Philosophy
The academic program for intermediate school students at St. Francis meets State and Diocesan requirements in the areas of religion, language arts (reading, spelling, writing and English), mathematics, science, social studies, health, physical education, music, and art. In addition to being a distinct core academic requirement, religious instruction permeates the entire curriculum. St. Francis Central Catholic School provides for the spiritual enrichment of students by stressing the importance of prayer as the means of communicating with and coming closer to God.
Academic Requirements
Intermediate school students at St. Francis Central Catholic School must demonstrate basic proficiency in all standard areas of the core curriculum in order to be promoted to the next grade level. In this way, students will be adequately prepared to have success navigating the secondary school curriculum at St. Francis Central Catholic School.
Grades and Grading Scale
Grades Three, Four, and Five: Students in grades three through five receive letter grades according to the official Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston policy, which is as follows:
A – 93-100
B – 85-92
C – 77-84
D – 69-76
F – 68 and less
Honor Roll
An honor roll is posted each quarter for those students attaining grades which entitle them to the following:
Principal’s Honor Roll – All A’s
Honor Roll of Achievement – All A’s and B’s
Failing Grades
Promotion to the next grade level in the Elementary School at St. Francis Central Catholic is based solely upon a student’s ability to demonstrate proficiency in all of the standards for the core curriculum. However, students in grades three through five may still receive a grade of F if they do not meet classroom expectations, such as successfully completing daily homework assignments, projects, and portfolios.
Promotion and Retention
For students who do not demonstrate proficiency in all standards for the core curriculum, the school reserves the right to retain the student in the current grade level, or require the student to receive further tutoring and instruction in the standard areas where she/he is not proficient and then demonstrate she/he has achieved proficiency prior to being admitted to the next grade level. This may be accomplished through the school’s summer session, through other approved summer programs, or through private tutoring arranged by the parents and approved by the school’s administration. If the student does not succeed in demonstrating proficiency prior to the beginning of the next school year, the school will retain the student in the current grade level. In these cases, parents have the right to appeal the decision to the Designated Pastor of the school and/or the Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, whose decision is considered final.
Homework
Homework is valuable for reinforcing concepts and skills and for mental discipline. Homework is required of all students. Students are expected to review daily that which was learned in class. They are expected to read the lesson again for reinforcement, and they are expected to practice the skills worked on in class. Homework assignments will be coordinated by teachers to avoid homework overload for students. All homework assigned is to be checked and returned to the student.
Assignments may not be given in advance for any time missed by students. Assignments will ordinarily be given when the student returns. It will be the parent’s responsibility to review the skills taught while the student is absent. If an absence is due to illness, work may be picked up from the teacher daily. Work not turned in will result in a zero for all incomplete assignments.
Though some students need more study time than others, the following time schedule for homework is suggested for average students:
- Grades K-2 15-30 minutes
- Grades 3-5 45-60 minutes
Students are responsible for completing all homework assignments by due dates. Parents, please report to the teachers if homework takes longer than the recommended time. Every student is required to have a homework assignment book and parents are asked to check it each evening.
Probationary Admissions in Intermediate School
Students are admitted under probation to St. Francis Central Catholic in the following circumstances:
1. All New Admissions;
2. Behavioral misconduct that results in an out-of-school suspension (for students in grades three, four, and five only);
3. Under special circumstances determined by the Principal in consultation with the Designated Pastor and the Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.
Probationary admissions are reviewed at the end of each semester by the administration and intermediate school faculty. At that time, probationary status can either be removed or continued for a period of one semester. If probationary status is continued, the parents and student will be notified in writing as to why probationary status has been continued and what concrete actions must be taken to remove the probationary status.
After the second consecutive semester on probation has ended, the probationary status will be reviewed again. At that time, the status will either be removed, or the student will be required to either withdraw from school or face expulsion. In these latter instances, the parents and student have the right to a hearing before the Designated Pastor and Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston to appeal the decision. In these cases, the decision of the Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston is final.
Withdrawal of Students for Academic Reasons
SFCCS may require a student to withdraw for serious academic reasons if the school is unable to meet a student’s needs. If such a request is made, the following conditions must be fulfilled:
- Sufficient advance notice of the request must be given in writing to the student and parents;
- The required progress reports shall have been given to the student and parents;
- The student and parents shall have been given the opportunity to discuss with the appropriate staff personnel the future school placement of the student; and
- The school must cooperate with any receiving school in matters concerning the placement of the student in an instructional program.