GENERAL INFORMATION

Student Records: Your student record contains much valuable information that includes standardized test results, SAT scores, and CAPT results, along with any interest inventories or other specialized evaluation instruments.

Choice of Subjects: A wise choice of subjects is based on your honest self-appraisal.  Occasionally, extreme changes in a student's work do occur, but generally, the record continues in a consistent fashion.  Steady improvement is always possible through good work habits.  You know your strengths and weaknesses; cultivate your strengths and strengthen your weaknesses.  Academic success in school may be enhanced if you make your subject selections with the following in mind:

What programs of study are best for me in light of my overall scholastic achievement?

What are my capabilities and in what areas am I weak and need improvement?

What are my interests, goals, and career paths?

Are my selections well-balanced between academic subjects and special interest areas?

Subject Selection Information: All subjects at the high school level are assigned units of credit values.  The number of class sessions and the amount of preparation necessary to achieve a satisfactory standard of performance determine these values.  The values used by the Norwalk schools are equivalent to those assigned by other secondary schools and institutions of higher learning. Every course taken in the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades becomes a part of the student’s official high school record.  This record of units of credits and marks earned determines a student’s average, rank in class, and qualifications for promotion and graduation.

Marking System:  The following are the letter marks, which make up the marking system with a description of the academic performance corresponding to each mark:

 Mark                        Weight         Description                           Mark         Weight                   Description

A                  4.0                   Superior                              D+                 1.3                   Below Average

A-                         3.7                                                               D                   1.0

B+               3.3                   Above Average                   D-                    .7

B                 3.0                                                               P   .                  .0                   Pass

                B-                2.7                   Average                              F                      .0                   Fail   

C+               2.3                                                              

                C                 2.0

                C-                1.7                  

Definition of Terms: Below are definitions of important terms used in this bulletin.  Get to know them, for you will use them throughout your high school years.

Grade Level:  In order to be promoted to the next grade level you must accumulate a total of five (5) credits per year.

Semester:  An academic session constituting half of the academic year.

Required Subjects:  Subjects necessary for graduation from high school.

Elective Subjects:  Subjects selected in addition to required subjects in order to earn sufficient credits for graduation.

Prerequisite Subjects:  Subjects that must be taken to qualify a student for more advanced subjects in the same area.

Co-requisite Subjects:  Subjects that may be taken concurrently with sequential subjects.

Course Code:  This is a four-digit number.  The first two numbers going from left to right designates the department, i.e. 00   is English, 11 is Math, 22 is Social studies, etc.  The third digit is merely administrative data processing expediency and has no educational significance.  The last digit, in most cases, designates different courses within the department.

In those cases where no third digit appears (there is an underscore), this indicates that there is more than one level of study available in the course.  In the subject selection process, pupils are assigned to one of these levels using teacher recommendations, test scores, and report card marks.

Parental input is encouraged not only in this process but also in the entire subject selection procedure.  Adjustments can be and are made as the above indictors change.

There are two exceptions to the above description.  The first is in the World Language Department (Spanish and French); the World Language teacher indicates the next level to which the pupil should be assigned and fills in the underscore.  The second exception occurs in Special Education. Students who are recommended for special education services will follow a prescribed course of studies as indicated in their Individual Education Plan (IEP) developed by the Planning and Placement Team (PPT) in conjunction with parents.

Marks:  Estimates of the student’s work as determined by the teacher of a particular subject.

Weights:  Numerical expression of Mark of A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-, P, F.

Units of Credit:  Points earned for subjects taken in grades 9, 10, 11 and 12 are used for graduation requirements, admission to college, and determining scholastic honor roll.

Quality Points:  Result of multiplying the weight times the unit.

Grade Point Average:  A numerical average arrived at by dividing the quality points by the units.

Incomplete:   A rank of incomplete makes one ineligible for the Honor Roll until the mark is changed to a letter grade at which time the pupil will become eligible.  A student has ten school days to make up incomplete work or an incomplete becomes an “F” grade.

Advanced Placement Program: Qualified highly-motivated students may take college-level subjects. Students are expected to take the Advanced Placement exam. More detailed information is available in the Guidance Office and through the guidance counselors.  Advanced Placement courses carry one additional point.  Advanced Placement courses may be open to underclassmen with special approval.

Honors Courses:  An honors program for the highly motivated and academically talented is available to all students in grades 9, 10, 11 and 12.  It is generally recommended that students who elect this program a) demonstrate a high level of motivation for learning, b) have achieved A’s and B’s in related subject areas, and c) be recommended by a team consisting of teachers, counselors, and department chairpersons.

Independent Study:  Independent study is an opportunity for a student to pursue an area of personal interest outside of the formal classroom structure.  It is a privilege granted to a pupil who has expressed interest in this type of educational format and who has demonstrated that he/she can responsibly carry out the terms of this contract. Independent Study courses may not be substituted for courses listed in the subject selection guide, a required course, used to fulfill graduation requirements nor used to make-up an ‘H.’

Course Auditing:  Course auditing is an opportunity for a conscientious student to pursue an educational experience in a course without concern for a grade or credit for the course.  The student’s permanent record will reflect the successful completion of the auditing contract.  This does not change or affect graduation requirements, honor roll, or rank in class.  Any student wishing to apply for a course auditing experience may do so by contacting his/her counselor and obtaining the teacher’s and Housemaster’s written permission.