Students will receive a progress report at the end of each grading period.  Students, who are doing poorly, and their parents, are notified prior to the end of the semester in order to have an opportunity to improve their grade.  The board encourages the notification of students who have made marked improvement prior to the end of the semester. Parent-teacher conferences will be held to keep parents informed.

Parents, teachers, or principals may request a conference for students in grades kindergarten through twelve in addition to the scheduled conference time.  Parents and students are encouraged to discuss the student's progress or other matters with the student's teacher.

NOTE:  This is a mandatory policy.  The second paragraph should be written to reflect the school district's practice.

Legal Reference:   
Iowa Code §§ 256.11, .41; .280, 284.12.
281 I.A.C. 12.3(4), 12.3(6), .5(16).

Cross Reference:   
505    Student Scholastic Achievement
506    Student Records

Approved June 20, 2022    Reviewed                        Revised                   

Students will be promoted to the next grade level at the end of each school year based on the student's achievement, age, maturity, emotional stability, and social adjustment.

The district shall adhere to the following:

• Retention/Promotion in kindergarten – eighth grade: The retention of a student will be determined based upon the judgment of the district’s professional staff. When it becomes evident a student in grades kindergarten through eight may be retained in a grade level for an additional year, the parents will be informed prior to making the retention decision.  It is within the sole discretion of the district to retain students in their current grade level and to deny promotion to a student.
• Retention/Promotion in ninth – twelfth grade: Students in grades nine through twelve will be informed of the required coursework necessary to be promoted each year. When it becomes evident a student in these grades will be unable to meet the minimum credit requirements for the year, the student and parents will be informed. It is within the sole discretion of the district to retain students in their current grade level and to deny promotion to a student.
• Acceleration in kindergarten – twelfth grade: Students in grades kindergarten through twelve with exceptional talents may, with the permission of the principal and parents, take classes beyond their current grade level. Enrichment opportunities outside the school district may be allowed when they do not conflict with the school district's graduation requirements.
• Retention or Acceleration in kindergarten – twelfth grade may also occur in additional instances as provided by law.

Any student or parent who is not satisfied with the decision of the district’s professional staff my seek recourse through policy 502.4 – Student Complaints and Grievances.

NOTE: School districts that use specific steps or processes for determining retention or acceleration should reference the applicable criteria or where to locate the criteria in the bulleted information above.

Legal Reference:   
Iowa Code §§ 256.11, .41; 279.8.
281 I.A.C. 12.5(16).

Cross Reference:   
501    Student Attendance
505    Student Scholastic Achievement
603.2    Summer School Instruction

Approved June 20, 2022    Reviewed                        Revised                  

The school district will provide a program that establishes honors and awards including, but not limited to, academic letters, scholarships and good citizenship awards for students to assist students in setting goals.  Students are made aware of honors and awards and the action necessary on the part of the student to achieve them.  Students who have not attended an accredited public or private school for their entire high school education, will not be eligible for honors and awards.  

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop the administrative regulations regarding this policy.

Legal Reference:   
Iowa Code § 279.8

Cross Reference:   
504    Student Activities
505    Student Scholastic Achievement

Approved June 20, 2022    Reviewed                        Revised                  

Students must successfully complete the courses required by the board and Iowa Department of Education in order to graduate.  

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to ensure that students complete grades one through twelve and that high school students complete 55 credits for class of 2024, 56 credits class of 2025, 57 credits for class of 2026 prior to graduation.  The following credits will be required for graduation:

The required courses of study will be reviewed by the board annually.

Beginning with the class of 2022, graduation requirements for special education students will include successful completion of four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies and three years of science.

Students who complete a regular session in the Legislative Page Program of the general assembly at the state capitol will be credited ½ credit of social studies.

Students enrolled in a junior officers’ training corp will receive 1/8th physical education credit for each semester the student is enrolled in the program.  

NOTE:  This is a mandatory policy.

Legal Reference:   
Iowa Code §§ 256.7, 11, .41; 279.8; 280.3, .14.
281 I.A.C. 12.3(5); 12.5

Cross Reference:   
505    Student Scholastic Achievement
603.3    Special Education

Approved June 20, 2022    Reviewed                        Revised  September 18, 2023                

Generally, students will be required to complete the necessary course work and graduate from high school at the end of grade twelve.  Students may graduate prior to this time if they meet the minimum graduation requirements stated in board policy.

A student who graduates early will no longer be considered a student and will become an alumnus of the school district.  However, the student who graduates early may participate in commencement exercises.

NOTE:  This is a mandatory policy.  School districts do not have the authority to limit when a student may graduate early.  Students can graduate early whenever they meet the school district's graduation requirements.  It is recommended that when a student graduates early, the student either gets the diploma or a notice from the school district that the student has graduated.  The board should determine in policy how an early graduate will be treated after the student graduates.  The board should determine whether the early graduate will be allowed to participate in activities and, if so, which activities.

Legal Reference:   
Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 280.3.
281 I.A.C. 12.3(5); 12(5)

Cross Reference:   
505    Student Scholastic Achievement

Approved June 20, 2022    Reviewed                        Revised                  

Students who have met the requirements for graduation will be allowed to participate in the commencement proceedings provided they abide by the proceedings organized by the school district.  It is the responsibility of the principal to solicit input from each graduating class regarding the proceedings for their commencement.

Failure of a student to participate in commencement will not be a reason for withholding the student's final progress report or diploma certifying the student's completion of high school.

Legal Reference:   
Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 280.3.
281 I.A.C. 12.5.

Cross Reference:   
505    Student Scholastic Achievement

Approved June 20, 2022    Reviewed                        Revised                  

Parent and family engagement is an important component in a student’s success in school.  The board encourages parents and families to become involved in their child’s education to ensure the child’s academic success.  In order to facilitate parent and family involvement, it is the goal of the district to conduct outreach and implement programs, activities and procedures to further involve parents and families with the academic success of their students.  The board will:

(1)    Involve parents and families in the development of the Title I plan, the process for school review of the plan and the process for improvement by:  Sharing data on eligibility and access;

(2)    Provide the coordination, technical assistance and other support necessary to assist and build the capacity of all participating schools in planning and implementing effective parent and family involvement activities to improve student academic achievement and school performance by: Align resources to support students with their needs;

(3)    To the extent feasible, coordinate and integrate parent and family engagement strategies under Title I with parent and family engagement strategies outlined in other relevant Federal, State, and local laws and programs by: Communicate program and plan details to families ;

(4)    Conduct with the involvement of parents and family members, an annual evaluation of the content and effectiveness of the parent and family engagement policy in improving the academic quality of the school served including identifying: barriers to greater participation by parents in Title I activities (with particular attention to low-income parents, Limited English Proficient (LEP) parents, parents of any racial or ethnic minority, parents with disabilities and parents with limited literacy); needs of parents and family to assist their children’s learning; and strategies to support successful school and family interactions by:  sharing information about standards ad assessments, training and material to help children, involving parents in their childs educational program;

(5)     Use the findings of the annual evaluation to design strategies for more effective parent and family involvement and to revise, as necessary, the parent and family involvement policies by: sharing progress feedback and communicating effective stratagies; and

(6)    Involve parents and families in Title I activities by: Keeping them informed of activities throughout the year.

The district shall involve parents in determining how to allocate reserved Title I funds in accordance with applicable laws.  

The board will review this policy annually.  The superintendent is responsible for notifying parents and families of this policy annually or within a reasonable time after it has been amended during the school year.  The superintendent may develop an administrative process or procedures to implement this policy.  

NOTE:  This is a mandatory policy and accompanying regulation. The intent of this portion of Every Student Succeeds Act is that districts will uniquely tailor this policy in a manner and format that suits the needs of their individual community.  As a result, there are underlined spaces within this policy that indicate areas where the district should add their own plans after having taken the steps to collaborate with parents and families.  This policy is not complete without the necessary description of how each district intends to implement the policy.  

Legal References:   
20 U.S.C. §6318

Cross References:   
903.2    Community Resource Persons and Volunteers

Approved June 20, 2022.           Reviewed     March 18, 2024              Revised