Essential Information
Graduation Requirements
Credits | Amount |
|---|---|
English (includes participation in a minimum of 1 credit each academic year) | 4.0 |
Mathematics (includes 1.0 algebra as Core 1 Math) | 3.0 |
Science | 3.0 |
Social Studies (includes .5 government, .5 economics, .5 world history and 1 U.S. History) | 3.0 |
Wellness | .5 |
Health | .5 |
Fine Arts | .5 |
Computer Portfolio | .5 |
Elective Courses | 4.75 |
Advisory | 2.0 |
Division I Exhbition | completion |
Junior Research Project | completion |
Post Graduate Plan | completion |
Senior Project | completion |
Community Service (40 Hours) | completion |
Total | 22.25 |
Souhegan High School’s graduation requirements meet, and often exceed, the State of New Hampshire’s requirements. Souhegan requires additional courses in science and social studies, as well as requirements in community service and advisory.
All students are required to complete an English and mathematics course for each year they are in high school. In addition to the three-credit requirement in mathematics, students are required to participate in a math course or a course in another department or extended learning opportunity in which math is a clear expectation, as approved by the school board.
Beginning with the class of 2023, credit requirements may increase to include a 0.5 credit of economics and a 0.5 technology credit, as per state law.
Student Services
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Student Services Vision Statement: Our vision is to provide services and programs that promote and enhance the academic, social, and personal development of all students.
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Guiding Principles - We Believe:
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• Students are our highest priority
• Education is important to personal growth and success
• Individual uniqueness must be respected
• Open communication and collaboration are integral to effective teamwork
• Continuous improvement of our services is essential
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School Counseling Services/Programming:
• To assist in educational planning
• To offer academic, social, and personal counseling to all students
• To provide postsecondary counseling to all students
• To provide crisis intervention services to the SHS community
• To provide referral services/resources
• To maintain and interpret student cumulative records
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Consultation:
• To collaborate with school staff to enhance our effectiveness in working with students
• To facilitate parent/staff collaboration on behalf of students
• To collaborate with the larger professional community on behalf of students and parents
Student Services Organization
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Student Services is structured to foster a team approach in order to ensure that all aspects of a student’s academic and social development are addressed. The Dean of Students is housed in Student Services to promote an atmosphere of collaboration and collegiality throughout the office. Such an approach acknowledges the fact that student issues seldom break down into neat categories.
The Dean of Students’ primary responsibility is to advance a democratic student culture while closely monitoring student academic and personal behavior. The Dean frequently consults and intervenes with counselors and staff on a full range of student issues. This collaboration is a hallmark of our Student Services Program.
College Requirements
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Each college establishes its own set of admission requirements for potential students. Colleges may require that students participate in a recommended course of study in preparation for college. They may also require specific courses for entrance into particular programs or majors. Admission requirements may differ from high school graduation requirements. Generally, colleges are asking students to participate in the most rigorous course of study for which they are able. Students should research college websites and consult with guidance counselors regarding admission requirements.
NCAA Clearinghouse Approved Courses
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The NCAA Clearinghouse approves courses for use in establishing the eligibility status of student athletes who wish to compete in athletics at the Division I and II college level. Students who plan to be involved in Division I and II college athletics must meet certain requirements, including taking sixteen core course units in specific approved courses at Souhegan High School.
Student athletes should review the most up to date list of courses approved by the NCAA at the clearinghouse web site – http://eligibilitycenter.org. It is the responsibility of the student and parent to meet all the NCAA guidelines and requirements if the student wishes to be eligible for athletic participation at the collegiate level. The athletic department and/or the student’s counselor are available to assist you should you have any questions.
Grading, Assessing, and Reporting
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As the entire SAU shifts to a mastery-based grading system, the Souhegan reporting system is undergoing a transition.
Beginning with the Class of 2023, student grades will be reported on a 1 to 4 scale, with a score of 3 indicating proficiency on a given standard. Rubrics are used to clearly articulate standards and proficiency levels.
Student performance on Work Study Practices (Collaboration, Self-Direction, Communication, and Creativity) is reported separately and not included in the academic course score.
Student achievement is reported in the form of progress reports and report cards. Final grades are assigned at the end of the school year and may incorporate final assessments/exams.
Students graduating in 2020, 2021, and 2022 will continue to receive letter grades on their report cards. At the end of a marking period, the following grade scale will be used to convert standards-based scores to letter grades:
Number | Letter |
|---|---|
3.75-4.00 | A+ |
3.26-3.74 | A |
3.00-3.25 | A- |
2.84-2.99 | B+ |
2.67-2.83 | B |
2.50-2.66 | B- |
2.34-2.49 | C+ |
2.17-2.33 | C |
2.00-2.16 | C- |
<1.99 | NC |
An Incomplete (I) is given under circumstances when work needs to be completed before a grade is determined. A student must complete work within a two-week period (10 class days) after the last day of the marking period or the Incomplete (I) changes to a No Credit (NC).
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Extended illness is an exception where a grade of “M” (medical) is given.
No Credit Grades
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Students achieving less than a C- receive a No Credit (NC) for the course. NC is treated as a 0.0 in computing student Grade Point Average (G.P.A.). Each course at Souhegan High School is an essential element in a student’s growth as a learner and successful completion means more than a passing grade; it represents achieved proficiencies. Conversely, to receive NC is not to have met proficiencies. A course may be repeated until proficiency is achieved. Although all attempts at proficiency will be displayed on the student’s transcript, only the grade assigned to the last attempt is computed in the student’s G.P.A. Withdrawals from a class after the drop period usually results in a Withdrawal No Credit (WNC). Please refer to the section titled “Drop/Add Procedures for Courses.” A WNC is treated as a 0.0 in the G.P.A. computation.
When a student earns NC for a course and repeats the course in summer school or in another year, No Credit S (NCS) replaces the NC. The retaken course and grade earned are displayed on the student’s transcript and the grade is computed in the student’s G.P.A. The original course and NCS grade are also displayed on the student’s transcript although the grade is not computed in the student’s G.P.A.
The Dean of Students assigns an Administrative No Credit (ANC) as a consequence for seven or more unexcused absences in a marking period in the same class. An Administrative No Credit (ANC) may also be assigned for eleven days absence in a marking period in any class. A student may appeal an ANC up to two-weeks (10 class days) after the end of the marking period. If the student does not appeal the ANC or the appeal is denied, the grade will be changed to an NC.
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Grade Point Average
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Grade Point Average (G.P.A.) is computed by averaging grades from any previous high school attended and grades from Souhegan High School. Grades are not weighted when calculating G.P.A. Souhegan High School does not rank students. Grade point averages are determined according to the following standard scale:
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Letter | Number |
|---|---|
A+ | 4.3 |
A | 4.0 |
A- | 3.7 |
B+ | 3.3 |
B | 3.0 |
B- | 2.7 |
C+ | 2.3 |
C | 2.0 |
C- | 1.7 |
NC | 0.0 |
WNC | 0.0 |
P = receives course credit, does not affect G.P.A.
M = may receive course credit, does not affect G.P.A.
WD = withdrew from class, does not affect G.P.A.
NCS= receives no course credit, does not affect G.P.A. (course was repeated in summer school or in another year.)
Academic Honor Roll
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An academic honor roll (highest honor roll, high honor roll, and honor roll) is published at the end of each marking period. Honor roll expectations are as follows:
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Honor Roll all grades of “B” or above (no B-’s) grades of “B” or above (no B-’s)
High Honor Roll all but one grade “A-” or above and no grade lower than a “B”
Highest Honor Roll all grades “A-” or above
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Additional Academic Challenge
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Honors and Advanced Placement
Within most classes, an Honors Challenge option is offered to students who wish to pursue advanced academic studies. Honors Challenge guidelines are established school-wide; Honors Challenge expectations per course are developed by individual teachers. Credit for honors is earned by fulfilling the expectations. Honors is identified on the student’s end of year report card and transcript with an ‘H.’ Students who are engaged in honors will also have the course identified with an HP (Honors Pending) on their transcript at semester one.
Advanced Placement (AP): Advanced Placement courses are offered in the following subjects: English Literature, English Language & Composition, U.S. History, Human Geography, Calculus, Statistics, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics, French Language, Spanish Language, Computer Science, and Art. It may be possible for students to earn college credit upon attaining high scores on Advanced Placement exams.
Students who elect to take AP courses should be aware that the classes have a nationally standardized curriculum, the content of which cannot be altered or modified. Each student who takes an AP class is expected to complete the exam in May.
Any student may elect to take these classes, but careful decision-making, including consultation with parents, counselor and teachers, is encouraged. Additionally, Advanced Biology is not an AP designated course though some participating students do take the corresponding AP exam.
Summer School
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A student receiving a final grade of “no credit” (NC) in a class is eligible to repeat that course in summer school, providing the student received a passing grade (C- or better) for at least one semester or with teacher/administrator approval.
Summer courses are taken at Souhegan High School and are available (depending on student enrollment and teacher availability) in math, English, social studies, and at times, other courses. Students pay for each summer school class. Students who, due to extenuating circumstances, want to repeat a class by attending summer school in another community or by enrolling in an online or correspondence course must first complete the Application for Credit that is available in Student Services. Prior approval by an administrator is necessary in order to guarantee credit.