Philosophy

The academic program for primary school students at St. Francis meets State and Diocesan requirements in the areas of religion, language arts (reading, phonics, spelling, handwriting 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

Primary 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

Kindergarten: Students in Kindergarten do not receive letter grades. Instead, they are assessed by their teacher in each content and skill standard in the following way:

S = 90 % and above (the student has successfully demonstrated proficiency in the standard)

P = 80-89% (the student is making adequate progress toward proficiency in the standard)

N = 79% and below (the student needs improvement and has either not demonstrated proficiency or is not making adequate progress toward proficiency)

Grades One and Two: Students in first and second grades do not receive letter grades. Instead, they are assessed by their teacher in the following way:

E = 95-100% (student has made excellent progress and has demonstrated proficiency in the standard)

S = 85-94% (student has made successful progress and has demonstrated proficiency in the standard)

P = 70-84% (student is making adequate progress toward meeting the standard but has not yet demonstrated proficiency)

N = 69% and below (the student needs improvement and is not making adequate progress toward proficiency)

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 Primary 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 Primary 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.