Honors and Advanced Placement Policy
Each student is carefully reviewed before being placed in an AP or honors level class. Honors and AP course placement is based on a prerequisite course, class performance, student interest, faculty recommendations and departmental approval. Some AP courses are available only in alternate years.

Course placement is done with attention to the student’s best interests. For students to succeed at the AP or Honors level, she must meet certain requirements.

The requirements include the following:
1. The appropriate prerequisite course
2. An A-/B+ or above in her current course work (varies by department and course level)
3. Teacher recommendation/departmental approval
4. Enthusiasm for the subject
5. Writing samples (in certain disciplines)

All course placements are reviewed by the department in an effort to address the academic needs of the student. A final decision will be determined by the department. If a student earns a grade of C- or below in an AP level course, the Assistant Head of the Upper School for Academic Life, course teacher and department chair will determine whether the student should remain in the course.

It is the school’s belief that a maximum of 3 AP level courses are an adequate course load per year. AP level students are required to take the Advanced Placement tests in May. A student wishing to take more than 3 AP level courses must receive approval by the Academic Council (comprised of the Department Chairs, College Guidance Counselors and the Assistant Head of the Upper School for Academic Life).

Exam Policy
At the end of each semester, students are afforded the opportunity to take an exam. In the First, Second and Third Academics, all students are required to take two-hour exams. Semester and year-long exams offer the students the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge and skills acquired in that course. The privilege that a Fourth Academic may be exempt from the final exam is at the discretion of the department and stated by the individual teacher. At the least, the exemptions are based on the student’s academic record as well as attendance. It is the teacher’s decision to determine whether a student is exempt.

The exam is one component of the total educational program. It is the teacher’s intention that the exam be a positive learning experience. As a culminating project to the semester and the year, the exam gives a student the opportunity to demonstrate her knowledge acquired and further her own conclusions.

In some disciplines, it may be more appropriate to assess students through alternative methods such as portfolios, research papers, oral presentations, etc.

The final exam should count for no more than 20% of the final grade for the year. Teachers should inform students of the percentage breakdown for each semester as well as the final year exam.

Daily Homework Guidelines
In a Sacred Heart school, homework is used to promote self-discipline, responsibility and decision-making, all important parts of Goal V. Homework reinforces the skills learned in the course and should advance the course content. Quality homework is an essential component of all Stone Ridge Upper School courses.

Education relies on frequent communication between teacher and student. Students are expected to communicate challenges they may face and further interests they may want to pursue. Students are expected to use good time management and study skills in balancing their schedules. Long range assignments should be adequately spaced over the assigned time frame to avoid last minute work. Even when working on group projects, students should do their own work. If you share another student’s work, it nullifies the benefits of the assignment and both students will receive a zero.

The amount of time spent on homework will vary according to student ability and the complexity of the assignment. It is considered a fair amount to have 20-35 minutes per class. Due to the heavy reading, writing and application component of most Honors and AP Level courses, students are expected to have 45-60 minutes of homework per class.

Graduation Requirements
To be awarded a Stone Ridge diploma, a student must complete the required program of study as outlined below, earning a minimum of twenty-five units. Of those units, twenty-two are earned in academic subjects and two are earned through satisfactory participation in Social Action according to the criteria of this program, and one is earned for Physical Education.

Minimum Program of Study:

English	4 units
Fine and Performing Arts	2 units
Foreign Languages	3 units
History and Social Studies	3 units
Mathematics	3 units
Physical Education	1 units
Science	3 units
Social Action	2 units
Theology	2 units
Electives	2 units

The preceding list constitutes a set of minimum requirements. The student’s abilities and interests, as well as the admission requirements of colleges she is considering, guide her in planning a four-year program to suit her needs.

In general, Stone Ridge advises each student to follow four-year sequences in two academic disciplines in addition to the required four-year programs in English and theology.

Honors Designation
Each semester, students are awarded Honors based on a 4.3 grade point average requirement:
• Honors: 3.3                       
• High Honors: 3.7                     
• Highest Honors: 4.0
At graduation, Fourth Academic students’ academic distinctions are cumulative, based on a four-year GPA.