ACADEMIC EVALUATION
Each teacher sets ground rules regarding how students are evaluated.  Each teacher will distribute grading expectations during the first week of school. 

ACADEMIC HONORS DESIGNATION
Academic honors are intended to be a celebration of academic achievement by all students who achieve scholastically.  For transcript purposes only the final student's class ranking will be determined and submitted to college admission offices upon request of the student and parents. 

For graduation ceremonies, ThunderRidge High School (TRHS) proposes that all students who fall within each of the honor categories listed below be honored with the following designation determined by their cumulative GPA:

• Valedictorian (Highest Honors) 4.0 or above ·
• Academic Honors 3.75-3.99
• Honors 3.5-3.74 

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY POLICY
Academic dishonesty is a serious offense.  It includes plagiarism, cheating on tests, copying papers, forging the signatures of teachers and/or parents on any document, or illegally changing a grade.  Students will face disciplinary action in all cases involving academic dishonesty.
 
Additionally, all students will sign a declaration, acknowledging their understanding of what plagiarism is.  This document which outlines the nuances of plagiarism will be reviewed by each student's English teacher prior to signing. 

ADVANCED PLACEMENT
Advanced Placement courses give students a head start on college while they are still in the supportive environment of a high school classroom. Taking the end-of-course AP exam sends a powerful message to colleges and universities that the student is ready for post-secondary work. AP can help students gain admission, earn college credit, and placement into advanced courses. According to a report from the Colorado Commission on Higher Education, one in every four (27%) high school graduates in Colorado last year required remediation in college. Of these 27%, threequarters (74%) NEVER received a college degree. AP courses help develop the skills, knowledge, and habits of mind that prepare high school students for success in their post-secondary work. For more information go the AP webpage.

CLASSIFICATION GUIDELINES
Students need to earn classification status through credit attainment. Students must earn 5 credits to be classified a 10th grader, 12 credits to be classified an 11th grader, and 18 credits to be classified a 12th grader.

CREDIT RECOVERY
Students may enroll in Griz-Net to recover credit. Griz-Net costs $80 per semester and students can enroll in 1 or 2 courses during the semester. Please see your counselor for an application.

COLLEGE READY PROGRAM and/or Dual Enrollment Courses
These are college level courses taught by Douglas County teachers certified in the area of study. Students can earn dual credit through DCSD and ACC. This credit can be transferred to any Colorado public college or university. Classes may be scheduled outside the traditional day. Location of the classes will be determined by where the major interest for each course is shown. These courses do not receive weighted grades. College Ready Program

COLORADO COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION (CCHS)
In 2003, the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE) revised its admissions standards policy to include the addition of a pre-collegiate curriculum requirement. The revised admission standards apply to students who graduate from high school in Spring 2008 and later and seek to qualify for admission to Colorado's four-year public institutions. Community colleges will continue to be open admissions; students enrolling in community colleges are not subject to admissions standards.

COMMUNITY SERVICE GUIDELINES 
To successfully meet DCSD graduation requirement, students must log a minimum of 20 hours of  volunteer work in service to persons/groups outside of the familiar environment of their own homes. Only 5 hours of community service performed at TRHS can be credited to the required 20 hours.  It is highly recommended that this requirement be completed by the end of the 1st semester of the senior year.  The activity must meet the DCSD guidelines which can be found on the back of the Community Service form. The acting supervisor of the community service project must verify the activity on the form. All hours turned in to TRHS will be documented for college, scholarship, employment, and/or agencies requesting verification of volunteer service as it pertains to the benefit of the student.  See the Counseling Department for more information.  Community Service Lettering is an option available to students who accumulate 100+ hours throughout their high school years.  Please visit the Community Service area on the TRHS website.

GRADING
Grades will reflect 80% or more of learning and 20% or less of work habits.  Grades A, B, C and D are passing.  Please note in some content areas students must demonstrate proficiency to move to the next level.  "A" indicates exceptionally fine work: "B" represents better than average work: "C" indicates average work: "D" indicates poor work.  A grade of "F" indicates failure.  The general grading system for students is A=4.0 B=3.0 C=2.0 D=1.0 and F=0.0.  Incomplete grades may be given at the discretion of the teacher.  "P" indicates the student passed the course and credit has been earned but not calculated in the GPA. 

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
CLASS of 2010 and 2011-Each student must successfully complete a minimum of 25.5 credits in  four years (9 - 12). CLASS of 2012 and beyond-Each student must successfully complete a  minimum of 24.0 credits in four years (9 - 12). One credit (1.0) is equal to one course lasting one full year.  The 25.5/24.0 credits must include the following core courses: