GUIDANCE SERVICES

The Guidance Office exists to facilitate student progress while in school. Guidance and counseling services are available to all students.  The main goal of the program is to help students in personal, social and educational growth.  Counseling offers an opportunity to discuss matters of personal concern, and assistance in the assessment of abilities, interests, and aptitudes in order to set realistic educational goals.  Information regarding educational and occupational opportunities and requirements is made available.  The guidance department and the administrative office work together to administer and interpret the testing results.

Information is available about high school choices, as well as college, tech school and employment options after high school.  The counselor is also available to provide help to individuals and groups whose problems interfere with the learning process.

PROOF OF RESIDENCY

The school district of residence of a student is defined by RSA 192:12, II.  Documents serving as proof of residency include:

·         Utility bill indicating legal residence in Town of Raymond

·         Lease agreement or rent receipt indicating legal residence and landlord’s address and phone number

·         Official letters from organizations such as the Raymond Housing Authority (must be original letter on official letterhead and signed by organization’s representative)

·         Welfare card

·         Social Services papers (i.e. Social Security, AFDC, Homeless Shelter Verification, etc.)

Documentation of home ownership in the Town of Raymond.  Families seeking to enroll their children in the Raymond School District and planning to move into the district must provide a copy of a purchase and sale agreement, a certificate of occupancy permit, or other evidence acceptable to the Superintendent of Schools to verify the date of occupancy.

Career and Educational Planning - It is never too early to begin planning for life after high school.  The guidance office and the media center have a wealth of written information, video material, and computer software on various educational and employment options available after high school.  College and military representatives visit the school to talk with interested students. Students have the opportunity to attend college fairs and/or participate in job shadowing. Collectively these activities can aid them in gathering information to assist them in making career decisions.

Change of Pertinent Information - Any change of name, address, telephone number, immunization updates, etc., should be given to school officials immediately. In case of emergencies, it is very important that we have the most current information. A legal document must be provided for any changes in a student’s custody or guardianship.

The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) is shorter but similar to the SAT.  Essentially, it is a practice and introductory test for the SAT, and juniors scoring high on the PSAT may qualify for National Merit Scholarship consideration. The PSAT will be offered to interested RHS juniors, sophomores, and freshmen in October for a fee.       

Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT I) - The College Entrance Examination Board's Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT I) is administered several times throughout the school year at nearby schools to those students who anticipate admission to college. The SAT I measures students’ basic verbal and mathematical acquired abilities, and test results are one of several factors many colleges examine when evaluating the qualities of candidates for admission.

Scholastic Aptitude Test SAT II - are given in specialized subjects usually on the dates the SAT I is given. SAT II scores are generally used for placement purposes, once a student has been admitted to college. The SAT I and SAT II Tests are the primary college admissions related tests that are administered by the College Board Admissions Testing Program. The Registration Bulletin for these tests for 2008-2009 is in the Guidance Office.

Registration and Withdrawal - All student registration and withdrawal paperwork is the responsibility of the guidance office. New students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and should have a transcript from the sending school. New students’ parents\guardians should provide proof of their residency in Raymond, NH. Guardians must provide proper legal documents to prove guardianship.  All records of inoculations must be provided as required by the State of New Hampshire.  Students withdrawing from school will be required to complete a withdrawal form that will be provided.

Vocational Studies - Raymond High School juniors and seniors may take advantage of the programs of the Seacoast School of Technology in Exeter, NH. Available courses may be found online at http://www.seacoasttech.com

Examination Dates

                                     Test: Test Date:

PSAT

October 17, 2009

SAT I & II

October 10, 2009
November 7, 2009
December 5, 2009
January 23, 2010
March 13, 2010
May 1, 2010
June 5, 2010

AP Exams

May 5, 2010
May 6, 2010
May 7, 2010

ACT S

eptember 12, 2009
October 24, 2009
December 12, 2009
February 6, 2010
April 10, 2010
June 12, 2010
 

Specific achievement test administration dates appear in the Registration Bulletin.  Bulletins with registration information are available in the Guidance Office.  Please visit http://www.collegeboard.com for more information.

CURRICULUM - SCHEDULES – GRADING – CREDITS

Credits Needed For Grade Level: Class of 2010, 2011, & 2012

Freshman entering Grade 10           5.50 (Core Credits 4*)

Sophomores entering Grade 11    11.00 (Core Credits 8*)

Juniors entering Grade 12             16.50 (Core Credits 10*)                    

Seniors to Graduate                       21.25

(*Core area subjects are Math, Science, English, and Social Studies.)

Credits Needed For Grade Level – Class of 2013:

Freshman entering Grade 10 6.00 (Core Credits 4*)

Sophomores entering Grade 11 12.00 (Core Credits 8*)

Juniors entering Grade 12 17.50 (Core Credits 11*)

Seniors to Graduate 22.25

(*Core area subjects are Math, Science, English, and Social Studies.)
 

MINIMUM GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

SUGGESTED COURSE OF STUDY

      Class of 2010, 2011, & 2012

CLASS of 2013

GRADING POLICY

A student's grade will appear in letter form on the report card.  This letter grade will represent the student's ability to perform certain skills.  A plus or minus (+ or -) may be used with grades on the report card.  The letter grade for each quarter, as well as exam and semester grades, will be recorded on a student's permanent record card.

Criteria such as student effort, cooperation and attitude are very difficult to measure objectively and accurately, and thus should be weighed carefully when determining a student's grade. Provisions have also been made for teachers to comment on effort, cooperation, etc., on the report cards.  If the nature of the subject matter involves subjective grading, then teachers will have in writing a clearly specified set of criteria that is used to identify and distinguish between an outstanding performance, a good performance, a fair performance, etc. 

A student's grade will not be lowered as a direct disciplinary action with the exception of plagiarism.  Students who are repeatedly disruptive in class or who consistently or repeatedly refuse to do assigned class work may be temporarily or permanently removed from a class by the administration at any point in the year.  Students who are permanently removed from a class will not receive credit for the course.  Permanent removal will only be used as a last resort. A parent conference will take place if permanent removal is being considered.  This conference may take place over the phone, at the discretion of the administration, and will be followed by a summary letter.  Permanent removal will only take place if no noticeable change in student behavior or performance occurs following a parent conference.

If a student misses an exam, quiz, homework, or presentation, etc., as a result of an unexcused absence or class cut, multiple tardies, then the student will be given a failing grade for that missed work.  Tardiness to class should also not directly affect a student's grade, unless the teacher gives a class participation grade to each student on a daily basis. Multiple unexcused absences may result in loss of credit in that class, however, the grade will not be affected. (see Attendance Policy, pg.10)

For full year classes any failing grade below 50 would be counted as a 50 in only one of the first three quarters but not in the fourth quarter of a full year course. For example, in a full year course, first failing grade earned within the first three quarters will be recorded as a 50 if the numerical grade is lower than 50.  If the failing grade is greater than 50 numerically, you do not reduce the value to 50.             Example:    F = 62 (stays 62)        F = 47 (changes to 50)

It must be noted that a grade of 50 is a one-time-only change and this policy does not apply to semester or quarter courses.

Grading Scale:

A+ 97 & above      B+       87-89               C+       77-79               D+             68-69        

A    93-96               B          83-86               C         73-76              D               66-67

A-   90-92               B-        80-82               C-        70-72              D-              65-65

                                                                                                      F                below 65

Honor Roll:

Principal’s List - Consisting of students who earn a grade of "A" in all courses.

Honors List - Consisting of students who earn grades of "B" or "A" and "B" in all courses.

Weighted Class Rank – Only courses in English, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies determine weighted class rank.  Weighted class rank is based on AP, Honors, and Career & College Prep courses.

                              CAREER AND COLLEGE SERVICES OVERVIEW

                                          Career Information Services

                                                      -Career shadowing opportunities

                                                      -Individual or group interest assessments

                                                      -Seacoast School of Technology opportunities

                                          College Information Services

                                                      -College information evening

                                                      -Financial aid information evening

                                                      -Individual and group advising

                                                      -College fair field trips

                                                      -College visitation opportunities

                                                      -High school visits by college admissions personnel

                                                      -Scholarship and college loan information resources

                                                                    GRADE 9

Freshmen Orientation: Freshman will have a two-hour orientation presented by Student Council, Student Leadership Team and the faculty.

Courses of Study - Before entering high school, students are requested to select an appropriate course of study for their high school career. The RHS course description booklet has extensive explanations of the courses of study. Students should see their counselor early in their freshmen year if there are problems with the classes that have been chosen.  They should make an appointment with their guidance counselor whenever they experience academic difficulty.

                                                                  GRADE 10

During the sophomore year, students will be given an opportunity to participate in an orientation program offered by the Seacoast School of Technology. The Seacoast School of Technology programs are available to Raymond High School students during their junior and senior year.  All Sophomore students should consider taking the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) administered at the High School in October.

GRADE 11

This is an important year to focus on educational and career goals.  Junior students should consider taking the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) given at the high school in October.

Students should meet with their guidance counselor to review their transcript and all other information that might help them narrow their career/employment/college choices.

Each year Raymond students may be selected to attend St. Paul's Summer Advanced Studies Program. Interested students with strong academic averages are urged to apply.  Grades earned at St. Paul's are listed on their high school transcript.  Check with the guidance department for more information.

Many junior students take the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) during the latter part of the junior year.  Many colleges require this test as a prerequisite to admission, and some may require achievement tests in specific subject areas as well.  Registration and informational material on these tests are available in the guidance office.

If students are interested in a career as a military officer, various scholarships for ROTC (officer training) or military academies should be investigated early.

In the spring, students will select classes for their last year of high school. 

GRADE 12

Students are encouraged to apply to post-secondary schools and colleges by December of their senior year.  Letters to parents inviting them to Scholarship and Financial Aid information nights will be sent home throughout their senior year.  Evening sessions will be offered for parents to become familiar with programs and financial aid information useful to those going on to post-secondary education.

Grades for any Credit Recovery opportunity, are required to be received by the school, no latter than 2:30 p.m. on the last day of senior exams

EXAM POLICY AND PROCEDURE

Any student with 16.5 credits (10 core credits) with an average grade of 96% or better will be exempt from final exams. (Midterm exams are not included.) Teachers are requested to give both semester and final exams at the scheduled exam time unless other arrangements have been made with the administration. Any student who wishes to change the time or date of a midterm or final exam must meet the following guidelines:

·         The reasons must be valid and unavoidable.  (oversleeping does not qualify)

·         The completed "Exam Change Request Form" has to be handed in to the principal at least a week before the intended exam change or scheduled exam date, whichever comes first.

·         Administration must approve all requests prior to the exam’s being rescheduled.

·         The principal and the classroom teacher need to approve the change.

Exams for a semester course will count for 20% of the final grade average.  Exams for a full year course will count for 10% of the final grade average.

Semester Course                         1st Quarter Grade       40%

                                                      2nd Quarter Grade      40%

                                                      Exam Grade.               20%            

                                                      Total:                          100%

Full-Year Course                           1st Quarter Grade       20%

                                                      2nd Quarter Grade      20%

                                                      Mid-Term Grade          10%

                                                      3rd Quarter Grade      20%

                                                      4th Quarter Grade       20%

                                                      Final Exam                  10%

                                                      Total:                          100%

SCHEDULE CHANGE POLICY & PROCEDURE

Changes to a schedule must be for sound educational reasons.  Once the school year begins, requests for changes will only be considered during the first two weeks of the first and second semesters.  Withdraw fail (WF) or withdraw passing (WP) will be placed on the student’s transcript if withdrawal happens after the two week window.

Seniors and students scheduled with fewer than 5 classes will be given the highest priority. Students in need of English, Math, Science, Social Studies, or Foreign Language will be given priority over students seeking electives.

Every student is expected to take a minimum of 5 classes each quarter.

Any student dropping AP/Honors before completion of the full year will not receive the higher weighted grade point average.

A student, a parent, a teacher, or a counselor can initiate schedule changes. A signed Add/Drop form must be completed with all of the required signatures and returned to Guidance before starting the new schedule.

Requesting a change is no guarantee that the request will be granted. Final approvals of schedule changes are left to the decision of the school administrator.

CALCULATING GPA

An example of a GPA Calculation based on a student taking 3 classes would be:

Grade Points x Potential Credits/Potential Credits

                                          (GP1xPC1) + (GP2xPC2) + (GP3xPC3)      

                                                                PC1+PC2+PC3           

INCOMPLETE GRADES

Eligibility for an incomplete grade is made on an individual basis.  The decision for eligibility will be determined by the teacher, guidance counselor and administration.