HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes 14-06 WA Graduation Policy Amendment HB5 WESTLAKE ACADEMY
RESOLUUTION 14-06
A RESOLUTION OF THE WESTLAKE ACADEMY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
APPROVING AND ADOPTING ANAMENDMENT TO THE GRADUATION POLICY.
WHEREAS, the state legislature passed HB5 in the 83`d legislative session mandating
the adoption of a new graduation plan which requires an amendment to the policy governing
students graduating from Westlake Academy; and,
WHEREAS, Westlake Academy has researched, discussed and created a rigorous
graduation plan that meets not only the state mandate, but also the Westlake Academy's mission,
vision and values, to prepare college bound students to meet the demands of a ever-changing
global society; 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 l: 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 Westlake Academy, hereby approves the new
graduation policy for Westlake Academy to begin with the 2014-2015 freshman class 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.
Resolution 14-06
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SECTION 4: That this resolution shall become effective from and after its date of
passage.
PASSED AND APPROVED ON THIS Ath DAB' OF April 2014.
Laura Wheat, President
ATTEST:
Aq
Kel Edw ;, Board Secretary Thomas E Brymer, uperintendent
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Janet Bubert or L. Stanton Lowry,
School Attorney
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Exhibit A
TOWN OF WESTLAKE
WESTLAKE ACADEMY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES POLICY
Policy No. 6.04A:
Date Board Adopted: May 12, 2014
Date Board Amended: N/A
Effective Date: May 12, 2014; contingent upon approval by TEA
Policy Category: Student Achievement
Policy Name: Graduation Policy
Policy Goal: Establishing graduation requirements and defining the commencement
participation requirements, and Valedictorian, Salutatorian and Honor Graduate criteria.
Policy Description:
Graduation requirements - As reflective of the Academy's rigorous and enriching IB
curriculum and a desire to foster college readiness, students who graduate from
Westlake Academy will complete a program of study which includes high academic
standards and additional credit hours making them eligible for the Distinguished Level of
Achievement award. This policy applies to students entering ninth grade during the
2014-2015 school year, or later, and may apply to students currently in grades nine
through twelve, upon request.
Only students who have completed all graduation requirements identified in this policy
will receive a Westlake Academy diploma. Those requirements are as follows:
• Completion of a minimum of 26 credit hours as required completing the
curriculum requirements to graduate under the Foundation High School Program
with a multi-disciplinary endorsement and a distinguished level of achievement.
• Satisfactory performance on required state end of course assessments.
• Completion of requirements to sit for and receive an IB Diploma.
To receive a Westlake Academy high school diploma students shall complete all course
work as identified by the State Board of Education, which includes a minimum of 26
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hours of course work, reflecting the state's higher level of academic achievement. The
course requirements are:
Course Description (End of Course Exam) Credits
English I (EOC) 1.0
English 11 (EOC) 1.0
Algebra I (EOC) 1.0
Geometry 1.0
Algebra 11 1.0
E Biology (EOC) 1.0
Chemistry or Physics 1.0
Human Geography 1.0
0 U.S. Government 0.5
Cn Economics 0.5
World History 1.0
Physical Education 1.0
0
Fine Arts 1.0
Language B 2.0
0 Electives 6.0
U-
IB English 1 1.0
IB English 11 1.0
IB History of the Americas (U.S. History EOC) 1.0
Advanced Math (Pre-Calculus) 1.0
Advanced Science (113 Science) 1.0
IB Science 1.0
(D
IB History of the Americas 1.0
E IB Math 1.0
0
-a Theory of Knowledge 1.5
B IB Group 6 2.0
Extended Essay 0.5
Personal Project 1.0
Speech 0.5
To receive the Multi-disciplinary Endorsement, students must meet one of the
following criteria: four credits in the core subject areas, or pass four AP or IB courses.
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** To receive the Distinguished Level of Achievement designations, students must
have four math credits, and four science credits, including Algebra 11.
*** Students enrolling in Westlake Academy after 10th grade are exempt from this
requirement.
Eligibility for Commencement — 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 any determination made by the Executive Principal.
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 Principal 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 unless required by law.
Academic Recognition - Westlake Academy will encourage and recognize academic
achievement through the establishment of a class Valedictorian, Salutatorian and Honor
Graduates.
Valedictorian and Salutatorian — Graduating seniors with the top two Cumulative Grade
Point Averages (CGPA) will be recognized. In the event of a tie for Valedictorian, the
students will share the honor and no Salutatorian will be designated. Additionally,
valedictorian and salutatorian eligibility requires attendance at Westlake Academy for
six consecutive semesters preceding graduation. Further, the Superintendent or his/her
designee may deem a student ineligible who 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 90% or above will be
determined to be an Honor Graduate and will be duly recognized at commencement
(please see Board Policy on Grading and Assessment for the calculation of the CGPA).
The Executive Principal and his/her designee are granted the authority to include
students whose CGPA is 90% or above at the end of the final semester.
Rank in Class - Rank in class is determined by CGPA and will used for the purposes of:
• Reporting to Texas colleges and universities for automatic admission.
• Reporting to all colleges if students are in the top quartile.
• Reporting to all colleges and universities or other institutions for scholarship
applications.
• Determining Valedictorian and Salutatorian.
A student's class rank will be made available to the student or the student's parent,
upon request.
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Operational guidelines consistent with the above policy directives will be detailed and
published in the Program of Studies and/or the College Application Handbook on an
annual basis.
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 unexpected
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.
This policy is applicable beginning with students in the class of 2018
**Revisions enacted due to provisions pass by House Bill 5 approved during the
83rd Legislative Session
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