Saint Michael High School students follow a college preparatory curriculum including core studies in mathematics, English, social studies and science. Students also have a variety of elective areas to select from, including art, music, computer science, and foreign languages. Navajo government and language classes are also taught. As a Catholic school, Saint Michael requires all students to study theology each year.

Academic Policies and Regulations

Graduation standards require satisfactory completion of twenty-eight academic credits (If student enrolled in the freshmen year).

Seven credits are required each year without semester failure. For graduation, a student must be enrolled at SMHS for the entire senior year.

Exceptions to these requirements, including adjustments for transfer students and provisions for remedying semester failures, are defined under terms for academic probation.

Credit Specification

28 credits are needed for graduation; in addition, students earn the indexed number of credits in each of the following areas:

Grading Standards

Honors

1st Honors:

• 3.6 or above GPA
• No grade below a “B”
• No suspensions during the grading period

2nd Honors:

• 3.0 or above GPA
• No grade below a “C”
• No suspensions during the grading period

Final approval of Honor Roll candidates is at the discretion of the principal. Conduct may be taken into consideration.

GPA

Grade-Point-Averages are determined by dividing total Point Value by the number of units [half-credits] attempted. All grades, including failing grades subsequently remedied, are included in the determination of GPA. Only in extreme hardship and upon advocacy by a committee of teachers, will the administration consider expunging remedied failures from a transcript.

Semester Grades

Each quarter grade accounts for 40% of the semester grade. The semester exam accounts for the remaining 20%.

Reports and Transcripts

Reports of academic performance and attendance will be mailed to parents/guardians of students quarterly as indicated on the school calendar.

Progress reports for all students, prepared at the mid-point of each quarter, are mailed to inform parents to academic, attitudinal or behavioral progress or problems.

Parents are encouraged to review reports with student/s and confer with staff in an attempt to seek ways to support the academic progress of their children.

Official transcripts, reflecting current and cumulative GPA and total credits attempted/earned, are updated upon completion of each semester.

Transfer of Credits

Credits transferred from accredited/approved high schools are accepted on the same basis as though such courses were completed at St. Michael High School.

In transcribing grades, credit value, and GPA from previous schools, SMHS will evaluate and record transfers consistent with current Grading Protocol.

Credit Through Correspondence

Scholastic work by correspondence course offers a remedy for semester failures, resolving scheduling conflicts, and accommodating requests for early graduation.

St. Michael High School will accept a maximum of four credits through correspondence toward satisfying graduation requirements. Credits must be earned through courses offered by a college/university extension accredited by the North Central Accrediting Association or its member organizations.

Any programs must be approved, facilitated and monitored by St. Michael High School administrative personnel.

Correspondence studies toward satisfying requirements for graduation is contingent upon:

• High School Level Courses: Open to all students with GPAs at-or-above 3.50.
• Restrictions are waived for students attempting to remedy semester failures.
• College Level Courses: Open to juniors and seniors with GPAs at-or-above 3.75, parental authorization, and compliance, with terms and conditions for concurrent enrollment in college-level correspondence studies as set by the offering institution.

The cost of correspondence courses, other than those necessitated by scheduling conflicts, shall be borne by the student.

Academic Probation

Academic Probation occurs with failure of one or more courses within a semester. A form letter specifying needed remediation is sent to parents. During academic probation, school personnel will work with the parents/students to identify specific academic deficiencies, contributing attitudes and behaviors.

As a condition of continued enrollment, the student will be expected to satisfy all terms as defined in the document of probation which will include, but not be limited to: remedy of semester failures through approved correspondence or summer school programs, after-school or Saturday tutorial sessions, denial of participation in interscholastic and sports activities, or modifications of the student’s program to provide supervised study or remedial services

Academic Dismissal

Dismissal from SMHS may result under the following conditions:

• One or two semester failures not remedied through Saturday Academy or an approved educational program prior to the beginning of the following semester.
• Three failures in one semester marking period.
• Failure to comply with terms and conditions of an academic probation.