Revised 2/13/2017 2:39 PM

2016-2017Academic

ProgramofStudiesSecondarySchoolGrades6-12

Mission:MeridianSchoolwillprovideaninvigoratingeducationalenvironmentthatdevelopsresponsiblecitizenswhocanartfullynavigateourcomplexworldandenjoyagoodlifewithothers.Vision:Eachstudentwillengageindiverseinvestigations,disciplinedinquiry,andintegratedservicelearningtocultivateinterculturalawareness,creativityandmentalacuity.

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TableofContentsCURRICULUMOVERVIEW.................................................................................................3

INTERNATIONALBACCALAUREATE................................................................................3IBPrimaryYearsProgram(PYP).............................................................................................3IBMiddleYearsProgram(MYP)..............................................................................................4IBDiplomaProgram(DP).........................................................................................................8FeesforIBDiplomaCoursework..................................................................................................8CourseSelection...........................................................................................................................10IBDiplomaProgramExams........................................................................................................11ExtendedEssay(EE)....................................................................................................................11Creativity,Activity,andService(CAS)........................................................................................11

HONORCODE...................................................................................................................13AcademicHonesty...................................................................................................................13BreachoftheHonorCode.......................................................................................................13AcademicConsequences.........................................................................................................14

GRADING..........................................................................................................................16GradeWeighting......................................................................................................................16MajorGradesandRetesting...................................................................................................16CreditRecovery.......................................................................................................................16LateWork...................................................................................................................................17

ABSENCES........................................................................................................................18SignificantDates......................................................................................................................18ExcusedAbsences....................................................................................................................18UnexcusedAbsences...............................................................................................................19Texas“90%AttendanceRule”................................................................................................19

CLASSRANKANDGRADEPOINTAVERAGE.........................................................................21ClassRank...................................................................................................................................21GradePointAverage(GPA).........................................................................................................21UnweightedGPA..........................................................................................................................21WeightedGPA...............................................................................................................................21

GRADUATIONREQUIREMENTS..........................................................................................23MeridianCourseofStudy...........................................................................................................23StateofTexasGraduationRequirements....................................................................................24FoundationProgramRequirements...........................................................................................24Endorsements..............................................................................................................................24

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CURRICULUMOVERVIEWMeridianSchoolintegratesteachingoftheTexasEssentialKnowledgeandSkills(TEKS)objectiveswiththeInternationalBaccalaureate(IB)curriculumforthePrimaryYearsProgram(PYP)intheKindergartenthrough5thgrades,theMiddleYearsProgram(MYP)forthe6ththrough10thgrades,andtheDiplomaProgram(DP)inthe11thand12thgrades.MeridianSchoolisanauthorizedIBWorldSchoolforthePYP(authorizedsince2013)andDP(authorizedsince2014).MeridianSchooliscurrentlyimplementingtheIBMYPandisacandidateschool,anticipatingauthorizationbysummer2017.MasteryoftheTEKSisassessedthroughtheSTAARandEOCexams,andreceiptoftheIBDiplomaisdeterminedthroughIBDiplomaCourseexamscompletedattheendofthe12thgradeyear.Studentprogresstowardslearningobjectivesisalsoassessedthroughouttheyearthroughawidevarietyofin-schoolformativeassessments,andsummativeassessmentssuchastests,projects,papers,andpresentations.TheinvigoratingeducationalenvironmentofMeridianSchoolteachesintegratedTEKSandIBcourselearningobjectives.KeyelementssuchasMeridianSchoolservicelearning,theIBCreativity,Activity,andService(CAS)program,theIBLearnerProfile,classtrips,andsummativeIBprogramexperiencessuchastheExtendedEssayallcontributetowardsgraduatesuccessinlife,developingresponsiblecitizenswhocanartfullynavigateourcomplexworldandenjoyagoodlifewithothers.

INTERNATIONALBACCALAUREATETheInternationalBaccalaureateorganization(IB)isanindependent,nonprofiteducationalfoundationbasedinGeneva,Switzerland.KeyprogramsitofferstoschoolsarethePrimaryYearsProgram(gradesK-65atMeridian),MiddleYearsProgram(grades6-10),andtheDiplomaProgram(grades11and12atMeridian).ForfurtherinformationconcerningtheIBorganizationanditsprograms,pleasevisittheIBwebsiteatwww.ibo.org.IBPrimaryYearsProgram(PYP)MeridianSchoolbecameanauthorizedPYPschoolin2013.ThePYPisbuiltuponinstructionthroughinquiryandquestioningandtheteachingofthewholechildthroughatransdisciplinary(integrationofallsubjects)approach.WithinthePYPitisbelievedthatstudentlearningisbestdonewhenitisauthentic–relevanttothe“real”world–wherethelearningisnotconfinedwithintheboundariesofthetraditionalsubjectareasbutissupportedandenrichedbythem.Muchoftheteachinginprimarygradeswillbedonethroughthesixunitsofinquiryineachgradelevel.AllfallwithinthetransdisciplinarythemesofWhoweare;Whereweareinplaceandtime;Howweexpressourselves;Howtheworldworks;Howweorganizeourselves;andSharingtheplanet.Studentsworkbothindependentlyandincooperativegroupstodoresearch,solve,problems,andpresentfindings.InadditiontotheattributesoftheLearnerProfile,thePYPalsoworkstoteachstudentsthataninternationallymindedpersonshoulddeveloppersonalattitudestowardothers,towardlearning,towardtheenvironment,etc.Theseattitudesarestronglyencouragedandarethebasisofourcharactereducationprogram.Theyincludeappreciation,commitment,confidence,cooperation,creativity,curiosity,empathy,enthusiasm,independence,integrity,respect,andtolerance.

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KeyConceptshelpdrivethecurriculumbyhelpingthelearnerconstructmeaningthroughimprovedcriticalthinkingandincreasedcoherenceacrossthecurriculum.Theseconceptsare:form,function,causation,change,connection,perspective,responsibility,andreflection.TransdisciplinarySkillshelpstudentsconductpurposefulinquiryandbewellpreparedforlifelonglearning.Studentsareencouragedtomasterarangeofskillsbeyondthosenormallyreferredtoasbasic.Theseincludethinkingskills,socialskills,communicationskills,researchskills,andself-managementskills.ThePYPalsobelievesthateducationmustextendbeyondtheintellectualtoincludenotonlysociallyresponsibleattitudesbutalsothoughtfulandappropriateaction.Studentsareencouragedtotakeopportunitiestoengageinpurposefulandbeneficialactivitiestoserveothers.The International Baccalaureate PYP serves as an excellent introduction to the Middle Years Program(MYP),butitisnotaprerequisiteforthisorfortheDiplomaProgram(DP).IBMiddleYearsProgram(MYP)Meridian School is currently implementing elements of the IB Middle Years Program (MYP), and iscurrentlyacandidateschool,havingbeguntheauthorizationprocessinthespringof2015.GlobalContextsintheMYPGlobalContextsinMYPprovidingastartingpointforinquiryandhelpstudentstodeveloptheirunderstandingofinternationalmindedness.ThetablebelowshowshowMYPGlobalContextsbuilduponthePYPtransdisciplinarythemes.PYPTransdisciplinaryTheme MYPGlobalContextWhoweare IdentitiesandrelationshipsWhereweareinplaceandtime OrientationinspaceandtimeFormsofexpression PersonalandculturalexpressionHowtheworldworks ScientificandtechnicalinnovationHowweorganizeourselves GlobalizationandsustainabilitySharingtheplanet FairnessanddevelopmentSubjectGroupsoftheMYPWhilethePYP(gradesK-5)istransdisciplinary,withallthesubjectstaughtinasingleclassroomandprojectsthatcombinethedisciplinesoflanguage,math,science,socialstudies,andfinearts,theMYP(grades6-10)isinterdisciplinary.Thismeansthatstudentstakeseparateclassesintheacademicdisciplines(knownas“subjectgroups”),whileteacherscreatelinksintheirteachingunitsbetweenthedifferentdisciplines.EachyearintheMYP,studentstakecoursesineightsubjectgroups.Thegroupsarebelow,withsomeelaborationofMeridianSchoolcourseofferingsinparentheses.FurtherdetailsonMeridianSchoolSecondarycourseofferingscanbefoundintheCourseOfferingssectionofthisProgramofStudies.LanguageandLiterature(English)

LanguageAcquisition(FrenchorSpanish)

IndividualsandSocieties(HistoryandGeography)

Sciences

Mathematics Arts(Theater&VisualArts)

PhysicalandHealthEducation

Design

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KeyConceptsoftheMYPTheMYPKeyConceptsservetoengagehigherorderthinkingandprovideafocusformakingconnectionsacrossthesubjectgroups.Aesthetics Changes Communication CommunitiesConnections Creativity Culture DevelopmentForm Globalinteractions Identity LogicPerspective Relationships Time,placeandspace SystemsRelatedConceptsintheMYPWhiletheKeyConceptsareusedtomakeconnectionsbetweensubjectgroups,learningineachsubjectgroupisexploredmoredeeplyaccordingtoRelatedConcepts.WhileRelatedConceptsbydefinitionrelatetotheKeyConceptsandmayhaveparallelsinothersubjectgroups,theyaredesignedtopromotedeeperinvestigationintoaspecificdiscipline,allowingforamorecomplexandsophisticatedunderstandingofthesubjectinquestion.LanguageandLiterature(English)Audienceimperatives Character Context GenresIntertextuality Pointofview Purpose Self-expressionSetting Structure Style ThemeLanguageacquisition(FrenchandSpanish)

Phases1-2Accent Audience Context ConventionsForm Function Meaning MessagePatterns Purpose Structure Wordchoice

Phases3-4Audience Context Conventions EmpathyFunction Idiom Meaning MessagePointofview Purpose Structure Wordchoice

Phases5-6Argument Audience Bias ContextEmpathy Idiom Inference PointofviewPurpose Stylisticchoices Theme VoiceIndividualsandsocieties

GeographyCausality(causeandconsequence)

Culture Disparityandequity Diversity

Globalization Managementandintervention

Networks Patternsandtrends

Power Processes Scale SustainabilityHistory

Causality(causeandconsequence)

Civilization Conflict Cooperation

Culture Governance Identity IdeologyInnovationandrevolution

Interdependence Perspective Significance

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SciencesIntegratedsciences(drawnfrombiology,chemistry,andphysics)

Balance Consequences Energy EnvironmentEvidence Form Function InteractionModels Movement Patterns Transformation

BiologyBalance Consequences Energy EnvironmentEvidence Form Function InteractionModels Movement Patterns Transformation

ChemistryBalance Conditions Consequences EnergyEvidence Form Function InteractionModels Movement Patterns TransferMathematicsChange Equivalence Generalization JustificationMeasurement Model Pattern QuantityRepresentation Simplification Space SystemArts

Performingarts(Theater)Audience Audience Audience AudienceGenre Genre Genre GenrePlay Play Play Play

VisualartsAudience Audience Audience AudienceGenre Genre Genre GenrePresentation Presentation Presentation PresentationPhysicalandhealtheducationAdaptation Balance Choice EnergyEnvironment Function Interaction MovementPerspectives Refinement Space SystemsDesignAdaptation Collaboration Ergonomics EvaluationForm Function Innovation InventionMarketsandtrends Perspective Resources SustainabilitySubjectGroupObjectivesintheMYPIntheMYP,studentsaretaughtandassessedaccordingtofourcategories(A,B,C,andD)oflearningobjectivesineachsubject. A B C DLanguageandliterature

Analyzing Organizing Producingtext Usinglanguage

Languageacquisition

Comprehendingspokenandvisualtext

Comprehendingwrittenandvisualtext

Communicating Usinglanguage

Individualsandsocieties

Knowingandunderstanding

Investigating Communicating Thinkingcritically

Sciences Knowingandunderstanding

Inquiringanddesigning

Processingandevaluating

Reflectingontheimpactsofscience

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A B C DMathematics Knowingand

understandingInvestigatingpatterns

Communicating Applyingmathematicsinrealworldcontexts

Arts Knowingandunderstanding

Developingskills Thinkingcreatively Responding

Physicalandhealtheducation

Knowingandunderstanding

Planningforperformance

Applyingandperforming

Reflectingandimprovingperformance

Design Inquiringandanalyzing

Developingideas Creatingthesolution

Evaluating

PersonalProject Investigating Planning Takingaction ReflectingApproachestoLearning(ATL)intheMYPIntheMYP,studentsdeveloptheircommunication,social,self-management,research,andthinkingskillsthroughApproachestoLearning(ATL).Thesefiveskillcategoriesarefurtherdividedintoskillclusters.

SkillCategories SkillClustersinMYPCommunication CommunicationSocial CollaborationSelfmanagement Organization

AffectiveReflection

Research InformationliteracyMedialiteracy

Thinking CriticalthinkingCreativethinkingTransfer

PersonalProjectintheMYPEachIBProgramculminateswithansummativeexperienceorproject.TheculminationofthePrimaryYearsProgram(K-5)isExhibition,andthePersonalProjectistheculminationoftheMiddleYearsProgram(6-10).Personalprojectisanextendedlearningexperiencecompletedoverthe9thand10thgradeyears.Eachstudentcompleteshisorherpersonalprojectindependently,supportedbyafacultyadvisor.Studentsexploreaquestionoftheirchoosing,drawinguponwhattheyhavelearnedovertheiryearsintheMYPtoproduceasignificantandpersonallyfulfillingpieceofwork.

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IBDiplomaProgram(DP)InMarch2014,MeridianSchoolreceivedauthorizationfromtheInternationalBaccalaureate(IB)tooffertheDiplomaProgramcurriculum (DP). This enables students topursue the IBDiploma in addition to aMeridianSchoolDiploma.InordertoreceivetheIBDiploma,studentsmustcompleteatwoyearcourseineachofsixdifferentsubjectgroups.InadditiontheymusttakeaTheoryofKnowledge(TOK)courseboththejuniorandsenioryears;completetheCreativity,Activity,andService(CAS)program;andanExtendedEssay(EE).WhetherornotstudentsareawardedtheIBDiplomaisbaseduponsatisfactorycompletionoftheaboveelements,aswellasreceivinganaveragepassingscoreof4outofapossible7pointsonexamsintheirsixIBDPsubjectgroupcoursesthatarecompletedinMayofthesenioryear.StudentsatMeridianSchoolarenotrequiredtopursuetheIBDiploma.AllstudentswillcompleteCASandanExtendedEssay,butiftheyarenotpursuingtheIBDiplomatheseresultswillnotbesenttoIB.SubjectgroupcourseswillcoverIBcurriculumelements,butstudentswhochoosetotakethesecoursesattheIBlevel will be graded more rigorously and the courses will be listed as “IB” courses on these students’transcripts. Collegeadmissionsofficerslookmorefavorablyuponcoursesthataretakenatthe“IB”level,andespecially like itwhen it is indicatedthatastudent ispursuingtheIBDiploma. Forthisreason,andespeciallytheeducationalbenefitsthataccompanytheIBDiploma,allMeridianstudentsareencouragedtopursuetheIBDiploma.FeesforIBDiplomaCourseworkTheInternationalBaccalaureatechargesfeesforIBexams,andMeridianstudentstakingcoursesatthe“IB”levelwillneedtopaythecostsoftheseexamfees.Thereisaone-timecandidatefee,plusafeeforeachofthesixsubjectcoursesinwhichanexamistaken.FortheMeridiangraduatingclassof2018,thefeeforallofthecourseworkinvolvedinpursuingtheIBDiplomais$915(approximately$150perIBcourseexam).IB fees tend to increase somewhateachyear. For theMeridiangraduating classof2019, the feewillbe$925.Belowisasummaryoffeesanddeadlines.Asanalternativetotheinstallmentplan,paymentmaybemadeinfullatanypoint.

Class of 2018

Class of 2019 Due Date Installment Due Date Installment 15-Nov-2016 $185

15-Nov-2017 $185

1-Feb-2017 $185

1-Feb-2018 $185 1-May-2017 $185

1-May-2018 $185

1-Sep-2017 $180

1-Sep-2018 $185 1-Nov-2017 $180

1-Nov-2018 $185

Total $915

Total $925 StudentsnotpursuingthefullIBDiplomawillbechargedonlytheIBcandidatefeeandexamfeesfortheindividualIBexamstheyaretaking.Paymentcanbemadeinfull,orfollowingthesamepaymentscheduleasIBDiplomacandidates.

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Financial hardship should not stand in theway of a student being able to pursue the IB Diploma or IBexamsinindividualcourses.IfafamilyisunabletopayIBexamfeesduetofinancialhardship,theyshouldcontacttheMeridianSchoolbusinessofficetopursueascholarship.

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CourseSelectionStudents in the11thand12thgradesatMeridianSchoolwill register forcourses insevendifferentareas,which are required to pursue the IBDiploma. IBDP courses in groups 1 through 6 are all two years inlength.Theybeginthejunioryearandarecompletedthesenioryear. Coursesingroups1through6aretakenateitherHigherLevel(HL)orStandardLevel(SL). StudentspursuingtheIBDiplomatakethreeorfourcoursesatHigherLevel,andthreeortwocoursesatStandardLevel.BothHigherandStandardLevelcoursesareadvancedcourses,butHLcoursescovermoretopicsthanSL.Inadditiontotakingcoursesingroups 1 through 6, students also take a Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course for a semester in both thejuniorandsenioryears.Group1—LanguageandLiteratureIBDPEnglishLiteratureHLGroup2—LanguageAcquisitionIBDPFrenchSLorHLIBDPSpanishSLorHLIBDPFrenchorSpanishabinitioSL(forstudentswhohavelittletonopriorcourseworkinthelanguage)Group3—IndividualsandSocietyIBDPHistoryHL,Americasand20thCenturyWorldTopicsGroup4—Sciences

IBDPBiologySLorHL,orIBDPChemistrySLorHLGroup5—MathematicsIBDPMathematicalStudiesSL,orIBDPMathematicsSLIBDPMathematicsHLGroup6—FineArtsandElectivesIBDPTheaterSLorHL,orIBDPVisualArtsSLorHL,orAnadditionalcourseinGroup2orGroup4TheoryofKnowledgeIBDPTheoryofKnowledge(springofjunioryearandfallofsenioryear)InadditiontotheIBDPTheoryofKnowledgecourse,studentswilltakeastate-requiredUSGovernmentcourseinthefallofthejunioryearandstate-requiredEconomicsinthespringofthesenioryear.EighthCourseSlotInadditiontothesevencoursesabove,studentshavetheoptionofenrollingineitheraStudyHalloranelective(whichgenerallywillnotbeanIBDPcourse).Forcoursedescriptionsandotherinformationoncourseoptions,pleaseseetheappropriateCourseSelectionGuide.

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IBDiplomaProgramExamsStudentspursuingtheIBDiplomawilltakeIBexamsforeachoftheIBDPcoursesinwhichtheyareenrolled.Themajorityoftheseexamsarecomposedoftests,knownas“Papers”(Paper1,Paper2,etc.)takeninMayofthesenioryear.AportionoftheexamineachIBcourseiscomposedof“InternalAssessments”whichtakeadifferentformineachcourse,suchasanoralpresentationinEnglish,aresearchpaperinHistory,experimentsintheSciences,aprojectinMath,andaresearchworkbookinVisualArt.TheseInternalAssessmentsaremarkedbytheteacherandmarkedsamplesaresenttoanIBmoderatortoverifythatthemarksareinaccordancewiththeIBstandard.BaseduponstudentachievementonthePapersandtheInternalAssessments,IBwillawardstudentsagradeineachcourserangingfrom1(lowest)to7(highest).IBawardsthesegradesinJulyafterthestudentshavecompletedtheirsenioryear.ManycollegeswillawardcollegecreditforIBcoursesbaseduponthescoresachievedonIBexams.WhetherornotstudentsareawardedtheIBDiplomadependsuponseveralfactors,including:

• TakingsixappropriateIBDPcoursesandearninganaverageexamscoreof4overall,• TakingandearningapassingscoreinTheoryofKnowledge(TOK),• CompletingtheExtendedEssay(EE)andearningapassingscore,and• FulfillingtherequirementsofCreativity,Action,andService(CAS).

ExtendedEssay(EE)TheExtendedEssayisapieceofresearchwritingupto4,000wordsinlengththatstudentscompleteoverthesecondhalfofthejunioryearandfirsthalfofthesenioryear.StudentsmaychooseanysubjectareainwhichtheyaretakinganIBcoursetowritetheirEE.WiththeassistanceofanEEsupervisorinthatsubject,studentswillcraftaquestionthattheywishtoanswer,researchavarietyofsources(andiftheirEEisintheSciences,designandcarryoutanexperiment),andwriteananalyticalanswertotheirquestion.CompletingtheEEpreparesstudentsextremelywellforcompletingsimilartasksincollege.Creativity,Activity,andService(CAS)Creativity,Activity,andService(CAS)isattheheartoftheIBDiplomaProgram,andinvolvesstudentsinarangeofactivitiesalongsidetheiracademicstudiesthroughouttheDiplomaProgram.ThethreestrandsofCAS,ofteninterwoveninparticularactivities,are:

• Creativity:artsandotherexperiencesthatinvolvecreativethinking,• Activity:physicalexertionthatcontributestoahealthylifestyle,suchassportsandotherexercise,

and• Service:anunpaidandvoluntaryexchangethathasalearningbenefitforthestudent.

CASactivitiesshouldbe:

• Purposeful,withsignificantoutcomes,• Personallychallenging,• Undertakenwiththoughtfulconsiderationandplanning,and• Reflectedupontoassurethatpersonallearningoutcomeshavebeenachieved.

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CASactivitiesshouldbeongoing,occurringonaregularbasisthroughoutthejuniorandsenioryears.EachstudentwillhaveaCASadvisorwithwhomtheywillmeetseveraltimeseachyear,discussingtheprogressoftheirCASactivitiesandreflectingupontheoutcomes.Ultimately,CAShelpstoensurethatstudentacademicgrowthisaccompaniedbyfulfillingpersonalgrowth.

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HONORCODEAcademicHonestyMeridianSchoolHonorCodeisbasedontheideathattruelearningisbuiltonhonestyandintegrity.Asaresult,Meridianstudentsareexpectedtodemonstratehonesty,integrity,andindividualresponsibility,bothpersonallyandacademically,inordertomaintainanethicalenvironmentcenteredonlearning.StudentswhocommitthemselvestoupholdingtheMeridianSchoolHonorCodewilllearnprinciplesthatwilllastbeyondtheirhighschoolyears.BreachoftheHonorCodeThefollowingactionsrepresentabreachoftheMeridianHonorCodeandaresubjecttodisciplinaryaction:PlagiarismPlagiarismisaformofdishonestywhereastudentpresentstheworkofanotherashisorherown.Itisimportanttoacknowledgethatplagiarismisnotonlythetheftofwordsbutalsoofideas.Plagiarismincludes,butisnotlimitedto:

• Copyinginformationwordforwordandturningitinasone’sownworkfrombooks,magazines,essays,theInternet,peers’work,orothersources

• Rewordingorrewritingtextandinformationfromdocumentsnotoriginallywrittenbythestudentandturningitinasone’sownworkwithoutpropercitation

• Paraphrasingwithminimalwordchanges(citingthesourceornot)• Borrowingideasandpatternsofthoughtwithoutpropercitation• PrintinganessayfromtheInternetandturningitinasone’sownwork• Presentationofthesameworkfordifferentassessmentcomponentsinthesameordifferent

classes• Collaborationonindependenthomework/assignments(tests,essays,projects,etc.)without

permissionfromtheteacherallowingforcooperativeorgroupwork.(Studentsarepermittedtoreceiveassistanceorguidancefromothers,buttheentiretyoftheworkitselfandthecontentmustalwaysbethestudent’sown.)

• Allowinganotherstudenttocopyone’swork,quiz,test,orsubmitone’swork,quiz,ortestCheatingCheatingisdefinedbyWebster’sdictionaryas“dealingwithdishonestyforone’sowngain.”Dishonestypromotesbadcharacterandpreventsstudentsfromgainingafullgraspofinformationpresentedtothem.Cheatingalsopreventsteachersfromfullyevaluatingtheprogressofstudentsandisaformoftheft.Cheatingincludes,butisnotlimitedto:

• Usinga“cheatsheet”orotherunauthorizednotesorsourcesduringatestorquiz• Lookingatsomeoneelse’spaperforanansweronatestorquizandchangingananswer• Havingsomeoneelsedoallorpartofastudent’shomeworkorassignmentforthestudent• Failingtomarkananswerwrongwhenself-grading• Tellingothersoraskingothersthecontentofanexamorquiz• Givinganotherstudentanoldtestorusinganoldtestwithoutateacher’spermission• Lookingatanexampriortotakingitwithoutateacher’spermission• Copyingsomeoneelse’shomeworkorotherassignment

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• Splittinganassignmentintopartsanddoingasection,sharingitwithothers,andcopyingtherestfromanotherstudentwithoutateacher’spermission

• Collaboratingonanyassignmentunlesstheteacherhasspecificallydesignateditasacollaborativeassignment

• Usingoldassignmentswrittenbythestudentorsomeoneelseinsteadofcreatingoriginalwork• Usinganonlinetranslatororothertranslationinplaceofyourone’sownworkwithoutthe

permissionoftheteacher• Copyingmaterialduringanexaminationorquiz.• Usingunauthorizednotes,smartphones,tablets,computers,oranyotherelectronicdevice• Submittingfalsifiedinformationforgradingpurposes• Obtainingacopyofand/orinformationaboutanexaminationorquizwithouttheknowledgeand

consentoftheteacher• Impersonatingastudenttoassistthestudentacademically• Stealingoracceptingstolencopiesoftestsoranswerkeys• Alteringateacher’sgradebook• Falsifyinginformationforapplications(e.g.,collegescholarships)• Usingprofessionalhelpsuchasanauthor,expert,orpurchasedserviceinviolationofguidelines

establishedbytheteacher• Unlawfullycopyingcomputersoftwareordatacreatedbyothers• Anyotherviolationintendedtoobtaincreditforworkwhichisnotone’sown

AcademicConsequencesIfastudentplagiarizes,cheats,orcommitsanyotheractofacademicdishonesty,thefollowingprocedurewillbefollowed:

• Thestudent’sexam,test,orquiz,orassignmentwillbeconfiscatedbytheteacher,andstudentwillberequiredtoredotheassignmentforagradenohigherthana70%.

• Thestudentwillberequiredtomeetwiththeteacherandanadministratorforreviewofthestudent’sworkandbehavior.AnadministratormayimposedisciplinaryconsequencesinaccordancewiththeMeridianSchoolStudentCodeofConduct.

Thefollowinggeneralproceduresshallbeapplied:First,minoroffenseIngeneral,consequencesforafirstoffensemayinclude,butnotlimitedto,thefollowing:1.Meetingwiththeparent(s)followedbywrittennotificationtotheparentoftheacademicintegritypolicy2.SaturdayDetentionRepeatedormoreseriousoffensesAdditionalormoreseriousincidentsofacademicdishonestyorplagiarismshallbedealtwithmoreseverely.Consequencesforanyoffensebeyondthefirstoramoreseriousinitialoffensemayinclude:1.Meetingwiththeparent(s)2.Onetothreedaysofout-of-schoolsuspension3.Exclusionfromextracurricularactivitiesorschool-sponsoredsocialevents4.Notificationtothestudent’spost-highschoolcounselorandanyfacultymemberswritingacollege/universityletterofrecommendation

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5.Nopublicrecognitionofthestudentatanyhonorsfunction6.Nodistinguishedacademicorextracurricularrecognition(ifapplicable)RecommendationforExpulsionfromMeridianSchoolStudentswhocommitoneormoreofthefollowingoffensesinviolationoftheMeridianCodeofConductmayberecommendedforexpulsion:1.Theft,salesordistributionofanymaterialsincluding,butnotlimitedtoexaminationsand/orquizzes2.Breakingintoand/orexaminingateacher’spersonalpossessions(e.g.,desk,files,cabinet,etc.)toobtainorviewevaluationinstruments3.Changingand/orfalsifyingagradeinateacher’sgradebook,onthecomputerorthroughotherschooldevicesusedtorecordstudentgrades4.Possessionofastolenevaluationinstrument

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GRADING

GradeWeightingSubjectdepartmentsmayhavedifferencesinhowthevariousgradecategoriesareweighted,butmajorgrades(suchastests,majorpapersandprojects)willbeweightednomorethan60%ofthegradeforaquartergradingperiod,andtheremustbeatleasttwomajorgradesineachgradingperiod.Nosingleassessmentcancountformorethan30%ofthegradeforthequarter.Semestergradeswillbedeterminedbyaveragingthetwoquartergradeswiththesemesterexamgrade,witheachquarterweightedat42.5%andthesemesterexamat15%(42.5%+42.5%+15%=100%).Coursegradesfortheyearwillbetheaverageofthetwosemestergrades.Ifthisaverageispassing(69.5%orhigher),thencreditforthecoursewillbeearned,evenifanindividualsemestergradeisbelowpassing.MajorGradesandRetestingIfstudentsscorebelowa70onamajorgrade,theywillhaveanopportunitytoretestorredomajorgradesforuptoa70.Studentsmustworkwiththeteachertorelearnthematerialormasterthenecessaryskillsbeforetheyretestorredotheassignmentortest.Studentsmustnotifytheteacherwithinoneclassofreceivingafailinggradeonamajorassessmentthattheywishtoretest(i.e.theymusttelltheteacherbythenextclassandbeginmakingplansastowhattheyarerequiredtodofirstandwhentheretestwillbe).Teachershavethediscretiontodetermineiftheywishtoallowstudentstoretestforagradehigherthan70.Studentsarelimitedtooneretestpermajorassessment.Forexample,ifastudentdoesnotpasstheUnit1test,thestudentcanretestonce.IfthestudentfailstheUnit1retest,therewillnotbeasecondretestfortheUnit1test.IfthestudentdoesnotpasstheUnit2test,however,thattestcanberetestedonceaswell,etc.Allretestsmusttakeplacepriortotheendofthequartergradingperiodinwhichthemajorgradewasassigned,withtheexceptionofmajorgradesthatoriginallyarescheduledinthefinalweekofthefirstorthirdquarter.

CreditRecoveryIfastudentfailsthefallsemesterexamandfailstheentiresemester,heorshemayhaveanopportunitytoworkwiththeindividualteachertodemonstratemasteryandtomakeupthatcreditforuptoa70bycompletingacustomizedplan.Thisplanisarrangedwiththeteachertoachievenecessaryskillsofthecurriculuminordertoretakethemid-termandpassthecourse.If,however,thestudentfailstheentirecoursefortheyear,thestudentwillberesponsibleforobtainingthecreditthroughsummerschoolattheirlocalISDcampusordoingsomeformofanonlineclassthroughanapprovedinstitution.Parentsshouldcoordinatewiththeprincipalorcounselorinordertobesurethatnecessarystepsaretakentoearncreditforthecourse.

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Late Work Ingrades8through12,whengradedworkisturnedinlate,10pointswillbedeductedfromtheassignmentperschoolday1.Workthatisfiveormoreschooldayslatecannotreceivehigherthana50.RequiredSaturdaySchoolattendancemaybeassignedforchroniclatework.Ingrade6,thedailypenaltyforlateworkisa5pointdeduction.In7thgradethereisa5pointdeductionduringthefirstsemesterthatconvertstoa10pointdeductionthesecondsemester.Notethatworkturnedinlateduetoanunexcusedabsenceissubjecttothepenaltyabove.Lateworkwillnotbeacceptedforagradeaftertheendofthequarter.The2ndand4thquartersendthelastschooldaypriortothestartofsemesterexams,thereforelateworkwillnotbeacceptedforagradeduringsemesterexamweek.Assignmentsthatarebasedonclassparticipationorcompletionmaynotbeacceptedlate.

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ABSENCESMeridianSchoolhasanacademiccalendarwith175daysofinstruction.Instructionaldayshavebeenorganizedsothat,inadditiontothestandardtwoweekwinterbreakandoneweekspringbreak,thereisafullholidayweekforThanksgivinginNovember,andanadditionalweek-longbreakinOctober.Theintentistoprovidefamilieswithmanyopportunitiesforvacationandrelaxationduringtheyear,sothatasmuchaspossibleduringthe175instructionaldaysoftheschoolyearallstudentsarepresent.ThisisimportantnotonlybecauseMeridianreceivesfundingforeverydayastudentispresent(andconverselylosesfundingforeverydayastudentisabsent),butwebelieveaswellthatstudentsbenefitindividuallyfromeverydayofinstruction,anditcanbedisruptivetotheclassasawholewhenindividualstudentsmissinstruction.SignificantDatesForthe2016-17schoolyear,pleasenotethefollowingdatesofwhichfamiliesshouldbeespeciallyawarewhenmakingplansthatmightresultinstudentabsences.OctoberBreak Monday,October3throughFriday,October7ThanksgivingBreak Monday,November21throughFriday,November25WinterBreak Friday,December16throughTuesday,January3SpringBreak Monday,March13throughFriday,March17FallSemesterExams Tuesday,December14throughThursday,December17SpringSemesterExams Monday,May22throughThursday,May25Notethatallstudentsingrades7through12takesemesterexams.Theseexamscountfor15%oftheoverallsemestergradeineachclassandcannotbetakenpriortothesemesterexamweek..Though6thgradestudentsdonothavesemesterexams,assessmentsandclassactivitiesarescheduledduringthisweek.Plannedabsencesduringsemesterexamweekshouldbeavoided. Ifaprolongedabsencecannotbeavoided,butthereissomeflexibilityinplanningdates,notethatanabsencepriortoabreakislikelytohavemoreseriousacademicconsequencesthananabsenceafterabreak.Thisisbecauseitismorelikelythatastudentwillhavetestsandothermajorassessmentsimmediatelypriortoabreak.Testsandsemesterexamsmaynotbeadministeredpriortoaplannedabsence,andwillneedtobemadeupaftertheabsence.Iftheabsenceisunexcused,latepenaltieswillapply. ExcusedAbsencesAbsencesmaybeexcusedforreasonssuchasillness,emergencydoctor’svisits,religiousobservancebereavement,orothernecessaryandjustifiableabsencesapprovedbytheprincipal.Threeormoredaysofabsenceduetoillnesswillrequireadoctor’snotetobeexcused,andabsencesduetodoctorvisitsrequireadoctor’snoteaswell.MoreinformationonexcusedabsencescanbefoundintheParent-StudentHandbook.

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Pleasecontacttheattendanceoffice(attendance@mwschool.org)foranabsencetobeexcused.Iftheabsenceisplanned,theattendanceofficeshouldbecontactedwellinadvanceofthetimeofabsence.Studentswithexcusedabsenceswillhaveoneclassdaytomakeuptheworkforeachdayofaparticularclassthattheywereabsent.UnexcusedAbsencesAnygradedassignmentmissedornotturnedinbythedeadlineduetounexcusedabsenceswillbetreatedaslate(seeLateWorksectionabove).Attheteacher’sdiscretion,studentsmayturninassignmentsinadvanceofaplannedunexcusedabsence,andiftheydosotherewillbenolatepenalty.Givingworkinadvancemaynotalwaysbefeasibleforateacher,however.Duetoreasonsoftestingsecurity,itisparticularlyunlikelythatastudentwillbepermittedtotakeatestorsemesterexaminadvanceoftheregularlyscheduleddate.Workmissedduetoanunexcusedabsencemaynotbemadeupaftertheendofthequarterorsemestergradingperiodinwhichitwasdue.Anexceptionexistsformajorassessmentssuchastestsandsemesterexamsthatoccurattheendofthegradingperiod.Ifanendofgradingperiodmajorassessment,suchasatestorsemesterexam,ismissedduetoanunexcusedabsence,itmaybemadeupaftertheendofthegradingperiodforamaximumgradeof70.Adatebywhichtheassessmentmustbemadeupwillbearrangedbetweentheadministrationandthestudent.ThestudentwillreceiveagradeofIncompleteforthegradingperioduntilthedatethattheassessmentisscheduledtobemadeup.Iftheassessmentisnotmadeupbythisdate,agradeof0willbeassignedfortheassessment,andthis0willbepartofthecalculationofthestudent’saveragegradeforthegradingperiodinquestion.Pleasecontacttheattendanceofficewellinadvanceofanyplannedabsencestoassurethattheabsenceswillbeconsideredexcused.Texas“90%AttendanceRule”AccordingtotheTexasEducationCode,studentsmustbepresentatleast90%oftheschooldays,unlessotherwiseexemptedbytheadministrators.BecauseoftherigoroftheIBcurriculumandthelimitedpublicfundingsourcesforcharterschool,MeridianSchoolhasastandardof95%attendance.Nine(9)absencesisconsideredaseriousdisciplineoffense,andifthisoccurstheSchoolhastherighttosendthestudentbacktohis/herhomecampus.Whenastudentreachesfive(5)totalabsenceswithinasix-monthperiod,aletterwillbesenthometoparents/guardiansindicatingthatcontinuedabsencesmaymateriallyaffectthestudent’sprogressandenrollmentatMeridianSchool.Nineabsencesforstudentsmaynecessitateameetingwiththeschool’sattendancecommitteeandpossiblyresultindismissalofastudenttohis/herhomecampus.

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AstheSecondarySchoolhasseveraldifferentclassesthatmeetinoneday,inadditiontothewholedayattendancedescribedabove,attendanceperclassistrackedaswell.Ifastudentmisses5ormoremeetingsofanindividualclassinasinglesemester(regardlessofwhethertheabsencesareexcusedorunexcused),aplanwillneedtobedevelopedbytheSecondaryPrincipalorSecondaryAttendanceCommitteetodeterminewhatthestudentwillneedtodotoreceivecreditfortheclass.ThisisrequiredunderTexasEducationalCode§25.092,whichstipulatesthatifastudentattendslessthan90%ofthemeetingsofaclass,creditfortheclassmaynotbeawardedwithoutsuchaplan.Pleasebeawareofthiswhenplanningdoctorvisits,sothatabsencesduetosuchappointmentsdonotaffectsomeperiodsofthedayagreatdealmorethanothers.

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CLASS RANK AND GRADE POINT AVERAGE Class Rank Texasstatelawdictatesthatthetop10%ofgraduatingseniorsfromeachhighschoolareguaranteedadmissiontoanypublicstateuniversity(withtheexceptionofUTAustin,whichhasthelatitudetosettheirpercentageofautomaticadmissionsatalevelexpectedtofillnomorethan75%oftheirenteringclasseachfall).Therefore,thetop10%ofthegraduatingclasswillbeidentifiedforcommunicationtoTexaspublicuniversities.However,Meridiandoesnotranktheremaining90%ofstudents,andisconsideredanon-rankingschool.ThiswillensurethatcollegeadmissionsofficersjudgeMeridianstudentsbythequalityoftheacademicprogramtheyhavepursued.Valedictorian,Salutatorian,andtop10%willbedeterminedbyaweightedGPA.Incaseofatie,thestudentwiththehighestweightedGPAinallIBDPcoursestakenshallbevaledictorian.TobeeligibleforValedictorianorSalutatorian,astudentmustataminimumbeenrolledatMeridianfortheentiretyofthejuniorandsenioryear.Grade Point Average (GPA) TheGradePointAverage(GPA)isacumulativeaverageofsemestergradesearnedinallstate-approvedhighschoolcoursescompletedbeginningin9thgrade.GradestransferredfromapreviousschoolwillbeconvertedtotheMeridianGPApolicy.TwoGPAcalculationswillbeusedatMeridian.TheUnweightedGPA(“College4.0”)willbereportedonthetranscriptandiscommonlyusedforcollegeadmissionandscholarshipapplications.TheWeightedGPA,forallcoursestakeningrades9through12,willbeusedtodetermineacademichonorssuchasvaledictorian,salutatorian,andtop10%.UnweightedGPATheunweightedGPAisbasedona4.0scaleandwillbecalculatedasfollows:90-100=A=4.080-89=B=3.070-79=C=2.00-69=F=0.0AllcoursestakenforhighschoolcreditareincludedinthecalculationforUnweightedGPA.

WeightedGPATheweightedGPAwillbedeterminedbyawardingqualitypointstoallIBDPcoursesorAPcoursescompletedatapreviousschoolinthejuniororsenioryearonly,witha100calculatedasa6.0aforIBDPcoursesand100calculatedasa5.0inallothercourses,anddescendingby0.1incrementsasfollows:

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IBDPCoursesorAPcourses

(grades11&12only)

AllOtherCourses(takeningrades9

through12)100 6.0 100 5.099 5.9 99 4.998 5.8 98 4.897 5.7 97 4.796 5.6 96 4.695 5.5 95 4.594 5.4 94 4.493 5.3 93 4.392 5.2 92 4.291 5.1 91 4.190 5.0 90 4.089 4.9 89 3.988 4.8 88 3.887 4.7 87 3.786 4.6 86 3.685 4.5 85 3.584 4.4 84 3.483 4.3 83 3.382 4.2 82 3.281 4.1 81 3.180 4.0 80 3.079 3.9 79 2.978 3.8 78 2.877 3.7 77 2.776 3.6 76 2.675 3.5 75 2.574 3.4 74 2.473 3.3 73 2.372 3.2 72 2.271 3.1 71 2.170 3.0 70 2.00-69 0.0 0-69 0.0

Onlycoursestakeningrades9-12areincludedinthecalculationoftheWeightedGPA.GradesearnedinthefollowingcourseswillbeexcludedfromtheWeightedGPAcalculation:Eighthelectivecoursestakeninhighschool,coursestakeninmiddleschool,summerschoolcourses,correspondenceordistancelearningcourses,creditbyexamination,creditforacceleration,coursesfromhomeschool,privateornon-accreditedschools,dualenrollmentcoursessuchasatAustinCommunityCollege.

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GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS Meridian Course of Study Meridian School follows International Baccalaureate guidelines for the Middle Years Program that require students to take courses in all eight subject groups for the first three years of the program (grades 6 through 10). In grades 9-10, students take Physical and Health Education (Group 7) in 9th grade, and in 10th grade take College Readiness. In 11th and 12th grade, students must take a course in each of the IB Diploma Program subject groups, and Theory of Knowledge (a semester course that is paired with US Government and Economics).

For their eighth class in grades 9 through 12, students may either take a study hall, or an optional elective.

See the table below for a summary of the Meridian Course of Study. More detail can be found in the Course Selection Guide.

Thecoursesbelowreflectthosecurrentlyoffered.Additionalcourseofferingsarepossibleinthefuture.SubjectGroup

Grade6 Grade7 Grade8 Grade9 Grade10 Grade112 Grade12

1 LanguageArts6

LanguageArts7

LanguageArts8 English1 English2 IBDPEnglishYear1

IBDPEnglishYear2

2 FrenchorSpanish1a

FrenchorSpanish1b

FrenchorSpanish2a

FrenchorSpanish2b

FrenchorSpanish3

IBDPFrenchorSpanishYear1

IBDPFrenchorSpanishYear2

3 WorldCultures

TexasHistory USHistoryto1877

WorldGeography

WorldHistory IBDPHistoryoftheAmericasYear

1

(UnitedStatesHistoryfrom

1877)

IBDPHistoryoftheAmericasYear2

(20thCenturyTopics)

4 Science6 Science7 Science8 BiologyI ChemistryI IBDPBiology-or-ChemistryYear1

IBDPBio-or-ChemY2

5 Math6 Pre-Algebra Algebra1 Geometry

AlgebraII

OrPre-calculus

IBDPMathStudiesorMathSLY1

orIBDPMathHL

Y1

IBDPMathStudiesorMathSLY2

orIBDPMathHLY2

6 Music6 Theater7 Art8 ArtorTheaterI

ArtorTheaterII IBDPArtorTheaterY1

OranotherGroup2orGroup4

IBDPArtorTheaterY2

OranotherGroup2orGroup4

7 PhysicalEducation

PhysicalEducation

PhysicalEducation

andHealth

FoundationsofPersonalFitness

CollegeReadiness

Fall:USGovernment

Spring:IBTheoryofKnowledge

(TOK)

Fall:IBTheoryofKnowledge(TOK)

Spring:Economics

8 Design6 Design7 Design8 StudyHallorElective(CompSci,Design,FinancialLit.)

StudyHallorElective(CSci,Design,FinanLit,Physics)

StudyHallorElective(CSci,Design,FinanLit,

Physics)

StudyHallorElective(CSci,Design,Finan

Lit,Physics)

2 MostMeridianSchoolstudentspursuethefullIBDiplomaProgramin11thand12thgrade.Withapprovalfromaplacementcommittee,however,individualstudentswhoarenotpursuingtheIBDiplomamaybeplacedintheclosestequivalentalternatelevelcourseinthesamesubject.

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State of Texas Graduation Requirements ByfollowingtheMeridianSchoolCourseofStudysummarizedinthesectionabove,MeridianstudentscompletenotonlythestateofTexasFoundationhighschoolgraduationrequirementsshownbelow,butalsoearnatleasttwoEndorsements:ArtsandhumanitiesandMultidisciplinarystudies.StudentswhotakePhysicsasanelectivewillalsoearntheScience,Technology,Engineering,andMath(STEM)endorsement.FoundationProgramRequirementsThefollowinghighschoolgraduationrequirementswerepassedinthe2013sessionoftheTexasLegislature.

Discipline FoundationProgram

EnglishLanguageArts 4creditsLanguagesOtherThanEnglish 2credits

SocialStudies 3creditsScience 3creditsMath 3credits

FineArts 1creditPhysicalEducation 1credit

Electives 5creditsTotalCredits 22

Bylaw,studentsmayonlygraduateundertheFoundationProgram,withnoEndorsements,iftheparentstatesinwritingthathe/shehasbeeninformedofthebenefitsofEndorsementsandisdecliningtheEndorsementgraduationplan.EndorsementsStudentsmayaddoneormoreEndorsementstotheirhighschooldiplomaplan.Atleast26creditsmustbeearnedtoreceiveanEndorsement.StudentscompletingtheMeridianSchoolCourseofStudywillearnatleasttwoEndorsements:ArtsandhumanitiesandMultidisciplinarystudies.StudentswhotakePhysicsasanelectivewillalsoearntheScience,Technology,Engineering,andMath(STEM)Endorsement.ArtsandhumanitiesEndorsementTheMeridianCourseofStudysatisfiesthisbytakingfourcreditsinthesameLanguageOtherThanEnglish(FrenchorSpanish).ThisisenoughtoearntheEndorsement,butMeridianstudentswhochoosetotakefourcreditsinthefineartscompleteanadditionalpathwayforearningtheArtsandhumanitiesEndorsement.MultidisciplinaryStudiesEndorsementTheMeridianCourseofStudysatisfiesthisbytakingfourcreditsineachofthefourfoundationsubjectareas(English,SocialStudies,Math,andScience),includingEnglishIVandChemistry.AnalternatepathwaytowardsthisEndorsementiscompletedbyanystudentcompletingfourormoreIBDiplomaProgramcredits.Science,technology,engineering,andmathematics(STEM)EndorsementStudentsmusttakePhysicstoearnthisEndorsement,inadditiontotheAlgebraIIandChemistryalreadytakenundertheMeridianCourseofStudy.Inaddition,studentsmusttakeacoherentsequenceofadvancedstudyinoneoftheSTEMareas.TheMeridianCourseofStudysatisfiesthisbytakingacoherentsequenceofadvancedstudyinMathematicsandinScience.