NCHS Academics
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High School Grading Practices
Naperville Central believes that a collective partnership with parents/guardians provides students the best opportunities for success. We ask that parents/guardians regularly check Infinite Campus for grade updates and progress notes for each course that are communicated through graded work.
The standards to be assessed as well as how the overall semester grade is calculated will be communicated through the syllabus for each course. The grade information displayed in Infinite Campus communicates each student’s progress toward mastery of the standards to be assessed for each course.
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- Assignments and assessments listed for each course will also indicate whether the work is “practice” or “evidence” in nature. Practice work is a critical part of the learning process as these assignments provide students with practice and opportunities for feedback as they prepare for the evidence assessment through which students demonstrate their mastery of the standards. Practice work cannot exceed 10% of the overall coursework grade.
- Students who do not demonstrate sufficient mastery of the essential standards for each course will be required to engage in further learning and assessment. At times, this additional learning will be delivered through required intervention outside of the student’s assigned class period (i.e. lunch, study hall, before or SOAR support).
- The semester grade is calculated based on “Coursework” and a “Final Exam” for each course. Although the final exam may be a project or demonstration in nature, the culminating assessment for each course cannot exceed 15% of the semester grade.
The semester grade for each course will be assigned using the grading scale listed below and will contribute to each student’s cumulative grade point average.
Final semester grades will be rounded to the nearest percentage point.
Grade
Scale
Regular GP
Weighted GP
A
90%-100%
4
5
B
80%-89%
3
4
C
70%-79%
2
3
D
60%-69%
1
1
F
Below 60%
0
0
Graduation RequirementsCompletion of State SAT and total credits to graduate from NCHS is 21, broken down in the following areas:
Subject Areas
Amount of Credit Need to Graduate
Communication Arts
4.0
Mathematics
3.0
Science
2.0
Social Studies
2.5
Fine Arts
0.5
Career and Technical
1.0
Physical Education
3.5
Health
0.5
Consumer Economics
0.5
Electives
3.5
Grading Procedures
Each teacher will communicate procedures for calculating the semester grade in their course on the syllabus provided to students at the beginning of each semester. Students and parents can view a student’s grade at any time throughout the semester through the Infinite Campus Portal. Student transcripts report semester grades for each course.
Semester Exams
Students must attend all classes, during exam days. Students are expected to take their end of semester assessments on the days they are scheduled.
Pass/D/F Option
Junior and Senior students may choose to take one (1) course each semester pass/fail. Students may not use the pass/fail option in a course that is a graduation requirement.
Students must earn an A, B or C in the course to receive a “Pass” grade. If you earn a D or an F, that grade will count toward your GPA. The Pass/D/F application must be picked up in Student Services, filled out and returned within the first twenty (20) days of a semester to Student Services. The application includes a complete explanation of the policy.
20-Day Drop Policy
Withdrawal from a course and placement into a study hall may be made without reflection on the transcript during the first 20 days of the semester. After 20 days, a student will not be allowed to drop a course except in cases of prolonged illness, clear misplacement, or total withdrawal from school. In these cases, a “W” (withdrawal) will appear on the transcript.
If, after 20 days, a student insists on dropping a course when there is not a case of prolonged illness, clear misplacement, or withdrawal from school, a “WF” (withdrawal fail) will appear on the transcript, and the student will placed into study hall. An F will be calculated in the GPA. Level changes (referring to student misplacement) are at the discretion of the Instructional Coordinator. These cases are examined individually and may not always be possible due to class enrollment.
Incomplete Grades
Incomplete grades must be completed no later than the end of the next quarter grading period. If not completed before this deadline, a grade of failure (F) will be recorded unless special arrangements have been made.
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Science Flinn Safety Contract
Students are expected to follow all safety rules during laboratories as outlined in Flinn Science Safety Contract, which can be found on the Naperville Central Science webpage and here. Failure to abide by the safety rules of conduct can result in loss of lab privileges or other disciplinary consequences.
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Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)
Naperville Central High School follows the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) as the standard for all drafts and papers (unless otherwise directed by your teacher). Click here for the guide. The Purdue OWL link and other research resources are also on the Learning Commons webpage.
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Targeted Support
Mastery of the standards in each course is critical for each student’s long-term success at Naperville Central. Therefore, if a student is not passing or in danger of not passing an Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Chemistry, Cultures, Government, Biology, English 1, 2 or 3, World History or US History course, they will be placed in targeted support during half of their lunch period. Attendance in this support is mandatory until the student demonstrates mastery of the standards for this course and teachers agree that the support is no longer needed.
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Redhawk Recovery
Teachers at Naperville Central carefully plan the instruction, coursework and assessments that will lead to student attainment of the standards for their course. Much of this planning is dependent upon information about student learning that teachers gather through assignments and assessments. When a student doesn’t complete their assigned coursework in a timely manner, the ability of the teacher to adjust plans to meet student needs is compromised. Redhawk Recovery supports students who have not completed the assignments or assessments necessary for their teachers to make instructional planning decisions.
When a teacher refers a student to Redhawk Recovery, that student will attend a session lead by members of our faculty during their lunch period. These professionals will help support Redhawk Recovery students with time and resource management strategies as well as focused time that allows students to promptly complete their missing assignments.
Students will report to a designated Redhawk Reovery classroom where they will eat lunch and complete their work until all missing assignments have been completed.
When a student is referred to Redhawk Recovery, both the students and parents/guardians will be notified of this placement. In addition, the coursework that must be completed in order for the student to return to their regularly scheduled lunch period will be clearly communicated to the student during their Redhawk Recovery period.
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Blended Learning
Blended learning courses integrate traditional face-to-face learning with the classroom teacher and online independent learning components. This combination offers students more flexibility in meeting course standards and provides teachers with greater ability to tailor instruction to meet the needs of each student.
On average, students enrolled in blended learning courses will attend in-class learning experiences two to three times per week. Students will engage in assigned independent learning activities during the remaining class periods each week.
When students in the blended learning course are not in the classroom, they will have many options on how they will spend their independent learning time for that period. This combination of in-class and independent learning time allows students greater control over the pace, place, and path for completing their coursework for the blended course.
During independent learning class periods, students have the option of staying on campus to work independently or collaboratively in designated areas of our school or, with parent permission, students may elect be off-campus during this time. Much like a lunch period, students who stay at NCHS/NNHS on independent learning class periods will be monitored, but no formal attendance will be taken. Students who leave our school campus during independent periods must adhere to the policies provided on the Blended Learning Permission Form. In both instances, students are responsible for following all school policies and procedures as listed in their Redbook/Student Handbook during independent learning periods.
Blended learning students who have an independent learning period and stay on campus may use designated spaces at NCHS as explained by their teacher and dean. Students are expected to display their ID when engaging in independent learning activities.
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Physical Education Requirements
PE Uniform Dress Code:
1. The NCHS school PE shirt is required for all students. Recommended are the NCHS PE shorts or a similar athletic shorts with an elastic waistband or drawstring. Students are welcomed to wear a sweat shirt or sweat pants over the NCHS PE shirt or shorts.
2. A Student’s last name and first initial must be written on the front of the shirt. Students are not allowed to wear a shirt with another person’s name on it.
3. Students are required to wear athletic shoes with rubber soles and tie up laces. Not permitted are boots, sandals, or other footwear deemed unacceptable by the PE department.
4. Individual attire must adhere to the NCHS dress code.
5. If not prepared for class, students can rent a PE shirt or shorts for one day, available in the PE office for $1. You must provide your Student ID as collateral, which will be returned to the student once the uniform is returned. If rental uniform is lost or damaged students will be charged for a replacement uniform.PE Locks and Lockers- At the start of the semester, students will select a small locker in the PE Locker Room to store belongings overnight when they are not being used.
- During PE class, students are provided a large locker to store school materials and book bags while they are participating in PE.
- Students will purchase a school issued Master lock from the School Store or PE office. You can reuse your school lock from year to year.
- Lock up all your belongings in the locker rooms at all times.
PE Uniforms and Locks may be purchased in the PE Office throughout the school day or the School Store during lunch hours only.
1. PE Shirt for $8
2. PE Shorts for $10
3. New locks for $5
4. Recycled locks for $3Freshmen and Sophomore students will engage in a comprehensive PE curriculum that sets a critical foundation through specific units designed to build skills that will set up each student to make healthy lifelong decisions for their health and wellness. We then challenge Junior and Senior students to continue to develop grade-level skills and implement them throughout a variety of PE courses that they can choose from for each semester. The NCHS Physical Education Department will help each student navigate the variety of student-centered courses which provide our students with valuable learning, empowering each student to live an active and healthy life.
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AI Belief statement
At Naperville Central High School, we strive to build a learner’s mindset in all students, developing qualities such as adaptability, communication, critical thinking, and global citizenship. Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), offers new opportunities to engage with important technology relevant to the future that also raises significant educational considerations. AI tools provide unique ways to engage students in the learning process, hence we encourage our staff to guide students in using AI responsibly. Teachers have the authority to establish guidelines for AI use in their classrooms, setting clear expectations for how AI can be used on learning tasks. Concurrently, we recognize that reliance on AI risks replacing genuine student engagement and original thought, undermining the attributes we aim to cultivate. Striking a balance between leveraging AI tools effectively and maintaining educational standards is crucial to the learning experience of each student.
Academic Integrity Statement
District 203 students are challenged to address the academic process enthusiastically, diligently, and most importantly, honestly. It is the responsibility of our students, teachers, and administration to uphold the fundamental academic values of honesty, responsibility, fairness, respect and trust. The integrity of our district’s academic programs is built upon these principles.
Educators and students both have a role in ensuring that student work is submitted honestly and with integrity. The role of the educator is to provide learners with models for achieving academic integrity and to set clear academic and behavioral expectations with consistent consequences for dishonesty. Classroom teachers will use the resources available to limit the opportunity for academic integrity violations as well. Students are expected to submit work that is an accurate representation of their knowledge and skill of the standards being assessed.
Academic integrity violations include cheating, plagiarism, self-plagiarism or copy infringement, obtaining or providing an unfair advantage, using a writing service and/or AI in place of original work unless specifically authorized by staff, falsification of documents, unauthorized access to records, and inappropriate collaboration, whether intentional or unintentional.
The classroom teacher and administration will collaborate and exercise professional judgment in determining academic integrity violations. The following are behaviors that constitute violation of District 203 High Schools’ Academic Integrity Code.
CHEATING
Examples include, but are not limited to, intentionally or unintentionally:
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- Using unauthorized notes, answers, aids, calculators, electronic messages/images/content, online language translators, or other information on an examination, paper, report, project, homework, other assignments, and/or accessing the internet during a test;
- Copying from someone else’s work, such as from an exam, test, quiz, lab report, paper, project, electronic document, homework or other assignment;
- Allowing another person to do one’s work, such as from an exam, test, quiz, lab report, paper, project, homework or other assignment.
- Using AI for brainstorming, research, production, formatting, and/or revision without explicit authorization from staff.
PLAGIARISM, SELF-PLAGIARISM OR COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT Examples include, but are not limited to, intentionally or unintentionally:
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- Presenting the distinctive ideas, facts or words of another (in part or in whole), or imagery without appropriate acknowledgment of the source as one’s own (including AI-generated responses/work). Issues of plagiarism apply to any type of student work including, but not limited to exams, papers, any written or printed text, foreign language translations, computer programs and web sites;
- Failing to place quoted text in quotation marks, and/or failing to attribute the source;
- Submitting identical or substantial portions of similar work for credit more than once, without prior explicit consent from receiving instructor;
- Attributing an idea, fact, or quotation to an incorrect, false, or made-upsource;
- Copyright infringement pertains to unauthorized use of any work fixed in tangible media such as books, articles, web sites, art, music, photography, electronic, and video.
OBTAINING OR PROVIDING AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE Examples include, but are not limited to, intentionally or unintentionally:
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- Sharing, gaining, or providing access to examination materials prior to the time authorized by the instructor, during the exam via electronic or other transfer, or distributing examination materials to others at the conclusion of the examination.
- Providing or sharing material, information, or other assistance based on prior knowledge or access that is, or could be used, on an exam, quiz, project, paper, or homework assignment without teacher authorization;
- Sharing or giving another person a copy, in any format, of an exam, quiz, paper, lab report, homework, or other assignment when it is not part of a collaborative learning effort and promotes an unfair advantage;
- Working with someone on any type of assignment unless you have been directed to do so by the teacher. Do not share work, unless it is specifically expected by the teacher.
- If a cell phone (or other electronic device) is out during an exam the student will receive a consequence where or not they are seen accessing the phone.
- If a student has a cell phone out but is not seen accessing it they will receive a referral stating, “Student had cell phone out during an assessment.” This will carry a more severe consequence than a typical cell phone violation.
- If a student is seen accessing their phone during an assessment they will receive a referral for academic integrity.
- If a student uses AI tools to obtain (for themselves) or provide (to another) an unfair advantage in assessments, such as generating content without authorization.
- If a student would like to use another student’s work as an example the students must email the teacher (including all students involved in the share) explaining who is sharing their work and who is receiving the work
- If a student is only missing class periods on testing day the teacher addresses the student and warns that the next time will need a doctor’s note, etc. to make up the exam.
In order to promote an environment of academic integrity we believe an imperative part of the process is an understanding of academic values. Therefore any student in violation of the academic procedures will meet with his or her Dean to discuss the matter and ramifications of cheating both at the high school and college level. Our goal is to work with students to develop life-long learners who understand the importance of academic values andintegrity.
CONSEQUENCES FOR ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
LEVEL 1
Cheating, plagiarizing, or obtaining or providing an unfair advantage on formative assignments that include, but are not limited to, daily homework, worksheets and other classroom assignments.
CONSEQUENCES will include, but are not limited to:
- Referral to Dean of Students
- Parent contact by teacher
- Academic consequence
- Disciplinary consequence
LEVEL 2
Cheating, plagiarizing, or obtaining or providing an unfair advantage on summative assignments that include, but are not limited to, quizzes, tests, papers, projects or presentations. In addition, multiple Level 1 violations will result in Level 2 consequences, which will be determined during a meeting with the dean, teacher and student.
CONSEQUENCES will include, but are not limited to:
- Referral to Dean of Students
- Parent contact by teacher and Dean
- Academic consequence
- Disciplinary consequence
CONSEQUENCES may also include, but are not limited to:
- No public recognition of the student at any honors function
- Notification to honor societies
- No distinguished scholar recognition
- No scholarship money granted to the student by the High School Scholarship Committees
- Class level change
LEVEL 3
Theft, sale or the distribution of those materials including, but not limited to, examinations, quizzes, or any material used to gain an unfair advantage; or changing and/or falsifying a grade. Cheating on a final exam or culminating project is considered a level 3 violation. In addition, multiple Level 2 violations will result in Level 3 consequences, which will be determined during a meeting with the dean, teacher and student.
CONSEQUENCES include, but are not limited to:
- All of Level 2 consequences are applicable
- In addition, any actions deemed to be criminal in nature may be referred to the Naperville Police Department.
ADAPTED FROM IMSA AND NEW TRIER, 2010
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Pathways to Get Support at NCHS
A Matter of Pride
1. Use Responsive Scheduler on Infinite Campus to access support for your specific course or teacher during our weekly SOAR period on Tuesday and/or Thursday.
2. Student-Led Tutoring in the Learning Commons each Thursday: 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM, starting September, 12, 2024.
Please see website/hallway monitors for most current information.
