1. Honors level courses differ from regular courses in that they treat content with greater in-depth study, contain research, give evidence of requiring critical thinking and contain extended course content.
2. Honors level courses must have established prerequisites indicating completed courses and academic standing.
3. Honors level courses are designed with the Advanced Placement Program in mind.
4. Honors courses are offered in several departments. These courses are weighted at all grade levels, nine through twelve.
5. The selection of courses is a critical choice for students, and is always accomplished in consultation with parents.
6. Typically, students may enroll in three honors courses per semester. Students who qualify to take an additional honors course must petition to do so. See "Criteria for Enrollment in Honors Courses."
7. Any student who receives a letter grade of C (weighted 3.0) or below for the semester in an Honors Course will be subject to review and may be removed from that Honors Course.

Criteria for Enrollment in Honors Courses
The purpose of an honors course or an honors curriculum is to challenge the students to excel in specific disciplines above and beyond the expectations of the average classroom. Honors classes are expected to be demanding, and the level of difficulty will be appropriate to the course and grade level. In light of this, all honors level courses receive a weighted grade. In addition, the expected outcome of an honors curriculum is to a) better prepare students to perform on college entrance exams and b) take the Advanced Placement Test in that discipline. The following criteria have been established in order to achieve these goals: (D-121.1.1 AR-AHS 1)

• Freshmen
         A. Alleman placement test scores (STS).
         B. Recommendations of junior high school teachers.
         C. Parental consultation.
         D. Standardized test scores from junior high school.
         E. Assignment by Alleman counselors.
         F. Limit of three (3) honors courses.
  
• Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors
         A. Required GPA of 3.2 or above.
         B. Teacher recommendations which will consider work habits, motivation, consistency   
             and other qualities of a superior student.
         C. Parental consultation.
         D. Use of standardized test scores by Counseling Dept.
         E. Student registration for the course.
         F. Guidance Department consultation with student.
         G. Approval or disapproval of registration by Guidance Department.
         H. Students are normally restricted to 3 Honor courses at a given time. If a student is
             petitioning to enter a 4th Honors class, he/she must have a cumulative GPA of 3.600.
             Parents must sign a registration waiver and the student must discuss the Honors
             Class overload with his/her counselor.
  
• Petition for Honors Course
  A student who does not meet the above criteria may petition for entry into the Honors curriculum as follows:
         1. The student has a proven record of honors equivalent performance in regular level
             courses.
         2. The student's current teacher supports the petition.
         3. The Honors instructor approves the petition.
         4. Space in the Honors course must be available.
         5. Should the petition be granted, the student and parents must recognize that if the
             student receives a letter grade of less than a "C" (3.0), he/she can be removed from
             the Honors program.

MODIFIED COURSES
"Modified" is a title given to those courses in which content, depth of treatment, pace and teacher objectives are presented in a highly structured classroom setting. The prime goal of these courses is to provide learning experiences that will promote success in the mastery of basic concepts and material.

STUDENT PLACEMENT
In their eighth grade year, students planning to enter Alleman take ability and achievement tests for placement. On the basis of the results of these tests, the student's eighth grade standardized test results, the junior high school teacher recommendations, and parental consultation, the guidance counselor determines the initial placement of students. The Administration is involved only in extra-ordinary placement decisions.

If a student's performance in a particular subject indicates that he/she could perform better in another section of the subject, every effort will be made to change his/her schedule. Ordinarily, the classroom teacher and/or the guidance counselor are in the best position to evaluate the situation and recommend a change.

GRADE INFORMATION
In all subjects, students receive a letter grade. Alleman uses a five-letter grading system with the availability of a "+" or "-" with the first four letters. "A," "B," "C," and "D" are passing grades, ranging from excellent to poor. "F" is a failing grade for which a student earns no credit. If a student receives an "F" in a required subject, he/she must repeat and pass that subject to fulfill graduation requirements. Ordinarily, a student who receives an "F" in a course which is part of a sequence must repeat and pass that course before he/she may continue in the sequence.

Students who fail the first semester of an elective course are encouraged to repeat that semester. Students who fail the second semester of an elective course may be encouraged to audit the first semester before repeating the second. Credit is earned by the semester. A student who fails a course must make up credit by the semester. A passing second semester grade will not make up for a first semester failure.

A student whose work is incomplete may receive an "I" on his/her report card if the reason for the incomplete is illness or other authorized absence. He/she must complete the work for that course within ten (10) school days of the end of the grading period to receive credit for that course. Students whose work is incomplete for other than authorized reasons will ordinarily not be given the opportunity to complete work after the end of the grading period. Students receiving "I" grades as a quarter or semester grade are not considered for the current honor roll. "I" grades which later become passing grades are included in the cumulative grade point average and, therefore, may be included in any cumulative honor roll.

GRADES AND CLASS RANK
In computing grade point averages, the A = 4, the B = 3, the C = 2, the D = 1, and the F = 0. A "+" added to any grade adds .33 to the grade value and a "-" added to any grade subtracts .33 from the value of the grade. Example A+ = 4.33; A = 4.0; A- = 3.67.

Alleman weights the value of grades achieved in ALL HONORS courses.
       Grade Weighting - In this book, Honors Courses are identified by the word "Honors" or the letter "H". These courses receive an additional point value when grade point averages are computed. For example, a B+ in a weighted Honors course is computed as a 4.33 rather than a 3.33. Early Bird Classes are not weighted.
       Grades received in Physical Education and Driver Education are not computed in a student's class rank or GPA (Grade Point Average).

ADMISSION TO COLLEGE
Alleman High School is accredited by the North Central Association and recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education. This professional recognition is an asset to our students who apply for admission to a college or university. Alleman is also a member of the National Catholic Educational Association.

It is important that students and parents begin early to consider the general requirements for college admission and the process by which a student becomes enrolled in a college or university.

College admission directors and their committees consider a student's academic records, class rank, entrance examination scores, rigorousness of course load (especially senior year), marked improvement in scholastic achievement from year to year, counselor's rating for personality and character, participation in extra-curricular activities and attendance records. The expertise of guidance personnel and teachers, and the use of the well-stocked Career Resource Room 201 are recommended resources available to every student.

STATE OF ILLINOIS - REQUIREMENTS
The State Board of Education has set minimum subject requirements for admission to public universities and transfer programs in public community colleges. These minimum requirements became effective in all Illinois state schools in 1993. Under Illinois statutes, public community colleges which offer baccalaureate transfer programs must require specific high school subjects that are similar to those required by public universities. The Board has asked private colleges and universities to consider such requirements as a minimum for admission also.

The requirements are as follows:
       4 years of English (emphasizing written and oral communications and literature.)
       3 years of Social Studies (emphasizing history and government).
       3 years of Mathematics (introductory through advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry).
       3 years of the Sciences (laboratory sciences).
       2 years of electives in foreign language, music, art, vocational education.
[Some colleges are not accepting modified level courses as fulfilling entrance requirements.]

REGISTRATION INFORMATION
A student must register for courses totaling a minimum of 6 credits each year.

The selection of classes should be the mutual effort of the student, parent(s) and school personnel. In many instances, the current teacher will recommend the next course level. For example, a student's current mathematics teacher will recommend which level of mathematics the student should pursue. This is based upon the student's ability, past performance, and motivation level. These recommendations should be followed. We recommend that parents and students consult with the teacher if necessary.

Once students are registered into courses, a student request for a course change will be considered only during the first five (5) days of class attendance. (Please refer to the Student/Parent Handbook for guidelines on course change requests.) Students are charged $10.00 for a course change which they initiate.

CREDITS NOT EARNED AT ALLEMAN
A student may be allowed to take a non-Alleman course for credit if it is required for graduation, but only with prior written approval of his/her guidance counselor.

COURSE FEES: Textbook, workbook, and material prices are subject to increase by the vendor.

See the listing of all approved Alleman courses. Not all courses will be offered for registration each year. Offerings will be dependent upon adequate enrollment.

EARLY-BIRD CLASSES
In order to meet the demand of some students for a seven-period academic day with a study hall, and to help all students complete graduation requirements in a timely way, Alleman offers several early-bird sections. Early-bird class will be from 7:25 to 8:05 A.M. All school regulations for attendance and dress code apply.