Academics

STUDY HABITS

Time management skills are necessary for the college-bound student.  Successful students manage their time wisely during the day and evening, fulfilling the demands of a challenging academic program and at the same time having adequate time for recreation and sleep.
    Written work that is to be turned in for credit must be the student’s own work.  Exceptions to this standard may be made if a teacher chooses to give a group assignment.  It is the student’s responsibility to be clear about the requirements and expectations of any particular assignment.

USEFUL STUDY TIPS

1. Students should keep their school notebooks and Agenda books current and complete.
2. All assignments for the following day should be completed before going to bed.  It is a bad habit to postpone work until the morning the assignment is due.
3. Students should work regularly on long-term assignments that are due throughout the term.

PARENTAL ASSISTANCE

1. Check notebooks and Agenda books weekly.
2. Protect students from the telephone and help them to observe a reasonable bedtime.
3. Provide and encourage the use of a good study space.
4. Call the school for an appointment with the student’s adviser if grades or morale seem to be affected by problems with homework or social interaction at school or home.
5. Call specific course instructor relative to student progress.

APPOINTMENTS WITH FACULTY

Instructors are eager to give extra assistance when it can be arranged.  Students should take the initiative in making arrangements with the instructor. If students and/or their parents would like a specific appointment with a teacher, it can be arranged with the individual teacher or adviser.

INCOMPLETES

Listed below is the school policy for receiving a grade/credit for a class which was incomplete.
1. Students who have not completed satisfactorily the demonstration of the necessary concepts, skills and knowledge levels of a course within the established length of a course (9,18, or 36 weeks) may at the discretion of the teacher be given a grade of “I” (Incomplete) on their progress report.
2. Students will be given notice of their grade of “Incomplete” in a given course and notified of the time allowance provided for removing the incomplete grade--not to exceed: 1 week.
3. Students not completing their work to demonstrate the necessary concepts, skills and knowledge levels required by the time period given above will receive a grade of “0” on their transcript.
4. Students in classes established on a continuous progress basis, i.e., Spanish, will not receive a letter grade until the course is completed.  Their progress will be reported on the basis of their progression through the course requirements.
5. A student transferring from Dallas Lutheran School while “in progress” for a course described in “4” above will receive credit only for the portion of the course that he/she has successfully completed.

DROPPING/ADDING CLASSES

1. Students may drop and/or add courses without penalty if such action is completed before 7% of the class has occurred.
    • 5 class days for 2 unit class (18 weeks) semester class
    • 12 class days for 4 unit class (36 weeks) year class
2. Students may “drop” any course without penalty if such action is completed on or before 50% of the course has been completed. The transcript will read a “w” (Withdrawn). Withdrawal after 50% of the course has been completed will result in a failing grade.
3. Other circumstances may arise that are not adequately met by the above requirements. Students may, through their advisers, make special requests to the Registrar.
4. There is a $5.00 fee assessed for processing the Drop/Add Form if not submitted one week prior to the beginning of a marking period.

BOOK AND MATERIALS FEE

A book and materials deposit is required for all students. If all books, locks, etc., are turned in undamaged, the deposit is “rolled over” for the upcoming school year. Any student graduating or not re-enrolling will receive a refund. Take care of your supplies and save some money.

READING PROGRAM

Reading is a major key for improvement of comprehension and, thereby, achievement of academic success. Students will be involved in a year-round reading program. Reading requirements:
1. Read and report on an appropriate level book of the month.
2. Prepare current event summaries in science and social studies.
3. Successfully complete the summer reading program.
(All students will be tested in the fall on the summer reading requirement. English credit will be withheld until successful completion of this requirement.)
4. Reading materials are to be brought to each class period and to Advising.

TRANSCRIPTS

College/Scholarship Applications: Complete the “Request for Transcript” form available from the College Guidance Director. An accurate mailing address must be provided. Appropriate signature(s) and student Social Security number are required information. (Please allow at least 5 business days for processing.)

School-to-School Transfers: Transcript/Grade Reports/School Records must be requested in writing. Requests are submitted to the College Guidance Director. Transcript/Grade Report/School Records requests submitted at or near the end of a grading period cannot be processed until AFTER the published “Grades Mailed” date (see school’s annual calendar). A high school student must successfully complete a MINIMUM of 20 units of credit at DLS to receive a transcript or diploma from Dallas Lutheran School. Less than 20 hours will result in a grade sheet ONLY representing the time in attendance. (Please allow at least 5 business days for processing.)

NOTE: Transcripts/Grade Reports/School Records will not be released until all financial obligations are resolved.

VALEDICTORIAN/SALUTATORIAN RECOGNITION

Requirements for Valedictorian or Salutatorian of the senior class:
1. Meet all advanced diploma requirements.
2. Attend Dallas Lutheran School for the entire junior and senior years of high school.
3. Hold the highest and second highest cumulative grade point average.

COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS

Dallas Lutheran School requires students to accumulate 80 hours of community service credit between the end of the sophomore year and graduation. This helps students learn and appreciate the joy of being “other centered” as well as proclaim the Gospel of Christ to the community. Community Service projects MUST be approved by the College Guidance director prior to the beginning of the project.

PROMOTION OF STUDENTS IN 7TH/8TH GRADE

1. Students in 7th and 8th grade must show a passing grade (average of 4 quarters) in order to be promoted.
    • For a 7th to 8th grade promotion, the student must show passing grades in religion, English, history, mathematics, and science.
    • For an 8th to 9th grade promotion, the student must show passing grades in religion, English, history, mathematics, science, and computer science.
2. Exceptions can be made by the teacher making such a request to the Department Coordinator who in turn presents the requests to the administration for approval.
3. The following options exist for students who have failed 7th and 8th grade level courses:
    • Completion of failed course(s) during summer
    • Repeat the entire year

GRADING SYSTEM

Grades will be computed using a percentage point system with 100% as the highest grade and 70% as the lowest passing grade. Any grade below 70% will not earn credit. NOTE: In the event that successful completion of a core course (math, science, history, English, religion) is not accomplished, the student is expected to complete the course successfully before returning to DLS the next fall.

HONOR ROLL/MERIT ROLL

Students are eligible for inclusion on the Honor Roll or Merit Roll each quarter of each year in attendance. The grade percent average is used to determine a student’s eligibility at each level. MERIT ROLL: Grade percent average of 85% with no grade below a 77%. HONOR ROLL: Grade percent average of 93% with no grade below an 85%.

TAKING NON-DALLAS LUTHERAN SCHOOL COURSEWORK.  A student must have written approval from the Registrar in order to take a course outside Dallas Lutheran. An official transcript from the school issuing credit must be received by the Registrar in order for the credit to be included on the student’s official DLS transcript.