FORWARD

The purpose of this book is to give the students and parents an outline of the objectives, standards, and rules of our school.  This book may not contain the answer to all problems that occur during the school year, but it does establish guidelines for arriving at a fair solution for each problem.  Parents and students should be aware that the Laurence Manning Academy administration reserves the right to make all final decisions related to school policies and procedures.  Please keep it in a convenient place and refer to it throughout the school year.  Being familiar with its contents will eliminate many questions you might have.  It is our wish that each of you has a happy and successful year.  Your success is our future.

STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLE

The primary purpose of Laurence Manning Academy is to promote quality education and moral standards in an atmosphere of higher learning and academic excellence.  Laurence Manning encourages its students not only to set goals for themselves, but also, to evaluate and motivate themselves in all areas of their school activities so that one day, they may usefully serve society.

S.C.I.S.A.

Laurence Manning Academy is accredited by the South Carolina Independent School Association and strongly supports the association’s regulations in academics and athletics.

Curriculum

A Basic Diploma will be awarded to a student who satisfactorily completes 24 units of high school courses.  These courses must include the following:

4 units English

3 units Math

1 unit Bible (recommended elective)

3 units Social Studies (U.S. History, World History, Government/Economics)

1 unit Physical Education

3 units Science

1 unit Computer Science (recommended elective)

8 units Electives

A College Preparatory Diploma will be awarded to a student who satisfactorily completes 26 units of high school courses.  These students must have a 2.0 cumulative GPA on the LMA weighted 4.0 scale, and no grade below 75. Theses courses must include the following:

4 units CP English

4 units Math (Alg I & II, Geometry are required)

3 units Social Studies (U.S. History, World History, Government/Economics)

1 unit Bible (recommended elective)

4 units Science (3 lab sciences required: no more than two from thesame field)

1 unit Physical Education

2 units of same Foreign Language (3 units are strongly recommended)

1 unit Computer Science (CHE recommended for college admission)

1 unit of SAT Prep (strongly recommended for CP track)

1 unit of either Art Appreciation or Speech and Drama (CHE recommended electives)

4 units Electives

An Honors Diploma will be awarded to a student who satisfactorily completes 28 units of high school courses with no grade below an 80.  The student must also graduate with a cumulative 3.0 grade average on the LMA weighted 4.0 scale. These courses must include the following:

4 units English (at least 2 Honors)

4 units Math (Alg I, Alg II, Geo, and Adv. Math with 2 designated as Honors)

4 units Science (3 labs required with no more than 2 from same field with 2 designated as Honors)

1 unit Bible (recommended elective)

1 unit Physical Education

3 units Foreign Language (Same Language)

3 units Social Studies (U.S. History, World History, and Govt/Econ with 1 designated as Honors)

1 unit Computer Science

1 unit SAT Prep

1 unit Art Appreciation or Speech and Drama

5 units Electives

A student may drop a course within the first week of the course; however, a student must add a course if he/she drops a course. All students must take at least seven subjects regardless of the number of units that have been or will be earned; furthermore, all high school students will take one English class for each year of enrollment. It must be determined by the administration that the dropping of a subject is in the best interest of the student and the school.

College transcripts will reflect rank and GPA using the South Carolina Uniform Grading Scale Policy.

The Academic Committee may review individual cases for students who transfer in after the tenth grade and do not meet all course requirements for a CP or Honors diploma.  All Dual-Credit courses taken through Laurence Manning Academy and the F.E. DuBose Center will receive “Honors” level academic weight based on the Uniform Grading Scale.  All Dual-Credit courses taken by Laurence Manning Academy students through the F.E. DuBose Center will count towards GPA and class rank.  Additionally, Correspondence Courses and Independent Study courses may only be taken if there is a conflict with the student’s class schedule based on academic tracking.  Both Correspondence Courses and Independent Study Courses will carry only the academic weight of the actual course that is being taught currently at the school.  Furthermore, it is solely the responsibility of the individual student or parent to request such courses when needed.

Grading

Report cards will be issued to all students at the end of each grading period. Midway through each grading period, interim reports will be sent to the parents of all students in grades 7-12. All test papers in grades 1-8 will be sent home to be signed by the parents and returned to the subject teacher. The signing of papers will help keep you informed of what your child is doing in the classroom. Any student who fails to return signed papers or interim reports will be subject to disciplinary action. Those students who have maintained at least a ninety-three average in a course during the year will be allowed to exempt the second semester exam in that course. All exemptions are subject to the administration’s approval, and students who have a poor disciplinary record will not be allowed to exempt the exam in that course.  Additionally, no grade above 100 will be recorded on any report card or permanent record. 

Cumulative tests will be given at the end of each grading period. Grading is done alphabetically according to the following scale:

A+98-100B+90-92C+83-84

A95-97B87-89C77-82D70-74*

A-93-94B-85-86C-75-76Fbelow 70

*Passing but not acceptable for college bound students.

Sequential subjects (English, Math, Foreign Language, etc.) require at least a C- to advance to the next level.

K-5 students must meet readiness requirements to advance to 1st grade as determined by test scores and administration.

Students in grades 1-4 failing reading or math may be required to repeat the grade.  The administration, after consultation with the student’s teachers and parents, will make the final decision concerning grade remediation or promotion.

Students in grades 1-8 failing any three subjects will have to repeat the grade unless otherwise recommended by the administration after consultation with the teachers and parent.

Students in grades 4-8 failing reading and math or failing the same two subjects two consecutive years will repeat the grade unless otherwise recommended by the administration after consultation with the teachers and parent.

          Students in grades 7-12 who do not take their final course ending exams will fail the subject for the year.

Students in grades 9-12 who fail may repeat the subject for credit in summer school provided permission to take the course is obtained from the administration. Credit for new subjects taken during summer school will rarely be given.

Class Rank

Class rank will be determined by year end grades using the UGS scale, ranking only academic subjects. The Valedictorian and Salutatorian will be the top two cumulatively ranked academic seniors according to the UGS scale ending with the third marking period of the student’s senior year.

TRANSFER STUDENTS

         Transfer students are very much welcomed at Laurence Manning.  Accommodations will be made to ensure the best possible atmosphere for each transfer student.  Parents of transfers are reminded that those students transferring after the 10th grade will not be assigned rank in the class order for the academic honors of Marshal, Valedictorian, and Salutatorian.  Additionally, students that transfer during their senior year will not be assigned class rank.

COLLEGE OPEN HOUSE

Seniors are allowed two college days their senior year. Arrangements must be made in advance with the Guidance Office.

ADD/ADHD POLICY

Laurence Manning Academy is keenly aware of the educational needs of each student.  To ensure that the educational success of each student is fully reached, Laurence Manning recommends that parents of students diagnosed with ADD/ADHD or any other disability, should inform in writing the following school personnel at the beginning of school:

1.  The school guidance office.

2.  Each subject teacher.

3.  The health room attendant.

If your child’s diagnosis or medical condition changes during the course of the year, please inform the prior mentioned personnel.

EXTRA HELP PERIODS

Conscientious students who want extra help may request special instruction after school. These requests must be made in advance. The teachers want to give this help; however, no teacher is expected to stay and give extra help to a student who is inattentive, does not bring in homework, and wastes his regular school time. Parents are responsible for transportation for students who stay after school.

CONFERENCES AND PARENT VISITS

Parent-teacher conferences are encouraged.  Parents are asked to request these conferences after school hours and at least one day in advance. 

Parents are encouraged to visit their child’s classroom.  Parents are asked to request these visits through the school administration.  Request should be submitted at least one day in advance.

MAKE-UP WORK

Students who have an excused absence have the privilege to make up class work and tests missed: however, it is solely the student’s responsibility to get the assignments from the teacher and arrange a time to take the tests.  This includes any type of make-up work assigned by the teacher.  Students will be allowed one day plus the number absent to complete the assignments.  Students absent for extended periods may be given special consideration.  Students who fail to make-up work within the required time will receive a failing grade for missed work. 

         Students who have been assigned a test and come to school, then leave school for any reason before the assigned test is taken, must make the test up the following day.  The instructor of each course or grade level has the right to amend make-up work or tests as deemed necessary.

Parental request for missed assignments must be submitted to the guidance office by 9:00am to help expedite the collection of assignments process.

INCOMPLETES

Students receiving an incomplete on their report card must make up the work within 5 school days. All incompletes after this time will be recorded as failures.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Attendance is part of the grading system here at Laurence Manning. A student missing class ten (10) times may face academic penalties and will not be permitted to pass that subject. Exceptions to this rule can be granted when extended illness is involved. Extended illness is any absence due to sickness that requires a student to miss more than three consecutive days. The ten day rule is a state statute and we are required to obey the law. Students who leave school early are counted absent from the classes they miss.

Parents must send an excuse the day following the absence; otherwise it will be considered an unexcused absence. ILLNESS, FAMILY TRAUMA, OR MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS shall be the basis for an excused absence. One educational trip per year with parents or a guardian will be excused if the trip does not exceed five days. The school must be notified one week in advance.

Written excuses stating the reasons for the absence are required.

TARDINESS

       Laurence Manning Academy requires all students to be on time to school and to their classes during the school day.  Tardiness is considered a serious offense.  Please keep in mind that tardiness generally results in poor academic performance. 

High School and Tardiness Policy

1. The accumulation of every third tardy will be designated as an unexcused absence.

2. The accumulation of more than four tardies’ during a semester will result in Saturday Detention.

3. The accumulation of seven (7) tardies’ during a semester will result in the loss of exam exemption privileges.

4.  Students that accumulate five tardies’ during a semester will receive a Saturday Detention and a fine of $20.00.  Students that accumulate seven tardies’ during a semester will receive a second Saturday Detention and a fine of $40.00.  Students that accumulate nine tardies’ during a semester will receive a third Saturday Detention and a fine of $80.00.  For each tardy after the ninth tardy, students will be suspended for one day and receive an “F” on all graded material missed during the suspension.  Fines that are not paid will result in multiple days of suspension or possible dismissal from Laurence Manning Academy.

Lower School and Middle School Tardiness Policy

1. The accumulation of every third tardy will be designated as an unexcused absence.

2.  The accumulation of more than four tardies’ during a semester will result in a call to the parent from the homeroom teacher.

3. The accumulation of seven or more tardies’ during a semester will result in a call to the parent from the area Principal as well as formal notification placed in the student’s permanent record.  Disciplinary action may be taken as well.

NOTE:  Students are considered tardy if they are not in HOMEROOM for attendance at the tardy bell (8:05AM).  Students who come in after homeroom or at the beginning of another class will be considered tardy.

EXAM EXEMPTIONS POLICY

          Laurence Manning Academy strives to reward our top students for academic excellence in the classroom.  Those students who have maintained at least a ninety-three average in a course during the year will be allowed to exempt the second semester exam in that course.  Students may only exempt one exam for each course taken during the school year.  Students with perfect attendance throughout an entire semester may exempt the second semester exam as well.  All exemptions are subject to the administration’s approval, and students who have a poor disciplinary record, 2 or more Saturday Detentions, 7 tardies to a subject period class, or Out of School Suspension, will not be allowed to exempt any exams.  Additionally, any student that has 5 or more unexcused absences per semester will not be allowed to exempt any exams.

Students are required to be present during mid-term exams regardless of whether they have exempted the exam or not.  Leaving school for any reason during exams without an official excuse will result in an administrative referral and an unexcused absence. 

GRADE PLACEMENT AND ADVANCEMENT

          Laurence Manning Academy reserves the right to place a student at the appropriate grade level.  Previous academic record and test scores as well as teacher recommendations will be used to place students in grades one (1) through eight (8).  The units required for grade advancement for grades nine (9) through twelve (12) are as follows.

Rising 10th grade-  6 units

  Rising 11th grade-  12 units

  Rising 12th grade-  17 units

Handbook Part 1

(Forward, Academics, Curriculum, Grade Advancement)

Copyright 2010-2011 Laurence Manning Academy. All rights reserved.