Graduation and Grade Classification Requirements
Grade Classification Early Graduation Course Credit
Open Block Correspondence Credit Correspondence Course(s)
What is a credit? ...a term? Graduation Requirements Graduation Ceremony
Receiving a Diploma from SBHS Withdrawal from Course Grading System

 

OVERVIEW

  1. Students will enroll in four (4) blocks. Seniors who qualify can be scheduled to arrive at the end of block 1, or leave after block 3. See Qualification for Senior Open Block.
     
  2. A student must pass each course to receive credit for the course.
     
  3. Students may not withdraw from a course after 2 days. Schedules will not be changed during the semester due to failing or non-attendance. Students must remain in the scheduled classes for the entire semester.
     
  4. Seniors should check their academic standing often.
     
  5. Students may work toward early graduation (less than 4 years.) Subject to the following stipulations:
     

    1.  Students must declare their intent to graduate early when registering for their senior year.  The “Application for Early Graduation” form, including a plan justifying the request, must be completed.

    2.  Students must complete no fewer than 7 semesters all within an accredited school.

    3.  Students must have completed no fewer than 21 units of credit at the end of their 6th semester and have a GPA of 3.0.

    4.   Prior to approval of the early graduation plan, an interview between the student, parent(s), and a counselor or administrator must be held.  The completed “Application for Early Graduation” form must be brought to the interview.
     

  6. Other provisions apply—Students must take four courses during their 7th semester. Three courses must be academic and one course may be elective. Students will not be allowed an open block or scheduled to serve as an aide.
     
  7. Students who elect to take correspondence courses will bear all the tuition, books, and fees associated with the class.  Internet, DDN, Dual Enrollment, and APEX classes need to be paid for in advance and get the approval of the administration to be used for high school credit.  Students may take college courses and receive credit at SBHS. Applications for dual enrollment are available in the Counseling Office.
     
  8. In order to receive a diploma from Sturgis Brown High School, and individual must be enrolled as a student in said school. Students transferring from unaccredited schools or home schools must attend classes for no less than 2 semesters in order to be considered for graduation.
     
  9. Students will not participate in the graduation ceremony if they have not completed all the requirements necessary for graduation. Students who could complete the requirements over the summer or during an additional semester may participate in the graduation ceremonies the following year.
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  10. One unit of credit will be earned for the successful completion of a course meeting 90 minutes per day, 5 days per week per term. Term will be at least 18 weeks.
     
  11. Post-Secondary School Credit - credit earned through post secondary will count as a semester's work and the student will receive 1/2 credit. 3 or more college or post high school credits equal 1 high school credit.

GRADE CLASSIFICATION
Grade classification is only set at the beginning of school and will not change during the year. Students will be classified as a:

Freshman – 0-5 credits

Sophomore – 6-11 credits

Junior – 12-16 credits

Senior – 17 credits or higher

GRADING SYSTEM

100-96 = A 92-91 = B+ 85-84 = C+ 77-76 = D+
95-93 = A- 90-88 = B 83-80 = C 75-72 = D
  87-86 = B- 79-78 = C- 71-70 = D-
      69 & below = F

Graduation

Students will not participate in the graduation ceremony if they have not completed all the requirements necessary for graduation.  Students who could complete the requirements over the summer or during an additional semester may participate in the graduation ceremony the following year.  The graduation ceremony is a privilege, and students can be denied this privilege based on their behaviors and/or actions. 

Graduation Requirements

Students must earn 25 units of credit in grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 in order to graduate from Sturgis Brown High School.  This will include 4 units of language arts, 3 units of social studies, 3 units of science, 3 units of mathematics, 1 unit of physical education, 1 unit of fine arts, 1 unit of world language or an approved career and technical education class, 1 unit of economics or personal finance, and 8 units of electives.

In order to receive a diploma from Sturgis Brown High School, an individual must be enrolled as a student in said school.  Students transferring from unaccredited schools or home schools must attend classes for no fewer than two semesters in order to be considered for graduation.
 

 

 

 

 

 Students entering

Language Arts (4 Total)

 

 

 

2009-2010

2010-2011

2011-2012

2012-2013

English 9

 

 

 

1

 1 1 1

English 10

 

 

 

1

 1 1 1

English 11

 

 

 

1

 1 1 1

English 12

 

 

 

1

 1 1 1

Social Studies (4 Total)

 

 

 

 

   SS (3 Total) SS (3 Total)

Social Studies/Geography

 

 

 

1

 1 ( W. Geo/His) (W. Geo/His)

World History

 

 

 

1

 1 1 1

U.S. History

 

 

 

1

 1 1 1

Government

 

 

 

1

 1 1 1

Science (3 Total)

 

 

 

 

      

Physical Science

 

 

 

1

 1 1 1

Biology 1

 

 

 

1

 1 1 1

Science Elective (Chemistry)

 

 

 

1

 1 1 1

Mathematics (3 Total)

 

 

 

 

      

Algebra 1

 

 

 

1

 1 1 1

Mathematics Elective in Progression (Geometry)

 

 

 

1

 1 1 1

Mathematics Elective in Progression (Algebra 2)

 

 

 

1

 1 1 1

Physical Education (1 Total)

 

 

 

 

   (No JROTC) (No JROTC)

Physical Education/JROTC

 

 

 

1

 1 1 1

Computer

 

 

 

.5

 0 0 0

Fine Arts

 

 

 

1

 1 1 1

Career Planning/Personal Finance

 

 

 

1

 1 1 1

World Language/Career Technical

 

 

 

1

 1 1 1

Electives

 

 

 

6.5

 7 8 8

Total Credits

 

 

 

25

25

25

25

 

EARLY GRADUATION

“Students may work toward early graduation (fewer than four years) subject to the following stipulations:

  1. Students must declare their intent to graduate early when registering for their senior year.  The “Application for Early Graduation” form, including a plan justifying the request, must be completed.

  2. Students must complete no fewer than 7 semesters all within an accredited school.

  3. Students must have completed no fewer than 21 units of credit at the end of their 6th semester and have a GPA of 3.0.

  4. Prior to approval of the early graduation plan, an interview between the student, parent(s), and a counselor or administrator must be held.  The completed “Application for Early Graduation” form must be brought to the interview.”  (from Meade School Board Policy File IKF/IKFA)

Other provisions apply—Students must take four courses during their 7th semester. Three courses must be academic and one course may be elective.  Students will not be allowed an open block or scheduled to serve as an aide.

Career Major Diploma

This diploma is awarded to students who have successfully completed the following:  all core classes, 4 sciences, 4 mathematic courses, five classes listed in the career pathway, Career Planning, and a School to Careers Internship, totaling 30 credits or more.  All final grades must be a “C” or higher.

 Career Major with Honors Diploma

This award has the same requirements as Career Major except a student must complete the courses with a 3.0 GPA or higher.  See the Guidance Counselor for career pathway details.

correspondence courses/ DUAL ENROLLMENT

Students who elect to take correspondence courses will bear all the tuition, books, and fees associated with the class.  Internet, DDN, Dual Enrollment, Virtual High School, and APEX classes need to be paid for in advance and get the approval of the administration to be used for high school credit.  Students may take college courses and receive credit at SBHS. Applications for dual enrollment are available in the Student Services Office.

HONORS / HIGHEST HONORS

Honor graduates must obtain a 3.5 to 3.79 GPA.  To graduate with highest honors, a student must obtain a 3.8 or higher GPA.

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HONOR ROLL

Honor Roll will be listed at the end of each term.  To qualify for high honor roll, a student must attain a 3.5 GPA or higher for the term.  To qualify for the merit honor roll, a student must attain a 3.0 to 3.49 GPA.

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REGENTS’ SCHOLAR

The Department of Education and the South Dakota Board of Regents annually recognize seniors committed to academic excellence with a Regents’ Scholar diploma. Recipients of Regents’ Scholar diplomas are accepted for automatic entrance to any of the six public institutions of higher education in South Dakota.  To be eligible, a student must have completed the following courses (with no final grade below a C and an overall grade point average no lower than a 3.0):

4 units of English

4 units of Mathematics (3 credits of Algebra or higher Mathematics)

4 units of Science (3 units of approved Laboratory Science)

3 units of Social Studies

2 units of the same Modern or Classical Language  (includes American Sign Language)

1 unit of Fine Arts

1/2 unit of Computer Science

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QUALIFICATION FOR SENIOR OPEN BLOCK

Qualification for Senior Open Block:     

1.        Students must have written permission from parents to participate in the open block.

2.        GPA, attendance, and behavior all are criteria that qualify/disqualify a student from being eligible for an open block.

3.        Students with open block must be enrolled in three credited classes in a semester and not be a teacher assistant (non credit).

4.        Open block may be revoked at anytime due to tardiness, excessive absences, or performances in other classes.

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State Scholars Initiative

The South Dakota State Scholars Initiative is part of a national program that motivates students to complete a rigorous course of study in high school, with the goal of better preparing them for success in postsecondary education or training, as well as in their future careers.  Course of Study:  English – 4 credits, Social Studies – 3.5 credits, Math – 3 credits, Foreign Language – 2 credits in the same language, Physics and Chemistry.  Students that complete the coursework and receive no final grade lower than a C may qualify for the State Scholars Grant if the student is eligible for a Pell Grant.

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Last updated 11/24/2012 .