The program emphasizes communication, understanding and appreciation of other people's literature and culture. It also recognizes the need for developing speaking competence and proficiency in the language of the students' choice, as related to possible career goals.

Grading Policy

The teacher has the responsibility for determining:

1. The extent to which the entire group has achieved in relationship to a reasonable and challenging standard of accomplishment.
2. How well each individual has achieved in relationship to the achievement of the other members of the group. The usage of pluses and minuses are also used to further distinguish accomplishment and achievement of standards.
   

   4.0 - A - Excellent Achievement
   3.7 - A-
   3.3 - B+
   3.0 - B - Good Achievement
   2.7 - B-
   2.3 - C+
   2.0 - C - Average Achievement
   1.7 - C-
   1.3 - D+
   1.0 - D - Unsatisfactory but Passing Achievement
   0.7 - D-
   0.0 - F - Failing Achievement

   A student may also receive a grade of P, M, I, or W

3. P - Pass/Fail. Students may also take a course with a pass/fail option for their grade. The main purpose of the pass/fail option is to encourage students to take an elective course without being pressured by grades or class rank. This option is open to juniors, seniors, and others with special cases. Only one subject may be so elected each semester. The pass/fail students receive no extra privileges. Courses failed will keep students from making the honor roll and will be computed into class rank.
4. M - Medical Excuse. This is required if a student is unable to participate in gym.
5. I - Incomplete. If for a reason beyond the student's control, work is incomplete at the end of a marking period, the abbreviation is used in place of a letter grade. The "I" grade is not used when student could have completed the work, but failed to do so. When the student completes the work, which must be within two weeks of the close of the marking period or his/her return to school, the teacher will notify data processing of the revision. An incomplete will not be granted at the end or the final marking period.
6. W - Withdraw. A "W" will appear on the transcript of any student who changes a course after the first marking period.

Honor Roll Requirements

The following criteria have been established to determine student eligibility for the Honor Roll.

1. First honors is for students who receive all A's with a grade of A, P or M in Physical Education.
2. Second honors is for students who have a B average with no grades of D, F, or I.
3. Weighted grades will not be used in determining Honor Roll eligibility.
4. Students must typically take six courses to be eligible for the Honor Roll. In those instances where a student has special arrangements for less than six courses approved by the building principal, his/her eligibility will also be determined by the building principal.

Graduation Requirements

A student must earn a minimum of 100 points to graduate from Stamford High.
Each full year course TAKEN AND PASSED earns a student five points, while semester
courses earn two and one half points. No credit is earned if a person does not receive
a passing mark in that course.

There are core courses that must be TAKEN AND PASSED among the 100-point requirement. These required courses include the areas of knowledge or activity considered essential to all high school graduates. The courses required to be TAKEN AND PASSED are:

English	4 years
Social Studies	3 years
Science	2 years
Mathematics	3 years
Fine Arts or Unified Arts	1 year
Physical Ed. and Health	2 years*

*Unless medically excused. No credit is given