Seneca High SchoolTLC: Teach Learn Create
Seneca today, success tomorrowSeneca LifeFreshman CommunityHAWKS Time

Explanation of Academic Grades

The assignment of the following letter grades is based on the following numerical averages:

  • A: 93 to 100% (Outstanding Performance)
  • B: 86 to 92% (Above Average Performance)
  • C: 79 to 85% (Average Performance)
  • D: 70 to 78% (Below Average Performance)
  • U: Below 70% (Unsatisfactory Performance)

Honor Roll

The Honor Roll is calculated at the end of each trimester. To be on the Honor Roll, students must have no grades (academic or conduct) below a B and, academically, they must have at least a 3.3 grade point average (GPA). Students on the Principal's Honor Roll may have no grade below a B- with a 3.7 GPA.

Academic Letters

Academic letters are presented to students in the ninth through the twelfth grades. These letters are given to students who are enrolled in a minimum of five classes with a GPA of 3.5 with no grade lower than a B-. For the first year, students receive an academic letter. The second, third, and fourth years, students receive a bar. All honored seniors receive their awards at the end of the year. All honored underclassmen receive their awards in the fall.

Promotion Requirements

Students successfully completing a high school course will earn a half credit for each trimester of work. Placement of students in high school is determined by the number of credits earned:

  • Freshman: 0 credits earned
  • Sophomore: 5 credits earned
  • Junior: 11 credits earned
  • Senior: 16 credits earned

Students must also have 100 percent completion each year of the Individual Learning Plan (ILP) to be promoted to the next grade.

Seneca Summer School ESS

To be eligible for the Seneca Summer School Extended School Services (ESS), students must have a grade of at least 50 percent in the class he or she is intending to take for credit during the summer. Students must repeat classes with grades lower than 50 percent during the regular school year. Teachers report the percentage grades of failing students to the appropriate counselor at the time grades are due at trimester end so placement can be determined.

Graduation requirements

A student must earn a minimum of 22 credits to graduate:

  • English: 4 credits
  • Mathematics: 3 credits*
  • Science: 3 credits
  • Social Studies: 3 credits
  • Health and Physical Education: 1 credit
  • Electives: 7 credits*
  • Humanities: 1 credit**

Total credits needed to graduate: 22

*One of the seven required elective credits must be in the discipline of mathematics during the student's fourth year. This fourth year of math could be an approved equivalent math credit that is integrated, applied, interdisciplinary, occupational, or technical that meets the content standards in the state's Program of Studies and prepares a student for a career path based on the student's ILP.

**Students can satisfy the one credit required in humanities by either completing the History Appreciation of Visual and Performing Arts (HAVPA) course or by successfully pursuing art specialization. By specializing in art, students complete a minimum of three consecutive years in the following courses:

  • Art
  • Orchestra
  • Band
  • Choral music
  • Drama
  • Dance

JCPS High School Diploma Standards in Addition to Earned Credits

In order to graduate and receive a high school diploma from JCPS, a student must achieve each of the following:

  • Complete the state-required 22 credits
  • Score Apprentice or higher on the state Reading Assessment
  • Score Apprentice or higher on the state Math Assessment
  • Score Apprentice or higher on the state Writing On-Demand Assessment
  • Complete a senior writing portfolio
  • Completed ILP annually

Individual Learning Plan

All students must complete the Individual Learning Plan (ILP) via the Internet each school year. The ILP affords students the opportunity to explore careers and colleges; to match interests and skills with careers and colleges; to match high school coursework with college and career preparation; and to create a résumé of experiences, education, and activities for future use in scholarships and job applications. Students access the Web Site, Career Cruising, through a link on JCPS Online. Students must use their JCPS user ids and passwords to access JCPS Online. If a student does not know his or her username and ID, he or she should check with an English teacher or counselor as soon as possible. The completion of the ILP is required for promotion to the next grade level. Click here for more information.

Basis of Academic Grades

Academic grades will be based on the following two criteria:

  1. Daily work will include, but is not limited to, at least three of the following: participation, homework, portfolios, seat work, notes, discussion, quizzes, group work, projects, and presentations.
  2. Exams will constitute at least 20 percent, but not more than 40 percent, of the grade.

Portfolios and Courses of Study

A student must earn a Proficient or Distinguished score on the writing portfolio in order to receive an Advance Program seal on his or her diploma and/or an Advanced Placement credit. A student must earn a high Apprentice or better score on the writing portfolio to receive an Honors seal on his or her diploma.