Academic Information
Requirements for Graduation
24 full year credits are required in order to become a candidate for graduation. Individual exceptions to this requirement and departmental requirements may be made through the Academic Assistant Principal. All students are expected to complete a twelve hour service requirement in Religion each year.
| Subject |
Credits |
| English - Four full year credits |
4.0 |
| Mathematics - Three full year credits |
3.0 |
| Religion - Three full year credits |
3.0 |
| Social Studies - Two full year credits |
2.0 |
| Science - Three full year credits |
3.0 |
| Physical Education - One-Half year of Phys. Ed is required;Health is taken by all Freshmen & Sophmores |
1.0 |
| Computer Science |
0.5 |
| Business Education |
0.5 |
| Electives |
7.0 |
| Total |
24.0 |
Driscoll Catholic Students Statistics
| College placement rate |
100% |
| Average ACT score |
22.7 |
| Student/Teacher ratio |
12:1 |
| Earned Annually in College Scholarships |
$2.29 Million |
Homework
Students can expect to receive a minimum of twenty minutes of homework in each subject DAILY.
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Explanation of Academic Programs and Report Cards
HONORS - These accelerated courses utilize and develop each student's critical thinking skills and creativity through challenging assignments, examinations and field trips. Honors students benefit by having a weighted grade point average (A=5.00, B=4.00, etc.) for these advanced classes.
COLLEGE PREP I - Courses are geared toward college bound students who achieve at a standard pace using the standard grading systems (A=4,00, B=3.00, etc.). These students enter this program by percentile range.
COLLEGE PREP II - Courses are geared toward the student who is college bound but needs extra preparation in reading, math and writing. These courses use a standard grading system. This program is rigorous and structured to help students develop skills and self-esteem. Highlights of the program are a summer bridge program, small class size, peer tutoring and individual attention. The College Prep II program is a two-year program. Students that master this curriculum will move to the College Prep I program.
"A" HONOR ROLL
To be on the "A" Honor Roll, a student must have a minimum of four A's, and no "C" grade. Only one unsatisfactory effort mark is allowed. The Honor Roll has nothing to do with a student's Grade Point Average (G.P.A.). It is not the 4.0 Honor Roll but the "A" Honor Roll. Students who choose Honors courses already receive an additional quality point which adds to a higher G.P.A.
"B" HONOR ROLL
To be on the "B" Honor Roll a student must have an A for every C. The average must be a B grade. Again, it is not the 3.0 Honor Roll but the "B" Honor Roll. The Honor Roll is not affected by the Grade Point Average.
• The G.P.A.'s for the first and third quarters are not included in the cumulative G.P.A. until the semester report card.
• Students who receive a "D" or "F" are not eligible for the "A" or "B" Honor Rolls.
FINAL REPORT CARDS
Report cards will be distributed to parents at the end of the first and third quarters. Report cards will be mailed home at the conclusion of the first and second semesters.
PROGRESS REPORTS/ACADEMIC DEFICIENCY NOTICES
During each quarter, student and parent(s) will receive a Student Progress Report. If a student is doing poorly in a course, it is mandatory that the teacher and parent(s) communicate. Parent nights will be held throughout the school year. In the event a student does poorly after the Progress Report is issued, an Academic Deficiency Notice will be mailed or sent home. This notice is to be signed by the parent and returned to the teacher within three (3) days. Parents may request a weekly progress report through the counseling offices in the subject areas of concern. The counselor copy must be returned to the counselor at the end of the school day. Students will return a copy of that report signed by a parent or guardian to the counselor.
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Schedule Changes
If a student, once registered for classes, seeks a schedule change, a $25.00 fee will be charged. No student may change the class schedule after the first week of the semester without the permission of the Academic Assistant Principal.
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Athletic Eligibility
Students are expected to maintain a high level of academic achievement in order to represent Driscoll Catholic High School.
- WEEKLY ELIGIBILITY - Students are eligible who are passing all subjects. In addition to a passing grade, the student must achieve at least a C- or better in four (4) of the six (6) subjects. Students below this standard are ineligible for practice or performances for a period of one (1) week.
- PROGRESS REPORTS/QUARTER/SEMESTER ELIGIBILITY - Students are eligible who maintain a 2.00 G.P.A. with no failing grades. Students below this standard are ineligible for practice or performances for a period of two (2) weeks.
- An appeal of athletic ineligibility can be made to the Assistant Principal only after the grades checks at progress reports, quarter or semester. No appeal can be requested for a grade of "F".
- Teachers will notify the parents of students who become ineligible for athletics.
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Attendance Policies
It is the responsibility of the parents to see that the student is in daily attendance at school, and arrives on time for school. According to Illinois Law, a student who is absent in excess of twenty (20) days ten (10) days per semester] may be denied credit. In accordance with this policy, a student at Driscoll Catholic High School who is absent for ten (10) days per semester may be denied credit after review by the Academic Assistant Principal. This rule also applies to students who are habitually tardy.
Students who are involved in any school activity MAY NOT PRACTICE/PERFORM unless they are in school by 10:30 or the beginning of period D when an alternate schedule is in effect. College days, medical and dental appointments, and court appointments are considered absences and students taking these days may not perform/practice in school athletics or extra-curricular activities. Coaches/moderators will double-check the attendance sheet to verify a student's attendance.
The student is RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY CLASSROOM WORK missed during the absence.
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State and School Textbooks
Textbooks are made available by the State of Illinois or the school for student use. If these books are lost or damaged, the student will be charged for the replacement cost of the text.
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Re-taking Courses
Students may not receive credit for any course previously taken and passed.
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Course Failure Policy and Summer School
Any student who fails a course which is a graduation requirement must attend summer school or night school to retake the course that was not successfully completed. Failure to do so will result in the student being unable to return to Driscoll Catholic for the next academic school year. The Academic Assistant Principal must approve in advance all courses taken in summer school and/or outside of Driscoll Catholic.
Any course taken by a student in summer school will be placed on the student's permanent record, after approval in advance by the Assistant Principal. The student will receive the credit given for the course, but the grade will not be computed in the G.P.A.
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College Prep Program and Class Ranks
Driscoll Catholic does not rank its students due to the small size of our classes and the high caliber of our students. Grade Point Averages are calculated for students at the end of each semester on the basis of their semester grades.
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Quality Points and Grading Scale
Quality points are assigned based on the following scale. Quality points are used in calculating a student's Grade Point Average.
| Honors |
College Prep |
| A=5 |
A=4 |
| B=4 |
B=3 |
| C=3 |
C=2 |
| D=1 |
D=1 |
Uniform grading scale for Honors, and College Prep.
| Honors |
College Prep |
| A= 93-100 |
A= 92-100 |
| B= 85-92 |
B= 83-91 |
| C= 77-84 |
C= 74-82 |
| D= 70-76 |
D= 65-73 |
| F= 69-below |
F= 64-below |
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Adding and Dropping Classes
Students will be allowed to add and drop classes during the first two weeks of classes. To drop a class once it has met a student must submit documentation indicating that his/her parents or guardians are aware of the change. In addition the signature of the teacher for the class being dropped as well as that of the teacher for the class added are required. Students should consult with their counselor before making any decision. Before dropping a class a student must demonstrate evidence of academic effort and documentation of tutoring. The department head must be consulted before any change between academic levels will be allowed. Final determination of placement and class changes is reserved for the academic assistant principal.
The preferred policy is for schedule and placement changes to occur at the beginning of each semester within the first two weeks of classes at the latest.
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