Academic Program Standards

A student’s grade is a professional judgment by an instructor of the student’s academic achievement and progress. At the beginning of the course, the teacher will provide students with a course syllabus with includes a written statement of course requirements, policies and explanation of grading procedures.

Concordia Lutheran High School believes that homework is an essential part of education and that it increases student achievement. Homework is effective when it is related to the basic goals of education: to acquire knowledge, explore opportunities for creativity, and develop reasoning and critical thinking skills. Homework reinforces and supplements the material presented in class, creates readiness for learning, and provides for individualized learning, evaluation, practice drills, and follow-up to classroom activities. 

To help Concordia make homework a successful tool in the student’s learning experience, the parent(s) of the student should: 

1. Activate their unique PARENT online FACTS Family Portal and check it regularly. Please contact Ms. Karen Johnson in the Guidance Office if you need login help. (Concordia's FACTS District Code: CON-IN)
2. Support the homework policy as presented in each course syllabus and the school wide Preplanned Absence Policy. (see #4 - Attendance Policies and Procedures)
3. Provide the student with an environment in the home that promotes good study habits.
4. Know the student’s teachers and communicate with them; know how often the student should have homework in a particular class and approximately how long it should take to complete that homework. 
5. Know the student’s ability and help with course selections which are consistent with that ability. 
6. Help plan the student’s job schedule and extracurricular involvement with homework as a priority.
7. Help the student to plan ahead for major projects and tests. 

To help the student make homework a successful tool in the learning experience, the student should: 

1. Activate their unique STUDENT online FACTS account and check it regularly.
2. Develop responsible study habits and skills, providing a productive learning environment.
3. Prepare homework daily and complete assignments on time.
4. Do all homework to the best of the student’s ability.
5. Utilize Teacher’s Office Hours and tutorial help during the school day, while at school. 
6. Accept responsibility for obtaining and completing all work missed because of absence. 
7. Plan extracurricular activities and work schedules carefully with homework as a priority. 
8. Discuss with teachers problems and concerns involving homework. 

Report cards are published online to parents and students at the end of each quarter of the school calendar. A student’s grade point average (GPA) is based on semester grades. It is calculated by dividing the total number of quality points by the number of semester credits earned. Each student will receive a Semester GPA and a Cumulative GPA. The Cumulative GPA is the average of all coursework completed by the student during high school. All courses earning credit, except service credits, are included in the calculation.

Concordia Lutheran High School utilizes both a Standard 4.00 grading scale for the majority of courses offered with “A” the highest grade a student earns, and an Alternate 4.33 grading scale for Honors & Advanced Placement courses with an “A+” the highest grade a student may earn.

To be eligible for Honor Roll, a student must carry a minimum of four full credit classes and have a semester grade point average of 3.66 or above with no grade lower than “C” on the semester report card. To be eligible for Honor Roll Honorable Mention, a student must carry a minimum of four full credit classes and have a semester grade point average of 3.00 or above with no grade lower than “C”, nor more than one “C”. Honor Roll and Honorable Mention are awarded at the end of each semester. Any grade changes after two weeks into the next semester are not reflected on the Honor Roll/Honorable Mention listings.

Students who have maintained a cumulative 3.66 GPA or higher for three consecutive semesters receive an academic letter and pin. Students who continue to maintain a 3.66 GPA or higher for two additional semesters receive an additional pin(s) to place on their letter.

If a student receives an incomplete (I), the grade changes to “F” if the incomplete is not made up by the end of the second week after the end of the quarter in which the “I” was received. Making up the work is the student’s responsibility.

If a student wishes to drop a class after two weeks have passed in a semester, the grade given is WF (Withdrawal-failing). The only exceptions to this rule are: (a) the drop is recommended by the classroom teacher because the student is unable to successfully complete the work assigned due to lack of ability in the subject matter; or (b) the parent provides a documented medical reason why the student is unable to complete the class. The Withdrawal-Failing grade does not count toward or against a student’s GPA calculation.

All students will be encouraged to attain the Indiana Core 40 or the Indiana Core 40 with Academic Honors Diploma.  A General diploma is also available to those students meeting the requirements. 

INDIANA CORE 40 REQUIREMENTS 

The Core 40 curriculum is a set of courses that prepares students for college. Indiana four-year public colleges require Core 40 for regular admission. 

Credits 

• English/Language Arts Literature, Composition and Speech - 8
• Mathematics (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II) - 6 
  Additional credits in Pre-Calculus, Calculus, or Statistics and Probability. All students are required to take a math or physics course during their junior or senior year. Seniors are required to take a quantitative reasoning course or another mathematics course.
• Social Studies - 6
  6 credits distributed as follows:
  History - 2
  Government - 1
  World History/Civilization or Geography/History of the World - 2
  Economics - 1

• Science - 6
  6 credits in Laboratory Science from the courses below: 
  Biology I - 2
  Chemistry I, Physics I, or Integrated Chemistry Physics - 2
  Additional credits from Chemistry, Physics, Biology AP, Chemistry AP, Physics AP, or Advanced Environmental Science - 2
• Physical Education - 2
• Health and Wellness - 1
• Directed Electives - 5
• Electives / Religion - 8 

TOTAL - 42 

ACADEMIC HONORS DIPLOMA

Concordia will grant an Academic Honors Diploma to any student who has fulfilled the following requirements. Students graduating in May 2019 or later must earn a minimum of 50 credits.

• Earn the Core 40 Diploma and, 
• Earn 2 additional Core 40 Math credits, and 
• Earn 6-8 Core 40 World Language credits, and 
• Earn 2 Core 40 Fine Arts credits, and 
• Earn credits in a quantitative reasoning course or additional math course, and
• Earn a grade of “C” or above in courses that will count toward the diploma, and 
• Have a grade point average of 3.0 or above, and complete one of the following:

1. 4 credits in 2 or more courses designated as Advanced Placement (AP) under 511 IAC 6.1-6.5 and the corresponding College Board Advanced Placement Tests.
2. Dual high school and college credits resulting in 6 transcripted college credits.
3. A minimum of 3 transcripted college credits and 2 credits in a course or courses designated as AP under 511 IAC 6.1-6.5 and the corresponding College Board Advanced Placement test or tests.
4. An SAT score of 1250 or higher (with a minimum score of 560 on Math, and minimum score of 590 on evidence based Reading and Writing).
5. An ACT score of 26 or higher, with the completion of the written section.

Copies of a student’s school record for other high schools, colleges, institutions, scholarships, or prospective employers are available through the Guidance and School Counseling office upon the student’s or parent’s request. All tuition and fee payments must be kept current. Ordinarily, transcripts are released directly to those agencies. Enrolled students are entitled to transcripts without charge (exclusive of those for scholarships and employment purposes). After graduation the fee for a student transcript is $5.00 and will be charged per copy. Students, or parents if the student is under 18, may request a copy of the student’s official record. Students may also order transcripts electronically through Indiana parchment.com Transcripts are sent directly to the college you choose. There is no fee for in-state colleges. To sign up for this service visit Concordia’s website and click on Academics.

Information about summer school offerings at Concordia and other area schools is available in the spring from the Guidance and School Counseling Office or Student Services. Students must take state required courses during the normal school year. Exceptions are made for students who cannot fit required courses in their school schedule and must be given prior approval.

Concordia students are assigned to a designated classroom for Study Hall periods. Students are expected to use the time wisely to continue their studies and school work. Students are also expected to bring all necessary materials and supplies with them to the study hall. 

Teachers are available to meet with a student during the lunch period and at office hours as designated on the daily schedule.

Concordia’s Study Center (SC) is open to students on Individualized Education Plans and students who have a demonstrated need for services provided. The Study Center is available to students for reading tests, helping prepare students for college achievement tests, remediation, and helping to individualize curriculum for students with special needs. The staff of the Study Center works closely with the student, parents, teachers, consultants and the guidance department to help Study Center students succeed. For specific information or consultation about individual learning problems, students and parents are encouraged to contact the Study Center Director, Mrs. Lisa Sherrod.

The IMC has print and digital materials available for student use. Students are encouraged to use the IMC for personal needs, college and career information and recreational reading as well as for completing required assignments. They may use the library facilities during their unassigned time and may check out most print and digital materials for home use. 

Hours of Operation

The lMC will be open 30 minutes before school and 1 hour after school, usually 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. On mornings of faculty meetings, the IMC will be open 15 minutes before school and remain open 1 hour after school usually 8:25 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Check Out Procedures

There is no set limit on the number of items a student may check out as long as they can keep track of the items. Most items are checked out for three weeks. Overdue notices and fine notices will be sent by email to the student’s school email address. 

Fines

For library materials, the fine is $ 0.25 per day, excluding weekends and holidays. For textbooks and class novels, the fine is $1.00 per day, excluding weekends and holidays.  The maximum fine is the replacement cost of the item. Charges are made for damaged materials and materials not returned. Students are expected to pay all outstanding charges in a timely manner. All material must be returned and fines paid prior to the beginning of finals each semester.

Student Use of IMC During the School Day

During the school day students may come to the IMC during their study hall to work on research projects, read or study quietly. Since the IMC is used for research as well as recreational reading, students are expected to respect the right and need of others and maintain an atmosphere that is conducive to work. Students may also utilize the Creator’s Space area in the IMC. 

Suggestions

Students, parent and staff members are encouraged to suggest titles of books and other materials for inclusion in the CLHS library collection.  We welcome comments and look forward to helping students, parents and staff with their research and recreational reading needs.

The Guidance and School Counseling Office serves the needs of students and their families. The high school years often bring challenges, questions, and decisions requiring assistance. The Concordia Guidance and School Counselors provide personal counseling, crisis counseling, referral services, academic planning services, college entrance assistance, career guidance, and other help as needed.  

Information about careers and further educational opportunities is available from the counselors.  Each school year, the School Counseling office conducts college and career exploration opportunities through the use of the Indiana Career Explorer, Shadowing Project and college visitation opportunities. Announcements about college representative visits, scholarships, and other opportunities and can found on the bulletin boards  outside of the Cadet Cafe, in the Daily Bulletin,  in the Guidance and School Counseling offices,  and on the school website under Academics/Guidance and Counseling Services. . 

Concordia also partners with Cross Connections, Inc. for individual and/or family counseling services. A counselor from Cross Connections is on the Concordia campus on Mondays and Thursdays from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Students may schedule a meeting with the Cross Connection counselor via their Concordia School Counselor and through the Student Success Office. A waiver form must be on file signed by a parent.