Middle School Policies and Procedures
Personalized Learning
In order to prepare our students for the world beyond our classrooms, it is essential that we personalize learning to provide them with the tools and the opportunities that will both enhance educational experiences and ensure their readiness for the next phase of their lives. The use of technology is a critical tool that will allow us to achieve this goal for every student.
Students in grades six through eight use iPads. The middle schools and high school follow a process of explaining district and classroom expectations of device care and use, and ensuring students understand digital safety and security. Teachers have and will use numerous digital resources, including: PowerSchool, Canvas, Edgenuity and Google Docs.
Acceleration
Academic acceleration may involve whole-grade acceleration or individual subject acceleration. Academic acceleration occurs when a student is not only doing the caliber of work necessary to be promoted to the next grade or enrolled in the next course in the academic sequence, but also demonstrates the ability to do the caliber of work required of students in that next grade level/ subject/course. An acceleration evaluation committee will determine whether the student will be permitted to skip a grade level (i.e., whole grade acceleration), or take a subject at a higher grade level or skip a course in the usual and customary academic sequence (i.e., individual subject acceleration).
High School Credit Earned in Middle School
Students who successfully complete high school courses in middle school will be granted one high school unit of credit for each course completed. Credit will be awarded and calculated in cumulative grade point average upon entrance to the high school. Students may elect to retake the course at the high school. If a course is retaken, the grade earned in middle school will be removed from the transcript and from the calculation of the GPA and will be replaced by the grade earned at the high school.
Fees
The Board of Education has approved instructional fees for certain grade levels, courses, and for participation in the one-to-one technology program. Information regarding specific course fees can be found with the course description. Fees will be due at the beginning of the school year. Families may pay online using SPS EZPay at www.spsezpay.com/upperarlington or by a check made payable to Upper Arlington Schools.
Families with a financial need who cannot pay their fees should contact their counselor or building administrator.
Athletic Fees
There is a $75 pay-to-participate fee per sport for students who participate in school-sponsored athletics. Fees must be paid after a team has been selected and before the first interscholastic contest.
Social Fees
Each school collects a social fee per grade level to provide social events during the school year. These events take different forms from class parties to off-campus events during the 8th grade year. By charging these fees at the beginning of the year students do not have to worry about buying tickets or providing additional funding for these events.
Technology Fee & Technology Protection Plan
The technology fee is $50 for each student who participates in the program. Families may also choose to purchase coverage for their student's district-owned device through the technology protection plan. More information about the technology protection plan is available in the Student Device Handbook on the Student Handbooks webpage.
Method of Determining a Grade Point Average (GPA)
A student’s Grade Point Average (GPA) is determined by converting all semester letter grades to the numerical value assigned to these grades (see chart on this page) then adding these points to determine a total point value. The next step is to determine the total number of credits associated with the converted grades. Dividing the total point value by the total number of credits will provide the student’s GPA. Courses taken for Audit, Pass/Fail and Satisfactory evaluations are not included in computing grade point average. Additionally, semester examinations are reported in numerical percentages and are to constitute 1/5 (20%) of a semester letter grade.
A table showing the Standard Grading Scale Numerical Grade Percentage GPA is shown here.
|
Grade |
Percentage |
Grade Point |
|---|---|---|
|
A+ |
97-100 |
4.0 |
|
A |
93-96 |
4.0 |
|
A- |
90-92 |
3.7 |
|
B+ |
87-89 |
3.3 |
|
B |
83-86 |
3.0 |
|
B- |
80-82 |
2.7 |
|
C+ |
77-79 |
2.3 |
|
C |
73-76 |
2.0 |
|
C- |
70-72 |
1.7 |
|
D+ |
67-69 |
1.3 |
|
D |
63-66 |
1.0 |
|
D- |
60-62 |
0.7 |
|
E |
Below 60 |
0.0 |
Honor Roll
The following procedures will be used in determining Honor Roll status:
-
A student will achieve Honor Roll status by earning an average of 3.5 GPA or higher
-
The student must not have any incomplete grades
-
Honor Roll status may be revised if an Incomplete is satisfactorily completed.
Athletic Eligibility
Participation in interscholastic teams is governed by athletic eligibility guidelines set forth by the Board of Education and the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA). Sixth grade students are not allowed to practice or play on interscholastic teams according to OHSAA rules. All beginning seventh graders are eligible to try out for fall sports. Winter and spring eligibility will be determined by the criteria outlined below.
The Board of Education requires all student-athletes to have earned a minimum 2.0 grade point average in the grading period immediately preceding their athletic season. The OHSAA requires that student-athletes receive passing grades in a minimum of five subjects for which the student received grades in the grading period immediately preceding their sport. There is an athletic participation fee for each sport.
Please note: A student-athlete MUST be present for at least the second half of the school day (11:30 a.m. until 3:20 p.m.) to participate in a practice or contest on that school day. In addition, students involved in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities must meet the academic requirements as indicated under the 2.0 policy below.
2.0 Policy
It is important that students meet the following academic requirements in order to participate in athletics, extracurricular or co-curricular activities in grades 7-12.
-
A student must earn at least a 2.0 grade point average (GPA) in order to be eligible for participation.
-
A student’s eligibility will be determined according to his or her GPA for each quarter.
A student’s eligibility will be determined by examining each quarter GPA independent of prior grading periods. The individual quarter GPA’s value will be used by itself to determine a student’s eligibility. Eligibility can be maintained, gained, or lost each grading period. Provisions may be made for individual students with special needs and/or extenuating circumstances. An eligibility board will review such situations on an individual basis and may waive certain requirements as appropriate. This provision is intended to meet unique situations of students with special or adjusted educational needs. The eligibility board will hear requests of students and/or parents in regard to special needs, extenuating circumstances such as long-term illness, and/or appeals regarding eligibility.