, staff and counselors will make recommendations for placement based on academic performance in prior related courses, standardized and/or other departmental tests, and teacher evaluations. Students should assess their achievement, self-motivation and interest before selecting their levels in each subject area.

LEVELS OF INSTRUCTION FOR ALL STUDENTS

Each course will be given one of the following instructional level classifications:

	Accelerated:	Designed for students with a superior background of achievement, motivation and interest who, through their past performance and standardized test scores are recommended by the faculty for this enriched program. This is a rigorous and challenging program of studies.
	Academic:	Designed for students who have an excellent background of achievement, self-motivation and interest, for students with a good command of basic concepts required in the subject and a desire to explore in depth. This is a program to be considered for post-secondary education.
	Standard:	Designed for students who have an average background of achievement; for students who exhibit interest in acquiring a fundamental understanding of the subject. For students who wish to further their education or go into the work force.
	Basic:	Designed for students who have a below average background of achievement; who will benefit from a continued emphasis on basic skills. This is a program for students who have the potential for further education or who wish to enter the world of work.
	Level 0:	Used when there is no grouping within the subject.

If a student desires to enroll in a course at a different level of instruction than recommended, a conference with the student and parent or guardian should be held with the appropriate department supervisor where there can be a full explanation of program. When, after serious consideration of his/her achievement, self-motivation and interest, the student does enroll in the different level course, a "Course Selection Waiver" must be signed by both the student and parent or guardian and returned to the Counseling Office no later than March 15.

SCHEDULING

The school day will be divided into time blocks designated as periods. Each period will be 44 minutes in length. There are seven 44 minute instructional periods per day or 35 periods a week. Each student will have a 25 minute lunch period each day.

COURSE SELECTIONS

We believe that students should give thoughtful consideration to their course selections with the assistance of their parents and counselor. There will be the opportunity to fully evaluate the appropriateness of selections with the option of making changes as indicated in the Drop and Add Policy. Schedule changes for teacher preference are not honored.

DROP AND ADD POLICY

1.	Before the school year begins:

	a.	A semester course may be dropped up to August 1 of the previous year.
	b.	A full year course may be dropped up to August 1.

2.	After school begins in September, the policy regarding the changing of the level of a course will be as follows:

	a.	A student may change a level from the tenth day of class until the end of the first semester provided there has been a parent/teacher conference and a teacher recommendation.
	b.	An Advanced Placement class may be changed between the 10th and 15th day of class and another class will be scheduled. After the 16th day of class, an AP class may be dropped and the student will be scheduled to Restricted Study for the remainder of the semester.
	c.	No semester course may be dropped.

3.	After school begins in September, the policy regarding the adding and dropping of courses will be as follows:

	a.	There is a one week limit at the beginning of each term for adding a semester course.
	b.	There is a three week limit at the beginning of the year for adding a year course.
	c.	The counselor may determine that special circumstances necessitate allowing a student to drop a full year course from his/her schedule. A drop may be made after the 16th day of class. When a drop is approved, an alternate course will be scheduled. If this not possible due to scheduling restrictions, Restricted Study will be assigned.
	d.	All dropped courses will be included on the transcript.

NOTE:

Changes in schedule may not always be possible due to scheduling restrictions.

COURSE PROFICIENCIES

On the first day of the beginning of a new course, students receive a copy of the Course Proficiencies. These proficiencies detail the minimum student expectations for that course and should be carefully read and thoroughly understood. Evaluation of student progress in a given program will be made by individual teachers based on, but not limited to, tests, quizzes, and student-produced assignments following departmental guidelines and in accordance with Board of Education policy.

BASIC SKILLS PROGRAM

The Basic Skills Program is mandated by the state of New Jersey for all students who are performing below the state's minimum standard in English (reading and writing) and mathematics. Special instruction is offered. Students identified as needing this program must be scheduled for the appropriate basic skills course. A high school diploma WILL NOT be issued to a student who has not passed the New Jersey State mandated High School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA).

INDEPENDENT STUDY

Independent Study is an opportunity for students to engage in learning activities in addition to, and beyond the normal school day.

Independent Study might include work on activities growing from an interest in a course without being enrolled. It may also be acceptable, approved work beyond the normal requirements of a course.

If credit is to be awarded, there must be teacher supervision. This will be graded on a "Pass/Fail" basis. Whenever a teacher is involved, there should be a limited amount of teacher structure and direction. The goal is to increase student independence and self-direction in learning. See your counselor regarding the opportunities to receive Independent Study credit.

EARLY MORNING OPTION

The purpose of this program is to enable students to add electives who otherwise would not have room to do so during the course of the regular seven period school day.

	1.	Participation is voluntary.
	2.	Offering of this option is dependent upon sufficient enrollment.
	3.	The a.m. class will be scheduled in the pre-school (7:24 a.m.) period block.
	4.	Eligible students and their parents must be certain that the commitment be met.
	5.	Standards regarding lateness and absenteeism will apply exactly as for any other class.
	6.	Students who wish to participate will be responsible for providing their own transportation in the morning.
	7.	Total credits in the student's program must be 40 credits.
	8.	This option is not available to 9th graders.

 
SCOTCH PLAINS-FANWOOD NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY

Membership in the National Honor Society will be an honor bestowed upon students of the junior or senior class who possess outstanding scholarship, character, leadership, and service. The definition of each as per the National Honor Society Handbook is:

Scholarship:

•

3.75 or above Academic Grade Point Average as computed at the end of the second semester of the students' sophomore and junior school years.

The student who exercises leadership:

	•	Is resourceful in proposing new problems, applying principles, and making suggestions.
	•	Demonstrates initiative in promoting school activities.
	•	Exercises positive influence on peers in upholding school ideals.
	•	Contributes ideas to improve the civic life of the school.
	•	Is able to delegate responsibilities.
	•	Exemplifies positive attitudes.
	•	Inspires positive behavior in others.
	•	Demonstrates academic initiative.
	•	Successfully holds school offices or positions of responsibility; conducts business effectively and efficiently; demonstrates reliability and dependability.
	•	Is a leader in the classroom, at work, and in other school or community activities.
	•	Is thoroughly dependable in any responsibility accepted.
	•	Is willing to uphold scholarship and maintain a loyal school attitude.

The student who serves:

	•	Volunteers and provides dependable and well organized assistance, is gladly available, and is willing to sacrifice to offer assistance.
	•	Works well with others and is willing to take on difficult or inconspicuous responsibilities.
	•	Cheerfully and enthusiastically renders any requested service to the school.
	•	Is willing to represent the class or school in inter-class and inter-scholastic competition.
	•	Participates in significant activities outside of school, for example, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, church groups, volunteer services for the elderly, poor, or disadvantaged.
	•	Mentors persons in the community or students at other schools.
	•	Shows courtesy by assisting visitors, teachers, and students.

Character:

	•	Takes criticism willingly and accepts recommendations graciously.
	•	Constantly exemplifies desirable qualities of personality (cheerfulness, friendliness, poise, stability).
	•	Upholds principles of morality and ethics.
	•	Cooperates by complying with school regulations concerning property, programs, office, halls, etc.
	•	Demonstrates the highest standards of honesty and reliability.
	•	Shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others.
	•	Observes instructions and rules, punctuality, and faithfulness both inside and outside the classroom.
	•	Has a power of concentration and sustained attention as shown by perseverance and application to studies.
	•	Manifests truthfulness in acknowledging obedience to rules, avoiding cheating in written work, and showing unwillingness to profit by the mistakes of others.
	•	Actively helps rid the school of bad influences or environment.

Selection for membership will be based upon satisfactory ratings in each of these areas as determined by a majority vote of a Faculty Council, consisting of five faculty members representing the faculty at large and appointed by the Principal.

REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION

I.	Curriculum Requirements:
	ALL STUDENTS must successfully complete a minimum of 120 Credits* in order to be eligible for graduation. All high school students are required to successfully complete the following curriculum requirements prior to graduation:

	A.	Four years of English, consisting of: English I, English II, English III, and English IV.
	B.	Three credit years in mathematics consisting of: Three full subjects taught in the mathematics department.
	C.	Three credit years of social studies consisting of: World History, U.S. History I and U.S. History II.
	D.	Three credit years of natural or physical science.
	E.	Two credit years of the same world language consisting of: Spanish, German, Italian, or French.
	F.	One credit year of physical education and health for each year of enrollment.
	G.	One credit year in visual and performing arts and one credit year in practical arts.
	H.	Technology literacy, consistent with the Core Curriculum Content Standards must be integrated throughout the curriculum.
	I.	Other elective courses of the student's choice to meet overall credit requirements.
	*	One credit year is equal to 5 credits.

II.	State/District Requirements:

A.

All courses will have a set of course proficiencies. Students must demonstrate proficiency in all curricula needed for graduation as listed in Section, above. 1. The proficiencies will be clearly set forth in writing. 2. Copies of the proficiencies will be given to the students at the beginning of each course with the expectation that they will be shared with parents/guardians.

	B.	Prior to graduation from high school, all students must demonstrate proficiency in reading,writing, and mathematics as evidenced by successful passing of the state-mandated by High School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA).
	C.	Regular attendance is an integral part of the district requirement for graduation. (See Policy 5113.)
	D.	Copies of the graduation requirements will be distributed to all high school students on an annual basis, or upon entry to the high school, through the Program of Studies.

III.	Assessment and Remediation:

	A.	On an annual basis, all students shall be assessed to determine their level of proficiency in reading, writing, and mathematics.
	B.	The annual assessment will identify those students who are in need of additional support and remediation: 1. For each identified student, the appropriate district staff will develop an Individual Student Improvement Plan (ISIP), which will delineate the student's skills and weaknesses. 2. Individual student assessment procedures shall include teacher observation, parental or guardian interview, formal and informal evaluation techniques, and evaluation of cumulative student records and student performance data. 3. Parents will be provided with a written ISIP for their review.

C.

For 12th grade students, including limited English proficient (LEP) and special education students, who have not been successful in passing the HSPA, the following procedures shall be implemented: 1. Based on the State of New Jersey Department of Education guidelines, a Special Review Assessment (SRA) shall be administered. The SRA is designed to provide students with the opportunity to exhibit their understanding and mastery of HSPA skills in contexts which are familiar and related to their experiences. a. Students need only undergo the SRA process for those sections of the HSPA which they have not passed. b. The SRA process is to be completed by March 1 of the student's senior year. c. An SRA panel must be formed to oversee the student's SRA experience. d. Multiple pieces of evidence must be used to document mastery of each cluster. e. An SRA student profile must be completed for each student participating in the process. 2. The chief school administrator, the principal, along with the SRA panel must certify the completion of the SRA process for each student. 3. The New Jersey Department of Education, through the county superintendent, will audit the procedure through a process developed specifically for the SRA. The county superintendent will also verify that students who are certified via the SRA process have demonstrated competence in the skills measured by the HSPA. 4. Parents may appeal the decision that their child has not met the minimum graduation requirements through the SRA process to the Commissioner of Education through the county superintendent.

IV.	Requirements for Classified Students:

	A.	Classified students shall meet all Scotch Plains-Fanwood graduation requirements unless specifically exempt from any part of these requirements through the IEP process.
	B.	Classified students shall participate in the district testing program unless specifically exempt from testing through the IEP process. Exemptions for classified students may be: 1. That the student would be adversely affected by taking the test, or 2. That the student's IEP does not include the proficiencies measured by the HSPA. Procedures for exemption shall include parental participation and consent. Reasonable efforts will be made to ensure that test modifications are made in the administration procedures to accommodate specific student needs.
	C.	Classified students who have been exempted from the HSPA and perform below the state minimum levels of proficiency (MLP) on one or more areas of the HSPA shall be provided with a program to address identified deficiencies. Deficient skills must be identified during the IEP meeting and specified in the IEP.
	D.	The IEP of exempt students shall include a description of exemptions from State and/or Scotch Plains-Fanwood's graduation requirements and a rationale for the exemption(s). The IEP shall also include a statement pertaining to the exempt student's alternate proficiencies in lieu of those measured by the HSPA. The achievement of the alternate proficiencies by a classified student would qualify the student for the Scotch Plains-Fanwood diploma.

V.	Early Graduation:
	Students opting for early graduation must meet all graduation requirements including completion of English IV. (If necessary, an equivalent out-of-district English course can be substituted, subject to prior written approval from the high school principal.):

	A.	A student requesting early graduation must submit a written request signed and verified by the parent/guardian. Signature and verification by the parent/guardian shall be required.
	B.	The Board of Education shall provide only one graduation ceremony annually in June.
	C.	Requests for early graduation shall be considered only at the end of a semester.

EXPLANATION OF TERMS

A CREDIT may be defined as one period of classroom work per week for one year. A subject that is studied for five periods a week for a year is known as a 5 credit subject. A subject that is studied for five periods per week for a semester is a 2.5 credit subject.

ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN SPFHS CO-CURRICULAR / ATHLETIC PROGRAMS

The eligibility rule for students to participate in co-curricular/athletic programs states that (1) students must successfully complete courses totaling 13.75 credits in the first semester to be eligible for spring sports and (2) students must accumulate a total of 27.5 credits prior to the beginning of the school year to be eligible for fall and winter sports. (see Academic Eligibility for a NCAA Division I or II College)

HOW TO CALCULATE YOUR GPA

1.

All Course GPA: Every subject taken by a student is given equal weight. In determining the All Course GPA, high school subjects that receive a grade and credit will be included. Courses from summer school and other institutions will NOT be included. Each grade is valued according to the following quality point scale:

Grade	Quality Points	%	Grade	Quality Points	%	Grade	Quality Points	%	Grade	Quality Points	%
. A+	4.3	97-100	....B+	3.3	87-89	....C+	2.3	77-79	....D+	1.3	67-69
. A	4.0	93-96	....B	3.0	83-86	....C	2.0	73-76	....D	1.0	63-66
. A-	3.7	90-92	....B-	2.7	80-82	....C-	1.7	70-72	....D-	0.7	60-62
									....E	0.0	Below 60

.	The quality points for each subject will be multiplied by the number of credits for that subject. The total number of quality points will be divided by the total number of credits for those subjects in which the student has earned a final grade to determine the cumulative average for each student.

2.	Academic GPA: Academic GPA will be calculated by the same procedure as described for the All Course GPA. Only full year major academic courses in the following disciplines will be included:

English	Mathematics	Science
World Language		Social Studies

.	Regular academic level subjects will be valued on the same quality point scale as the All Course GPA. Accelerated and Advanced Placement subjects will be weighted according to the following quality point scale:

Grade	Quality Points	%	Grade	Quality Points	%	Grade	Quality Points	%	Grade	Quality Points	%
. A+	4.8	97-100	....B+	3.8	87-89	....C+	2.8	77-79	....D+	1.8	67-69
. A	4.5	93-96	....B	3.5	83-86	....C	2.5	73-76	....D	1.5	63-66
. A-	4.2	90-92	....B-	3.2	80-82	....C-	2.2	70-72	....D-	1.2	60-62
									....E	0.0	Below 60

EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL

In our highly technical work world, most high school graduates find it necessary to continue their education and training beyond high school. Some students find that they can best meet their educational goals by attending a four- year college. Regardless of your future goals, planning is essential. The following information should be considered when you plan your high school program.

College Entrance Requirements
Selection by colleges for admission is based on the following:

	1.	The scholastic record in high school.
	2.	Test results administered for the colleges by outside agencies such as the College Entrance Examination Board (SAT) and the American College Testing Service (ACT).
	3.	The school's recommendation.
	4.	The quality (not quantity) of his/her participation in extracurricular, community and work related activities.

While each college prescribes the number and character of high school credits it will accept, the following are the usual requirements:

..........

English............................4 years Mathematics...............2-4 years World Languages......2-4 years

.

Science......................3-5 years ......(2 lab sciences)..... Social Studies...........2-4 years

It is recommended that all students research the colleges to which they may be applying for admission in order to make a wide selection.

College-bound students are strongly urged to take the PSAT in the fall of the junior year and the SAT in the spring of the junior year and the fall of the senior year. Many students elect to take the PSAT in the tenth grade for additional practice. Testing dates for the year are posted in the Counseling Office.

OTHER POST HIGH SCHOOL TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Many high school graduates enroll in trade, vocational, technical, and business schools for one or two years before taking employment. Others may go directly to work but continue their training as they work by enrolling in apprentice programs, business college courses, university extension courses, and public school adult education courses available in the area. Students interested in the above opportunities are encouraged to consult with their counselors.

SCHOLARSHIPS, LOANS, AND OTHER FORMS OF STUDENT AID

Many kinds of financial assistance for college and training other than college are available each year to the student who has a strong high school record, who is in need of financial aid, and who can meet specified examination requirements. Local scholarships, Federal Government Loan Program, National Merit Scholarship Program, are but a few of the many kinds of aid available. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available in December in the Counseling Office, is the basic document students should file when looking for assistance.

ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY FOR A NCAA DIVISION I OR DIVISION II COLLEGE

Many high school athletes are hopeful of a college scholarship once they graduate from SPFHS. The following academic eligibility for NCAA Division I and II colleges is printed below that should serve as a reference for athletes when selecting subjects.

General Requirements
To be a qualifier at a Division I institution and be eligible for financial aid, practice and competition during the first year, the student must:

	1.	Graduate from high school
	2.	Present a minimum combined test score on the SAT critical reading and math sections or a sum of the four sections (English, math, reading, and science) on the ACT as indicated on the index scale below: . CORE GPA SAT (verbal & math only) ACT ....2.500 and above 820 68 ... 2.375 870 72 ... 2.250 920