Academic Policies

Each student is required to take a minimum number of credits each year (6 or 7) based on their current grade level:

Freshmen and Sophomores: 7 credits
Juniors and Seniors: 6 Credits
All students can take a maximum of 7 full credits each
year.

The academic schedule that a student receives at the beginning of the academic year will be considered final. Dropping or adding courses after the start of the academic year is permitted only under the following circumstances:

• Student is misplaced
• Lacks necessary pre-requisites for the class
• School/computer error
• Extenuating circumstances (i.e. medical, family)

Course change requests can be initiated by the teacher, student, parent, or school counselor within the first 9 full weeks of the year for full credit courses and within the first 5 full weeks of the semester for half credit courses. Students must complete a schedule change request form and submit it to their assigned counselor. Any course change requests received after these deadlines will not be accepted.

Questions regarding a student’s academic placement should be directed to the Vice Principal of Academics or the assigned counselor.

Each student must meet the following requirements:

Students must obtain full credit at Central Catholic High School during their senior year.

The Vice Principal of Academics may grant exceptions to the above policies for transfer students.

Report cards are issued at the end of each quarter.

Grades issued at the end of each quarter indicate the quality of the student’s work at that point in the semester. Only final grades appear on the student’s permanent record.

Grades issued at the end of the first and second semesters appear in the Semester column of the report card. This grade is an evaluation of the student’s work for the entire semester.

At the end of a full-year course, the final grade is the exact mathematical average of the first and second semester grades.

A final grade of 69% will be raised one point.

All grades, once submitted, are final. A grade will be changed ONLY upon demonstration of a computation error.

Student Grades may be reduced due to significant absences- 15 Semester course 30 Year
long course.

The Honor Roll is published, and certificates are distributed at the end of each
semester. A student’s Honor Roll status is indicated on the quarterly report card. The Honor Roll is determined by calculating the Simple Quality Point Average during a given quarter. Level 1 under the Quality Point System (see appendix) indicates the values given for Honor Roll purposes.

To determine the Simple Quality Point Average, add the quality points under Level 1 for each grade in each course and divide them by the number of courses.

High Honors

• A simple Quality Point Average of 3.5 and higher
• A minimum grade of 75% in each subject
• A record of regular attendance
• Participation in Honors Convocation for academics is determined by obtaining High Honors for both semesters of the previous academic year

Honors

• A simple Quality Point Average of 3.2 to 3.49
• A minimum grade of 75% in each subject
• A record of regular attendance

All students enrolled in Level 5 (AP) classes are required to take the AP examination for each class as a course requirement. Failure to participate in this examination may result in an incomplete grade on the final transcript. The College Board determines the cost of each test. Letters will be mailed to parents at the end of September indicating total amount due for the required test(s).

Central Catholic students may gain “College in High School” credit in several courses through the University of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University, and La Roche College. Dual enrollment (taking a Central Catholic course for which transcript credit is also awarded by the sponsoring college or university) remains the decision of the student and his parents. By enrolling for credit through the college or university, the student assumes the financial responsibilities and work requirements outlined by each credit-awarding institution. Although the dual enrollment option provides a significant educational opportunity, no student is obligated to enroll in the College in High School program.

The students with the highest and second-highest cumulative GPAs at the end of the first semester of their senior year will be designated as Valedictorian and Salutatorian, respectively. GPA calculations will include all coursework completed from the freshman year through the final grading period of the senior year. Students must have attended Central Catholic High School for four years.

Candidates for Valedictorian and Salutatorian must have demonstrated exemplary behavior throughout their high school career. Any student with a record of serious disciplinary infractions may be disqualified from consideration for these honors. Disciplinary infractions include but are not limited to academic dishonesty, bullying, harassment, substance abuse, and any other behavior that significantly violates the school's code of conduct.

The Principal retains the final authority to interpret and apply this policy and to make any adjustments deemed necessary to uphold the integrity and values of the school.

A student with a failing final year grade on his transcripts (2.5 credits) must successfully complete a summer credit recovery course for each failure. Central Catholic will offer a summer credit recovery program for current freshmen, sophomores, and juniors. The courses will operate on an accelerated schedule and be held on campus. Students that have core class failures must complete credit recovery through this program unless otherwise specified. Any extenuating circumstances must be approved by the Director of Counseling. Students that have elective failures will be required to remediate their course(s) online through Waterfront Learning or another accredited program of the school’s choosing.

A student who fails a credit recovery course is not permitted to return to Central Catholic. A Academic Policies, cont. Honor Roll Advanced Placement College in High School Valedictorian/Salutatorian Summer School Promotion 15 student who fails the equivalent of three or more full credit courses is required to withdraw from Central Catholic and will not be readmitted. A summer credit recovery course does not replace the failing grade on the transcript and will not calculate into overall QPA. The course(s) will appear under the current academic year and will count towards graduation requirements.

A senior who has permission to complete make-up work for a course failure through an accredited credit recovery program will be issued his diploma only after having completed all work. A student who fails a course in the first semester may not repeat that same course in the second semester if it is being offered. Arrangements must be made with the student’s counselor to recover the credits.

A student is not permitted to repeat a year except in extenuating circumstances contingent upon administrative approval.

Students should understand the following policies regarding homework (unless specified otherwise by an individual teacher):

Homework includes regular study and reading of material beyond any written assignments. Students must complete all written and reading assignments. Assignments must be submitted by announced deadlines. Time extensions for full credit will be given only for excused absences. After an absence, the student should request from his teacher any assignments he missed. After an unplanned absence students must submit missed assignments in a timely manner. Prior to a planned absence, the student should request from his teacher what assignments will be missed. Teachers are neither expected nor encouraged to offer “extra credit” opportunities for students who do not complete required course assignments. Written homework must be completed thoroughly and neatly. Students must submit homework done only by themselves.

Homework Requests:

The student is responsible for course material and assignments missed during an absence. If a student is absent due to illness, he must check Moodle and/or contact each individual teacher via e-mail for assignments. Students should check with teachers at the beginning of the year as to how assignments may be obtained. In the case of a prolonged absence due to illness, parents must notify the Vice Principal of Academics.

A student with two or more failures at the close of any academic quarter will be declared academically ineligible to participate in all extracurricular activities and may be assigned to a supervised study hall during his free time in the following quarter. The student and his parents will be notified in writing by the Vice Principal of Academics at the start of the period of ineligibility.

Student eligibility for participation in extracurricular activities will be reviewed after the following quarter’s progress reports. Academically ineligible students must request the review process by completing the required forms available in the Academic Affairs office. A student will remain ineligible if his teachers indicate that he has one or more failing grades at the time of the review. Notification of eligibility status will be given in writing by the Vice Principal of Academics. Students may resume extracurricular activity participation only after the receipt of written approval.

The Bishop McDowell Program is designed for students who are desirous of a college-preparatory education but require additional academic support. This program brings together existing student-support programs to all students to discover the tools necessary to succeed at Central Catholic. Students in the Bishop McDowell Program participate in a summer enrichment program prior to their freshman year.

Central Catholic High School has a long tradition of educating and guiding young men of various abilities and backgrounds in a challenging and nurturing environment. The Academic Support Program continues St. John Baptist de La Salle’s legacy of touching the minds and hearts of students by supporting learning for students in all grades and levels, especially freshmen, and assisting Central Catholic parents. The tutors, who are members of the NHS and other very capable students, become “my brother’s keeper”, as they reach out to those students who struggle.

Named for a long-serving Assistant Principal, the Brother David S. Baginski, FSC Scholars Program is an interdisciplinary program that provides an exciting opportunity for highly motivated and independent students to do critical inquiry and discovery in the social sciences, humanities, and the sciences. Students may apply for admission to the Brother David Baginski, FSC Scholars Program during their sophomore year.

Integrity of Student Work: “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life.” John 14:6

Central Catholic High School is a community of scholars and learners committed to the pursuit of Truth. We strive toward this noble end animated by Honor, a virtue that calls forth from us all a deep measure of honesty, trustworthiness, fairness, and respect for the human dignity of all persons. Academic Integrity is the foundation of teaching and learning at Central Catholic and, as a Man of Faith, each student in this community shares with the Faculty, Staff, and Administration a common responsibility for the cultivation of a climate of Integrity.

Some practices that undermine the pursuit of Truth and Integrity include, but are not limited to: plagiarism, cheating on tests and exams, falsification, and unapproved collaboration on projects or other assignments. Below are instances of violations with which all Central Catholic students should be familiar:

1. Plagiarism: Plagiarism occurs when a student attempts to present as his own what has come from another source; e.g., using the ideas of another person, paraphrased or not, without giving credit to that source; rewriting borrowed material through minor word or sentence adjustments; presenting as one’s own a paper, project, or assignment that has been partially or completely prepared by another person, whether a relative, friend, fellow student, alumnus, or an employee of an online service or other business that produces such work, etc.
2. Cheating: Cheating occurs when a student uses course materials, information, or devices (programmable calculators, cell phones, etc.) in an unauthorized or prohibited manner; e.g., having or using unauthorized materials, information, or devices at an examination, test, or quiz; copying from another student at an examination, test, or quiz; copying another student’s assignment, data, or lab report; permitting another student to copy from your assignment, test, exam, quiz, or project; obtaining and/or using in an unauthorized manner an answer key or an examination, test, or quiz prior to its administration; sharing with students in other class sections information about tests, quizzes, or exams they will be taking, etc.
3. Falsification: Falsification occurs when a student makes a false statement or offers false information that misleads others; e.g., the manipulation or falsification of data for an academic assignment; the creation of a false or misleading source citation; intentionally obstructing or interfering with another student’s academic work, etc.
4. Double-Dipping: A student may not submit the same project, paper, or other assignment for more than one course without the expressed permission of all faculty members involved.

If a student is cited by a teacher for a violation of academic integrity, teachers will address the accused student to discuss the type of offense and academic penalty. Second, teachers will complete an Honor Code Violation Form Dean of Discipline. If a student is contesting the teacher's claim, this must be noted on the Honor Code Violation form. Next, teachers will contact the parents via e-mail to apprise them of the situation. Last, the Assistant Principal will contact the student to discuss the incident, reinforce the need to uphold academic integrity standards, and apprise the student of their penalty/punishment. For students that contest the claim and choose to address the Academic Integrity Committee, they will be provided with that opportunity.

The Academic Integrity Committee exists to demonstrate and ensure that honor and integrity are fundamental principles of our Lasallian community. Additionally, if a student has violated the Academic Integrity Policy of Central Catholic on multiple occasions, the Vice Principal of Student Affairs will convene the Academic Integrity Committee (AIC) to determine the proper response. The Academic Integrity Committee consists of teachers, counselors, and administrators. The AIC will reference the Central Catholic Student/ Parent Handbook which outlines the response considering the number of offenses and the severity.

Cheating includes, but is not limited to, the following behaviors:

• Talking during a test or quiz
• Looking at the paper of another student during a test or quiz
• Having answers/test material out or available during a test or quiz
• Sharing or receiving information about specific test or quiz questions prior to the administration of the test or quiz
• Copying homework or allowing another to copy his homework
• Working together on an assignment that is to be completed independently
• The use of “cheat sheets” in any form at any time. This includes the use of calculators to secretly store and use improper information during a test.
• Any form of communication between students during a test or quiz
• Providing answers or questions of a test or quiz to a student who has not yet taken his test or quiz
• Copying material from other students, whether the paper is copied directly or altered by changing selected words. This is also true for homework assignments, tests, or quizzes.
• Any type of plagiarism* including downloading material from the internet and submitting it as one’s own work
• Adding a name to a group project of an individual who has not made a significant contribution to the development of that project
• Taking course materials from a teacher’s desk, computer files, etc.
• Taking photos of a test, project, or assignment

*Plagiarism, the copying or unattributed use of another’s work is a form of cheating. A student who plagiarizes will receive both a grade of zero for the assignment and disciplinary sanctions. Please contact Mr. Steve Bezila (sbezila@centralcatholichs.com 412-208-3425) with any questions.

An offense of Academic Integrity may be categorized as a major offense due to three factors:

1. the size/weight of the assignment (Examples: Test, Midterm/Final Exam, research paper, etc.)
2. the premeditation and planning that increased the level of deceit
3. collaboration with other students (Example: sharing picture of a test with classmates, etc.)

• All violations of Academic Integrity will be recorded in PowerSchool.
• Violations of academic integrity may impact standing in National Honor Society and/or the Scholars Program.
• Egregious violations of academic integrity carry with them 20 discipline points and could amount to Level III discipline.
• The enrollment status of students with Level III discipline or failing multiple classes will be reviewed by the administration at year's end.

As part of our Lasallian mission, Central Catholic is committed to supporting the diverse learning needs of all students entrusted to our care. We are dedicated to providing limited accommodations for qualified students so that they can realize their full academic potential while navigating through our rigorous college preparatory curriculum.

Process for Requesting and Receiving Academic Accommodations:

• Parents must provide documentation to their son’s assigned counselor. The documentation must come from a licensed or certified evaluator and should be current (within three years).
• The counselor reviews the documentation and determines if accommodations are appropriate based on evaluator recommendations.
• The counselor will create an academic support plan which will detail all the academic accommodations that the student is eligible to receive while at Central Catholic.
• The counselor reviews the proposed academic support plan with student/parents. The student and counselor will determine which course(s) academic accommodations are needed.
• The student/parents must sign and return the academic support plan to the counselor.
• The counselor provides teachers with a copy of the academic support plan and sends updates as needed.

Examples of Academic Accommodations:

• Extended time (up to 50%)
• Alternate testing location
• Preferential seating
• Note taking assistance
• Modified assignments or tests
• Academic support/tutoring
• It is ultimately the student’s responsibility to communicate any issues or concerns regarding academic accommodations directly to the appropriate teachers and assigned counselor. Counselors will meet with qualified students at the beginning of each new school year to review the previous support plan and make any modifications if necessary.

Students that elect to receive academic accommodations are expected to utilize them to the fullest extent. If a student is considering to opt out of receiving academic accommodation, he needs to speak with his counselor. Written permission will be required from a parent before any changes to academic accommodations can be made.

An academic support plan does not guarantee a student’s eligibility for accommodations on standardized exams (SAT/ACT). Testing accommodations for standardized exams must be requested directly through College Board and ACT with the assistance of a counselor.

In-school Testing Accommodations:
To secure testing accommodations (i.e. extended time, alternate testing location) on tests and quizzes, students must follow these important steps:

• Inform their teachers every time they wish to utilize the testing accommodations. This is best done in person immediately following the announcement of a test or quiz.
• Report directly to the Academic Support classroom (BRC 1) during the scheduled class period.
• Return to their regular classroom when finished if there is time remaining in the period.

Testing Accommodations on Standardized Exams:
The process for requesting testing accommodations through College Board or ACT can take up to 4 weeks for approval. The Director of School Counseling will initiate the electronic request process and should be contacted as early as possible. 

Steps for submitting an accommodation request:

• Parents should request a “consent to release information” form from School Counseling and return promptly.
• The accommodations request is submitted electronically by the Director of School Counseling and a decision is made within 4 weeks (you will receive notification by mail and/or e-mail).
• For the SAT, students should wait until an accommodation decision has been made before registering as you will be required to enter your SSD eligibility code during registration (pay close attention to the deadlines and give yourself plenty of time to avoid any unforeseen issues).
• For ACT, students should register for the exam first (indicate your need for accommodations when prompted to do so) and forward the confirmation e-mail to the Director of School Counseling as it will contain your personal identification number which is required to submit the request.
• Upon approval, you will not be required to do anything further.
• For more information, visit www.collegeboard.org or www.act.org and type in keyword “accommodations.”