Academics

STRIVE program – The purpose is to motivate and reward academic achievement.  It is our goal to encourage students to strive to achieve as high of grades as they are capable of earning.

S = Success

T = Teamwork

R = Responsibility

I = Integrity

V = Values

E = Effort

There are rewards for all students who earn a 2.0 or better and have no Ns or Us in citizenship.  Three levels of achievement are honored.  Each level gives the student a card containing codes for each reward earned.  Each card is valid for one trimester only.  Students with more than four dress code violations and/or any D or F grades or N or U citizenship marks will not be eligible for STRIVE rewards.  The three levels and their respective rewards are as follows:

Gold Card:  3.50 and above GPA

• 1 special STRIVE t-shirt (may be worn on Fridays only)
• 3 early dismissals to lunch on pre-announced days
• 1 free snack on pre-announced day
• 3 PE passes (clarified by PE teachers)
• 1 homework pass (clarified by individual teachers)
• 1 upgrade on a quiz score

Silver Card:  3.0 to 3.49 GPA

• 1 special STRIVE t-shirt (may be worn on Fridays only)
• 2 early dismissals to lunch on pre-announced days
• 1 free snack on pre-announced day
• 2 PE passes (clarified by PE teachers)
• 1 homework pass (clarified by individual teachers)
• 1 upgrade on a quiz score

Bronze Card:  2.0 to 2.99 GPA

• 1 early dismissals to lunch on pre-announced day
• 1 free snack on pre-announced day
• 1 PE pass (clarified by PE teachers)
• 1 homework pass (clarified by individual teachers)

• Grading – The grading policy reflects adherence to the California Content Standards as well as those established by the Santiago staff.  Student grades are based upon the comprehension and mastery of curriculum and growth in areas of personal responsibility and critical thinking. 

               Two marks are given in each subject:

An Academic Achievement mark and a Citizenship grade.

A-Excellent	0-Outstanding
B-Above Average	S-Satisfactory
C-Average	N-Needs Improvement
D-Below Average	U-Unsatisfactory
F-Failure (subject must be repeated)

 

Mid-Trimester Progress Reports are issued at each mid-trimester and serve as a barometer of the student’s   progress.  Not every class has to be listed, especially if the student is doing satisfactory work.

Report Cards are issued at the end of each trimester.  Trimester grades are final grades.

• Promotion – Students will successfully complete 36 out of 42 trimester credits in order to receive the “Certificate of Promotion.”  Students who are credit deficient will be required to participate in a credit recovery program.
• Unsatisfactory Progress Notices -- As a caution to the student and an alert to parents, unsatisfactory work notices are sent home whenever it becomes evident that a student may be in danger of failing a class.  These reports do not become a part of the student’s permanent record.  However, they are a warning that there is an immediate need of scholastic improvement.  Parents needing more information regarding the problem should immediately contact the classroom teacher and/or the counselor.

 

• Library / Media Center – This is where students and teachers are involved in class activities as well as individual research, growth and development. Two library books may be checked out at one time for a two-week period. Current magazines and newspapers are to be used only in the Media Center. All other books are due every two weeks. Textbooks are issued to students through the Media Center. Students will keep all school materials in good condition. Computers are available for student use by showing a student ID and displaying proper use and care of the computer.
• Homework – On the average, 7^th graders can expect about 1½ hours and 8^th graders about 2 hours of homework every night. Students will complete all homework assignments on time.  Individual teacher management plans distributed at the beginning of the year contain that teacher’s policies on homework completion or non-completion. Requests for homework for a student absent two or more days may be made to the Attendance Office before 9 a.m. on the second day of absence.
• Physical Education – Participation in the regular physical education program is required by state law. Exclusion from the activity for more than three days requires an excuse from a doctor. Students must wear officially monogrammed regulation physical education clothing available through American Casual Custom Shirts & Uniforms (714) 630-2002. Athletic shoes with laces, or Velcro straps, and white socks must be worn at all times. For safety reasons, slip-on shoes are not allowed.