HomeMy WebLinkAboutWA Resolution 22-09 Adopting the Amendment of the Graduation PolicyWESTLAKE ACADEMY
RESOLUTION 22-09
A RESOLUTION OF THE WESTLAKE ACADEMY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
ADOPTING THE AMENDMENT OF THE GRADUATION POLICY.
WHEREAS, Westlake Academy is obligated to create board policies in alignment with
State and Federal mandates; and,
WHEREAS, Westlake Academy is required to create and publish graduation guidelines
to ensure that graduates meet the graduation requirements of the State of Texas; and,
WHEREAS, Westlake Academy is required to create and publish graduation guidelines
to ensure that graduates meet the requirements of the International Baccalaureate Organization;
and
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees finds that the passage of this Resolution is in the best
interest of the citizens of Westlake as well as the students, their parents, and faculty of Westlake
Academy.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF
WESTLAKE ACADEMY:
SECTION 1: That, all matters stated in the recitals hereinabove are found to be true and
correct and are incorporated herein by reference as if copied in their entirety.
SECTION 2: That, the Board of Trustees of Westlake Academy, hereby approves the
amended graduation policy attached to this resolution as Exhibit "A".
SECTION 3: If any portion of this resolution shall, for any reason, be declared invalid
by any court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions
hereof and the Council hereby determines that it would have adopted this Resolution without the
invalid provision.
SECTION 4: That this resolution shall become effective from and after its date of
passage.
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PASSED AND APPROVED ON THIS 23rd DAY OF MAY 2022.
Sean Kilbride, President
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Resolution WA 22-09
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Exhibit A
TOWN OF WESTLAKE
WESTLAKE ACADEMY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES POLICY
Policy No. 6.04:
Date Board Adopted: May 12, 2014
Date Board Amended: May 23, 2022
Effective Date: August 17, 2022
Policy Category: Student Achievement
Policy Name: Graduation Policy
Policy Goal: Establishing graduation requirements, defining commencement
participation requirements, and determining Valedictorian, Salutatorian and Honor
Graduate criteria.
Policy Description: Westlake Academy has a rigorous and enriching International
Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum that fosters college and career readiness. Students who
graduate from Westlake Academy will therefore complete a program of study that
includes high academic standards making them eligible for the Distinguished Level of
Achievement recognition.
Graduation Requirements:
Students must complete all graduation requirements identified in this policy to receive a
Westlake Academy diploma. Those requirements are as follows:
• Earn the necessary credits as required for the Foundation High School Program
with at least the Multidisciplinary Studies endorsement as outlined by the Texas
State Board of Education;
• Complete the requirements to earn the Distinguished Level of Achievement;
• Achieve satisfactory performance on required state end of course assessments
• Complete all Texas Education Agency graduation requirements; and
• Complete all requirements to sit for and receive an IB Diploma.
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The academic credit requirements for a Westlake Academy diploma are identified in the
chart below:
Graduation Policy Credits
GROUP
Foundation Plan
Westlake Academy
with Distinguished Level of Achievement
1
Language and
Literature
1.0 English 1
1.0 English 1
4.0
1.0 English 2
1.0 English 2
1.0 English 3
2.0 IB English Literature
1.0 English 4
2
Language Acquisition
2.0 Language B
3.0 Language B
5.0
2.0 IB Language B
3
Individuals and
Societies
1.0 World Geography
or World History
1.0 World Geography/AP Human
Geography or
World History/AID World History
5.0
1.0 US History
1.0 Humanities
0.5 Economics
1.0 US History
0.5 Government
0.5 Economics
0.5 Government
1.0 IB Individuals and Societies
4
Sciences
1.0 Biology
1.0 Biology
4.0
2.0 Lab Science
1.0 Lab Science
2.0 IB Science
5
Mathematics
1.0 Algebra 1
1.0 Algebra 1
5.0
1.0 Geometry
1.0 Geometry
1.0 Math
1.0 Algebra 2
2.0 IB Mathematics
6
Arts / Electives
1.0 Fine Art
1.0 Fine Art
2.5
5.0 Elective
1.0 IB TOK
0.5 Professional Communication
PE
Physical Education
1.0 PE
1.0 PE
1.0
IB Core
Personal Project
0.0
IB Extended Essay
IB CAS
Tota 1
22.0
26.5
High School credits can be earned in Language B, and Mathematics in Grade 7 and/or
Grade 8.
Transfer Student Guidelines and Exemptions - Transfer students must complete WA
graduation requirements and achieve a minimum of 26.5 credit hours with the
applicable exemptions in the areas listed below:
For transfer students lacking Language Acquisition credits within WA's course
offerings, a student who enrolls in Grade 9 will have a minimum requirement of
4.0 credits in the same language through the WA course offerings; a student who
enrolls in Grade 10 will have a minimum requirement of 3.0 credits in the same
language through the WA course offerings; and a student who enrolls in Grade
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11 will have a minimum requirement of 2.0 credits in the same language through
the WA course offerings.
• Personal Project is a requirement for any student entering Westlake Academy
before or during the first semester of Grade 10. Students who enter in G11 are
exempt from the Personal Project.
• For a student who fails a required IB course for graduation, the student must
recover the credit(s) through an accredited program approved by the Executive
Director or his/her designee.
Additional Endorsements — Westlake Academy students who complete the Westlake
Academy graduation requirements can also select and earn other endorsements as
defined in the Texas Education Code.
Additional Texas Education Requirements — Westlake Academy graduation candidates
must complete the following Texas Education Code requirements to be eligible for
graduation. These are:
• Each student must complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student
Aid (FAFSA) or a Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA).
• Complete CPR Training.
• Complete Proper Interaction with Peace Officer Training.
Early Graduation — Westlake Academy does not allow for early graduation.
Eligibility to Participate in Commencement Ceremony — Westlake Academy seniors who
have satisfied all Westlake Academy requirements for graduation are eligible to
participate in the graduation ceremonies; however, disciplinary infractions may
jeopardize a student's opportunity to participate in the commencement ceremony
consistent with the student code of conduct and as determined by the Executive
Director.
For students who have not successfully completed all coursework, an exception may be
made in the event that a senior lacks one (1) credit towards the graduation
requirements. The student must have a plan approved by the Executive Director to
complete the credit prior to the beginning of the next school year. No other exceptions
to participation in the graduation ceremony will be granted except as required by law.
Academic Recognition - Westlake Academy will recognize academic achievement
through the establishment of a class Valedictorian, Salutatorian, and Honor Graduates.
These recognitions are determined based on a student's Cumulative Grade Point
Average (CGPA) as recorded at the end of the third reporting period of a student's
senior year.
Valedictorian and Salutatorian — The graduating senior with the highest CGPA will be
recognized as Valedictorian, and the graduating senior with the second highest CGPA
will be recognized as Salutatorian. In the event of a tie for Valedictorian and/or
Salutatorian, the Academy shall compute the weighted numerical grade average to a
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sufficient number of decimal places until the tie is broken. Additionally, Valedictorian
and Salutatorian eligibility requires attendance at Westlake Academy for at least six
consecutive semesters immediately preceding graduation. Further, the Executive
Director may deem a student ineligible for these recognitions if the student is in violation
of Westlake Academy's student code of conduct, other school requirements, Town
code, or State codes.
Honor Graduates - A graduating senior whose weighted CGPA is 94% or above at the
end of the third quarter of the Senior year will be determined to be an Honor Graduate
and will be duly recognized at commencement.
Rank in Class - Rank in class is determined by CGPA and will be used for the purposes
of:
• Identifying students eligible to obtain automatic admission to Texas public
universities based upon a university's uniform admission policy and in
accordance with the Texas Education Code. This information will be reported
directly to institutions by Westlake Academy staff; and
• Determining Valedictorian and Salutatorian.
Outside of the above circumstances, Westlake Academy is a non -ranking high school.
Operational guidelines consistent with this policy will be detailed and published in the
Parent/Student Handbook.
In the event a student does not complete all Westlake Academy graduation
requirements by the end of the student's twelfth (12th) grade year due to extenuating
circumstances, the student may seek Board approval for and the Board may approve an
alternate graduation plan consistent with the State's foundation high school program
requirements, if it is determined to be in the best interest of the student.
Students Receiving Special Education Services — Westlake Academy will comply with
federal and state laws and regulations applicable to graduation requirements for eligible
students under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
To the extent required by law, Westlake Academy will provide a summary of
performance for graduating students receiving special education services. This
summary will consider, as appropriate, the views of the parent and student and written
recommendations from adult service agencies on how to assist the student in meeting
postsecondary goals as well as any required evaluation information.
The Academy shall issue a certificate of attendance to a student who receives special
education services and who has completed four years of high school but has not
completed the student's individualized education program (IEP). A student eligible to
receive a certificate of attendance shall be allowed to participate in a commencement
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ceremony with students receiving high school diplomas. A student may participate in
only one commencement ceremony under this provision.
Dates Amended:
10/05/15
11/02/15
05/06/19
09/13/21
05/23/22
Resolution WA 22-09
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