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Academic Issues
2.01 CREW
Each crew is a unit with members eventually from both 9th and 10th grades and the 11th and 12th grades. Crews meet once a day at lunchtime. During crew students develop leadership and take part in a variety of activities, some of which are in preparation to meet specific responsibilities. The list of potential activities and responsibilities is as follows:
1 RELATIONSHIPS: Provides each student a one-to-one relationship with an adult advisor, as well as a consistent peer community
2 LITERACY: Encourages a strong academic focus on the goal of developing life-long readers.
3 SERVICE: Allows students to identify needs in the school and in outside communities, and propose and develop projects to address those needs
4 ADVENTURE AND FITNESS: Offers opportunities for shared discover and explorations into the unfamiliar, both inside and outside of the school building.
5 POST-SECONDARY PREPARATION: Supports and coaches students in their exploration of options for higher education, application processes, and college selection.
Crew leaders support and coach students in their exploration of options for higher education. They also assist in exploration of a variety of other post-secondary options. All students have specific post-secondary plans upon gradutation.
2.02 FIELDWORK: OFF-SITE DAYS
Due to our mid-year start, we will not engage in weekly fieldwork this semester. We will, however, incorporate as many hands on activities as we can manage. Students will be given ample notice of these activities.
Students represent the Inland Seas School, and their individual conduct is a reflection on our entire school community. All of the academic and code of conduct rules and regulations are applicable during off-site days.
2.03 GRADING
Each student shall complete with a satisfactory grade or higher the required academic curriculum requirement in order to graduate.
Core Academic Courses (Humanities, Geography/Oceans, Sciences, Foreign Language, Mathematics) shall be graded with a letter grade of A (90-100), B (80-90) or C (70-80). No credit shall be granted to any student receiving a grade below C- (70). Students receiving a grade below a C- will receive No Credit (NC) for the course. With the permission of the teacher, a student may be eligible to take an Incomplete in a course but the course work must be completed within a year or the grade will revert to No Credit. Sophomores who received NC for Algebra I are required to take Mathematics Research in addition to Geometry. With permission of the instructor, satisfactory completion of Mathematics Research course, including passing Algebra tests, will change the Algebra I NC to a C-. Students may not graduate without successful completion of Algebra I.
In future years, AP courses will be offered for a letter grade.
Any college courses may be taken as pass/fail or for a letter grade. All other courses shall be offered Credit/Non-credit. Courses that receive No Credit shall not appear on the student's transcript nor will they be counted toward promotion to the next grade or toward fulfillment of graduation requirements.
2.04 GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Course requirements
Courses each have their own proficiency requirements. All must be completed with a minimum grade of C-.
4 years Humanities (Social Studies & Literature) Possible topics include:
Geography/Oceans (grades 9-10)
United States History (grade 11)
Senior seminar, AP English, AP History or college courses
4 years Math
Algebra I
Geometry
Algebra II
Grade 12 Math Elective
2 years of foreign language
3 years laboratory science
Biology I (grades 9)
Intro to Marine Science (grade 10)
Chemistry (grade 11)
Elective: Physical Oceanography (grade 12)
OPTIONAL: 1 or more Advanced Placement (AP) or college courses. For example:
AP English
AP Biology
AP Calculus
AP US or World History
or a pre-approved college course
2 years Physical Education
1 year Studio or Performing Arts
Field Work Requirements:
2 summers of approved enrichment programs with documentation
30 hours Sea Corps Internship Field Initiative (SCI FI)
Additional Competency Requirements:
Pass WKCE required tests
Demonstrate proficiency in use of technology to achieve learning goals.
Demonstrate proficiency in writing and defending a persuasive essay.
Demonstrate proficiency in public speaking in English.
Complete and present an autobiography of at least 20 pages.
Complete portfolio requirements.
Demonstrate leadership and service through a senior project.
2.05 HOMEWORK
At ISSEL homework is not intended to be “busy work.” Homework affords students the opportunity to practice using the concepts of that day's in-class work and prepare for the next class meeting. Students are expected to complete all assigned homework. Failure to do so may result in staying after schooll, contacting a student's parent/guardian, and/or failure of the course.
2.06 PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Because ISSEL's curriculum will be increasingly active, students will be encouraged to improve their health and flexibility. Therefore, students will be required to participate in physical activities and Physical Education. Modifications may be made upon doctor recommendations.
2.07 PORTFOLIO
We will develop guidelines for the portfolio process at ISSEL. A cohort academic team, with input from students and parents, will develop this important assessment tool.
2.08 PROGRESS CONFERENCES
We will have at least one progress conference per semester. Parents/guardians are encouraged to call for additional teacher meetings as desired.
2.09 PROMOTION REQUIREMENTS
Grade 9: A word to the wise. . . Ninth grade courses count toward graduation requirements! You need three years of a lab science to graduate. You must pass Algebra I to graduate. You must earn Physical Education credit. You cannot move on to the tenth grade if you do not pass Humanities.
Students must successfully complete the following courses with a grade of A, B or C
Humanities
Biology
Algebra
Students must also receive credit for the following:
Physical Education
Crew
2.10 REPORT CARDS
Reports cards will include a letter grade in each academic course with a paragraph describing the course and a paragraph comment about the student's performance by the teacher. Other courses will be graded Credit/No Credit with a paragraph describing the course and a paragraph comment about the student's performance by the teacher. Physical Education will receive Credit/No Credit.
Report cards will be given to parents/guardians in person. If a parent/guardian cannot attend the scheduled conference time, a different time can be arranged.
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