Policies

The secondary school program begins in grade 6. 

Grade Point Average

A grade point average (GPA) is derived for high school students by ascribing a point value to a letter grade as follows:

Students enrolled in honors courses will receive 0.33 points more for their letter grade of C- or above. Students enrolled in AP courses will receive 0.66 points more for their letter grade of C- or above.

Transferring Grades

High school students may transfer grades from other recognized schools. Any number of courses may be transferred as long as the student received a "C" or higher. Grades below a "C" will not be transferred. Courses that are transferred but do not satisfy particular requirements at CDIS will be transferred in as electives. A student's GPA will be calculated only from courses taken at CDIS.

Transfer of Credit

Students must secure written permission from the Administration before enrolling in summer courses at another school or in correspondence courses if they wish to receive credit. CDIS may recognize one full credit for outside work in any given school year.

Summer and correspondence courses should be taken to make up failed classes or to earn additional elective credits. They may not be taken as a means of accelerating through basic, required courses unless the student is at least one year older than the norm for his/her class.

In order to earn one credit for a course from another school, that course must have been offered for 45 minutes every day for the entire school year.

Add / Drop Policy

Students may add courses only during the first two weeks of a semester. Students may drop a course only within the first four weeks of a semester without the semester grade resulting in an "F", unless permission is granted by the principal.

Semester Exams

Cumulative exams are given at the end of each semester. All students are expected to sit for these exams. In the middle school, the exam will be averaged into the quarter grade. In the high school, the exams will be weighted 20% of the semester grade, while each quarter counts for 40%.

While high school students take all exams, middle school students take an increasing number as they get older. The following schedule is adhered to:

Taking Semester Exams at a Different Time

Students may only take semester exams early with permission of the high school principal. If, for an approved reason, a student cannot take the test at the assigned time, he/she must contact the office immediately and take the exam within two weeks of its scheduled time. Failure to do so will result in the student receiving a failing grade for the exam. Students who wish to take exams early for a reason deemed nonessential by the administration (e.g. extending vacation time) will be assessed a $50 fee per early exam.

Repeating a Course

Students may choose to repeat a course in which they have received an unsatisfactory score. Only the second score will be counted towards the GPA. A student's report card and transcript will show all courses a student has taken.

Incomplete Grades

A student may be awarded an "F" if work for a specific course has not been completed. A student must make up the work within a time period set by the teacher, up to two (2) weeks. Otherwise, the missing work will receive an "F". No incomplete grades may be given for the fourth quarter.

Graduation Requirements

24 units of high school credit are required for graduation. 1/2 credit is given for each full semester of a course successfully completed in grades 9 through 12. A failing grade does not earn any credit. Courses that meet twice per week receive 1/4 credit per semester. The following credits must be earned towards graduation:

• 1/2 credit of Theological/Character studies per semester enrolled in the high school
• 4 credits of English
• 3 credits of social studies*
• 3 credits of science*
• 3 credits of mathematics*
• 2 credits of foreign language
• 2 credits of physical education/health
• 1 credit of fine arts
• Electives as required or desired

* college-bound students scheduled with 4 credits