The Archdiocese of Atlanta prescribes the curricular standards and benchmarks that must be achieved at each grade level for each subject. The individual schools secure the instructional materials necessary to insure the achievement of those outcomes for each child.
ACADEMIC POLICIES
Academic integrity is expected.
It is the right and responsibility of the administration to determine appropriate consequences for all disciplinary measures.
Types of Academic Fraud
Homework/Classwork/Independent Projects
• Copying homework/classwork or allowing one’s work to be copied
• Excess assistance by parents/guardians or others
• Completion of homework/classwork by a group unless specifically assigned by the teacher.
Plagiarism
• Copying the words or ideas of another from a book, internet, fellow student or other source without acknowledgment
Tests/Quizzes/Other Assignments
• Cheating
Consequences of Academic Fraud
Teachers and the administrators will review situations of academic fraud and determine consequences.
Consequences may include but are not limited to:
• A citation may be issued.
• A student’s grade may be affected.
Academic Probation
Students in grades 3-8 who have failed two courses in one academic year and who have successfully remediated may return to the school in the following year with the status of academic probation. Should a student fail one core subject (final year average) within the year while on academic probation, alternative educational placement will be required.
Alternative Educational Placement
Students in grades 3-8 may not fail (definition: earned grade of “F” as a final year average) more than two core courses in one academic year. Should a student fail three or more courses in an academic year, alternative educational placement will be required.
Students who fail one or two core subjects in one academic year will be required to remediate the coursework according to the parameters set by the school. Failure to successfully remediate according to school guidelines indicates the parents’ choice to seek alternative educational placement.
Attendance
Students who are absent or tardy in an excess of twenty (20) days risk not being promoted to the next grade level.
Promotion
Promotion is based on individual assessment of student progress.
It should be noted that academic failure in any core subject may adversely impact a student’s ability to attend an archdiocesan catholic high school. Core courses are defined as religion, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science, as well as Spanish for grades 6-8 only.
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AWARDS AND HONORS
An award ceremony is held at the end of each academic quarter. Academic honors are presented to students in grades 6-8; the St. Peter Chanel award is presented to students from all grade levels. Separate award ceremonies honor National Junior Honor Society inductees and the 8th grade graduates.
St. Peter Chanel (Grades PK-8)
The purpose of this award is to acknowledge students who consistently demonstrate exemplary Christian behavior. Recipients are kind and considerate to teachers and students and demonstrate that they respect the dignity of all persons. This award is presented to one or two students from each class each quarter.
Honor Roll (Grades 6-8)
The purpose of the honor roll is to reward outstanding scholastic achievement for students in grades 6-8. The honor roll is divided into High Honors and Honors.
Qualifications for High Honors:
• Grade of 90 or above in all subject areas: religion, literature, English, writing, math, math-basic skills, science, social studies, and Spanish
• Grade of Satisfactory in: art, music, and physical education.
• Satisfactory Conduct and Effort grades in all subject areas
Qualifications for Honors:
• Grade of 85 or above in all subjects areas with three (3) grades of 90 or above in the core subject areas: religion, literature, English, math, science, social studies, and Spanish
• Grade of Satisfactory in art, music, and physical education.
• Satisfactory Conduct and Effort grades in all subject areas.
National Junior Honor Society (Grades 7-8)
Students in grades seven and eight who meet the following requirements during the first two quarters of the school year are eligible to apply for membership in the NJHS. The selection of members is determined by a majority vote of the Faculty Executive Council of the OLACS National Junior Honor Society. Discussions are not disclosed, and all decisions are final.
Qualifications for NJHS:
1. Scholarship — Grade of 90 or above per quarter in all subject areas: religion, literature, English, writing, math, math-basic skills, science, social studies, and Spanish; a grade of satisfactory in art, music, and physical education; and satisfactory Conduct and Effort grades in all subjects.
2. Leadership — A student who demonstrates leadership:
• is resourceful in proposing new solutions, applying principles, and making suggestions
• demonstrates leadership in promoting school activities
• exercises influence on peers in upholding school ideals
• contributes ideas that improve the civic life of the school
• exemplifies a positive attitude
• inspires positive behavior in others
• demonstrates academic initiative
• successfully holds school offices or positions of responsibility, conducting business efficiently and effectively
• demonstrates leadership in the classroom and in school or community activities
• is thoroughly dependable for a given responsibility
3. Service — A student who:
• serves to uphold scholarship and maintain a loyal school attitude
• participates in some community activities
• volunteers in a dependable, effective way
• cheerfully and enthusiastically renders any requested service to the school
• is willing to represent the class or school in inter-class and in inter-scholastic competition
• does committee and staff work without complaint
• shows courtesy by assisting visitors, teachers, and students
4. Character – A student of character:
• takes criticism willingly and accepts recommendations graciously
• consistently exemplifies desirable qualities of behavior
• upholds principles of morality and ethics
• cooperates by complying with school regulations
• demonstrates the highest standards of honesty and reliability
• shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others
• observes instructions and rules
• demonstrates perseverance and application to studies
5. Citizenship — A student who is a good citizen:
• understands the importance of civic involvement
• respects democratic principles
• demonstrates mature participation and responsibility through involvement with community activities
Presidential Academic Excellence Award (Grade 8)
Students in eighth grade are eligible if the following criteria are met:
• Most recent ITBS scores in Total Reading and/or Total Math at or above the eighty-fifth (85%) percentile
• A grade of 90 or above in all subjects from 4th grade through the first quarter of 8th grade
National Physical Fitness Award (Grades 4 - 8)
Presented to students who achieve 50% or above in set physical fitness tasks.
Presidential Physical Fitness Award (Grades 4 - 8)
Presented to students who achieve 90% or above in set physical fitness tasks.
Outstanding Christian Response Award (Grade 8)
The Outstanding Christian Response Award has a long and prestigious history at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic School. At the graduation Mass, an eighth grade student is recognized for outstanding Christian behavior. The recipient of this award is selected by fellow eighth grade students through secret ballot.
Sisters of Mercy Award (Grade 8)
For almost 45 years the Sisters of Mercy were a guiding presence at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic School. They laid the foundations for, nurtured, and established the school’s time-honored traditions. This award is presented to those students, and thus their parents, who have shown their commitment to Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic School by their attendance at OLA Catholic School since Pre-Kindergarten.
Society of Mary Award (Grade 8)
The Society of Mary (The Marists) is a presence at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic School, where they have been a guiding support since 1965. The Society of Mary Award is presented to students, and thus their parents, who have demonstrated a commitment to OLACS and to Catholic education since kindergarten.
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GRADING
Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic School uses the grading policy of the Archdiocese of Atlanta.
Grading Scale: Grades PK-1
Academic
S = Secure
D = Developing
B = Beginning
I = Insufficient Progress
X = Not Assessed
Conduct
S = Satisfactory
N = Needs Improvement
U = Unsatisfactory
Grading Scale: Grades 2-8
Academic
A = 90 – 100
B = 80-89
C = 75-79
D = 70-74
F = 69 and below
INC (Middle School Policy) = Incomplete: If work is not completed within two weeks after the semester ends, the Incomplete becomes a numeric grade. In extenuating circumstances, a student may appeal for a time extension.
Conduct and Effort
S = Satisfactory
N = Needs Improvement
U = Unsatisfactory
Assessment for Specials
Conduct
Within one class period
• One correction
• Second correction: student signs “note home”
• A third correction: student takes “note home” which is signed by the parents and returned to the teacher.
If poor behavior continues after “note home”, a citation or conference will result. If poor behavior does not improve student’s conduct grade on the report card will be lowered.
Positive methods will also be used to enhance a student’s behavior.
Effort: Kindergarten – 3rd Grade
PE, Music, Computer, Spanish and Art will measure objectively S, N, or U without percentages.
Effort: 4th – 8th Grade
The Effort assessment Music, Art, PE, and Computer will use a quantitative scale of:
S = 80% and above
N = 70%-79%
U = Below 69% = U
NOTE: All Physical Education students must participate in activities. Dressing out alone will not entitle the student to an S grade.
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