HomeMy WebLinkAboutWA Res 24-05 Graduation PolicyWESTLAKE ACADEMY
RESOLUTION 24-05
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.
PASSED AND APPROVED ON THIS 5TH DAY OF FEBRUARY 2024.
___________________________________
Sean Kilbride, President
ATTEST:
________________________________
Amy M. Piukana, Board Secretary
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
________________________________
Janet S. Bubert or L. Stanton Lowry,
School Attorney
Exhibit A
Policy No. 6.04:
Date Board Adopted: May 12, 2014
Date Board Amended: January 22, 2024
Effective Date: Pending approval by TEA
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. The course
offerings at Westlake Academy are specifically designed so that students who
graduate with the Distinguished Level of Achievement undertake the full IB
Diploma Programme.
Graduation Requirements:
The academic credit requirements for a Westlake Academy diploma are
identified in the chart below:
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Graduation Policy Credits: Foundation Plan and Distinguished Level of Achievement
GROUP Foundation Plan
Required Credits
Westlake Academy
with Distinguished Level of Achievement Required Credits
1 Language
and
Literature
4.0 English 4.0 English
4.0
2 Language Acquisition 2.0 Language B 2.0 Language B credits
2.0
3 Individuals
and
Societies
1.0 World
Geography or
World History
1.0 World Geography or World History 3.0
1.0 US History 1.0 US History
0.5 Economics 0.5 Economics
0.5 Government 0.5 Government
4 Sciences 1.0 Biology 1.0 Biology 4.0
2.0 Lab Science 1.0 Lab Science
2.0 Science
5 Mathematics 1.0 Algebra 1 1.0 Algebra 1 4.0
1.0 Geometry 1.0 Geometry
1.0 Math 1.0 Algebra 2
1.0 Mathematics
6 Arts / Electives 1.0 Fine Art 1.0 Fine Art 1.0
5.0 Electives 7.0 Electives 4.044.044 7.0
PE Physical Education 1.0 Physical Education 1.0 Physical Education 1.0
Total 22.0 26.0
Additional information
● High School credits can be earned in Language B, and Mathematics in
Grade 7 and/or Grade 8.
● Students receiving Special Education Services are eligible to graduate
under the Foundation High School Program with approval of their IEP
committee or as otherwise allowed by federal law.
● Generally, all students must also achieve satisfactory performance on
required state End of Course (EOC) assessments, unless excused by
state or federal law. Westlake Academy will establish an individual
graduation committee for an 11th or 12th grade student who has failed to
comply with the EOC assessment instrument performance requirements
under Texas Education Code 39.025 for not more than two courses. The
individual graduation committee will be established at the end of or after
the student's 11th grade year to determine whether the student may
qualify to graduate without achieving satisfactory performance on the
EOC assessment. Additional information about the members and the
Resolution WA 24-05
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responsibilities of a student’s individual graduation committee will be
provided in the Parent/Student Handbook.
Graduation Policy Credits: Texas First Program
Eligible Westlake Academy students may graduate early through the Texas First
Program. Any student who wishes to graduate on the Texas First Program must
obtain approval from the Head of School or their designee that the required criteria
identified below have been met.
Eligible students must meet the following criteria:
● At least 22 high school credits earned;
● Final GPA equivalent of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale;
● Overall score in at least the 80th percentile on one or more of the
following assessments: ACT, SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, TSIA/TSIA2, or
GED; or, alternatively, a GPA in the top 10 percent of the student’s
class;
● Completion of the STAAR EOC exams in English I or II, Algebra I, and
Biology, or completion of eligible substitute assessments; and
● Demonstration of mastery* in each subject area of English/Language
Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and a language other than
English.
* The benchmarks of what constitutes mastery in each subject area is described in
Texas Administrative Code Title 19, Section 21.52 (a)(2).
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 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 unless a) the student has
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satisfied all the requirements to graduate on the Texas First Program or b) the
student has met the required credits of the Foundation High School Program
AND the Head of School, or their designee, has determined it is in the best
interest of the student to graduate early due to exceptional circumstances.
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 Head of School.
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 Head of
School 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 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 Head of School 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 law.
Honor Graduates - A graduating senior whose weighted CGPA is 94% or above
at the end of the third quarter of the student’s 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
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● 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.
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 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; 01/22/24.