High School Promotion/Retention Policy MAHS adheres the MCS's policy regarding promotion and retention of students both at the middle school and high school levels. Grade placement and promotion are based upon the accumulation of Carnegie units. To be classified as a 10th grader, a student must have earned a minimum of five units of credit, one of which must be English I. To be classified as an 11th grader, a student must have earned a minimum of ten units of credit, two of which must be English I and English II or two credits from the ESL Program. To be classified as a 12th grader, a student must have earned a minimum of fifteen units of credit, three of which are English I, II, III, or two credits of ESL plus English I, II, or III, and must be able to complete the required units of credit necessary for graduation during the regular school year. Graduation Requirements Memphis City Schools’ graduation policy states that “before graduation, every student shall [1] achieve specified units of credit; [2] pass the required competency test or make passing scores on the required Gateway tests (English II, Algebra I, and Biology); and [3] have an opportunity to take an exit exam to assess readiness for the work place or higher education. (ACT, SAT, or Work Keys)” Furthermore, “special education students who successfully complete their Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and pass the required competency test or the required Gateway test shall be awarded a regular diploma. If the student does not attain a minimum score on the competency or gateway test, he/she shall be awarded a special education diploma upon graduation.” MAHS programs-of-study are designed to meet each of these requirements. REQUIRED COURSEWORK There are 20 total credits required for high school graduation. These 20 total credits consist of core curriculum units, specific path (university or technical) requirement units and electives. Core Curriculum English 4 units Math* 3 units Science ** 3 units Social Studies 3 units Health, Physical Fitness, and Wellness 1 unit Total 14 units *Mathematics Requirements: All students must complete one of the following: Algebra I, Integrated Math I, or Technical Algebra (formerly Math for Technology II). NOTE: Students who enter high school in 2005-06 and later must also complete one of the following: Algebra II, Geometry, Integrated Math II, or Technical Geometry. **Science Requirements All students must complete one of the following: Biology, Biology for Technology, or the equivalent in an integrated science curriculum. All students must complete one course in the physical sciences. University Path Core Curriculum 14 units Foreign Language 2 units of the same language Fine Arts 1 units Total 17 units Math Requirements for University Path Students: * Students must take the equivalent of Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry or another advanced course (if Algebra I credit was received prior to high school and not transferred to high school transcript). Technical Path Core Curriculum 14 units Technical Program of Study 4 units Total 18 units Gateway Exams All students must score "Proficient" on the following Gateway exams: Biology I English II Algebra I MAHS High School students must meet the following additional requirements in the form of a Capstone Project. Capstone (Graduation Requirements) A Capstone is a summation project that integrates the knowledge, concepts, and skills associated with the entire sequence of study in a particular program. Students at MAHS High School must not only complete all district and state requirements to receive a Tennessee High School Diploma, but they must complete additional requirements in the form of a capstone project that includes community service hours and a cross-curricula research paper. These are culminating assignments designed to demonstrate the skills and knowledge acquired by students while in the various high school programs-of-study at MAHS. These assignments are designed to provide each student an opportunity to sufficiently demonstrate the skills and competencies reflected in the MAHS Exit Outcomes. Exit Outcomes represent the culminating demonstrations of learning that must be documented and validated before a student graduates from MAHS High School. Community Service It is a well know fact that students who participate in community service projects and give volunteer time to their community feel that they are building character, people skills, and important connections to their community that no other activity can provide. As such, MAHS students will be required to provide a minimum number of community and volunteer service hours in order to meet school graduation requirements. Students will be encouraged to spend required volunteer hours with health care agencies and providers and community organizations that support needy families throughout the Greater Memphis area. Some hours may be included during school service learning days. Students can begin accumulating their hours at the start of their junior year. Students must complete the minimum number of hours in order to graduate, no exceptions. Research Paper In addition to community service hours, MAHS Capstone Project will require the completion and defense of a research paper on a subject related to the health sciences. This assignment is modeled after graduate level doctoral dissertations and has the purpose of integrating student achievement with community involvement. Students will be required to select their research topic during their junior year so that they will be able to coordinate their community service activity with their research topic.
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