Academic Overview
Mission and Vision
OUR DISTRICT MISSION:
Create a culture of academic excellence through inclusive and innovative learning opportunities for the whole child.
OUR DISTRICT VISION:
Empower all learners to reach their full potential in a globally competitive world.
OUR DISTRICT VALUES:
- Academic Excellence
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Community
- Character
- Collaboration
Grading Information
Sycamore High School uses the following grading system:
| Grade Range | Grade | Description | Quality Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90 – 100 | A | Excellent – outstanding | 4.0 |
| 80 – 89 | B | Good – above average | 3.0 |
| 70 – 79 | C | Average – satisfactory | 2.0 |
| 60 – 69 | D | Passing – below average | 1.0 |
| Below 60 | F | Failing – insufficient to pass | 0.0 |
Additional Grades:
| Grade | Description | Quality Points |
|---|---|---|
| I | Incomplete work, unable to assign grade | 0.0 |
| WF | Withdraw failing | 0.0 |
| WP | Withdraw passing | 0.0 |
GPA calculations are based on a weighted system using the scale below. AP and Accelerated Level courses are identified on the transcript with an asterisk. These courses are weighted by adding quality points to the final grade. Weighted courses add a .5 value to the final average for Accelerated courses and 1.0 for Advanced Placement courses.
| Grade / Quality Points | Courses | Honors Level Courses | AP/CCP |
|---|---|---|---|
| A = 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| B = 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 4.0 |
| C = 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 3.0 |
| D = 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 2.0 |
Classification of Students
Ninth grade start date (year of entry into high school) is used to determine the grade level of each student. The following numbers of credits are suggested to benchmark students’ progress from grade to grade:
| Grade Level | Credits Required |
|---|---|
| Sophomore | 5.5 credits |
| Junior | 11.0 credits |
| Senior | 16.5 credits |
| Graduation Eligible | 21.5 credits |
Honor Roll
To be placed on the Honor Roll for each quarter, a student must be taking four courses or more and earn the following:
High HonorsEarn a grade point average of 3.6 or better
HonorsEarn a grade point average of 3.0
Have no ‘F’s’
Receiving Credit
In order to receive credit for a course, a student must earn an overall average of 0.5 or better and:
Semester Graded Class
- Earn passing marks for two (2) of the three (3) grades received during the semester.
- Obtain a quality point average of 0.5 or better.
Academic Dishonesty
A student shall not possess, sell, transmit, or receive any test information or other information that is meant for individual completion or preparation. Nor shall a student plagiarize or present another person’s work as his/her own. Could be subject to grade reduction.
Students are expected to complete their own work and avoid using AI tools to complete assignments without proper attribution and specific permission. Using AI to plagiarize or misrepresent work as one's own is considered academic dishonesty and will result in disciplinary action.
Advanced Science and Algebra II Options
- Students can choose to apply one credit in advanced computer science to satisfy one unit of advanced science (excluding biology or life sciences).
- Students may take one unit of advanced computer science in lieu of Algebra II, and students entering ninth grade who are pursuing a career-technical instructional track may complete a career-based pathway math course approved by ODE as an alternative to Algebra II.
College Credit Plus
State law provides for student participation in the College Credit Plus (CCP) program for the purposes of promoting rigorous academic pursuits and exposing students to options beyond the high school classroom. Therefore, eligible 7th through 12th grade students may enroll at any public college/university and any participating nonpublic college/university on a full- or part-time basis and complete eligible nonsectarian, non remedial courses for transcripted high school and/or college credit.
For more information see board policy IGCH-R.
Fees
Fees can be paid online using Mastercard or Visa through PaySchools or by check payable to Sycamore Community Schools.
The Academic Fee is $40.00 per student. Students entering the district after the end of the semester will be charged a fee of $20.00, and no fee will be charged to those beginning after the start of the 4th quarter.
The Athletic Program fee is $75.00 per sport for participation, with no family cap and no multi-sport discount in junior high and high school athletics and the following performing arts programs.
The Performing Arts fee is $75 for High School Drama, High School Choir, etc.
Students participating in the federal free and reduced price lunch program will receive a waiver of student academic and extracurricular fees.
Interim Reports
Interim reports will be sent in the E-backpack or available in Parent Portal. All other grades can be viewed on Canvas or Parent Portal.
Report Cards
Report cards will be sent in the E-backpack or available in Parent Portal approximately one week following the end of each grading period. Canvas is used as our Learning Management System, as well as the location for graded assignments. Parent Portal will continue to be the location for cumulative, quarter, semester, and yearly grades.
Final Examinations
Final examinations will be given to all students at the end of each semester. All courses will include a final examination. The final examination grade will constitute 20% of the semester grade. Each student who is absent from a final examination must have a parent/guardian telephone the Attendance Office before 10:00 am that day to confirm the absence. Requests to change examination dates should be submitted to the grade level administrator for review and approval.
Athletic Eligibility
Students at Sycamore High School must meet the eligibility standards as published by the Ohio High School Athletic Association and Sycamore Board of Education. Thus, a student must be passing subjects that earn a minimum of 5 credits per year toward graduation at the end of each quarter to continue athletic participation for the next quarter and maintain no less than a 1.0 grade point average on a 4.0 grading scale.
Special note: Physical education classes and proficiency classes are not used to determine athletic eligibility.
Computers and Network at School
A Sycamore-owned Chromebook is provided to each student in grades 5-12. This device allows for monitoring and additional filtering for acceptable use in accordance with state law while providing students with a tool needed for learning at school and at home. A student may bring his/her own device, but will use a district-owned Chromebook for all testing.
For additional information about technology use and access, including the One2One Device Usage Agreement, please access goav.es/techinfo. For more information, please see board policy EDE and EDE-R.
State of Ohio Graduation Requirements
A minimum of 21.5 credits are required for graduation from Sycamore High School. It is the student’s responsibility to see that requirements for graduation are met. The high school will make every effort to keep up-to-date records and to inform the student and parents about the student’s progress toward the completion of graduation requirements. (For a complete list of graduation requirements and seals, please see the course planner).
Early Graduation: Three-Year and January Graduates
A pupil may graduate within three years or as a January graduate in their senior year and participate in commencement ceremonies if the following criteria are satisfied:
- The pupil shall have fulfilled all course requirements, earned the minimum number of total credits required for graduation, and met state of Ohio graduation requirements.
- All credits shall have been earned through an accredited high school or CCP program.
- The pupil shall be in residence one semester of the graduation year.
- The pupil and parent/guardian shall confer with the counselor prior to the submission of the formal request.
- A formal request, in writing, shall be submitted to the counselor and approved by the principal before April 1st in the year prior to graduation.
Diplomas will not be issued until the commencement ceremony in May. January grads are required to turn in their parking pass before the last day of classes/exams. Three-year graduates are eligible to participate in senior privileges.
Graduation Requirements by the State
In addition to course credits, students must earn a passing score on Ohio’s high school Algebra I and English II tests. Students who do not pass the test will be offered additional support and must retake the test at least once. Is testing not your strength? After you have taken your tests, there are three additional ways to show competency.
Next, students must earn two of the following diploma seals, choosing those that align with your goals and interests. These seals give you the chance to demonstrate academic, technical, and professional skills and knowledge that align with your passions, interests, and planned next steps after high school:
- OhioMeansJobs Readiness Seal (Ohio)
- Industry-Recognized Credential Seal (Ohio)
- College-Ready Seal (Ohio)
- Military Enlistment Seal (Ohio)
- Citizenship Seal (Ohio)
- Science Seal (Ohio)
- Honors Diploma Seal (Ohio)
- Seal of Biliteracy (Ohio)
- Technology Seal (Ohio)
- Community Service Seal (Local)
- Fine and Performing Arts Seal (Local)
- Student Engagement Seal (Local)
PE Waiver
Physical Education Exemption
A student who, during high school, has participated in interscholastic athletics, marching band, or cheerleading for at least two full seasons is not required to complete any physical education courses as a condition to graduate. However, the student is required to complete one-half unit, consisting of at least 60 hours of instruction, in another course of study.
A student, who during high school, has participated in show choir for at least two full seasons is not required to complete any physical education courses as a condition to graduate. However, the student is required to complete one-half unit, consisting of at least 60 hours of instruction, in another course of study.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Schools have specific days not in session or classes are dismissed early for the purpose of holding parent-teacher conferences. See the school district calendar for these designated days. Conferences may also be scheduled by parents or teachers anytime throughout the school year.
Parents wishing to have a conference with a teacher should call, email, or send a note to the teacher requesting a conference.
Per a law called the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), student records and information may not be shared with anyone who is not a legal parent or guardian and therefore, these individuals must be excluded from parent-teacher conferences.
Work Certificates
Students, ages 14-18, are required to have a work certificate on file when employed either part-time or full-time. Application and instructions for this certificate may be obtained in the Main Office from 7:30 am – 3:30 pm.
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