UNIT OF INSTRUCTION
Ten units is the amount of credit awarded for the successful completion of a course, which meets for all regularly scheduled classes (during the school year) as indicated in the school calendar.

MINIMUM COURSE LOAD
All students must maintain at least a minimum involvement in the school’s academic program. We define this to mean at least 4 “solid classes” (which typically involve homework, quizzes and tests) or 5 “classes” (which may involve “activity-based” classes such as Gymnix, music or art).

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GRADING SYSTEM AND POINTS
The Grade Point Average (GPA) is based on all course work for which credit is given. The symbols listed are used to identify grades along with the GPA points:

The symbol (+) grade adds 0.33 points except for an A+, while the symbol (-) subtracts 0.33 points from the assigned letter grade points.

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GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

To receive a DIPLOMA, a student must:

• Be in attendance at Highland Academy for the last semester and take at least a minimum student load (four solids or five classes); and
• Successfully complete 215 semester units of instruction, including the specified required classes; and
• Complete ALL school work BEFORE participating in the graduation exercises.

Course work must include the following general requirements:

* 5 Units Per Semester in Attendance
** U.S. History, 10 l Econ, 5 l Gov, 5

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SENIOR REQUIREMENTS

• To be a member of the Senior Class, or to participate in Senior Class activities, a student must
  • Have accumulated at least 150 units of high school credit,
  • Be taking a minimum course load which will meet all the graduation requirements, and
  • Not be taking any make-up classes from previously failed courses unless the student is transferring in to Highland their Senior year.
    
    Should a student fail a required class, or not keep up with a correspondence schedule, he/she will forfeit Senior class membership and may not be considered a candidate for graduation.
    
• All previous academic records must be in the Registrar's Office before the winter break of the senior year or the student will not be permitted to return to school.
• All home study/correspondence courses required for graduation must be completed and documentation of a passing grade received before the student will be permitted to go on the Senior Class Trip. A student will not participate in Graduation exercises unless all official documentation is in the Registrar’s Office by the Monday before Graduation.

TAKE NOTICE : Because colleges, universities and vocational/technical schools differ somewhat in their entrance requirements, students should select course work which meets the specific entrance requirements of their chosen school. Even if education and/or training after high school is not anticipated, well-chosen electives can enhance job opportunities.

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TYPICAL PROGRAM OF STUDY

An elective of 10 units of fine arts must be included during the course of study in addition to the following:

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ACCELERATION GRADUATION POLICY
The Highland Academy curriculum has been developed as a four-year program. Occasionally, because of outstanding academic ability as well as social and emotional maturity, a student may request to graduate in three years. Policy criteria are as follows:

1. Student must have the approval of the academy faculty.
2. Student must meet all regular graduation requirements including four Bible classes.
3. Student must have at least a 3.5 GPA to enter an acceleration program and must maintain at least a 3.25 GPA to continue.
4. Student must submit a written request, along with the parents' approval, to the Curriculum Committee no later than June following the freshman year.
5. By the end of the freshman year, the student will have accumulated at least 70 credit units.

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ACADEMIC RECOGNITION
Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above will graduate with Honors, while those who have 3.75 or more will graduate with High Honors. (The GPA for academic recognition is determined at the end of the first semester of the senior year; however, the cumulative GPA on the permanent record includes all scholastic work.)

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HOME SCHOOL
Standardization is important for communication among educational institutions. This is accomplished at Highland Academy through the General Conference Department of Education and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. We work hard to uphold academic standards and to maintain credibility with these accrediting bodies.

When students are accepted into our program from a home school environment, we face the challenge of accurately evaluating their academic ability and establishing credit for their home school work. The criteria we use is as follows:

• Parents are responsible for the academic preparation and competency their children bring with them to Highland Academy.
• Highland Academy will accept grades only from an accredited educational institution.
• Documentation of course work and home school experience is necessary in placing students into our program.
• Highland Academy will test students by using one or more standardized tests to determine the competency and content of their learning experience. The student will be responsible for the costs associated with testing. Based on these test results and proper documentation, the Curriculum Committee will determine the amount of credit, if any, that will be accepted.

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CORRESPONDENCE STUDY/SUMMER SCHOOL
Any student desiring to take correspondence work or summer school courses for credit should submit a WRITTEN request to the Curriculum Committee PRIOR to applying for such work. Except under unusual circumstances, permission will not be granted to take those courses that are offered in our school curriculum. Correspondence courses taken during the summer MUST BE COMPLETED BEFORE REGISTRATION at the beginning of the fall term. When replacing a failed course, if the course is not finished before Registration, the student will be enrolled in the class. Whether due to scheduling conflict or for scholastic enrichment, a correspondence class taken for credit must be under the supervision of the Curriculum Committee. All students desiring credit for correspondence courses are subject to being tested by Highland Academy.

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TOUR ELIGIBILITY
NO STUDENT CAN BE IN MORE THAN TWO TOURING GROUPS AT ONE TIME. The student is responsible to make arrangements, in advance, with his/her employer and classroom teachers. The academic work must be kept up to date if credit is to be granted. Going on a school-sponsored tour is not an excuse for not doing all regular school work.

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CHANGE OF PROGRAMS
No credit or penalty will be recorded for classes dropped within the first two weeks of the semester. “WP” (withdrew passing) is recorded for students who withdraw from a class up to the fifth week (first grading period) if they are doing passing work. “WF” (withdrew failing) is recorded for withdrawing after the fifth week of the semester regardless of the grade earned at the time of withdrawal – except when a student transfers to another school.

In order to enter or withdraw from any class, the student must:

• Have written permission from parents.
• Obtain a drop/add slip from the Registrar, have the appropriate teachers sign the form, and return the form to the Registrar's Office. Entering a class without proper arrangements will result in no credit.

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INCOMPLETES
Incomplete grades will be given only when circumstances such as illness have made it impossible for a student to finish class work in the regular time allotted. An incomplete does not buy time for a careless or indifferent student to make up missed work.

An incomplete becomes an "F" on the student's record unless the course work is satisfactorily finished within two weeks after the grades are issued or as arranged by the Curriculum Committee. Students are to take the initiative in making the arrangements and completing all required work.

Students should carefully note that class assignments, quizzes and tests cannot be made up if missed because of an unexcused absence.

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CHALLENGE EXAM
The requirement for a class can be waived by a student who demonstrates knowledge and competency on an exam approved by the Curriculum Committee and the subject area teacher. A passing grade is issued for a score of 80% or better and will be noted on the transcript as “P” Passing, and will not be calculated into the GPA. A failed challenge attempt will not be recorded. The challenge exam is not intended to make up failed classes or to change a grade. Up to three class requirements can be waived by Challenge Exam. The charge for the Challenge Exam is $100 per exam, payable in cash at the time the test is given.

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STANDARDIZED CLASS/HOMEWORK SUPPLIES
In an effort to help students be as efficient and organized as possible, each student should have the following:

• Regular size (8-½ x 11) notebook paper is the only paper acceptable (no tear-outs)
• Black or blue ink pens – red or other colors are not acceptable

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