Academic Requirements

St. Jean Baptiste High School endeavors to meet the academic needs of each student. Graduates earn a High School Diploma by satisfactorily completing the studies set forth by the New York State Board of Regents. Each student is expected to attain a New York State Regents Diploma in addition to a St. Jean’s Diploma.

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

CORE CURRICULUM
Religion 4 Units
English 4 Units
Social Studies 4 Units
Math 3 Units
Science 3 Units
Language Other Than English 2 Units
Fine Arts 1.5 Units
Technology 1 Unit
Health .5 Unit
Service 1 Unit
PE 2 Unit
Electives 3 Units

NEW YORK STATE REGENTS ASSESSMENTS
Required Regents Assessments:

Comprehensive English
Integrated Algebra
Global History
US History
1st Science

Additional Regents Assessments:

Geometry
Algebra 2/ Trigonometry
2nd Science

ACADEMIC HONORS
First Honors: 90% average with no grade lower than 85%

Second Honors: 85% average with no grade lower than 80%

General Honors: 80% average with no grade lower than 75%

Advantage Gold Card: Students who achieve honors receive an Advantage Gold Card. The card is given as an incentive for the student to offer her services as a tutor. After each tutoring session, she has her Advantage Gold Card signed by the student she is tutoring. After ten sessions, she is eligible for a dress-up day and another Advantage card. When the student completes three cards, she will receive a “Service Certificate” at the honors assembly.

Honors Assembly: Generally, honor assemblies are held quarterly to recognize students for excellence in academics, for effort to improve achievement, for service to the SJB school community, and for accomplishments in sports.

HOMEWORK
Homework may include written work as well as study assignments and review of class notes. Homework that is conscientiously completed will provide practice in needed skills, will enable the student to actively participate in class discussions, and will provide preparation for quizzes and tests. Students should expect to spend at least two hours a night completing the work assigned.

Grade Reports
A student’s grade is based on class participation, class assignments, independent projects, homework assignments, and quiz/test results.

Progress reports are mailed to parents approximately half way through each quarter. Some teachers may send reports for each student, but usually progress reports are sent to the parent/guardian of any student who is in danger of failing for the marking period. This report gives the parent/guardian feedback about the student's behavior, effort, and assigned work. Teachers frequently list test and quiz scores. The parent/guardian who receives such notices is encouraged:

to discuss the report with the student,
to contact the teacher to determine if the student has made any progress since the time of the report,
to contact the student's guidance counselor to discuss the reports.

A student who receives multiple progress reports indicating possible failures will meet with her guidance counselor.

Report cards are issued quarterly (November, February, April, June). Parent/Teacher conferences are scheduled to provide an opportunity for parent/guardian, student, and teacher to meet and discuss the progress and performance of the student.

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY
Membership in the National Honor Society is open to Grade 11 and 12 students. Candidates must have a weighted cumulative average of at least 85%. They must also exhibit leadership, service, and character.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Girls learn values

Both the faculty and administrators of St. Jean Baptiste High School are committed to the development of Catholic faith and the fostering of Christian community within the school. All students are required to take four years of religion. This course of study includes the Hebrew Scriptures, the Christian Scriptures, Sacraments, Church History, Christian Morality, Christian Lifestyles and Social Justice. In the fourth year, seniors are privileged to participate in a weekly program of Christian Service, which enables them to share their faith and talents with people of all ages.

Each year, all students participate in days of retreat, school liturgies, and prayer services, which are an integral part of their education.

GUIDANCE
Guidance services are an integral part of the student's educational experience at St. Jean's. The purpose of these guidance services is to help the student adjust to and succeed in high school as well as to facilitate her development during these four years. High school years mean change, choice, new freedom, and responsibilities for adolescents. The guidance department provides the following programs and services in an effort to meet student needs:

Orientation for 9th graders and transfer students.
Individual counseling for academic and personal concerns.

Counselors are specifically assigned to each grade level. Additional services are provided for sponsored students. A counselor from the Archdiocesan Drug and Alcohol Program (ADAPP) works with the guidance team.

The counselors assist students and their families who may be in crisis or may have situations which impact on the student’s ability to participate, to learn, or to do well in the school environment. These services include meetings with families, short term counseling, and assistance with referrals.

Parent Workshops provide information on the particular opportunities and challenges of the various stages of their daughter’s development.