FILE:  IHF

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT/GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
All students are required to earn at least twenty-seven (27) credits.  Additionally, beginning with the freshmen class entering 2004/2005, a cumulative 2.0 grade point average (GPA) will be required to graduate, as calculated through seven semesters.  Some classes are required and some are electives.  Those requirements are delineated in IHF-R.  Transitional courses may be needed in order to meet BHAS standards beginning the 2005-2006 school year.  Students may be required to complete transitional courses in lieu of electives normally available to students.

The Board shall grant a Benton Harbor High School diploma to those students who successfully complete the following requirements:

Class of 2007 and 2008	Class of 2009 and Beyond
4 - English Credits English 9, 10, 11, 12	4 - English Credits English 9, 10, 11, 12 (Must take 1 credit of English during the senior year)
3 - Social Studies Credits	3 - Social Studies Credits US History/Geography; World History/Geography; US Government/Economics
3 - Mathematics Credits	4 - Mathematics Credits Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Academy Math Elective (Must take 1 credit of math during the senior year)
3 - Science Credits	3 - Science Credits Biology, Chemistry or Physics, Academy  Science Elective
1 - Speech Credit	Not required (embedded into all courses w/a school-wide rubric)
1 - Freshman Focus Credit	1 - Freshman Seminar Credit
1 - Intro to Pathway Credit	Not required (embedded in academy delivery)
1 - Business/Computer Skills Credit	1 - Information Technology Credit (includes 1 online learning experience)
1 - Health Credit	1 - Health / Physical Education credit
1 - Physical Education Credit
2 -  Foreign Language credits (Professional)	2 - World Languages credits
6 - Career Pathway Core Elective Credits (Technical) 4 - Career Pathway Core Elective Credits (Professional)	5 - Academy Electives
0 - Visual or Performing Arts Credit	1 - Visual or Performing Arts credit
2 - Elective Credits	2 - Elective Credits
27 - Required Credits for BHHS Graduation

ADDITIONAL GRADUATION REQUIRMENTS

• The class of 2007 and beyond MUST complete all portions of the MI Merit Exam and must repeat each section they did not successfully complete at every testing opportunity to be eligible for graduation

• The Class or 2008 and beyond must have a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA to graduate

• Forgiveness Clause for the Class of 2008 and beyond:  When a course is retaken due to an unacceptable grade, the higher grade will prevail for GPA calculation.

All Benton Harbor High School students will declare a career major during their 9th grade year with the assistance of their parent(s)/guardian(s), faculty, and counselor based on their personal research of their skills and interests as compared to the National Career Clusters.   Throughout high school students will guide their students in alignment with their Education Development Plan (EDP) that will be developed in the Freshman Seminar course.

Students’ course selections in grades 10 through 12 will be based on this career major selection and will be supported by rigorous and relevant curriculum in their Career Academy. 

STUDENT CLASSIFICATIONS
Students shall be classified as follows:
Freshmen	Less than 7 credits
Sophomore	7 – 13 credits
Junior	14 – 18 credits
Senior	19  credits or higher

SUMMER SCHOOL
Middle School students can take a maximum of 2 classes in Summer School.  High School students can take a maximum of 2 classes. In addition, they can earn up to 4 credits in Correspondence School during their Senior year.  The cost for classes will be determined at the time of the class.

CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOL
Correspondence courses may be taken for high school credit with the written approval of the high school counselor.  The criteria for correspondence school enrollment is as follows:

1. The student must have an opportunity to graduate during the current school year.
2. The student must have a parent (guardian) sign a permission form.
3. All correspondence courses and subjects must be approved by the counselor.
4. A student may earn credits in accordance with North Central guidelines for correspondence school.  Four correspondence classes, taken during the regular school year will fulfill the semester requirements, if necessary.
5. The student must make certain that correspondence grades are mailed to the high school.  Final transcripts must be received prior to graduation.
6. The application deadline for all second semester correspondence requests is February 15th.

NIGHT SCHOOL
Students to attend would be determined by the Counselors in August and January.  This excludes the alternative afternoon program.

The District Curriculum shall be followed.  Student attendance will be  90%  or better, except where excused or unavoidable circumstances arise. This will  be determined by administration.

Students will be required to complete at least ninety (90) hours of instruction at three (3) hours per day (two days per week per course) and earn a “C” or better to receive the credit.  A maximum of two (2) courses can be taken per semester.

Students will pay for classes at the time of registration.  Tuition will be determined by BHAS.  Parents will become involved after their child has been identified to participate in the program. A parent contract will be required in order for the student to take classes.  Parents will be expected to sign and follow the contract, by meeting with the staff bi-weekly to help the child become successful.

CREDIT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR SUCCESS (CAPS)
To earn credit in the CAPS program, students will complete the CAPS curriculum and pass the End-of-Course Exam for the course at a rate of 70% or better.  This program will be available to students who:

1. Have completed 6 semesters and will need no more than 2 credits to be eligible to graduate in the next academic school year.  A student will be allowed to take 3 credits for graduation, with principal’s or his designee’s approval, only.

OR

2. Have completed 2 semesters and have less than 8 credits by the end of the semester.

• Counselors will assist in identifying qualified students who have completed the application procedures and who have met the criteria found in item A or B.
• Enrollment is available for regaining deficient credits only.  This program will not be used to advance to the next grade classification.
• Students will take a final exam, administered by the corresponding curriculum consultant.  This will meet the Michigan Department of Education’s guidelines for authentic assessment accountability.

TRANSFER
If a student transfers to Benton Harbor High School from an out-of-state or out-of district high school during the senior year, the following graduation criteria must be met if the student plans to graduate with the current Benton Harbor High School senior class:

1. Must meet all Benton Harbor High School graduation requirements.
2. Must be in attendance and complete the second term of the school year at Benton Harbor High School.
3. Must be a full-time student and taking four classes during the term which said student is enrolled during the year the student plans to graduate.

ADDITIONAL NOTES
All students shall have a full daily schedule and shall stay on campus during the lunch period unless excused for special work, work-based learning, or dual enrollment.

The Career Pathway plan may change, but it is necessary that by the junior year that Career Pathway courses align with the student's chosen major field.

Students will be given an additional one-year grace period under the original graduation requirements that were in effect when the student entered high school.

Subsequent to the expiration of the one year grace period , the student will have to follow the graduation requirements that are in effect for that year's senior class.

Students 20 years or older shall be referred to Adult Education or GED services.

The Benton Harbor Area Schools, Berrien County, Michigan