Granada Hills

Weather

Cesar's Photography

Academic Policies

ACADEMIC POLICIES & PROCEDURES

Academic and Personal Integrity

 North Valley Charter Academy is deeply committed to the ideals of Academic Excellence, Democratic Leadership and the Personal Growth of all of its community members.  These ideals can flourish only in an environment founded upon academic and personal integrity.  Thus, any behavior which undermines this foundation is unacceptable. Incidents involving academic dishonesty, which would include cheating, plagiarism, copying homework, and other similar infractions, are treated very seriously. Sharing work not only compromises a student’s academic integrity, but also deprives another student of necessary learning opportunities. Within an educational setting, academic integrity is the public face of a philosophy of life based upon personal integrity.  As such, it needs the support of all who are involved in the education process—parents, students, teachers, administrators, and coaches.

North Valley Charter Academy accepts the responsibility to:

·     be mindful of the fact that in any academic setting, there is great pressure on students to succeed

·     hire teachers and coaches who model the mission and vision of North Valley Charter Academy  and properly prepare students to meet the challenges of a well-rounded curriculum

·     strive to achieve an atmosphere in which what is learned far outweighs the grade received

·     appreciate and prize students for whom they are

·     attempt, whenever possible, to reduce the academic pressures that can often lead students into dishonest venues.

Parents accept the responsibility to:

·     expect honesty from their children while at the same time displaying their own personal integrity;

·     set realistic goals for their children, emphasizing the learning process and not the grade;

·     provide accurate information in all faculty-parent correspondence and meetings

·     encourage their students to work to their potential and to strive for quality in everything they do;

·     recognize that a child's academic performance is not coupled with their self-worth.

·     hold their children accountable for their actions;

Students accept the responsibility to:

·     respect the rights and property of others;

·     complete homework independently and not allow it to be copied;

·     complete tests, reports, or other classroom activities without seeking help from another student or offering help to another student without permission of the teacher;

·     realize that any assignment that carries their name is considered to be their own work and should not be plagiarized;

·     complete original research papers and projects and acknowledge another's contribution by citing the source and identifying the name;

·     recognize that grades are not commensurate with their self- worth;

·     act responsibly and accept the consequences, good or bad, for their actions;

·     refuse to be satisfied with minimum performance

·     strive consistently for quality work

Requirements for Promotion 

Satisfactory completion of the previous year’s course work is required for a student to be promoted to the

next grade-level.  

Discovery / Foundation Core

Students with grades of N or I in English and/or Mathematics are promoted on the condition that the failures are made up in an accredited summer school prior to reenrollment in the fall.  Students with grades of N or I in other core subjects may be promoted to the next grade at the discretion of the Academic Dean and will be placed on academic probation.

Advanced / Mastery Core

Students with one or two semester failures are promoted on the condition that the failures are made up in an accredited summer school prior to reenrollment in the Fall.  Students with failing grades in other core subjects may be promoted to the next grade at the discretion of the Academic Dean and will be placed on academic probation.  Students will be counseled regarding their options for meeting  North Valley Charter Academy graduation requirements, but must realize that failed coursework jeopardizes the student’s ability to graduate with his/her class.  Coursework successfully remediated at another school and approved by Imagine Academy, will satisfy Imagine Academy’s graduation requirements.  These grades will be transcripted separately.  Official summer school transcripts must be secured from each accredited institution prior to the college admission process. It is each student’s responsibility to acquire these transcripts.

Personal Learning Project (PLP)

            The Personal Learning Project (PLP) is based on the assumption that true, lasting learning occurs best when a learner approaches a learning task with interest and enthusiasm.  The Personal Learning Project provides students with the opportunity to design and implement a project which develops the students’ individual talents and interests.  .  The essential purpose of the PLP is to assure that students are able to apply, analyze, synthesize and evaluate information and communicate significant knowledge and understanding.  Students are required to successfully complete a Personal Learning Project for each academic year at Imagine Academy.  Students who do not meet this requirement may be promoted at the discretion of the Academic Dean on the condition that they satisfactorily complete either a PLP extension assignment or alternative assignment during the summer break.  Students who do not complete the summer assignment will be placed on academic probation upon reenrollment in the fall.

Academic Probation

Any student whose grades are unsatisfactory or whose grades indicate that he/she is not working commensurate with his/her ability, or who has failing grades in one or more core subjects, or a grade point less than 2.0 will be placed on academic probation.  During the period of probation, a student’s performance will be closely evaluated and supported by his/her Advisory Leader.  Attendance in X-block classes will be mandated.  The purpose of the probation period is to assist and encourage the student to improve his/her performance.  A student who is on academic probation becomes ineligible for sports, drama productions, and other after-school activities and lasts for five weeks.  At the end of five weeks, the student’s progress will be assessed to determine if he/she meets the requirements for full participation.

High School Graduation Requirements 

We realize that many of our families have chosen  North Valley Charter Academy  for their students because of our philosophy and hope that their students can complete their high school education within our program.  For that reason we require students to repeat failed courses at summer schools at other institutions only in those instances in which it would not be possible to accommodate them within the North Valley Charter Academy  program. This applies specifically to English and Mathematics, courses for which we require or recommend four years of study.  For graduation from North Valley Charter Academy , a student must pass all required courses taken while in attendance at the school and have a minimum of 240 credits.  In some cases it may be necessary for a student to remain in school for more than four years in order to fulfill all graduation requirements.  Courses selected must include the requirements shown below.  Each full year class is worth ten credits.  A semester class is worth five credits.  

A district must offer "24 course hours in grades nine to twelve inclusive" (EC Section 46201 [a] [4], apportionment statute) 

Beginning in 2005-06, all students must pass Algebra I and the California High School Exit Examination prior to graduation, in addition to meeting course requirements.

** Must be chosen from approved academic courses in history, English, advanced mathematics, lab science, foreign language, social science, or fine arts.

16651-A Rinaldi Street • Granada Hills • Ca.• 91344 •  818-368-1557 • Fax 818-368-1935

                                 Send email to Webmaster@northcalleycharteracademy.org with questions or comments about this web site.
                               Copyright © 2006 by North Valley Charter Academy