Grading Policy 

There are a number of important terms used to explain the school district’s grading policy. They include:

Course Credit

Credit for a course will be granted when the final average achieved is 65 percent or greater.

Final Average

a. Full-Year Course – Add the 4 quarterly grades and the final exam grade, then divide the total by 5.

b. One-Semester Course – Add the 2 quarterly grades; add the final exam; and divide the total by 3. 

Regents Exams

Students enrolled in Regents courses are expected to take the Regents exam.

Weighted Averages

Weighted averages based on placement level are used when determining quarterly and final averages.

Academic Reports

Academic Progress Reports are issued eight times per year. They include two categories of reports:

a. Report Cards – Issued four times per year at the end of each quarter (10 weeks).

b. Interim Reports – Issued four times per year at the midpoint of the quarter (5 weeks).

Honor Roll and High Honor Roll

Honor Roll and High Honor Roll for students are posted quarterly as follows: 

• High Honor Roll – 90% and higher*
• Honor Roll – 85% through 89.9%*

*Cumulative average for all credit-bearing courses for that quarter.

National Honor Society

In order to be considered academically eligible for admission to the National Honor Society (NHS), a student must have a minimum cumulative average of 90.0. Admission to the NHS is also dependent upon a review of each candidate’s character, leadership, and service. Students are notified of their eligibility at the beginning of their junior year by the National Honor Society advisors. It is the responsibility of each eligible candidate to complete a formal application. The induction ceremony is held in September each year.

Academic Integrity

The ability and responsibility of students to use their own ideas, works, creations, and knowledge in completing exams, projects, reports, etc. is a guiding principle of public education in a free and democratic society. Students who cheat or plagiarize (use the ideas or words of another without full acknowledgment) will receive a zero on the assignment and not be permitted to redo it. Students who commit fraud (cheating) on any state examination (Regents, RCT, Proficiency, etc.) may lose their right to take any subsequent exams. 

Attendance Policy

The district believes that classroom participation is related to and affects a student’s performance and grasp of the subject matter and, as such, is properly reflected in a student’s final grade. According to the district attendance policy, classroom participation requires a student to be in class and prepared to work. 

Consequently, for each marking period, a certain percentage of a student’s final grade will be based on classroom participation as well as the student’s performance on homework, tests, papers, projects, etc. as determined by the building administrator and/or classroom teacher. 

Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes. Consistent with the importance of classroom participation, unexcused or nonexempt student absences, tardiness, and early departures will affect a student’s grade, including credit for classroom participation, for the marking period. 

Excused days may not exempt students from the Pine Bush High School attendance policy as it relates to course credit. The following are excused absences: emergency hospitalization and/or attendance at a medical facility, quarantine, death of a family member, impassible roads due to inclement weather, religious holidays, court appearances, military obligations, crises situations, OSS, ISS, three college visitations for juniors and seniors, field trips, approved cooperative work programs, or approved tutoring or home instruction. 

For students in grades 9-12, if a student is absent 25 days for a full- year course or 13 days for a half-year course, he/she may be denied credit in that course. In general, PE classes meet every other day for the entire year, but are considered half-year courses for the attendance policy. (For a detailed description of the district’s attendance policy, see The Pine Bush High School Student Handbook.) 

Support Services

If students are having difficulty in any of their courses or have issues inside or outside of school that are negatively affecting their schoolwork, the following professional staff can provide assistance.

School Counselor

Each counselor is an academic advisor who helps students choose appropriate courses that will prepare them for college or full-time employment after high school. In addition, if students are having personal or social problems, the counselor can provide assistance.

School Psychologist

The school psychologist performs psycho-educational evaluations to determine eligibility for special support services for students who are encountering academic or emotional difficulties in school. The school psychologist also provides counseling services.

Student Assistance Counselor

The student assistance counselor provides crisis counseling, short-term family counseling, referrals, and a variety of prevention activities.

Additional Academic Support

Classroom Teacher

The classroom teachers are available during the school day and after school to provide extra academic help to any students who need assistance.

Department Chairperson

The Department Chairpersons are available to assist students with any questions they may have regarding curriculum and specific course offerings.

National Honor Society

The National Honor Society is available throughout the school year to provide peer tutoring in all academic areas. (See your guidance counselor for more information.)

NCAA Academic Eligibility and Graduation Guidelines

Division I Eligibility

All students entering college must have completed 16 core courses in high school, 10 of which must be completed before the start of the seventh semester

Division II Eligibility

All students entering college on or after August 1, 2013 must have completed 16 core courses in high school. 

GPA & Test Scores

Students must earn a minimum required GPA in core courses.

NCAA core courses definition

An academic course in one or a combination of these areas: English, mathematics, natural/physical science, social science, foreign language, comparative religion, or philosophy.

A four-year college preparatory course; and a course at or above the high school’s regular academic level, for example, a AP class or outside college course. 

A complete listing of specific information is available from the NCAA Eligibility Center. 

Special Examinations

The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholar- ship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is given in October to juniors and three-year graduates. This is a recommended test, and there is a fee payable to the College Board. All college-bound students, as well as those who are undecided about their future plans and goals, are strongly encouraged to take this exam in their junior year. It is required of all juniors who plan to enter the National Merit Scholarship competition.

The College Board Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT I) should be taken by most college-bound students. Check college catalogs and see your school counselor for details and recommendations. The SAT I measures verbal and mathematical reasoning; it is not an achievement test.

The College Board Achievement Test (SAT II) should be taken as close to the completion of a course as possible. The SAT II measures achievement in more than 20 different subject areas.

The ACT is also available to college bound students. This is comparable to the SAT and is accepted by most colleges in lieu of the SAT.

Students with disabilities documented by an IEP or 504
Accommodation Plan must apply in advance to access testing accommodations during the SAT and ACT. The application process takes four to six weeks. Documentation is required and approval is not guaranteed. 

An Advance Placement (AP) exam is administered upon completion of an AP course.

How 4-Year Colleges View Your  High School Program

Four-year colleges expect students to present evidence of academic preparation in a traditional college preparatory program (in NYS: Regents or above), consisting of: 

• 4 years of English
• 4 years of social studies/history
• 3-4 years of laboratory science
• 2-4 years of foreign language
• 3-4 years of college preparatory mathematics (including Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II)

The high school transcript includes the names and levels (e.g., Honors, International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, Regents) of courses taken, final averages earned in each course completed, Regents exam scores, cumulative grade-point average and class rank, as well as college admission test scores (which students arrange to have sent to the high school). Requests for transcripts must be addressed in writing to the Pine Bush High School Guidance Department.