Academic Eligibility
            Academic eligibility pertains to all students participating on Athletic Teams and Cheerleaders, in the Marching Band, the Fall Drama and the Spring Musical. This policy shall not be confined to the participants in these activities, but rather shall also include support personnel such as managers, statisticians, etc.  
            A student is declared ineligible when he/she is failing two or more full credit courses. Eligibility is evaluated as follows

1. Weekly:  Any student not meeting the aforementioned criteria on a given Friday is declared academically ineligible for the entire succeeding week.
2. Marking Period: Any student not meeting the aforementioned criteria at the conclusion of a marking period is declared academically ineligible for a period of 15 consecutive school days beginning with the day the report cards are issued for that marking period. Once declared ineligible, a student may not compete or perform with any team/organization covered by the eligibility policy.

Academic Awards Criteria
        At the start of each school year, students are recognized for their academic achievement as part of the annual high school open house in early fall.  An academic award will be presented to any student who attained Honor Roll on all four marking periods of the previous school year.  In order to receive a distinguished academic award, a student must have attained Distinguished Honor Roll on all four marking periods of the previous school year.

Course Requirements
        To earn credit for a course, a student may be expected to meet certain minimum course requirements. This position is supported by the Pennsylvania School Code in the section labeled "Regulations and Guidelines on Student Rights and Responsibilities."  At the beginning of a course, teachers will provide students with a written statement of any such minimum course requirements.  Failure to meet these requirements will result in loss of credit for the course.  In addition, failure to take the final examination for any course will result in loss of credit for that course.
       In addition, the administration is in full accord with the position that it is the student's responsibility to attend school regularly, be present in classes, and put forth conscientious effort in completing assignments, tests, and other activities as directed by the teacher.

Exams
        Final examinations are given in all courses, and they constitute a minimum course requirement. The final exam is worth 10% of the final grade.
        Seniors are required to take the midterm exams in full year courses. Seniors having a cumulative average of 90% or higher in a course are exempt from taking the final exam in that course.
        An examination schedule will be developed each semester and distributed to students prior to exam days. On final exam days, students are only required to attend those classes in which their exam is being given.
       
Grading        

Any student receiving a final grade of "F" and having a final percentage grade between 40 and 59 may earn credit through remediation.
Any student receiving a final grade of "F" and having a final percentage grade between 0 and 39 must repeat the course for one full year or take the course over for A zero percentage grade may be given to any student who makes no attempt to pass the course.
AP and Honors level courses will be increased by 10% in order to compute class rank and honor roll.

Grade Point Average
To compute Grade Point Average (GPA) for a marking period:

1. Obtain quality points by multiplying the percentage grade received by the credit value for each course. (Percentage grades for AP and Honors level courses are increased by 10 percent before calculating the quality points for that course)
2. Divide the total of the quality points by the total credits used to calculate the quality points.

Definition of Academic Levels
Upper Moreland High School offers classroom instruction on various levels with differing academic expectations. Students are grouped by level in English, mathematics, science and social studies classes. Instructional levels are assigned on the basis of teacher recommendation, academic record, standardized test scores, student motivation and interest. Student progress is monitored throughout the year so that adjustments in placements may be made when appropriate.  If a level adjustment is made during the school year, the grades and absences earned in the previous course level are carried-over to the new level.  The academic level categories are as follows:

• Advanced Placement (AP): The most academically demanding course level possible. Successful completion of the course may eventually lead to college credit.  Enrollment is highly selective and honors credit is earned.
• Honors:  Honors courses require a high level of academic maturity, interest, ability, reading and study skills.  The pace is extremely rigorous and enrollment is highly selective.
• College Preparatory (CP): Courses that have a higher academic demand and requirements and are appropriate for college bound students
• Academic: Courses with the core academic curriculum for all levels.

Homework
       The completion of homework is an integral part of the learning process and is an expectation of students.  Individual teachers/departments determine their own homework policy regarding penalties for incomplete assignments. 
       In case of absence from school, students are encouraged to have the phone numbers of two (2) students from each class (The Buddy System) whom they can call for homework assignments.  In periods of extended absence from school, three (3) days or more, arrangements can be made through the Guidance Office (215-706-2382) to have assignments sent home.  It is the responsibility of the student or parent to initiate this process. Twenty-four (24) hour notice is necessary and assignments can be picked up in the Guidance Office at the end of the school day.

Honor Roll
Distinguished Honor Roll: A student who has a grade point average (GPA) of 95.00 or higher with no grade lower than 80% earns a placement on the Distinguished Honor Roll for that marking period.

Regular Honor Roll: A student who has a grade point average (GPA), for the marking period of 85.00 to 94.99 with no grade lower than 70% earns placement on the Regular Honor Roll.

Library-Media Center
       The library, which is central to student success at the high school, has an extensive collection of books, reference materials, paperbacks, magazines, reprint articles, and computer resources.  Library staff and technical aides are always available to help students.  Students may use the library from 7:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., during open periods or with teachers during class time.
            The library currently has 70 computers available for student use. The computer network offers Microsoft software.  In addition to Internet access, on-line subscription services and academic reference materials are available.  Locally available materials can be accessed using Athena, the on-line library catalog.  Use of the computers in the library is a privilege, not a right.  Since curriculum use of computers takes precedence over all other uses, computers will at times be reserved for library or class use.                               Preference is given to students who have academic work. Students who have difficulty with software, passwords or other problems with their computer file should report to the technical aides for help.
            Everything in the library is available to help students succeed.  Most materials can be taken home or to the classroom as necessary.  However, all materials must be checked in and out at the circulation desk.  Materials should be returned to the shelves or the circulation desk after use. 

Make–up Work
            All work missed by an unanticipated, excused absence from school must be made up for credit upon return to school.  It is the student's responsibility to meet with each teacher to make plans for this purpose. Normally all missed tests, examinations, and mandatory class work should be completed immediately following the student’s return to school; within two (2) school days for each day of absence and within a maximum of ten (10) days for absences of a week or longer. However, students who miss a test, exam, quiz, etc. because of a single day of absence must make up the test, exam, quiz, etc. on the first day of their return to the class. 

Minimum Scheduling Requirements Per Year
The minimum number of credits for which a student must be scheduled in each of the four high school years are:

                        Freshmen:       7 credits                                 Juniors:           6 credits
                        Sophomores:  7 credits                                 Seniors:          6 credits

Procedures for Fulfilling Academic Requirements Due to Absence From School/Class
Any student who is absent from school/class for any reason (including participation in activities) must make up all missed class assignments. If the made up work is satisfactory, the student will receive full credit for the assignment. Work is not permitted to be made up during classes unless special provisions are made with the teacher. Parents/guardians of any student who will be lawfully absent for more than three school days must notify the school so that arrangements for home assignments can be offered. The parents/guardians of any student who will have a prolonged absence (two weeks or longer) must notify the school to make the necessary arrangements for homebound instruction. In each case, substantiation of the reason for the absence is required.

Procedures for Re-taking a Course Due to Academic Failure, Loss of Credit, or the Desire to Improve the Grade in a Course Previously Passed
            Option A:    Repeat the entire course during a future school year.
            Option B -   Attend Remedial Summer School :

1. The student may attend summer school if his/her final average in the course is a minimum of 40%, all the course requirements have been completed and he/she has taken the final exam in the course.
2. The student must have completed all obligations established by the attendance office for absence or lateness.
3. The student must attend the summer school course for 60 hours.
4. Payment for the course is the responsibility of the family.
5. The student’s final transcript will show both grades and both grades will be calculated into the student’s overall GPA.

            Option C -    Receive one-to-one tutoring:
     A student may receive credit for review of a course if he/she is tutored for 30 hours in the course content of a course in which the student passed at least two marking periods or one marking period and the mid-term and final exam.  If the student has not met this criterion, he/she may receive credit for the course by being tutored for 60 hours.

1. The tutor must be a Pennsylvania certified teacher in the subject area of the course.
2. Payment for the tutor is the responsibility of the family.
3. The student is required to take and pass (60%) the UMHS final exam in the selected course
4. The grade from the course will be posted on the transcript but it is not to be included in the overall GPA.

      
Requirements For Graduation
            To earn a Pennsylvania endorsed high school diploma from Upper Moreland High School, a student must fulfill the following minimum:

1. Score at or above the Proficient level in all content areas of the PSSA or pass the appropriate PSSA remedial course during the Senior year
2. Successfully complete a minimum of 25 high school credits (Class of 2006)or 24 high school credits (Class of 2007, 2008, 2009)
3. Successfully complete the Senior English Research Paper
4. Successfully complete the Graduation Project
5. Successfully complete the following minimum course requirements as defined by the Upper Moreland Township Board of School Directors:
   • Four years (4 credits) of English, one year (1 credit) in each grade 9-12 (English electives do not satisfy the requirement)
   • Three years (3 credits)of Mathematics
   • Three years (3 credits)of Science
   • Three years (3 credits)of Global Studies
   • 3 credits of Arts & Humanities (includes World Languages, Art, Music, selected Social Studies courses)
   • 4 credits of electives (5 credits of electives for Class of 2006 only)
   • 1.5 credits of Physical Education/Fitness (1 credit for Class of 2006 only)
   • 1.5 credits of Health/Nutrition (1 credit for Class of 2006 only)
   • 1 credit Graduation Project

          High school level courses taken prior to grade 9 may be used to meet prerequisites or to advance levels.  However, because graduation requirements may be met only by courses taken in grades 9-12, high school level courses taken prior to grade 9 are not included in the calculation, are not credit-bearing, and do not appear on the transcript.
          Minimum graduation requirements should not be confused with college admission requirements. The general rule of thumb for most four year colleges is that applicants should have completed a minimum of 16 "academic units." Typically, one unit equals a full year college preparatory course in English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, or World Languages.
      
Standards for Promotion
Grade placement is determined by accumulated earned credits as follows:
                   Sophomore (Grade 10) Status:          Minimum 5.00 credits earned
                   Junior (Grade 11) Status:                    Minimum 11.00 credits earned
                   Senior (Grade 12) Status:                    Minimum 17.00 credits earned