Mission

The mission of the New Richmond Exempted Village School District Graduation Academy is to offer individualized instruction with a flexible schedule to carefully selected, at-risk students who will successfully graduate from New Richmond High School while improving the district's overall dropout / graduation rate.

Standards

Based upon the pace and independent nature of the coursework, NREVSD Graduation Academy students are expected to exhibit a high level of personal integrity, and disciplinary action for cheating or lying will be severe.  Graduation Academy students are expected to:  maintain an attendance rate of at least 90%; achieve an 80% or better success rate in each course prior to being awarded credit; comply with all guidelines, rules, and regulations;, and provide their own transportation to and from the Academy.  Any student who is removed from the program for cause will be recommended for suspension from the Graduation Academy with a possible recommendation for permanent removal from the Academy and/or from New Richmond High School.

Admission to the Program

The New Richmond Exempted Village Graduation Academy is designed of those students 16 years of age and older who are not achieving success in a traditional educational setting.  The priority for acceptance is as follows:

1.

New Richmond seniors with an insufficient number of graduation credits.

2.

Juniors in danger of not graduating due to a projected credit shortage.

3.

Students who are two or more years older than the standard age of other students in their anticipated graduation class.

4.

New Richmond High School dropouts on a space available basis.

Prior to attending the Graduation Academy, the student and his/her parent(s) will meet with the Director and staff to develop a plan to identify credits needed for graduation, service learning opportunities, and sign all forms needed for admittance to the Graduation Academy.  All students must be enrolled or re-enrolled at New Richmond High School.

Academics

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Students are expected to attend Graduation Academy sessions at least 15 hours per week unless other arrangements are made.  Additional hourly sessions may be scheduled based upon available computers and staff approval.

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The basic education tool will be the NovaNet computer curriculum although additional assignments may be made by any Graduation Academy staff member to augment the electronic classroom.  Students are expected to be on-line at least 90% of the time they are in the Academy but may logoff temporarily to take necessary breaks with teacher permission.

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Students will be permitted to withdraw from the Graduation Academy to return to New Richmond High School only with the  approval of parents, Graduation Academy staff, Guidance Counselors, and the High School Principal.

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The Graduation Academy is considered a vocational school, and students will need 21 credits to qualify for graduation.  Additionally, students must comply with all other New Richmond High School requirements for graduation, e.g., completion of Individual Career Passport, appropriate community service, payment of fees, etc.  Successful preparation of the Career Passport is a requirement to complete English IV, and each passport will be graded similar to those prepared in New Richmond High School language arts classes.

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Students attending the Graduation Academy for 21 credits must be enrolled in at least two credit courses at the Academy to qualify for the 21 graduation credit criteria.  Students needing more than 21 credits for New Richmond High School graduation may be permitted to enroll in the exact number or specific courses required for graduation with approval of the High School Guidance Counselors, Principal, and Academy Staff.

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Since the Graduation Academy is a vocational setting, constructive credit for on-the-job work experience may be granted in certain situations.  Specifically, one credit may be given to students who work at least 15 hours per18 weeks for a total of 270 work-hours during the school year.  Students must provide valid documentation from their employer(s) to apply for these special credits.  No more than two total credits will be given for this program while enrolled in the Graduation Academy, and all credits requested will be granted at the discretion of the Academy Director.  Only students enrolled in the Graduation Academy summer enrichment program will receive credit for work performed in the summer, and these hours will be counted as work study hours performed the semester that just concluded.  Hours cannot be carried forward from one school year to the next but can be carried forward from first to second semesters.

Service Learning / Community Service

Each student admitted to the Graduation Academy must fulfill a minimum of one hour of community service per graduation credit needed as part of their service learning requirement.  Service learning is defined as a combination of community service and academic work that instills the values of good citizenship by addressing community problems through hands-on solutions.

Transportation

Transportation is the students' responsibility and must be carefully considered prior to attending the Graduation Academy.  Transportation issues or lack of transportation will not excuse an absence or tardy.  School bus transportation to and from New Richmond High School and the Graduation Academy is available during school hours and days.

Attendance

Students are expected to attend the Graduation Academy a minimum of 15 hours each school week in accordance with a pre-approved schedule, but no student may be absent Friday and Monday of the same weekend.  Attendance at the Graduation Academy is expected to be at least 90% or better during each high school semester, and failure to sustain this rate may result in removal from the program and possible return to New Richmond High School (no more than nine total unexcused and excused absences per semester).  Attendance policies at the Graduation Academy are identical to those of the high school except for some necessary modifications or additions.  Refer to the Attendance Section of the School Operations and Policies Chapter of the New Richmond High School Student Handbook for complete information on New Richmond High School attendance procedures.

The following policies and procedures specifically apply to attendance at the Graduation Academy:

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Students must contact the Academy Staff at 513-553-2616 ext. 12141 prior to 9:00 a.m. on the day of absence if they will be absent for any reason.  Leave a voice mail if necessary or if you call outside of normal school hours..

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Students must bring a parental note of explanation the next school day following the day of absence for it to be considered excused.  Failure to comply may result in the absence being reported as unexcused.  Students eighteen years of age who do not live at home with their parents are still required to provide reasons for any and all absences.

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Students will be allowed to depart earlier than scheduled for necessary appointments with parental approval; however, students must wait inside the Graduation Academy for pickup.

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Students will be considered tardy if they are ten minutes or more late for their scheduled computer time.  Students who sign-up for additional or make-up work will also be considered tardy if they are late for the additional sections or fail to contact the Graduation Academy Staff.

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It is the student's responsibility to comply with the agreed upon computer schedule, and failure to attend Graduation Academy classes due to a lack of or failure to obtain transportation will result in unexcused absences.

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If a student develops a pattern of frequent excused or unexcused absences, excessive tardies or more than five total absences, a conference may be scheduled with the student and parent/guardian.  The results of this meeting will be an attendance improvement plan up to and including possible dismissal from the program and return to New Richmond High School.  Per the High School Handbook and district policy, three tardies are considered one unexcused absence.

Schedule Changes / Walkouts

Students must receive permission from the Academy staff to make changes or alterations to their schedules.  Students who walkout without permission or leave the Academy early prior to their scheduled departure time will be charged with an unexcused absence and will lose credit for all work completed the day of the unexcused absence.

Inclement Weather

The Graduation Academy will follow the same schedule as New Richmond High School for all assigned school days and functions.  In the event of inclement weather or other changes to the High School schedule, the Graduation Academy will follow the same modifications, closures or delays.  Consult local radio and television stations for up-to-date information and changes.  On days school is delayed to inclement weather, all students are expected to report at their scheduled times once the delay is completed.  Delays only apply to the first hour or two of school after which time normal schedules will resume.

Dress Code

The dress code policy for the Graduation Academy reflects its efforts to prepare students for success in the work place.  Appearance and wearing apparel is expected to be in good taste appropriate for school and business.  The guidelines are identical to those of New Richmond High School.  A student may be denied participation due to his/her dress.  Judgment regarding dress code is at the discretion of the Graduation Academy Staff.

Behavioral Issues

The student code of conduct for the New Richmond High School forms the basis for discipline at the Graduation Academy.  Due to the special nature of this program, the level of tolerance for behavioral issues is much more stringent.  The following infractions may lead to disciplinary action and/or immediate removal from the program at the discretion of the Academy Staff.

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Alcohol / Drugs:  No student shall posses, transmit, conceal, use, consume, show evidence of having consumed, used, or offered for sale any alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, unprescribed drugs, look-alike drugs, or any mind altering substance while on school grounds or facilities; at school sponsored events; in other situations under the authority of the District or in controlled vehicles.  Included in the prohibition  are any substances, nonalcoholic beers, steroids, tobacco and tobacco products and drug paraphernalia.

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Assault:  A student shall not intentionally cause or attempt to cause physical injury or intentionally behave in such a way which could reasonably cause physical injury to a teacher, an administrator, other school employee, another student, or visitor not employed by the school.  Sexual assaults, acts or gestures directed toward other students or any school personnel are expressly forbidden.  No student shall commit an act that is a criminal offense when committed by an adult and that results in serious physical harm to persons or property owned or controlled by the board or at an interscholastic competition, extracurricular event, or any other school program or activity.

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Damage to School or Private Property:  A student shall not intentionally cause or attempt to cause damage or destruction of school or private property on school grounds or during a school activity, function, or event off school grounds; on the private property of a district official or employee wherever located.

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Dangerous Weapons, Explosives, and / or Instruments:  A student shall not possess, handle, transmit, or conceal any object which might be considered a dangerous weapon, explosive, or instrument of violence including, but not limited to:  guns, knives, ice picks, night sticks, mace, brass knuckles, explosives, firecrackers, and bombs.  This prohibition is in effect on property owned or controlled by the school, at an interscholastic competition, extracurricular event, or at any other school program or activity that is not located in a school or on property owned or controlled by the District.

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Disrespect / Insubordination:  A student shall not fail to comply with directions of regular, substitute or student teachers, teacher aides, supervisor, principal, bus drivers, or other authorized school personnel during any period of time when the student is properly under the authority of school personnel.

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Obscene Language / Literature:  No student shall use foul or obscene language, gestures, or noises directed toward other students, visitors, or school personnel, or possess, sell, disseminate, or otherwise distribute any pornographic materials to other students, visitors, or school personnel while on school premises.

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Possession, Smoking, or Use of Tobacco:  The use of tobacco in any form is prohibited on school property or during school-sponsored activities on or off school property including the school property outside the Academy.  Students are not permitted to leave school grounds to smoke or smoke in their cars while on school property including the Market Street parking lots.

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Music:  Students are not permitted to listen to recorded music on headphones on school computers or personal CD players or other listening devices such as MP3 players.

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Food:  Students will be permitted to bring food and beverages and eat and drink at designated locations in the Graduation Academy; however, no one is permitted to eat or drink anywhere in the computer area.