Academic Information

ACADEMIC INFORMATION

Academic Probation
Upper School students who are failing two or more classes or who have an overall average below 76 at the end of the first interim, second interim or trimester reporting period will be on academic probation. In an attempt to make academic probation a positive learning experience, the following program will be implemented.
After speaking with the student, a guidance counselor will contact the parents to inform them of their child's status and discuss specific guidelines for helping the student work toward satisfactory progress in all subject areas.

Phase I
Students on the first phase of academic probation will receive weekly progress reports, participate in required academic study halls, and will meet with teachers of subjects in which deficiencies were experienced to develop a plan of action to remedy the current academic situation. Students on the first phase of academic probation will be reevaluated at the next interim or grading period (whichever comes first). If the student has an overall academic average of 76 or greater and is failing no more than one subject, he/she will be released from academic probation. If a student fails to meet the requirements to be removed from academic probation, he/she will enter phase two of academic probation.

Phase II
During phase two the student will not be allowed to participate in any extracurricular activities. Student participation in any activity that affects classroom attendance must be approved by the administration. This will begin the day after interim reports or report cards are issued. The student will continue to receive progress reports, to participate in academic study hall, and to meet with the teacher(s) to discuss and reevaluate the current plan of action. Students will once again be reevaluated at the next interim or grading period to determine if he/she may be released from academic probation or must continue.

The goal of academic probation is to increase communication among parents, faculty and students and to provide an academic environment that will assist each student in achieving academic success.

Retention and Readmission Policy

Retention: Failure of English I-IV will result in retention in the grade. Advancement to the next level may only be accomplished by passing English in summer school at NSA or at a school approved by NSA.
Failure of 2 or more academic subjects, regardless of the status of English, will prohibit a student from receiving a grade promotion at NSA for the ensuing year. It may also result in a student being prohibited from returning to NSA for the ensuing year.
To earn an NSA diploma, English V must be completed at NSA during the regular academic year.

Readmission: Any student who leaves NSA because of withdrawal, failure or expulsion and wishes to be reinstated must earn a minimum of a C average in each academic subject for a full academic year at an accredited school. A student will be considered for readmission on the basis of the regular admission policies. Readmission is not guaranteed.

An applicant who has been expelled from another school is subject to the same restrictions that apply to the readmission of an expelled NSA student.

Non-Academic Probation
Students who do not demonstrate the appropriate work ethic, behavior or school responsibilities will be placed on non-academic probation and are subject to consequences ranging from removal from extracurricular activities to a Status Review.

Status Review
A Status Review can be held to address academic, disciplinary, or attendance issues. The Status Review Committee, comprised of guidance counselor, Dean of Students, and Headmaster, will establish specific goals that must be accomplished in order for the student to remain enrolled. Failure to achieve these goals may result in expulsion.

Report Cards
Report cards bearing numerical grades and a brief comment are mailed home at the end of each trimester. The report card will show the trimester test grade and the marking trimester average. The final report card will also show the yearly average.

Interim Reports
Interim reports will be issued twice each trimester. The first interim will be given to all students. A second interim will be sent to any student whose average is below 80 at the established date.

Grading Scale

Headmaster's List and Merit Roll
Students who earn a grade point average of 92 or above with no rounding in every course for each trimester are placed on the Headmaster's List. Students who earn a grade point average of 90 or above with no rounding and no grade below an 84 in every course for the trimester are placed on the Merit Roll.

Testing
Trimester test dates are listed below.
November 18. 21, 22
February 28, March 1, 2
June 5, 6, 7

Schedule for trimester tests:

Advanced Placement Courses will take the trimester test at the end of the first and second trimester (no exemptions).

Senior Test Exemptions
A senior (a student eligible for June graduation) may be exempt from trimester final tests in a subject area if the following criteria are met.

1. The student's average must be a 92 or above at the end of the trimester. No rounding is used to obtain the 92.
2. The student must not miss more than four days from the trimester class. School sponsored trips and athletic absences are not included in total absences.
3. A teacher may reserve the right to require all seniors in a class to take the exam.

Underclassmen Test Exemptions
A student in grades 8-11 may be exempt from the third trimester final test in a subject area if the following criteria are met.

1. The student's average must be a 92 or above at the end of the trimester. No rounding is used to obtain the 92.
2. The student must not miss more than four days from the trimester class. School sponsored trips and athletic absences are not included in total absences.
3. A teacher may reserve the right to require a student in a class to take the exam.

Make-Up Policy

1. An assignment given the day before a student is absent will be due the day the student returns. The student will be expected to do all the homework assigned during an absence.
2. If a student is at school at any time during the school day but misses a class, the student will be held responsible for the assignment. If an evaluation is scheduled for the next day, the student will be expected to take it. It is the student's responsibility to see the teacher before leaving school or after returning to school.
3. If a student has one all-day unplanned absence, the student will have two school days in which to make up the work. If the student has a two-day unplanned absence, the student will have four school days. For longer absences arrangements will be made.
4. It will be to the student's advantage to take an impending evaluation before a planned absence, but, if this cannot be arranged, you should be prepared to take it as soon as possible after you return.
5. Each department may establish penalties for late work.
6. Teachers will give special consideration to unusual circumstances.

Use of the Library
The Library's function in the school is to complement, support and expand the instruction of the classroom. We also hope to provide a pleasant atmosphere to stimulate independent study and the enjoyment of and appreciation for reading, listening and viewing.

For efficient operation of the library, the following will be observed.

1. Books may be checked out for a two-week period and renewed for a two-week period. AV materials may be checked out for use in the classroom during the day.
2. Books may not be checked out if the student has any item overdue. Continued abuse will result in loss of library privileges.
3. Students losing books will be charged the replacement price of the lost book. If the price of the book is not known, a fee of $20.00 will be charged for hardback books, and a fee of $8.00 will be charged for paperback books.
4. Books that are too damaged to shelve will be assessed the same amount as lost books.
5. Copies may be made for $.10 per page.
6. Back issues of magazines may be checked out. Copies may be made from current issues.
7. Newspapers are not checked out and must remain in the library.
8. Students desiring materials copied must use the copy machine in the library. Reference books may not be removed from the library for copying purposes.
9. The library is open from 8 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. each day.
10. Students may not remove any material from the library without following the proper checkout procedure.

ATTENDANCE

Attendance in class is of the utmost importance. The Academy has an obligation to set minimum attendance requirements in order for a student to receive credit for a course. Recognizing that illness, family trips, college visits, and unexpected absences may occur, the Academy has established attendance standards allowing for such eventualities.
Please note that a student who misses a class will incur an absence in that class. (Absences due to school sponsored trips are exempt from the attendance policy.)

Students who have four absences in a trimester course are subject to the following:

1. The student will be required to meet with the Dean of Students and guidance counselor to discuss the student's absences. A letter will be mailed to parents along with the attendance record.
2. Students who receive further absences will be required to attend make-up classes. These classes will be conducted at the school and will usually take place at the end of the academic day. Students will be required to complete work assigned by their teachers. Failure to attend the make-up class will be considered an unexcused absence and result in a ten demerit offense.

Realizing that there are special circumstances, the following guidelines will be used with the final approval of the administration:

• Hospitalized students are special cases and will be considered on an individual basis.
• Absences due to a death within a student's immediate family are special cases and will be considered on an individual basis.
• Special situations as they occur will be dealt with on an individual basis by the administration.
• Chronic absences may result in loss of course credit.

Absentee Notes
Students who have been absent from school must bring a signed note from their parent giving the date(s) of the absence(s) and the reason for the absence(s). This note must be given to Mrs. Johnson before the student attends their first class. Notes must be brought in within two days of the absence for the absence to be determined excused. After two school days, failure to bring an excused absentee note will cause the absence to be unexcused. Students will submit their absentee notes and early dismissal notes to the office prior to the beginning of the first class.

Please note that while the absence may be excused, it will count as an absence unless special circumstances exist. Excused absences may be given only for one of the following reasons:

1. Illness of pupil. For absence of one or two days a note from the parent or guardian is all that is required. Extended absences may require a statement from a doctor.
2. Serious family illness that reasonably necessitates absence of the pupil.
3. Death in the family.
4. Court appearance/Doctor/Dental Appointments. Students who have professional appointments (doctor, dentist, psychologist, attorney, court, etc.) that require the student's absence, early dismissal, or tardiness, should bring a statement from that professional following the appointment stating the pupil's name, date, and time of appointment.
5. Religious Holiday.
6. Pre-excused Absence. Pre-excused absences are defined as absences that occur with the full knowledge of the parents and administration (ex: family trips, etc.) A letter requesting "pre-excused" absences must be given to the Headmaster at least five school days prior to the absence or early dismissal. Please note that the Academy is unable to excuse non-family vacations.
7. Pre-approved college visitations for juniors and seniors.

Tardies
Four tardies in a class during a trimester grading period may result in the tardies being converted to an absence. Tardiness will be addressed by the Dean of Students.

Unexcused Absences
An unexcused absence is a ten-demerit offense for each class missed. The student will not receive credit for any graded work missed during the unexcused period.