Graduation and Grading Policies

The School of Choice expects our students to succeed: we help them at every step not only to graduate, but to graduate honorably with high grades. Our grading policies and standards exceed those required for public school graduation, and they meet or exceed University of California requirements for entrance from California high schools. Juniors and seniors have freedom to choose elective courses that help them develop specialized interests. Students who have completed general requirements must take at least five classes per quarter. The School of Choice makes successful learning possible to students of nearly all abilities, because our approach is motivational, developmental and foundational. We tailor our curriculum to the needs and capacities of the individual student.

Middle School Graduation Requirements

A. English 30 units (3 years)
B. World History 20 units (2 years)
C. U.S. History 10 units (1 year)
F. Math 30 units (3 years)
G. Physical Education 30 units (3 years)
H. Science 30 units (3 years)
I. Language 30 units (3 years)
K. Fine Art 30 units (3 years)

High School Graduation Requirements
  1. History/Social Science: Two years required, including one year of world history, cultures, and geography and one year of U.S. history or one-half year of U.S. history and one-half year of civics or American government.
  2. English: Four years of college preparatory English that include frequent and regular writing, and reading of classic and modern literature.
  3. Mathematics: Three years of college preparatory mathematics that include the topics covered in elementary and advanced algebra and two- and three-dimensional geometry.
  4. Laboratory Science: Two years of laboratory science providing fundamental knowledge in at least two of these three disciplines: biology, chemistry, and physics.
  5. Language Other Than English: Two years of the same language other than English.
  6. Visual & Performing Arts: One year, including dance, drama/theater, music, or visual art.
  7. College Preparatory Elective: In addition to those courses required in "a-f" above, one year (two semesters) of college preparatory electives are required, chosen from advanced visual and performing arts, history, social science, English, advanced mathematics, laboratory science, and language other than English.

The School of Choice expects its graduating students to exceed these standards in the following areas:

We do not copy standards directly from any institution because we believe that private schools must set standards superior to those of their neighbors if they are to make any difference. We expect all students gifted in an area to take AP classes in that area with hopes that our high school will gain a reputation as an AP-based school differentiated to accommodate students with varying abilities but geared to teaching on the college level.

Grading Standards

Teachers assign grades to students at The School of Choice along with helpful comments according to a common grading format reflected in our transcripts. The School of Choice issues interim grades after the first six weeks of instruction each quarter, and quarterly grades, which are recorded on the student’s permanent record. To graduate from middle school or high school, students are required to maintain a “C” average in all of their subjects combined. Students may become AP scholars—and earn enough credits to enter college as sophomores—but AP are not required for graduation. Students will earn a one-half point bonus in each AP course they take. We grade on a one to four scale as follows:

Score GPA Letter Grade
100 AP 4.8 A+ (Possible only with AP bonus of one half point.)
97-100 4.3 A+
93-97 4.0 A
90-93 3.7 A-
87-90 3.3 B+
83-87 3.0 B
80-83 2.7 B-
77-80 2.3 C+
73-77 2.0 C
70-73 1.7 C-
65-70 1.3 D+
60-65 1.0 D
55-60 0.7 D-
Less than 55 0.0 F

A student who receives an interim grade of “D” or “F” in any subject is placed on informal academic probation. After consultation with parent(s) or guardian(s), a program such as special tutoring or extra homework may be recommended. Extracurricular activities may be curtailed until the student’s performance improves. Students who earn an “F” for more than one quarter, a “D” for more than two quarters, or an overall GPA of less than “C” for two quarters may be suspended. Students who then demonstrate effort and willingness to improve will be continued on formal probation.