Academic Information

School Counselors

Counselors are assigned to a certain grouping of the student body based on grade level.  The student’s counselor assignments are printed on their schedules. In addition to counselors, the department includes the services of a school psychologist, a social worker, and a speech and hearing clinician, a drug and alcohol counselor, and may include additional support services.

Alton Rollerson – Freshmen

Jessica Leone – Sophomores

Gia Russo – Juniors/Seniors A-G

Erin Hack – Juniors/Seniors H-O

Corey Bernard – Juniors/Seniors P-Z

Guidance Services

Students and parents may expect counselors to be available for consultation on:

1. 1. Orientation to school.
   2. Testing information and interpretation.
   3. Selection of high school courses best suited to the student’s abilities and future plans.
   4. Assistance through both individual counseling and support groups with personal and social problems that are impeding the student’s abilities and future plans.
   5. College and job recommendations.
   6. The development of post-secondary plans, including information about college admissions requirements, financial aid and career information.
   7. The development of appropriate career plans.
   8. Referral to agencies outside of school.  
   9. Professional staffing regarding the students.

Counselors are expected to communicate with the student’s parents as needed, as well as with teachers and/or other staff for the benefit of the student.

Graduation Requirements (Board Policy 6:300)

Graduation from Batavia High School is dependent upon completion of required courses and an accumulation of credits.

Unless otherwise exempted, each student must successfully accomplish the following in order to graduate from high school:

1. Complete all District graduation requirements that are in addition to the State requirements.  
2. Complete all courses as provided in The School Code, 105 ILCS 5/27-22, according to the year in which a student entered the 9th grade.  
3. Complete all minimum requirements for graduation as specified by Illinois State Board of Education rule, 23 Ill. Admin Code §1.440.
4. Pass an examination on patriotism and principles of representative government, proper use of the flag, methods of voting, and the Pledge of Allegiance.  

Students must successfully complete a minimum of 26 credits before being awarded a diploma. These credits must include 0.5 Speech, 0.5 Health, 0.5 Consumer Education, 3.5 Social Studies (one credit must be US/American History and one-half credit Government), 2 Science, 3.5 English, 3 Math, 3.5 Physical Education,

Transfer Credits Towards Graduation

In order to maintain the integrity of the high school diploma awarded by Batavia Public Schools, the following will apply to credits transferred to Batavia High School with the intent of meeting requirements for graduation. For this purpose, a resident will be considered a Batavia High School student when they enroll in their first course at Batavia High School.

Students at Batavia High School are limited to two (2) transfer credits that may be applied to graduation requirements. Pre-approved dual credit courses taken at the community college and courses taken at accredited schools as part of a partnership agreement are not considered transfer credits.

Transfer credit will be awarded through transcript review to determine equivalent credit applicable to the above requirements. Transfer students will be required to follow the transfer plan for required graduation credits. The following plan indicates credit needed to graduate based on the year in school in which a student enters Batavia High School.

Credits needed if students enter as a:

Senior: 21

Junior: 23

 Sophomore: 26

 Freshman: 26

A high school student’s first educational option is the curriculum offered through the regular high school program. Exceptions may be made on an individual basis for allowable variables.

Glossary of Blocked Terminology

The school year is divided into four terms of approximately nine weeks in length. Courses worth 1/2 credit meet every day for one term. Courses worth one credit meet every day for two terms.

The 4 X 4 Batavia Block Model means students may earn up to four credits during the first two terms, or semester, and an additional four credits second semester. A block is a class period of 90 minutes. There are four blocks in the daily schedule.

Students complete a Program of Study that is a plan of how and when courses will be selected to meet minimum graduation requirements, career preparation and/or minimum college preparation. Electives may be chosen from Areas of Study, which provide students with a group of suggested courses that relate to future goals.

Course descriptions and prerequisites are listed in the Registration Handbook.

Early Graduation

The Superintendent or designee shall implement procedures for students to graduate early, provided they finish at least 7 semesters of high school and meet all graduation requirements.  No credits may be transferred in to meet graduation requirements for students wishing to graduate early unless there is a hardship circumstance.

Credit for Alternative Courses and Programs, and Course Substitutions Board Policy 6:310

Correspondence, Distance Learning (including Virtual and Online Courses), and Summer School.

A student enrolled in any courses in this section may receive high school credit for work completed, provided:

1. The course is offered by an institution accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, NCATE, or the equivalent approved by the Superintendent or designee;
2. The student assumes responsibility for all fees, including tuition, textbooks, and other fees;
3. The student’s Counselor and the High School Principal approve the course in advance.

A maximum of 4 units of credit may be counted towards the requirements for a student’s high school graduation. Students choosing to graduate early are required to meet all graduation requirements through courses taken at the high school. The Superintendent or designee will develop administrative procedures that may limit the number and/or types of courses that apply towards high school credit. Grades earned in approved courses will count toward a student’s grade point average, class rank, and eligibility for athletic and co-curricular activities. The District may pay the fee for expelled students who are permitted to take courses in alternative settings, and may also consider other arrangements for special circumstances.

Exchange Programs

An exchange student will be granted a diploma if he or she completes the criteria for graduation established by the State of Illinois and the Board of Education.  The Board of Education may grant a certificate of attendance to exchange students.

District students will receive high school credit for foreign exchange courses that meet the criteria established in the curriculum and that are approved by the Building Principal.  International study course work not meeting District requirements may be placed in the student’s permanent record and recorded as an international study experience.

Independent Study

A student will receive high school credit for successfully completing independent study in a curriculum area not offered by the District, provided the student obtains the consent of a supervising teacher as well as the Building Principal.

World Language Courses

A student will receive high school credit by studying foreign language in an approved ethnic school program, provided such program meets the minimum standards established by the State Board of Education.

The amount of credit will be based on foreign language proficiency achieved.  The Building Principal may require a student seeking foreign language credit to successfully complete a foreign language proficiency examination.

Driver Education

Classroom Instruction: There is no charge for classroom driver education.  Classroom instruction will be available to all students during the school day of the semester in which they are scheduled. The Batavia High School’s Driver Education program follows the parameters established by the Illinois Secretary of State and the State Board of Education. The State requires a minimum of 30 hours of classroom instruction, and students that cannot fulfill this minimum due to absences will be dropped. The final course grade is determined by the student’s performance in the classroom. The behind-the-wheel of the program are requirements for obtaining a driver’s license.

Behind-the-Wheel: The behind-the-wheel scheduling will be done during the first two weeks of the semester. The State requires a minimum of six hours of behind-the-wheel instruction, and students that cannot fulfill this minimum due to absences will be dropped. Scheduling is done strictly by birth dates with the oldest students scheduled first. Students will be scheduled during all available teaching slots for behind-the-wheel during the school day. Additionally, before and after school instruction will be available to the students who cannot be scheduled during the school day. Any student who cannot be scheduled for the behind the-wheel phase during the current semester will have the option of being scheduled during the summer session or the following semester. If your son/daughter does not receive behind-the-wheel during the current semester, at your discretion, he/she can begin to fulfill the state nine-month permit requirement. Also, at your discretion, your son/daughter may begin to acquire the 50 hours of additional driving time with an adult, which is also a prerequisite to obtaining a driver’s license.

Summer School: Behind-the-Wheel instruction is offered during the summer for students who were not scheduled during the school year. The session will begin approximately the first week of June and will run through the end of July.

Please Note: Illinois law requires students to be in classroom and behind-the-wheel a minimum number of hours. If a student is absent three (3) days from classroom or three (3) days from behind-the-wheel for the entire semester, the student will be unable to fulfill the state requirement and will be dropped from the program.

Credit for Military Service

The School Board may accept military service experience or credit toward graduation provided the student making the request accompanies it with a recommendation from the Commission of Accreditation of Service Experiences.

The student seeking credit shall supply the School Board with any documents or transcripts necessary to support the request.

Credit toward graduation shall be given consistent with other policies adopted by the School Board.

Youth Apprenticeship Vocational Education Program (Tech Prep)

Students participating in the Youth Apprenticeship Vocational Education Program (Tech Prep) may earn credit toward graduation for work-related training received at manufacturing facilities or agencies.

Vocational Academy

Students enrolled in the Vocational Academy earn credit toward graduation as provided in the Academy’s design.

Substitutions for Physical Education and Other Required Courses

A student in grades 9-12 may satisfy one or more high school courses (including physical education) or graduation requirements by successfully completing related vocational or technical education courses if:

1. The Building Principal approves the substitution and the vocational or technical education course is completely described in curriculum material along with its relationship to the required course; and
2. The student’s parent(s)/guardian(s) request and approve the substitution in writing on forms provided by the District.

A student in grades 11-12, unless otherwise stated, may request the Building Principal to be excused from physical education courses for the reasons stated below. The Superintendent or designee shall maintain records showing that the criteria set forth in this policy were applied to the student’s individual circumstances. Students must submit such requests in writing with as much specificity as possible.

1. Enrollment in academic classes that are required for admission to an institution of higher learning; or
2. Enrollment in academic classes that are required for graduation from high school, provided that failure to take such classes will result in the pupil being unable to graduate.

A student in grades 3-12 who is eligible for special education may be excused from physical education courses if:

1. The student’s parent/guardian agrees that the student must utilize the time set aside for physical education to receive special education support and services; or
2. The student’s individualized education program team determines that the student must utilize the time set aside for physical education to receive special education support and services.

The agreement or determination must be made a part of the individualized education program. A student requiring adapted physical education must receive that service in accordance with the student’s individualized education program.

Graduation Policy

Graduation is a time for the responsible celebration of student accomplishments.  Family, friends, and school staff look forward to this event all year.  Graduating seniors should be proud of their work, but should also represent their school and community by treating the graduation ceremony in a serious manner.

Students will not be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony if they do not attend the graduation rehearsal or follow the prescribed graduation dress code guidelines.  Students who break any school rule during the rehearsal will be asked to leave and will not be able to participate in the ceremony.

Students disruptive during the graduation ceremony may be removed from the gymnasium and not allowed to return.  All students will receive their actual personalized diplomas after the ceremony is over.

Grading System and Class Rank (Board Policy 6:280)

Grade reports are recorded in PowerSchool at the end of every nine weeks. A Student Progress Report or phone call(s) from the teacher will be used to advise parents and students of progress at other times.  

Grades will be available on PowerSchool within ten (10) days of the end of the term.  

Note:  These dates may change if events such as snow days occur. Fox Valley Career Center students will follow the calendar of the school hosting the program in which the student is enrolled.  Please note that this calendar may be updated.  

Batavia High School has adopted a school-wide grading scale:

Grade	Points
A =    100% to 90%	4.0
B =    89% to 80%	3.0
C =    79% to 70%	2.0
D =    69% to 60%	1.0
F =     Below 60%	0.0

The G.P.A. is calculated by adding the G.P.A points and dividing by the number of total credits attempted.  The G.P.A. is calculated at the end of each semester. Class rank is determined from the highest G.P.A. to the lowest.

Academic Recognition

Students achieving a GPA of 3.5 or higher in a given semester will be recognized on the school’s honor roll for that semester. Students will be recognized with Highest Honors, High Honors, or Honors at graduation based on their cumulative GPA. Any student whose cumulative GPA meets the Highest Honors benchmark will be ranked #1 in the class.   

	Class of 2014 and beyond
Highest Honors	4.375
High Honors	4.0
Honors	3.5

Withdrawing a Misplaced Student

The teacher and counselor may recommend that a student they believe to have been misplaced be withdrawn.   

Animal Dissection

For information about which courses have animal dissection, please see the high school course handbook. According to BPS Board policy 6:100, students will not be penalized for refusing to participate in dissection learning activities.