ACADEMICS
Along with the required core courses, St. Peter's offers a variety of courses that are both challenging and fun. The amount of time spent in each class is determined by TCCED guidelines.
· The Early Childhood Program at the Marcia Place location and at the St. Dominic’s location, focuses on language development and socialization through developmentally appropriate activities.
· The Primary Curriculum provides a strong emphasis on the basics, while giving students a variety of opportunities for hands-on learning.
· The Intermediate Curriculum continues an emphasis on basic skills and increases the level of self-responsibility and expands learning opportunities.
· Students in grades 6-8 are offered electives such as Art, Choir and Technical Stage. Some electives meet on MWF and others meet TTH. Students select a combination of MWF and TTh electives so they attend an elective five days per week. All students are scheduled for Spanish and most students take one Fine Arts class.
Progress Reports & Conferences
Progress information is available via RenWeb throughout the school year. Teachers are available to discuss student progress in September and in February from 3:30-6:30 by appointment. Teachers are also available by appointment at any time through out the year.
Report Cards and Grading Periods
St. Peter's School follows the Archdiocesan nine weeks grading period schedule.
Numerical grades are used from first grade through eighth grade.
The following grading scale is used for K3, K4, and K5:
E EXCEPTIONAL
V VERY GOOD PROGRESS
G GOOD PROGRESS
L LIMITED PROGRESS
Grades 1 through 8 use the following evaluation keys:
94 –100 EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH ACHIEVEMENT
85 - 93.9 HIGH ACHIEVEMENT
75 - 84.9 AVERAGE ACHIEVEMENT
70 - 74.9 LOW ACHIEVEMENT
0 - 69.9 DID NOT MASTER MATERIAL
“INC” designates INCOMPLETE WORK and converts to a 0 if not completed
“M” designates MODIFIED WORK
The following codes are used for Conduct and for certain subjects:
O OUTSTANDING EFFORT
S SATISFACTORY EFFORT
I IMPROVEMENT NEEDED
U UNSATISFACTORY EFFORT
N NOT OBSERVED
How to schedule a conference with a teacher
· Send a note to your child’s teacher requesting a conference suggesting a time and day; give a reason for conference so the teacher can be prepared, provide a phone number where you can be reached in case the time you gave is not convenient for the teacher.
· Call the school office to request a conference with a teacher. The message is given to the teacher. The teacher will either set up the conference time or the secretary will return your call giving a time and day.
· Email your child’s teacher requesting a conference.
St. Peter’s places a high priority on communication between parent and school personnel. Teachers can be reached via email through the RenWeb system which is linked through our website at www.stpeterprince.org. Please feel free to contact administration if you are having difficulty getting a reply from staff in a timely (within 24 hours) manner.
Lost Report Card/Envelopes
Report cards are issued and sent home to parents in an envelope. This envelope is signed and returned to the student’s teacher. This is the teacher's way of knowing that the parent received the report card. IF THIS ENVELOPE IS LOST, A CHARGE OF $10.00 is assessed to replace the envelope and re-issue grades; this fee is paid before another report card is issued. Final report cards are generally sent home with students on the last day of school or at 8th grade graduation. Report cards may be ‘held’ until library fines, dues, service hours or other obligations are met.
Deficiency Reports
A deficiency report is emailed when a student is falling behind (below 75) in class work, homework, has done poorly on a test, or when not performing to his/her potential. Parents are responsible for acknowledging receipt of the report and setting up a conference with the teacher. Parents are asked to check their email daily, or at least weekly to benefit from this important communication tool. Student grades are available on our RenWeb system and teachers generally communicate as needed.
Independent Study (Homework)
Homework is an important part of a student’s education. The purpose of homework is to reinforce and extend what a student has learned in class and to develop self-discipline, personal responsibility, and independent thinking. Teachers assign a variety of homework assignments, (some may not be written assignments) to provide students an opportunity to develop various skills such as reading, collecting, interviewing, researching, and to listening to programs such as those on radio or TV. Homework assignments vary by grade level. Upper grades are frequently given "long-term" assignments to assist with time-management skills, research skills and higher order thinking skills. Generally, students are assigned 10-20 minutes of independent work per subject per grade level, i.e. a ‘typical’ 4th grade homework load is generally 40-60 minutes, plus unfinished class work if applicable. All students are encouraged to practice their Spanish vocabulary/listening skills/conversation skills at least 10 minutes each night including week-ends. All students should read at least 20 minutes per night.
Standardized Practice for Late Homework
· To receive full credit for an assignment, work is completed on the date it is due.
· When an assignment is one day late, the grade automatically begins at 70. (Anything incorrect on the assignments is deducted from the 70).
· When an assignment is submitted more than a day late, the grade is not recorded higher than 50. Missing homework is converted to “0” after three days unless there are extenuating circumstances agreed on by teacher and parent, in writing (includes email communication)
· If three (3) late homework assignments are accrued per subject in one grading period, a student is issued a notation in their planner or via email to parents or issued a demerit and is subject to detention depending on his/her status.
A student whose absence is excused is allowed three (3) school days to make up schoolwork missed on those days. It is the student's responsibility to find out what assignments were missed. If a student will be absent for an extended period (two (2) or more days), homework for the student should be picked up by contacting the homeroom/advisory teacher or the Administration office before noon on the second day of absence. Students are not penalized for excused absences when assignments are handed in on time.
Student Planner/Assignment Book
In grades 1-8, a planner or assignment book is required and is used as a systematic, organized way for students and parents to monitor daily academic progress. Students are to use a planner/assignment book with space to record all assignments. When the student is absent he/she copies information on the class work missed. The student also copies the assignments missed. Failure to bring a planner/assignment book three (3) or more times in a grading period generally constitutes a parent conference. Planners are available for purchase through the school store or may be purchased at most office supply stores and other retail stores.
Standardized Practice for Making Up Missed Tests
At the Primary School, the homeroom teacher or the Resource teacher will monitor students who missed a test. At the Annex, the testing center for grades 4-8 allows a student to take missed tests after school on a published schedule to ensure optimal testing conditions and prevent missed class time. The schedule is posted in the homerooms. The Counselor will email testing information to parents to ensure effective communication when a student needs to report to the testing center. Tests must be taken/retaken in the Testing Center on the scheduled time or the grade is recorded as an “INC.” The Counselor maintains the testing schedule and should be contacted when schedules need to be modified.
An INC is converted to a “0” at the end of the grading period if a test has not been taken or if work has not been submitted.
Testing Program
The Archdiocesan Testing program is used at St. Peter's School. The Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) is administered during the spring of the year in grades K5-8, plus COGAT (Cognitive Ability Test) in 2nd and 6th grade. Parents and teacher(s) are given results of the test(s). Kindergarten may also be given the Metropolitan Readiness Test. Students in grades 5 and 8 are administered the ACRE test in the spring to evaluate the Religious instruction program. Also administered at some grade levels are the MAT and TPRI (reading benchmark test). Classroom teachers announce testing schedules.
Annex Hall Passes
Students are not allowed in the Annex hallways or restrooms without a Hall Pass issued by their homeroom teacher, the librarian or a classroom teacher except during passing periods. Demerits are issued for violations.
Attendance and Absence/Illness
State law requires attendance at school. Accordingly, students are expected to attend school unless there are valid reasons for absence. Valid reasons, such as sickness, are considered as excused. Invalid reasons, such as extra vacation, are generally considered unexcused.
Parents may petition the school when unusual circumstances require unforeseen absences. In all cases absences are explained in writing by the parent upon the student's return to school. In accordance with Texas State Law, each student must be present a minimum of 90% of the days a class is offered. With a school year of 180 days, this means a student may not miss more than 16 days in order to receive credit for the class. After the 16th absence, a student may be required to repeat a specific course or grade.
In all cases, students are liable for all work missed and are subject to the discretionary authority of the Principal for determination of whether absences are excessive. If a student is continually absent without a legitimate excuse, the parents are notified and a conference set up with parents, teacher and administration. If no improvement occurs within a reasonable amount of time, the principal initiates corrective measures.
Parents are encouraged to make medical and dental appointments outside of the normal school hours. When excessive tardies or early dismissals for medical, dental, or other reasons are accrued, the administration takes action deemed necessary to correct the situation. When a student must be absent from school for longer than 2 hours, he or she is counted absent for half (˝) of the day.
If a student becomes ill during the school day, the school contacts the parent or guardian designated to pick up the child. The administration requires a written note from a physician for absence due to chronic illness.
Teachers at the Annex will take attendance each class and enter attendance into RenWeb. Teachers at the Primary are to record attendance by subject to ensure student attendance by subject matter.
To receive credit for a class or course a student must be in attendance at least 90% of the time for each class. Arriving late or leaving early will jeopardize a student’s completion of their grade or class.
Tardiness
Prompt arrival at school is expected of all students. Late arrival disrupts class and causes loss of instructional time. A child is tardy if he/she is not in the classroom by the designated time for his/her building. Please note that $5 is assessed each time when a child exceeds 3 tardies in a grading period. This fine is deposited in a Scholarship/Tuition Assistance fund. Students who are tardy or leave early are not considered for perfect attendance awards.
K3 to 3rd grade: Students arrive in their classroom by 8:00 am. Students arriving after 8:00 am stop by the school office for a tardy slip. After the 3rd tardy in a grading period, a $5 fine per tardy is assessed and deposited into our Tuition Assistance Fund. Students and parents are not to enter the building prior to 7:40 as adult supervision is not available; teachers meet for prayer from 7:30-7:40.
4th-8th: Students arrive in their classroom by 7:50 am. Students arriving after 7:50 am stop by the office for a tardy slip. After the 3rd tardy in a grading period, a $5 fine per tardy is assessed and deposited into our Tuition Assistance Fund. Students may not be on campus except in the Cafeteria or Gym prior to 7:40.
· A student arriving at school more than two (2) hours late is considered absent half (1/2) a day.
· A student leaving more than 2 hours early is considered absent for a half (1/2) day in the afternoon.
· A student receives a perfect attendance certificate at the end of the school year and is noted in their permanent record when the student attended all school days and if a student has no tardies or early check-outs.
· The form requesting early release/check-out are available on our website; if it is an emergency early release/check-out, the parent fills out the form when they arrive to check the student out.
Promotion/Retention and Failure/Summer School
A student may be promoted to the next grade at the end of the school year when the academic average in each subject is at least a 70 and attendance requirements are met.
· With a 70-74 average in any subject the student takes a summer enrichment course if returning to St. Peter's.
· With an average lower than 70 in any subject, the student takes an extensive summer school course for credit in order to pass.
· With a final average below 70 in more than one of the core subjects (Religion, Reading/Literature/ Spelling/English, Social Studies, Science, Math, Spanish or PE) a student is retained at the present grade level for the next school year.
Academic Probation
A student is placed on academic probation for consistent lack of cooperation in the academic area, frequent absenteeism, lack of preparation for daily class, failure to do the assigned class work, failure to complete independent study work (homework), or a visible disregard for learning. Should a student continue in these habits, parents are asked to withdraw the child from St. Peter’s. Academic probation is a very serious matter. Students on academic probation do not participate in extra-curricular activities and generally are not asked to return the following school year.
Procedures for Academic Probation
After three notices are made to parents by one or more teachers, the parent may be notified by letter that the student has been placed on the first step of "Academic Probation."
If improvement is not shown and maintained, a conference with the Administration, student, teacher(s), and parents is held. This is the second step toward "Academic Probation". If satisfactory progress is not maintained the parent is notified that the student has been placed on "Academic Probation" at a conference with the administration and (if necessary the teacher). The terms of Academic Probation are clearly outlined in the conference and put in writing for parents and staff. Students on Academic Probation do not participate in extracurricular activities (games/dances) until all expectations set in the terms of probation have been met.
Academic Honor Roll
The Academic Honor Roll is determined by averaging a student's core courses only. The following are considered core courses: Religion, Reading/Literature, Science, Social Studies, Math, English/Language Arts, and Spanish.
High Honors (Gold Certificate)
An average of 94-100 in all core subjects with no "U's" where subjects are graded with O, S, or U.
Honor Role (Silver Certificate)
An average of 85-93.9 in core subjects with no grade below 85 in any subject with no "U's" where subjects are graded with O, S, or U.
National Elementary Honor Society (Grades 4-5)
Requirement for membership are scholarship (94% average in core courses and no grade lower than an 85%), responsibility, leadership and service. Students who meet the scholarship criteria are invited to apply for National Elementary Honor Society (NEHS); all applications submitted by the deadline are considered by the faculty committee and selected if they meet all the standards. Students are inducted into NEHS in the spring.
National Junior Honor Society (Grades 6-8):
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The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) recognizes outstanding middle level students. More than just an honor roll, NJHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of: scholarship, leadership, service, and citizenship. To be eligible for membership the candidate must be a member of those classes (second semester sixth grade, seventh grade, eighth grade designated as eligible in the chapter bylaws). Candidates must have been in attendance at the school the equivalent of one semester. The minimum standard for scholarship is a cumulative scholastic average of at least 94% and no grade lower than 85%. Candidates are evaluated on the basis of service, leadership, character, and citizenship. The selection of each member to the chapter is by a majority vote of the Faculty Council named by the Principal prior to each school year. Disciplinary infractions that breach the code of conduct related to any of the above are grounds for removal from NJHS.
St. Peter’s Annual Awards Criteria
At the end of the school year, recognition is awarded to students on the basis of achievement and effort. Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten receive a promotion certificate. First through eighth grade students each receives a certificate with commendations.
Principal awards, special awards, and honor awards are also given to students who earn them. Third through eighth graders who meet the criteria are eligible for the Presidential Academic Award.
PRINCIPAL'S AWARD: a dedicated student who demonstrates tolerance, or integrity, or generosity, or empathy or responsibility on a regular basis.
CITIZENSHIP AWARD: a student who has shown by his/her actions that he/she possesses the qualities and characteristics we hope to instill in all our students.
CHARACTER AWARD: a student who has demonstrated outstanding kindness, courage and respect. One who is able to stand up for him/herself and others regardless of peer pressure.
Graduation Requirements
Eighth grade graduation requirements are set in keeping with the tradition of high quality Catholic education in forming personal Christian values, and for maintaining the academic excellence noted at St. Peter's. The school is also mindful of the individuality of each student and the need for providing assistance where needed.
To participate in the public graduation ceremonies at St. Peter's and to receive a diploma, a student must have a final average of "75". A student who receives a "70-74" average in one or more subjects is permitted to participate in the graduation ceremony but receives a blank diploma until academic work is completed. A student who receives an average below "70" in one or more subjects does not participate in the graduation ceremony and does not receive a diploma.
The valedictorian and salutatorian are named based on their academic status within the 8th grade; the highest GPA and second highest GPA based on 8th grade coursework
A diploma is withheld from a student for the following reasons:
· Incomplete assignments pending
· Textbooks, library books, or other loaned materials not returned
· Tuition and other incurred expenses not paid. (i.e. lost or damaged textbooks, library books, damaged school property, etc.)
· Student or Parent Service hours incomplete
· The student's behavior throughout the School year was problematic.
(Policy adopted by School Council, June 1982, revised 1987, reviewed 2009)
Scholarships
Each spring the Msgr. Charles Pugh Memorial Scholarship is awarded to one student entering sixth, seventh or eighth grade. Any student with an overall grade average of 75 or above with consistent participation in a variety of community and school activities and with a sincere interest in Catholic education is encouraged to apply. The scholarship recipient receives a full year of tuition for the following school year.
Each spring, one family is awarded a one-year full tuition scholarship based on identified need and commitment to Catholic education by the Charles Buckley Family. Application packets are available on the school website each March and listed deadlines are published annually.
Each year the Parent-Teacher-Club awards eighth grade students with a scholarship. The purpose of the Scholarship Award is to foster the continuance of education in a Catholic High School, and to give eighth grade students at St. Peter's an incentive to excel in many areas to merit the award.
Criteria for the PTC Scholarship Award
· The academic average for seventh & eighth grades is at least “90”
· The student exemplifies good behavior
· The student demonstrates school spirit by participating in school projects, activities such as choir liturgies, class projects, sports etc.
· The student demonstrates involvement in parish and community projects.
· The student presents two letters of recommendation from teachers
· The student presents one letter of recommendation from an adult who is neither a teacher nor the student's parents.
· The student writes an essay on "Why I Want To Continue My Education in a Catholic High School"
· The completed application form and all documents are submitted to the Principal by the posted deadline. The selection committee consists of the Principal, a teacher and officers or delegates of the PTC. No person on the selection team may have a child applying for the award.
Graduation Ceremony
Students in the 8th grade who have met all of the requirements for graduation take part in the graduation ceremony held in May. A group of 7th grade parent volunteers are solicited by the PTC to organize the ordering of invitations, reservation of facilities and reception details. 8th grade awards and scholarships are presented at graduation.