Frequently Asked Questions

Attendance

What are the attendance requirements?

In South Carolina, all children are required to attend a public or private school from age five until their 17th birthday. If a parent chooses not to send his or her child to kindergarten, a waiver must be signed. Waiver forms are available at local schools.

The school year consists of 180 days. To receive credit, students must attend at least 85 days of each 90-day semester course and at least 170 days of each 180-day year course, as well as meet all minimum requirements for each course. Students are counted present only when they are in school, on homebound instruction, or present at an activity authorized by the school principal. Absences in excess of ten may cause the student to lose credit for the year.

What happens if I am absent?

In the case of an absence, the student needs to bring a doctor’s note, parent’s note, or other form of documentation related to the absence to the attendance the first day they return from an absence.  The attendance office is open at 7:30 am to write admit slips for students.

What do I do if I need an early dismissal?

The student needs to bring a note from the parent stating the time and reason for the early dismissal to the attendance office first thing in the morning.  After confirming the early dismissal, the attendance clerk will provide the student with an early dismissal slip that will excuse him/her from class at the appropriate time.

What is the make up work policy?

Students are allowed to make up work that they missed due to an excused absence.  The student has 5 days to complete missed assignments.  It is the student’s responsibility to get the missed work from his/her teacher and to schedule times to make up quizzes and tests.

What is the grading policy?

The new grading scale will provide consistency across South Carolina. This is especially important for determining high school students' eligibility (based on grade point ratio) for college and for scholarships, including a state LIFE scholarship.

High school students will receive a numeric grade for each subject based on the new grading scale. The numeric grade and category of the course will determine the quality points earned for each subject. College Prep and Tech Prep courses earn the base weight. Honors, dual credit, pre-IB, advanced placement, and IB courses have higher values. A grade of 62 or below for any high school course will result in earning zero quality points.

Students and parents need to choose courses carefully. Students who withdraw from a course after five days in a 90-day course or 10 days in a 180-day course will receive a grade of 62 and zero quality points. The F with its accompanying zero quality points will be included in the student's grade point ratio (GPR).

Also, there are new rules regarding the retaking of courses. If a student earns a D or F in a course, the course may be retaken no later than the next academic year. Both grades will be calculated into the student's GPR.

A student's GPR for grades earned through 1999-2000 will be based on the old GPR calculation. Grades earned 2000-01 and after will be calculated on the statewide grading scale. See the new grade point conversion table. Students with a GPR between 2.8 and 3.0 who are concerned about scholarship eligibility can request hand calculations from the school counselor.

If you have questions about the new grading scale, contact the school guidance office.

Grading Scale Statewide 2000-01 A 93-100 B 85-92 C 77-84 D 70-76 F 63-69 (Partial GPR Point Credit) F 62 or Below (No GPR Point Credit)

The state uniform grading policy is used for all grades.

What courses are currently required for graduation?

In 1999, a law raising the requirement for a high school diploma in South Carolina from 20 to 24 credits was approved by the General Assembly. Students who complete the required courses, but fail the Exit Exam, will receive a certificate instead of a diploma, as is now the case with the 20 credits diploma.

Requirements to Receive a S.C. High School Diploma

1. Beginning with the 2000-2001 graduating class, a student must earn a total of 24 units of credit distributed as follows:

• English/Language Arts 4 Units

• U.S. History and Constitution 1 Unit

• Economics (1/2 Unit), Government (1/2 Unit) 1 Unit

• Other Social Studies 1 Unit

• Mathematics 4 Units

• Science 3 Units

• Physical Education or ROTC 1 Unit

• Computer Science (Including Keyboarding) 1 Unit

• Foreign Language or Occupational Education 1 Unit

• Electives 7 Units

• TOTAL 24 UNITS

2. (Beginning with the Class of 2001) To meet the diploma requirements for students in a college preparatory program, one unit must be earned in a foreign language; and for students in a technology preparation program, one occupational unit must be earned.

3. (Beginning with the Class of 2001) To meet the program completer requirements for students in a college preparatory program, two units must be earned in a foreign language; and to meet program completer requirements for students in a tech prep program, four occupational units of instruction must be earned.

4. Complete a study and pass an examination on the provision and principles of the United States Constitution and American institutions and ideals. This instruction shall be given for a period of at least one year with the required U.S. History course. (Section 59-29-10, S.C. Code of Laws, 1976, as amended.)

5. Students must take and pass the Exit Examination, which is part of the South Carolina Basic Skills Assessment Program. The Exam is administered for the first time in tenth grade.

6. Students must attend the accredited high school issuing the diploma for at least the semester immediately preceding graduation.

7. Students must demonstrate proficiency in computer literacy before graduation.

Health Room Info

355 -8992

Ms. Carino & Ms. Finley

What if my student gets sick at school?

The student can get a pass from a teacher and then report to the Health Room.  One of the nurses on staff will contact you or the emergency contact person to come pick up your student.

What if my student needs to take medication at school?

The parent must drop off the student’s medication in its original bottle/box and fill out the necessary paperwork giving the nurse’s permission to administer the medication to your child.

What should I do if my child has a severe health condition?

This should be noted on the Emergency Health form that is sent home at the beginning of the year.  It is kept on file and each teacher that has your student is notified of his/her medical condition.  It is imperative that this form is returned to the school.

What immunization shots are required?

A child cannot be admitted to any school or child development program (four year olds) without a State Certificate of Immunization or a valid medical, religious, or special exemption.

Immunizations required by South Carolina law are diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, polio, measles, and rubella (German measles). Children entering a child development program (four year olds), kindergarten (five year olds), or first through tenth grades must have a second measles shot. A child who has documented evidence of having had measles or proof of measles immunity is not required to have the shot. Hepatitis B immunization is required for students entering kindergarten, first, second, seventh, and eighth grades. The mumps vaccine is required for all students.

If your child does not have a valid certificate, take his/her shot records to your physician or the county health department (467-8800). A student under 16, requiring shots, must be accompanied by a parent.

For further information, call Medical Health Services at 355-5507.