Academic Policies

Grading System
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Grade Point Average (GPA)

Honors Courses

High School Level Courses Take Outside of RRSS

College Concurrent Enrollment

 

Grading System

The school year at Ronald Reagan Secondary School consists of four quarters.  Core courses always encompass all four quarters of the school year.  However, the number of quarters required to complete an elective will vary on the subject matter, the material covered, and the depth of the course.  The length of the course corresponds directly to its credit value.  See the course descriptions for more information regarding individual courses.

All grades are awarded in accordance with a course syllabus.  Course assignments are given a point value.  More difficult assignments and tests are weighted more heavily compared to worksheets and homework.  The thoroughness and quality of an assignment is graded at the teacher’s discretion.  Teachers may also utilize a grading margin to take into consideration sequential quarterly improvements in student performance.  Assignments are recorded in a gradebook and quarterly grades are tabulated which correspond directly to points awarded to the student after the completion of the quarter.  The grade sale is below.

Grade    Point Value          Significance
 
A             4.00
A-            3.67
B+           3.33                       
B             3.00
B-            2.67
C+           2.33
C             2.00
C-            1.67
D+           1.33                        Only for undergraduate
D             1.00                        Only for undergraduate
D-            0.67                        Only for undergraduate
F              0.0                          Failure
 

Grade Point Average (GPA)

The GPA at Ronald Reagan Secondary School reflects only courses taken at RRSS.  Courses that are transferred in will be listed on the transcript but will not be calculated into the GPA.  Similar to university systems, GPAs are weighted, i.e. they take into consideration the credit values of each course.  To calculate a GPA, one must know the credit values of the courses and the grade points earned in each course.

1.    Multiply each course’s credit value and grade point.  These are called “quality points.”

2.    Add all the quality points.

3.    Divide the sum of all quality points by the total number of credits attempted.

Honors Courses

From time to time, honors alternatives may become available for certain courses.  Selection and enrollment of students into an honors class require an “A” grade in its prerequisite class and/or permission from the instructor.  Honors classes require more effort and time from students, are more rigorous, contain more coursework, cover more material, and require a comprehensive honors project.  Honors projects are a substantial component in an honors class and must be preapproved by the teacher and meet all honors project criteria.  Self-motivated students who excel academically are ideal candidates for honors courses. 

High School Level Courses Taken Outside of RRSS

Ronald Reagan Secondary School will accept high school level courses taken at other institutions provided that the student’s coursework and grades can be verified.  Typically, this verification is done through the review of an official transcript.  Homeschooled students are eligible to transfer courses but must work closely with an Admissions Counselor in order to complete the verification process.  Appropriate placement of transfer-in students is based on verification.  Placement testing may be done at the school’s discretion.  Transfer courses may be used for course waivers and substitutions, at the sole discretion of RRSS.  Transfer courses will not be calculated into the cumulative GPA.

College Concurrent Enrollment

Students who wish to enroll in college while attending RRSS must speak to their counselor and complete a College Concurrent Enrollment Form.  Ronald Reagan Secondary School prepares students for secondary education and encourages students to experience real college education.  Some colleges or universities require certain conditions to be met before applying or enrolling.  Students should discuss their intentions with their counselor to determine whether or not concurrent enrollment is feasible and whether or not it adheres to the student’s college plan.