Middle School Academics

Grading Scale

A = 93-100 = 4.00

A- = 90-92 = 3.67

B+ = 87-89 = 3.33

B = 83-86 = 3.00

B- = 80-82 = 2.67

C+ = 77-79 = 2.33

C = 73-76 = 2.00

C- = 70-72 = 1.67

D+ = 67-69 = 1.33

D = 63-66 = 1.00

D- = 60-62 = 0.67

F = 59-Below = 0.00

Nine Week Grading Periods

1st Nine Weeks Ends October 17, 2024

2nd Nine Weeks Ends December 20, 2024

3rd Nine Weeks Ends March 14, 2025

4th Nine Weeks Ends May 23, 2025

Twelve Week Grading Periods

1st Twelve Weeks Ends November 8, 2024

2nd Twelve Weeks Ends February 13, 2025

3rd  Twelve Weeks Ends May 23, 2025

Semester Exams

6th Grade: No semester exams

7th Grade: No semester exams

8th Grade: Semester exams will be given in any high school credited courses at the close of the first semester. No final exams covering the year will be given.

GPA

Grade point averages will be figured each quarter for the purpose of eligibility.  All courses will have equal weight.  Class rank will not be figured and has no purpose at the middle school level.

Each spring, a series of scheduling activities takes place to assist each student in selecting appropriate courses for the following year.  From the time a student returns the course request form (February) until the end of the school year (June), a student may request a schedule change.  It is important to realize that our master schedule is based upon the student requests made in February.  In order to be fiscally responsible, the number of class sections within each subject area is based on these projections. These requests also dictate new teacher hires during the summer.  Once classes are scheduled, it is difficult to make a schedule change because many classes will be at or near capacity.  Students may not be enrolled in a class that is considered filled.  Once a student has received his/her schedule in August, through the remainder of the school year, the Dublin City Schools Change  Request Form, available in the Guidance Office, must be processed to request a schedule change. 

Middle school students successfully completing high school courses will be granted high school credit for each approved course completed.  Such credit will count toward high school credit requirements.  The final grade and credit will appear on the high school transcript and will be figured into the high school grade point average (GPA).  All students taking high school classes for credit are subject to all high school student handbook guidelines.  (High school student handbooks can be obtained in the high school.)

College Credit Plus (CCP) is a program that gives students in grades 7-12 an opportunity to be enrolled in both high school and college coursework at the same time. College Credit Plus replaces Ohio’s Post-Secondary Enrollment Options program (PSEO) and all dual enrollment programs. Students must meet the admission requirements set forth by the university. Dublin City Schools will bear all tuition costs.

Students must meet the admission requirements set forth by the college/university. Dublin City Schools will pay all tuition, textbook, and fee costs.

Students eligible for CCP must be academically ready for college level courses and be willing to follow the procedures outlined by the college/university while still in high school. Dublin City Schools has partnered with Columbus State Community College (CSCC), The Ohio State University (OSU) to offer courses at Emerald Campus. College Credit Plus courses are offered on the campuses of CSCC and OSU and at all Dublin high school campuses depending upon enrollment and availability of instructors. 

Students are not limited to taking CCP courses at Emerald Campus. They may also enroll in any public Ohio college or university, participating independent or out-of-state colleges or universities (additional fees often apply), online courses, or any combination of the above.

Per HB 487, College Credit Plus courses must receive the equivalent weight as any weighted course within a given content area. A student’s letter grade earned through a university will be issued on his/her Dublin City School’s transcript. The Dublin City School weight for that letter grade will be factored into the student’s GPA. Credits earned through College Credit Plus are transferable to many public and private institutions in Ohio and out of state. Two websites are available to help students fully understand what courses will transfer: www.transferology.com or www.highered.ohio.gov. 

To participate in CCP, students must submit a written notice of their intent to participate in the upcoming academic year, by April 1, in accordance with section 3365.03 of the Revised Code. Requirements for applying and registering vary by option. Students should consult their home high school counselor for due dates.

Interested students and parents are required to attend a yearly informational session prior to registration to understand the benefits, risks, and consequences of participation. The meeting is typically held in December or January.

Should a student fail to complete a CCP course taken for credit (formal “class drop” process, nonattendance reasons, course failure, etc.) any and all financial obligations assumed by the Board will default to the students and their parents. This includes tuition, books, materials, and fees. Charges for billable tuition are as follows:

• $41.64/per credit hour–if taught by a DCS teacher at Emerald Campus

• $83.28/per credit hour–if taught by a college/university adjunct at Emerald Campus 

• $166.25/per credit hour–if class is taken online or on a college/university campus

(Fees subject to change.)

Further information about CCP will appear on our district and high school websites, in the DCS Informational Guide: http://bit.ly/DCSCCP, as well as in the College Credit Plus portion of this handbook.

Parents and students are encouraged to speak with their school counselor for more information. 

Honor Roll/Merit Roll

Students who have received a 3.0-3.49 grade point average (GPA) will receive recognition each nine-week grading period on the Merit Roll.  Students who have a 3.5-4.0 GPA will receive recognition on the Honor Roll. 

Scholastic Awards

6th Grade Academic Achievement Award

This award is earned by any sixth-grade student who, at the end of the third grading period, has a cumulative average of 3.50 GPA or above including all graded subjects.

7th Grade Academic Achievement Award

This award is earned by any seventh-grade student who, at the end of the third grading period, has a cumulative average of 3.50 GPA or above including all graded subjects.

8th Grade Academic Achievement Award

This award is earned by any eighth-grade student who, at the end of the third grading period, has a cumulative average of 3.50 GPA or above including all graded subjects.

8th Grade Academic Excellence Achievement Award

This award is earned by any eighth-grade student who, at the end of their eighth-grade year, has maintained a 4.0 GPA including all graded subjects.  This is calculated from all quarter grades, including classes taken in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades, for all students.

The promotion/retention of a student in any grade level should be in the best interest of the student.  The first consideration for student retention is failure to meet minimum levels of knowledge and skills at this grade level, or minimum goals prescribed on the Individualized Education Program.  However, academics will not be the sole factor in the determination of retention.  The student’s age, maturity level, emotional and social criteria must also be considered on an individual basis.  Retention shall occur only if it presents the possibility of allowing the student to function successfully at grade level in these areas.  It is viewed as an opportunity for growth.  If deemed necessary, it should occur as early as possible in a student’s educational program.

Criteria for consideration of retention of middle school students will include:

1. Current level of achievement (e.g. standardized assessment tools, reading assessments, classroom test results, work samples, progress reports, and current level of achievement in core subjects).

2. Potential for success at the next level including emotional, physical, and social growth as guided by a retention scale.

3. Response to planned intervention.

4. Attendance.

Core subjects are Language Arts, Social Studies, Science and Math.

Procedure for Potential Retention

• Teacher or parent initiates referral to team.

• Team discusses student and seeks related arts teachers/core input where appropriate.

• Team leader contacts parents (follow through may include parent conference, counseling, or tutoring).

• The office will send a letter at the end of the semester for students experiencing difficulty.

• Potential retentions will be identified at the end of the third nine weeks.  Parents will be notified.

• The “Intent to Retain” letter will be sent to parents stating reasons at interim time during the fourth quarter.

• Parent conferences will be scheduled as requested.

• Appeals to the Superintendent/Designee must be submitted in writing by June 15.

Placement

A student who has not met the requirements for promotion may be placed in the next grade by the principal when the principal believes that placement in the next grade would be more beneficial than retention.

1. Students are allowed a makeup period equal to the number of days absent plus one. Long-term projects or tests announced in advance are expected to be turned in or taken upon return.

2. Students who fail to make up work in the allotted time will be assigned a failing grade or incomplete for the grading period.

3. Incompletes must be made up within ten school days or a failing grade will be assigned.

Dublin City Schools administers state and national standardized tests, which include, but are not limited to, Ohio State Tests in English, Math, Science, MAP, cognitive ability tests, PSAT 8/9, PSAT, SAT and ACT.   Students are not permitted to review any portion of a state or national assessment at any time prior to the test administration.  In order to ensure fairness and reliability of the test scores, students are not permitted to discuss test questions or share any information regarding the content of these tests at any time.  Any student caught accessing or sharing information in regard to state or national assessments will be subject to disciplinary action.  

Our media center is centrally located.  This location indicates how important the library is to our school. Books, reference materials, encyclopedias, newspapers and magazines are provided for your use.  Each student is responsible for materials borrowed from the library.  Fines may be assessed for lost or overdue items.  There is also a copier available for student use, as well as a computer lab, complete with networked Macintosh computers.