Jesuit High School is a College Preparatory and as such, all of the academic courses are certified as college preparatory by the University of California. Within the curriculum, the course of studies for each individual student is designed to challenge him within the boundaries of his ability level. Jesuit also offers a series of courses and groupings designed to solidify the foundation of students (within the college prep framework) in the areas of English, Mathematics, Foreign Language and Science. These courses are designated review or basic skills courses. Jesuit offers advanced placement groupings in a total of twenty-six different courses. Of these, twenty-one upper division courses are designated as honors or advanced placement and thus receive extra grade point credit from the University of California. By graduation, the average Jesuit High School senior will have equaled or surpassed the admission requirements of every major college in the United States.

For information on any of the following topics, please click to read about Jesuit policy (hit the "back" button to return here):

Homework

Academic objectives in a college preparatory school depend heavily on work performed at school and at home. Homework for the Jesuit student is not limited solely to written work; it also includes reading, study, and preparation for exams and will generally require 30-45 minutes per class per night on "A" weeks and proportionately less on "B" weeks. Homework is expected to be neat and completed in accordance with the directions given by the teacher. Assignments may not be sent by FAX!

Classroom and homework assignments are the sole responsibility of the student. All students should obtain the phone numbers of other reliable students whom they can contact for missed assignments due to absences. In extreme circumstances, such as hospitalization or long term illness of more than one week, the Dean's Office will assist students in gathering information relative to missed work. In some cases, outside tutoring or home tutoring may be required to bring students current in classes. Outside tutoring will be at the expense of the student's family.   [Top]

Academic Detention

A student will be assigned to Academic Detention by his teacher on any (and every) day on which he does not produce the written or study work assigned for that day. Unlike disciplinary detention, students must serve academic detention on the day that it is assigned. There are no exceptions to this rule. Excuses for missing detention (e.g., athletic or other co-curricular events, work, carpool, medical appointments) will not be accepted. Academic Detention will be held daily (Monday - Friday) beginning approximately 10 minutes after the final bell rings and lasting for one hour. Failure to attend an assigned Academic Detention will result in a one day suspension and/or three days of disciplinary detention.   [Top]

Grades

Grades represent a judgment by the instructor. Although they do not always represent a perfect judgment, they are devices for measuring and reporting progress and achievement. They aid students in determining their individual strengths and weaknesses; they may also be incentives to greater academic growth. Academic grades are not directly dependent upon behavior and are never lowered for disciplinary reasons. Letter grades are not given for citizenship. A comment code is used to indicate a student's status or progress as it pertains to attendance, attitude, and general conduct.   [Top]

Disputed Grades

Students or parents who have a question regarding a grade should first attempt to resolve the problem with the teacher concerned. The request for a grade review must be made within one month of the grade being issued. If the dispute is not resolved, the teacher and/or student/parent may appeal to the applicable department chair for further clarification or review. The department head may call a meeting of all parties concerned for a final resolution of the problem.   [Top]

Progress Reports

Midway through each grading period, teachers fill out progress reports on students whose grade-in-progress is a "D" or an "F". Students on Academic Probation will also bring home a Grade-In-Progress report every two weeks as part of their probation.

Quarter grade reports also constitute grades-in-progress. Copies of these reports are sent home to parents for their review and signature. Teachers may send out these notices at other times during the year if a student's academic performance falls below par.

Before a student can be given a semester "D" or an "F" grade, the student and his parents will and must be notified in sufficient time, by means of a progress report, quarter grade report, or Grade-In-Progress report.   [Top]

Cheating

Jesuit High School exists in order to provide an environment where Christian values are taught and practiced. Every student is strongly encouraged to use his intellectual talents to the best of his ability. The personal development of each student, however, is deemed more important than the achievement of academic success. Personal integrity is essential for building community and promoting social justice.

Cheating in any form violates the philosophy of Jesuit High School and will not be tolerated. Any student who cheats, copies homework, plagiarizes, violates testing procedures, or knowingly enables another student to cheat will receive a zero for the exam or work in question and be sent immediately to the Dean.

The Dean will notify the student's parents and ascertain appropriate punishment which may include detention, suspension, being placed on disciplinary probation, or expulsion, depending on the severity of the offense. A student who cheats on a quarter or semester exam will receive a zero for that exam and an "F" for that grading period.   [Top]

Transcripts

Transcripts are permanent records of all courses taken and semester grades earned while a student is at Jesuit High School. At the discretion of the Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Assessment and with prior approval, college preparatory courses taken at other schools during summer session will also be recorded. Grades may be changed only by the teacher assigning the grade and with approval of the A.P. for Curriculum and Assessment.

Once a course has been completed, it may not be replaced or deleted from a student's transcript. Students and their parents/legal guardians have the right to review the student’s transcript and may obtain an "unofficial" copy of it from the Registrar upon request.

Official transcripts may be ordered by either the student or parent for a fee of $2.00. Most colleges and scholarship programs require that the "official" transcripts be mailed directly by the registrar.   [Top]

Interpretation of Grades

After each grading period a report card is issued. Report cards must be signed and returned by the student to his homeroom teacher. Parents should use the explanations given below to interpret their son's grades.

"A" Indicates superior proficiency and achievement -- a college recommending grade

"B" Indicates above average proficiency and achievement -- a college recommending grade.

"C" Indicates fair proficiency and achievement -- not a college recommending grade

"D" Indicates minimum proficiency and achievement -- credit given

"F" Unacceptable work -- no credit given.

Teachers may assign "pluses" and "minuses" at their discretion within each grade range. Jesuit uses a fully weighted grade point system as defined below:

Notes:

- Grades of "I" must be cleared within 30 days and are considered "F's" until the incomplete grade has been cleared by the teacher.

- Grades of “NC” indicate that the student has exceeded the mandatory attendance requirement (8 or fewer non-school related absences in a semester) and will receive “No Credit” unless a petition is filed and approved by the principal.

Comment Codes

I ATTENDANCE:

1 - Absences have affected academic achievement

2 - Excessive tardiness

II ATTITUDE:

3 - Demonstrates Commendable attitude and/or behavior towards class, subject, teacher and fellow students.

4 - Demonstrates Acceptable attitude and/or behavior towards class, subject, teacher and fellow students.

5A - Demonstrates Inconsistent attitude in this class in terms of academic effort.

5B - Demonstrates Inconsistent behavior in this class towards class subject, teacher and/or fellow students.

6- Demonstrates Unsatisfactory attitude and/or behavior which requires immediate improvement.

7 - Attitude and/or behavior Seriously Interferes with classroom instruction.

III CONDUCT/EFFORT:

10 - Motivated, enthusiastic, actively participates in class

11 - Reliable, responsible, hard-working

12 - Respectful and cooperative

13 - Effort and performance improving

20 - Inattentive in class, unable to concentrate

21 - Inadequate preparation for class; (written work, projects, labs, etc.)

22 - Lacks serious approach to study

23 - Not working up to potential

30 - Excessive talking, distracts others

31 - Rude and discourteous

32 - Disruptive and uncooperative

50 - Teacher requests a phone call from parent. Please call 482-6060.

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Grade Point Average

Each student's grade-point average (GPA) is calculated at the conclusion of each grading period (quarter/semester) for the purpose of determining co-curricular eligibility, academic probation status, etc.

Only semester grades are placed on the student's transcript as part of his permanent school record. Only "college preparatory" courses taken at Jesuit High School are counted on a student's Academic GPA. All other courses (physical education, community service, peer support, newspaper, peer tutoring, study hall) are posted on the student’s permanent transcript and are included in each student’s general GPA.

The student's Cumulative Academic GPA includes all "college prep" credit courses taken while in high school after the freshman year. Although the student's permanent transcript contains the record of his freshman grades, these grades are not used to determine Cumulative Academic GPA or class rank.   [Top]

Honors/Advanced Placement Grade Credit:

All courses designated "Advanced Placement" (AP) or "Honors" (H) are given an additional grade point only for the purpose of determining class rank. The cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) reported to most colleges is based on a 4-point scale. Each individual college and university will assign additional grade point credit according to their own policy. For example, although Jesuit reports a student's GPA without regard to honors/AP, the U.C. system will add an additional point for each honors/AP course taken in the Sophomore, Junior, and/or Senior year to a maximum of eight grade points. An "honors" or "weighted" GPA is given upon request.

Students will be awarded an Honors Certificate if they complete a semester with the minimum GPA's indicated below in their college preparatory academic courses. Copies of the honor roll are published in the Principal's Newsletter and in the student newspaper. "Honors" GPA includes the extra grade points awarded students who take "honors" and/or "AP" courses. (see Honors/Advanced Placement Grade Credit on pg. 19)   [Top]

First Honors:

Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors with an Honors GPA of 3.7 or better.

Second Honors:

Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors with an Honors GPA of 3.2 or better.

Class Rank

Class rank is determined from each student’s Honors GPA and includes all courses taken at Jesuit High School after the freshman year. Class rank is only reported to colleges, universities and scholarship programs as a decile (e.g. 1st decile = top 10%) and then only when required.   [Top]

Academic Probation

All students are expected to achieve at least a 2.00 GPA. What is demanded, from each student, however, is a consistent and responsible effort in each subject. Any student whose grade point average (GPA) falls below a 2.00 ("C" average) or who receives two "D's" or one "F" at any grading period is automatically placed on academic probation. Should the student's GPA remain below 2.00 at the end of the semester, he will be liable for dismissal.

Parents will receive a "Grade-In-Progress" report every other week during the period of probation. Although the counselors facilitate this process, responsibility for completing this report on time lies completely with the student and his parent's). Any student who fails to complete the process on time will be assigned academic detention until the form is completed and be liable to lose his eligibility to participate in co-curricular activities. If a student fails to complete the process a second time, he will be liable for dismissal from school.

Students on Academic or Disciplinary Probation who wish to participate on an athletic team or in any other major co-curricular activity must petition the principal for an eligibility extension, not to exceed one quarter, before beginning or continuing (if already in progress) the activity or sport. This petition may be obtained from the counselor or Principal’s office. A letter of appeal must be attached to the petition and the student must meet with the Principal. Any student who falls below the academic eligibility standards of the Metro League (2.00 GPA, all courses taken at the high school, and 90% attendance) may not petition the principal for an athletic eligibility extension. An eligibility extension will normally be granted only once during a student's high school career.   [Top]

Parent/Teacher Conferences

Parent/Teacher conferences are normally held after the first and third quarter grading periods. Parents are requested to attend these conferences if their son is experiencing academic difficulties. Parents are directed to consult the school calendar for the specific dates and times of these conferences.

If contact with a teacher is desirable between these conferences, parents need only call the Switchboard and request that a teacher contact them. Teachers are expected to return all phone calls within 24 hours.   [Top]

Examinations

Students should expect to take numerous tests and quizzes during their years at Jesuit. Comprehensive semester and final examinations are required in all courses not only for evaluation of the semester's work, but also to provide the student with the experience of taking major exams under strict time requirements. No student may take an early or delayed semester examination except for reasons of proven illness or family emergency. Minimum "competency" exams are required in some subjects as a prerequisite to enrollment in the next course level. Proficiency exams may be used to determine placement in subsequent levels of a subject.   [Top]

Exemptions

Any senior who has earned a grade of "A" for the entire second semester, including the repetition period, may be awarded an exemption from that final exam. Students who have missed six or more classes in the second semester (excluding school retreats and counseling) will not be eligible for an exemption. Seniors in AP classes are required to take the AP Exam to earn an exemption.   [Top]

Repetitions

The process of repetition is an integral part of Jesuit pedagogy. Teachers are required to use the last two instructional meetings prior to each semester exam to review the material that will be assessed. No exams may be given, no projects or presentations may be due, no written homework may be required during these repetition days. Teachers are encouraged to outline the material to be assessed the week prior to scheduled comprehensive semester exams in order to give students the benefit of a weekend to study and get organized.   [Top]

National Testing Program

Jesuit Students will be given a number of standardized tests throughout their high school careers. These tests include nationally "normed" standardized tests administered in the freshman (Educational Development Test), sophomore (PLAN - pre-ACT) and junior (PSAT - pre-SAT) years administered during the school day and funded by the annualstudent body fee.

Students are "prepped" to take both the SAT I (Scholastic Ability Test) and the SAT II (Subject Area Tests) in the spring of their junior year and the fall of their senior year. Students must submit the registration paper work and fees to the Educational Testing Service. This can be done "on line" for most tests. The counseling department provides information and application forms for these tests. The SAT I and SAT II are administered at Jesuit on six national Saturday test dates. A practice SAT I is also offered each February for interested juniors. The ACT test for collegeadmissions is also offered on campus in June, October and December.

Other "subject specific" tests include the annual Advanced Placement Tests administered each May to students in AP (college level) courses, national exams in Latin and German and the UC Davis Mathematics Proficiency exams following each level of mathematics.   [Top]

Class Scheduling:

Scheduling worksheets and information packets are distributed to all students in February. These worksheets must be completed, signed by a parent, and returned to Jesuit during a special scheduling homeroom in March. Class schedules are prepared during the summer and are mailed to all returning students in July. Students must attend their Orientation at the end of the Summer to receive their final schedules. A late fee of $25 will be charged any student who does not attend this mandatory Orientation.

Placement in Honors/Advanced Placement and Elective courses is based on teacher recommendation (including attitude, behavior, participation, and cooperation), prior related academic performance, standardized test scores and the approval of the department chair. Placement into such courses is usually very competitive and is limited to a maximum of three courses per student. Exceptions to this limitation must be approved by the counseling department, the academic departments involved, and the Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Assessment.

Only the A. P. for Curriculum and Assessment or the Director of Scheduling may change a student's schedule or class load. A fee of $10.00 will be charged for each schedule change made once classes have begun. The deadline for class adds/drops without penalty is the week following the issue of 1^st and 3^rd quarter report cards. All other "approved" drops will be given a grade of "WP" - withdraw passing, of "WF" - withdraw failing.   [Top]

Study Hall

Students who have not scheduled an academic class in a given period will be assigned to the Study Hall in the library. Students are expected to make profitable use of this supervised period with all regular classroom rules in effect. This is not a free period or a recreation period. Students are encouraged to consider taking enrichment and elective courses or serve as office or teacher assistants in lieu of Study Hall.

Senior privilege: seniors who are not on academic or disciplinary probation, with the written permission of a parent or guardian, may leave campus when their Study Hall falls on the last period of the day after checking in with the Study Hall teacher for roll call. These students are not allowed to loiter on the school grounds, they must leave the campus until the end of the school day.   [Top]

Summer School

Jesuit High School offers a wide variety of credit, review, preparation and enrichment courses as well as soccer, basketball and baseball camps and sports conditioning. A complete summer school directory is published each spring. Please contact the Dean's Office after April 1st for information.   [Top]

Summer Reading

Jesuit requires interdisciplinary reading of all students during the summer months. Books are assigned in May and students are held accountable by taking a reading test or presenting a paper or project on the first day of regular classes in September. Scores from these assessments will count towards their 1st semester grades.   [Top]

Diplomas

Diplomas are awarded to each senior who successfully completes all graduation and subject area requirements, completes his seventh and eighth semesters with at least a 2.0 GPA, and is approved by the principal and Board of Trustees.

An Honors Diploma is awarded to all students who have taken at least two honors classes (four semesters) and complete the last six semesters with an academic GPA of at least 3.5, an Honors GPA of at least 3.7 or who are CSF Lifetime Members.

Students who graduate with a cumulative Honors GPA of 4.0 or better are awarded the distinction of graduating Magna Cum Laude. The student(s) with the highest "honors" GPA will graduate with the distinction Summa Cum Laude.   [Top]

Awards

Special recognition is given to outstanding students at the annual Awards Convocation in May. Students are recognized for excellence in academics, spiritual growth and co-curricular involvement.

An Awards Committee gathers nominations and information from students, faculty and program directors and recommends award winners to the principal. General Excellence Awards are presented to outstanding academic students who are recognized as well-rounded contributors to the Jesuit community. Outstanding Service Awards are given to those students whose hard work and dedication to the school community exemplifies "men for others." Each teacher is also invited to submit the name of a student who exemplifies integrity to receive a Thomas More Award.

A number of outstanding seniors are also selected by members of the faculty to receive either a Jesuit High School Department Award or a Bank of America certificate. The winners of each of these special awards were selected for distinguished achievement in a particular area of study or for their contribution to the community service, campus ministry, music, tutoring or athletic programs. Outstanding juniors who show extraordinary promise in academic areas are given Junior Book Awards as recommended by our faculty and staff.

Graduation Awards are given to extraordinary seniors at the Commencement Exercises. These awards include:

Salutatorian, given to a senior who is recognized as an outstanding representative of his class and delivers the invocation at Commencement

Scholar-Athlete Award, given to the senior who has consistently maintained a high grade point average and who has contributed significantly to the athletic program of the school

Scholar-Artist Award, given to the senior who has consistently maintained a high grade point average and who has contributed significantly to the visual and performing arts program of Jesuit High School

Pedro Arrupe, S.J. Award, given to the senior who has excelled in his concern for Christian social justice.

North American Martyrs Award, given to the senior who has best demonstrated the values and attributes of the North American Jesuit Martyrs

Alumni Association Service Award, given to a senior who has contributed conspicuously to the activities of the school

Principal’s Awards, given to seniors who have distinguished themselves by their school spirit, service and general excellence.

President’s Award, given to a senior who has distinguished himself for four years by his scholarship, excellence in conduct and devotion to the school in academics, the religious dimension and co-curricula's

Valedictorian, given to a senior in recognition of his distinguished academic record and outstanding achievements during his high school years

Ignatian Award, Jesuit’s highest award, given to a senior who has been deemed most outstanding in all phases of school life.   [Top]