Academic Status

A student receives Freshman status upon graduation from eighth grade and acceptance as a student at The High School of Saint Thomas More. To advance to Sophomore status, the student must have earned a minimum of 6.0 units, and must have completed a minimum of 20 hours of Christian Service. To advance to Junior status, the student must have earned a minimum of 12.0 units, and must have completed a minimum of 50 hours of Christian Service. To advance to Senior status, the student must have earned a minimum of 18 credits, and must have completed a minimum of 100 hours of Christian Service.

The academic status of transfer students will be determined by the Principal at the time they are accepted at The High School of Saint Thomas More. Christian Service hours and specific graduation requirements may be adjusted for transfer students to reflect the availability of programs and courses at their previous school.

Early Graduation

A student who wishes to graduate from The High School of Saint Thomas More in less time than the ordinary four-year sequence may be granted permission to complete graduation requirements on an accelerated schedule if the following criteria are met:

1. Permission is requested no later than the end of the freshman year.
2. A detailed program of studies is designed which:
   
   1. lists the courses which will be taken each semester,
   2. specifies the Christian Service hours to be completed each year, and
   3. is signed by the student, the parents, and the administration.
3. The student meets or exceeds the requirements of the agreed program of studies each semester.
4. The student makes no grade below a C.

Grading Scale & Reporting

With the exception of those classes which have been approved for Pass/Fail grading, all teachers use the numeric grading scale reproduced here, and this scale is reported to colleges, employers, and others who evaluate student records.

At the mid-point of each quarter, teachers will prepare Progress Reports for all students whose grade average at that time is less than 80 (C), and for any other students who are not performing at their expected levels.

Grade cards are issued each quarter, but only the semester grades are part of the permanent record. Grade point averages and class rank are only computed at the end of semesters. At the end of the first quarter, the grade cards are hand-delivered to parents at Parent Conferences. All subsequent grade cards are mailed home.

Grade Point Averages, Class Rank, Honors

Grade Point Averages (GPA) are computed each semester by multiplying the semester Grade Points from the chart on Page 14 by the units earned in each class, and then dividing by the total number of units attempted. The result is rounded to three decimal places. A grade of "P" in a Pass/Fail course does not affect the GPA, but a grade of "F" is treated as any other failing grade. The current GPA is for one semester only, and the cumulative GPA is for the students entire high school career.

Class Rank is determined by the cumulative GPA. Grades for transfer students for comparable courses will transfer and will be included in the students GPA, but summer school courses and correspondence courses will not. If a student repeats a course, both grades will be used to compute the GPA.

The Class Valedictorian is the student with the highest cumulative GPA at the end of eight semesters, and the Class Salutatorian is the student with the second highest. If there is a tie for either position, as many students who are tied will receive the honor. In order to be eligible for either honor, the student must have completed the final three semesters of high school at The High School of Saint Thomas More, and must have fulfilled the Christian Service requirement.

An academic honor roll is compiled at the end of each semester, based on the current Grade Point Averages for that semester. In order to be on the A Honor Roll, a student must have a current GPA of at least 3.500, and no semester grade lower than B. To be on the B Honor Roll, a student must have a current GPA of at least 3.000, and no semester grade lower than B-.

Academic Probation

Students are considered to be on academic probation if their current GPA is below 2.000, and they remain on academic probation for at least one semester, and until their cumulative GPA is above 2.000. While on academic probation, they are expected to make every effort to improve their scholastic performance. As a consequence, they are not allowed to participate in any activity which would require them to miss any classes, including field trips which involve more than a single class period. They are expected to voluntarily curtail any extracurricular activities which reduce the time and effort available for study.

Students who make no improvement in their cumulative GPA while on probation, or whose current GPA is below 2.000 for a second consecutive semester, may be asked to withdraw from The High School of Saint Thomas More.

Living the Faith

Education at The High School of Saint Thomas More is not limited to the classroom. In the classroom, students learn the Catholic faith, but they must also live it. Living the Faith allows the students to put their faith into practice through volunteer work in the community. They encounter Jesus Christ not only as He is present in the scriptures and the liturgy but also as He is present in the elderly, the sick, and the poor. Living the Faith enables the students to carry their mission beyond the school's walls. It challenges them to learn about their communityand its needs and arouses in them a sense of responsibility for spreading the Gospel.

There is a rich diversity of parish, school, and community service opportunities in the Champaign-Urbana area to accommodate the interests and gifts of all students. The basic guidelines for a good project are the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy traditional Catholic actions of service undertaken through direct person-to-person interaction. The students commit themselves to this service for a minimum of 150 hours over four years. Through Living the Faith the students move beyond self-centered concern to a Christ-like selflessness and other-centered love, developing an appreciation for the necessity of making a positive contribution for the common good in society. Most importantly, Living the Faith aids the students in developing their vocation to be disciples of Jesus Christ and witnesses of his love in the world.