Grading, Assessing, and Reporting
As the entire SAU shifts to a mastery-based grading system, the Souhegan reporting system is undergoing a transition.
For the class of 2023 and beyond, student grades will be reported on a 1 to 4 scale, with a score of 3 indicating proficiency on a given standard. Rubrics are used to clearly articulate standards and proficiency levels.
Student performance on Work Study Practices (Collaboration, Self-Direction, Communication, and Creativity) is reported separately and not included in the academic course score.
Student achievement is reported in the form of progress reports and report cards. Final grades are assigned at the end of the course and may incorporate final assessments/exams.
Students graduating in 2022 and 2023 will continue to receive letter grades on their report cards. At the end of a marking period, the following grade scale will be used to convert standards-based scores to letter grades:
An Incomplete (I) is given under circumstances when work needs to be completed before a grade is determined. A student must complete work within a two-week period (10 class days) after the last day of the marking period or the Incomplete (I) changes to a No Credit (NC).
Extended illness is an exception where a grade of “M” (medical) can be given, when appropriate.
No Credit Grades
Students achieving less than a C- receive a No Credit (NC) for the course. NC is treated as a 0.0 in computing student Grade Point Average (G.P.A.). Each course at Souhegan High School is an essential element in a student’s growth as a learner and successful completion means more than a passing grade; it represents achieved proficiencies. Conversely, to receive NC is not to have met proficiencies. A course may be repeated until proficiency is achieved. Although all attempts at proficiency will be displayed on the student’s transcript, only the grade assigned to the last attempt is computed in the student’s G.P.A. Withdrawals from a class after the drop period usually results in a Withdrawal No Credit (WNC). Please refer to the section titled “Drop/Add Procedures for Courses.” A WNC is treated as a 0.0 in the G.P.A. computation.
When a student earns NC for a course and recovers course competencies in summer school or in another year, No Credit S (NCS) replaces the NC. The recovered course and grade earned are displayed on the student’s transcript and the grade is computed in the student’s G.P.A. The original course and NCS grade are also displayed on the student’s transcript although the grade is not computed in the student’s G.P.A.
The Dean of Students assigns an Administrative No Credit (ANC) as a consequence for nine or more unexcused absences in a marking period in the same class. A student may appeal an ANC up to two-weeks (10 class days) after the end of the marking period. If the student does not appeal the ANC or the appeal is denied, the grade will be changed to an NC.
Grade Point Average
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Grade Point Average (G.P.A.) is computed by averaging grades from any previous high school attended and grades from Souhegan High School. For the Class of 2022, grades are not weighted when calculating G.P.A. Beginning with the class of 2023, college level classes will be weighted with an additional point. Both an unweighted and a weighted GPA will be reported on the transcript. College level courses which include Advanced Placement and Dual enrollment courses will be weighted. Souhegan High School does not rank students. Currently, grade point averages are determined according to the following standard scale:
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WNC = withdrawn after deadline
P = receives course credit, does not affect G.P.A.
M = may receive course credit, does not affect G.P.A.
WD = withdrew from class, does not affect G.P.A.
NCS= receives no course credit, does not affect G.P.A. (course was repeated in summer school or in another year.)
Academic Honor Roll
An academic honor roll (highest honor roll, high honor roll, and honor roll) is published at the end of each semester marking period for the Class of 2022. Beginning with the class of 2023, honor roll will be determined at the end of each academic year. Honor roll expectations are as follows:
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Honor Roll all grades of “B” or above (no B-’s), or all final course scores of 2.67 or above for the Class of 2024 and beyond
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High Honor Roll all but one grade “A-” or above and no grade lower than a “B,” or all but one final course scores of 3.00 or above and no course score lower than a 2.67 for the Class of 2024 and beyond
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Highest Honor Roll all grades “A-” or above, or all final course scores of 3.00 or above for the Class of 2024 and beyond
Additional Academic Challenge
Honors and Advanced Placement
Within most classes, an Honors Challenge option is offered to students who wish to pursue advanced academic studies. Honors Challenge guidelines are established school-wide; Honors Challenge expectations per course are developed by individual teachers. Credit for honors is earned by fulfilling the expectations. Honors is identified on the student’s end of year report card and transcript with an ‘H.’ Seniors who are engaged in honors will also have the course identified with an HP (Honors Pending) on their transcript at mid-semester one and semester one.
Advanced Placement (AP): Advanced Placement courses are offered in the following subjects: English Literature, English Language & Composition, U.S. History, Human Geography, Calculus, Statistics, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics, French Language, Spanish Language, Computer Science, and Art. It may be possible for students to earn college credit upon attaining high scores on Advanced Placement exams.
Students who elect to take AP courses should be aware that the classes have a nationally standardized curriculum, the content of which cannot be altered or modified. Each student who takes an AP class is expected to complete the exam in May.
Any student may elect to take these classes, but careful decision-making, including consultation with parents, counselor and teachers, is encouraged. Additionally, Advanced Biology is not an AP designated course though some participating students do take the corresponding AP exam.
Dual Enrollment Opportunities
Souhegan High School has formed partnerships with several dual enrollment college programs. These opportunities allow students in grades 10-12 to concurrently enroll in college level courses and receive college credit while also completing the requirements for high school graduation at Souhegan.
Dual enrollment courses have curriculum and instructors at Souhegan who meet the criteria and are approved by the college. As these are college level courses, students should understand the expectations of the course, including college grading standards. Students who register for the college credit agree to follow the policies and procedures of the college. Colleges also have policies for students with disabilities which include approval for accommodations. There is a fee to the college for students who register for college credit at a considerable reduced tuition rate. Upon completion of the course, students will receive high school credit, as well as, college credit. College transcripts are issued by the particular college. Students should be aware that each college has their own policies for accepting dual enrollment credits. Dual enrollment courses are identified in the course descriptions. Dual enrollment courses could change from year to year due to teacher course assignments.
Courses qualifying for dual enrollment are identified each academic year. Benefits for students may include:
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Challenging themselves with a college level course
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Receiving college credit at a much-reduced tuition rate
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College credit applied to their college degree
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Possible higher placement in college courses upon enrollment
Souhegan currently has a partnership with the following dual enrollment programs:
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Running Start - Project Running Start is the dual enrollment/dual credit/concurrent enrollment program offered by the Community College System of NH (CCSNH). Through a new program with the state of New Hampshire, juniors and seniors can take 2 dual credit STEM courses, free of charge. http://nashuacc.edu/academics/running-start
Southern New Hampshire University – “SNHU in the High School” Program offers qualified 10-12 grade students the opportunity to earn college credit prior to high school graduation.
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VLACS – The Virtual Learning Academy offers many online courses for college credit through SNHU and eStart (CCSNH). www.vlacs.org eStart https://www.ccsnh.edu/colleges-and-programs/programs-for-high-school-students-to-earn-college-credit/estart/
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University of New Orleans – College credit is offered through the Alexis De Tocqueville Project/Honors School http://new.uno.edu/tocqueville-project/high-school-program
Summer School
A student receiving a final grade of “no credit” (NC) in a class or a student who has not passed a required course competency is eligible to enroll in summer school, with teacher recommendation. Summer school provides students the opportunity to master required standards and competencies. Depending on the progress made during the school year, students may only have time to make up a subset of course competencies during summer school, and may need to work on remaining competencies during the subsequent school year.
Summer school is available (depending on student enrollment and teacher availability) in math, English, social studies, and at times, other courses. Students pay for each summer school class. Students who, due to extenuating circumstances, want to repeat a class by attending summer school in another community or by enrolling in an online or correspondence course must first complete the Application for Credit that is available in Student Services. Prior approval by an administrator is necessary in order to guarantee credit.