Students will receive a progress report at the end of each nine-week grading period. Students, who are doing poorly, and their parents, are notified prior to the end of the semester in order to have an opportunity to improve their grade. The board encourages the notification of students who have made marked improvement prior to the end of the semester.
Parent-teacher conferences will be held tin the fall and spring.
Parents, teachers, or principals may request a conference for students in grades kindergarten through twelve in addition to the scheduled conference time. Parents and students are encouraged to discuss the student's progress or other matters with the student's teacher.
Legal Reference:
Iowa Code §§ 256.11, .11A; 256E.1(1)(b)(1), 280
281 I.A.C. 12.3(4), .5(16).
Cross Reference:
505 Student Scholastic Achievement
506 Student Records
Approved February 2007
Reviewed July 2021
Revised
Students will be promoted to the next grade level at the end of each school year based on the student's achievement, age, maturity, emotional stability, and social adjustment.
The district shall adhere to the following:
• Retention/Promotion in kindergarten – eighth grade: The retention of a student will be determined based upon the judgment of the district’s professional staff. When it becomes evident a student in grades kindergarten through eight may be retained in a grade level for an additional year, the parents will be informed prior to making the retention decision. It is within the sole discretion of the district to retain students in their current grade level and to deny promotion to a student.
• Retention/Promotion in ninth – twelfth grade: Students in grades nine through twelve will be informed of the required course work necessary to be promoted each year. When it becomes evident a student in these grades will be unable to meet the minimum credit requirements for the year, the student and parents will be informed. It is within the sole discretion of the district to retain students in their current grade level and to deny promotion to a student.
• Acceleration in kindergarten – twelfth grade: Students in grades kindergarten through twelve with exceptional talents may, with the permission of the principal and parents, take classes beyond their current grade level. Enrichment opportunities outside the school district may be allowed when they do not conflict with the school district's graduation requirements.
• Retention or Acceleration in kindergarten – twelfth grade may also occur in additional instances as provided by law.
Any student or parent who is not satisfied with the decision of the district’s professional staff my seek recourse through policy 502.4 – Student Complaints and Grievances.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 256.11, 279.8.
281 I.A.C. 12.5(16).
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
505 Student Scholastic Achievement
603.2 Summer School Instruction
Approved Reviewed July 2021 Revised March 19, 2018
The school district will provide a program that establishes honors and awards including, but not limited to, academic letters, scholarships and good citizenship awards for students to assist students in setting goals. Students are made aware of honors and awards and the action necessary on the part of the student to achieve them. Students, who have not attended an accredited public or private school for their entire high school education, will not be eligible for honors and awards.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop the administrative regulations regarding this policy.
Legal Reference:
Iowa Code § 279.8
504 Student Activities
505 Student Scholastic Achievement
Approved February 2007
Reviewed July 2021
Revised
A comprehensive testing program is established and maintained to evaluate the education program of the school district and to assist in providing guidance or counseling services to students and their families.
No student is required, as part of any applicable program funded by the United States Department of Education, to submit to a survey, analysis or evaluation that reveals information concerning:
• political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parent:
• mental or psychological problems of the student or the student's family;
• sex behavior or attitudes;
• illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating or demeaning behavior;
• critical appraisals of other individuals with whom respondents have close family relationships;
• legally recognized, privileged and analogous relationships, such as those of lawyers, physicians and ministers;
• religious practices, affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parent; or
• income,(other than that required by law to determine eligibility for participation in a program or for receiving financial assistance under such program).
Without the prior consent of the student (if the student is an adult or emancipated minor) or in the case of an unemancipated minor, without the prior written consent of the parent.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principal, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.
It is the responsibility of the board to review and approve the evaluation and testing program.
Legal Reference:
No Child Left Behind, Title II, Sec. 1061, P.L. 107-110 (2012).
Goals 2000: Educate America Act, Pub. L. No. 103-227, 108 Stat. 125 (2012).
20 U.S.C. § 1232h (2012).
Iowa Code §§ 280.3;
Cross Reference:
505 Student Scholastic Achievement
506 Student Records 607.2 Student Health Services
Approved February 2007
Reviewed July 2021
Revised March 19, 2018
Students must successfully complete the courses required by the board and Iowa Department of Education in order to graduate.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent to ensure that students complete grades one through twelve and that high school students complete the necessary credits prior to graduation. The following credits will be required:
| Class of 2018 | 54 credits | Class of 2019 | 55 credits | Class of 2020 | 56 credits | Class of 2020 | 56 credits |
| Language Arts | 8 | Language Arts | 8 | Language Arts | 8 | Language Arts | 8 |
| Science | 6 | Science | 6 | Science | 6 | Science | 6 |
| Mathematics | 6 | Mathematics | 6 | Mathematics | 6 | Mathematics | 6 |
| Social Studies | 6 | Social Studies | 6 | Social Studies | 6 | Social Studies | 6 |
| Physical Education | 6 | Physical Education | 6 | Physical Education | 6 | Physical Education | 6 |
| Personal Finance | 1 | Personal Finance | 1 | Personal Finance | 1 | Financial Literacy | 1 |
| Health | 1 | Health | 1 | Health | 1 | Health | 1 |
| Electives | 20 | Electives | 21 | Electives | 22 | Electives |
22 |
The required courses of study will be reviewed by the board annually. Graduation requirements for special education students will include successful completion of four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and three years of science.
Students who completed a regular session in the Legislative Page Program of the general assembly at the state capitol will be credited 1/2 credit years of social studies.
Students enrolled in a junior officer's training corp will receive 1/8th physical education credit for each semester the student is enrolled in the program.
Legal Reference:
Iowa Code §§ 256.11, .11A; 279.8; 280.3, .14
281 I.A.C. 12.2, .5.
Cross Reference:
505 Student Scholastic Achievement
603.3 Special Education
Approved February 2007
Reviewed July 2021
Revised: August 2022
Generally, students will be required to complete the necessary course work and graduate from high school at the end of grade twelve. Students may graduate prior to this time if they meet the minimum graduation requirements stated in board policy.
A student who graduates early will no longer be considered a student and will become an alumnus of the school district. However, the student who graduates early may participate in commencement exercises.
Legal Reference:
Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 280.3, .14
281 I.A.C. 12.2; .5.
Cross Reference:
505 Student Scholastic Achievement
Approved February 2007
Reviewed July 2021
Revised: September 2017
Students who have met the requirements for graduation will be allowed to participate in the commencement proceedings provided they abide by the proceedings organized by the school district. It is the responsibility of the principal to solicit input from each graduating class regarding the proceedings for their commencement.
Failure of a student to participate in commencement will not be a reason for withholding the student's final progress report or diploma certifying the student's completion of high school.
Legal Reference:
Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 280.3, .14
281 I.A.C. 12.2; .3(7); .5.
Cross Reference:
505 Student Scholastic Achievement
Approved February 2007
Reviewed July 2021
Revised
Parental and family involvement is an important component in a student’s success in school. The board encourages parents and families to become involved in their child’s education to ensure the child’s academic success.
The board will:
(1) will involve parents and families in the development of the Title I plan, the process for school review of the plan and the process for improvement;
(2) will provide the coordination, technical assistance and other support necessary to assist participating schools in planning and implementing effective parent and family involvement activities to improve student academic achievement and school performance;
(3) To the extent feasible, coordinate and integrate parent and family engagement strategies under Title I with parent and family engagement strategies outlined in other relevant Federal, State, and local laws and programs;
(4) Conduct with the involvement of parents and family members, an annual evaluation of the content and effectiveness of the parental and family engagement involvement policy in improving the academic quality of the school served including identifying barriers to greater participation by parents in Title I activities (with particular attention to low-income parents, Limited English Proficient (LEP) parents, minorities, parents with disabilities and parents with low literacy) and use the findings of the evaluation to design strategies for more effective parental involvement and to revise, as necessary, the parental involvement policies;
(5) Use the findings of the annual evaluation to design strategies for more effective parent and family involvement and to revise, as necessary, the parent and family involvement policies; and,
(6) Involve parents in Title I activities.
The board will review this policy annually. The superintendent is responsible for notifying parents of this policy annually or within a reasonable time after it has been amended during the school year. It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy
Legal References:
No Child Left Behind, Title I, Sec. 1118, P.L. 107-110. (2002)
Cross References:
903.2 Community Resource Persons and Volunteers
Approved February 2007
Reviewed July 2021
Revised March 19, 2018
Student shall take a predetermined number and type of courses to graduate. Where students have a choice in course offerings, the school district will try to allow students to take the course of their choice. Courses with limited space will be allocated to those who first apply for the course or need it for graduation.
It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to develop the course offerings for each year for the grade levels. The superintendent shall make a recommendation to the board annually as to which courses shall be offered.
Legal References:
Iowa Code §§ 256.11,. .11A; 280 (2013).
281 I.A.C. 12.1; .3(7); .5.
Cross References:
505 Student Scholastic Achievement
Approved July 2000
Reviewed September 2016
Revised