Home Academics School Policies Semester Grades and Exemption Policies
Semester Grades and Exemption Policies Print E-mail
Teachers determine semester grades by following the grid below, which shows the mark period (quarter) grades along the left-hand (yellow) column, and what final grade should be awarded based on the final exam grade earned by the student (following the row across to the right/blue section)...

2 Mark Period
Grade Point
Totals (75%)

Final Exam Grade (25%)

A

B

C

D

U

8

A

A

A/B

B

B

7

A

B

B

B

B

6

B

B

B

B/C

C

5

B

B

C

C

C

4

B/c

C

C

C

C/D

3

C

C

C

D

D

2

C

C/D

D

D

D

1

D

CD

D

D

U

0

D

D

D/U

U

U


Semester Final Grade Calculation Grid

Determination of final grade is at the teacher’s discretion where double entries are indicated.

Exemption Policy

  • Final exams are required of all students; however, students are eligible to exercise up to two (2) exemptions under the following conditions:
    • Students must have an A or B average for the two mark periods with the second mark period grade being an A or B. (i.e. Any student with a “C” the second mark does not meet criterion for an exemption in that class; acceptable combinations of marking period grades for the two quarters are AA, AB, BA, BB, CA.)
    • No unexcused absences in classes where the student is seeking exemption.
    • No more than six (6) excused absences from that class (excluding designated religious holidays). *Note: Absences are excused for the following reasons for which the student has presented a written and signed excuse by the parent or guardian:
      • personal illness
      • death in family
      • court appearance
      • designated religious holiday
      • medical appointment
      • family emergency (must be explained)
      • driver examination
      • suspensions (excused, per Board policy).
      Field trips and sports do not count as absences, so they are not counted against the total six allowed excused absences.
  • The student must present his or her exemption request card to the teacher of each class in which he or she is requesting an exemption.
  • Students are allowed to take up to two exemptions. Once an exemption card is full, further classes may not be exempted. Students missing any exams beyond the two allowed exemptions will be considered absent unexcused and assigned a grade of U.
  • After the teacher or teachers have signed the exemption request card, it must be turned in to Room 134 (Attendance Office) no later than 4:00 p.m. on the last regular day of classes preceding exams.
  • IB Exams do NOT automatically mean that students are exempt from a semester exam. Each teacher is required to make some provisions for MPS semester exams for students who have taken IB exams.
  • Exemptions are displayed as an "X" on the report card.

Conduct During Exams

  1. ALL EXISTING RULES OF CONDUCT REMAIN IN EFFECT DURING THE EXAMS.
  2. Students are required to complete an exam in all of their courses unless an exemption has been granted.
  3. STUDENTS MUST REMAIN IN THE CLASSROOM FOR THE FULL 75 MINUTES DURING THE EXAM.
  4. Students must report to an exam or designated location during each exam period. The cafeteria is available as a study area. Students may not be in the halls during exams.
  5. Any student who is caught cheating on an exam will be given a “U” for that exam.
  6. Tardy students must report to Room 134 and obtain a pass to be admitted late to an exam. Students arriving after the first twenty minutes should not be allowed to enter. No extended time will be granted.
  7. Students who are ill must have parents call the school before 8:40 a.m., and a written excuse must be submitted to make-up an exam.
  8. Students absent without an excuse will be given a “U” for that exam.
  9. All students are to leave the building at the conclusion of exams scheduled for that day.
  10. Students are not allowed to visit, congregate, or loiter in or near any school building during exam days.