Academic Policies

Academic Tracking System

Student progress is closely monitored. We are committed to early identification of unproductive learning patterns and learning difficulties through the use of the Academic Tracking Procedure.

Course Outlines

A copy of the course outline for each course is kept on file in the office. Parents may request a copy for any course.

Student Records

According to the Ministry of Education (EDU), student records are to be maintained by the school. The Ontario Student Record (OSR) has been in use to the present. It contains the student’s academic record for all four years at high school, as well as the results from testing and assessments performed on the student throughout his/her years of schooling. Course credits and marks obtained are listed on the Ontario Student Transcript (OST) in the OSR. The OSR and OST remain at the school. Parents and students may ask to see this document at the school. A copy of the OST can be requested for $5.00. When a student applies to a university or college, an official copy of the OST is mailed out to each institution free of charge at the request of the student.

Definition of a Credit

A credit is granted to a student when he/she has successfully completed a course that has been scheduled for a minimum of 110 hours. A half credit course requires a minimum of 55 hours. The credit is granted by the principal on behalf of the Minister of Education. All courses have been developed from a Ministry of Education curriculum guideline without compromising Christian values. All courses have clearly defined time schedules as to when work must be completed through the course, as well as regularly scheduled evaluation of student achievement.

Examinations

All students must write the examination for all courses that have an exam.

Students who arrive late for an exam must report to the office.

Each student shall inform a school official by phone in case of absence.

Each student shall refrain from talking to other students once the exam has begun.

Each student will refrain from any activity which may be construed to be dishonest.

Dishonest activity may result in a mark of zero.

Each student shall remain in session for at least one hour.

Each student will be accompanied by a teacher at all times if he/she needs to leave the exam room for any reason during the examination.

The primary purpose of assessment and evaluation is to improve student learning. As part of assessment, teachers will provide students with descriptive feedback that will help to guide their efforts towards improvement. Evaluation refers to the process of judging the quality of student work and assigning a percentage grade. Teachers will base their assessment and evaluation on the provincial curriculum expectations and the Achievement Chart (the chart on p.14 will be included) which is the provincial standard for Ontario.

The final grade for each course is determined as follows:

• 70% of the grade is based on evaluations conducted throughout the course

• 30% of the grade will be based on a final evaluation in the form of an examination, performance, essay, presentation, and/or other method of evaluation suitable to the course content and administered towards the end of the course.

Reporting Student Achievement

Students receive a midterm and final report card each semester.

The report card focuses on two distinct but related aspects of student achievement. The students receive a grade which is based on the student’s performance in relation to the curriculum expectations. The development of the student’s learning skills is reported separately using a four point scale rather than a grade.

The School’s Policy on Withdrawal and Full Disclosure

If a student withdraws from a Grade 11 or 12 course within five instructional days following the issue of the midterm report card, the withdrawal is not recorded on the Ontario Student Transcript (OST).

If a student fails a course, the failing mark is entered on the OST. If the student repeats the course, both the failing mark and the passing mark will appear on the OST.

The information on the OST is an important part of the admission process for colleges and universities.

The Achievement Chart