Credit Requirements
Fifty semester credits are required for graduation. All students are required to carry a minimum of fourteen credits per school year--seven each semester. To maintain satisfactory progress toward graduation, students should have completed the following:
- 9th grade: 12 - 14 credits
- 10th grade: at least 25 credits
- 11th grade: at least 36 credits
With the adoption of a new daily schedule in 2013-14, students in grades 10-12 may take more than 14 credits per year only with special permission from Ms. Michels or Mrs. Broadhead. Before a student receives approval for 15 or 16 credits, Ms. Michels or Mrs. Broadhead will talk with the student, his/her counselor, and possibly the student’s parent about the student’s ability to handle such a demanding course schedule.
Students in grades 10-12 wishing to take 15 credits may register for one additional single semester elective (beyond the required 14 credits). Students carrying 15 credits will have an open period the other semester. Taking 15 credits is a good option for students who have been on the 4x4 program and who have postponed a PE class. They now have room in their schedule to take the course. No need for online or summer school courses.
Students in grades 10-12 may register for 16 credits only if they take a full-year elective course, or have other special needs such as credit recovery (for a failed course) or completion of the 4x4 program (seniors only).
Students who wish to take two electives that are both single semester courses will be asked to choose ONE of them at the time of registration (bringing their total credits to 15). They will then have the option to increase their total credits to 16 next fall if there is space available in the other course.
credit recovery for a failing grade
If a student receives a failing grade in any subject at Totino-Grace, he or she may make up the credit to meet graduation requirements by retaking the course at Totino-Grace. Students seeking credit recovery should work with their School Counselor to carefully plan their four-year academic program to meet all graduation requirements.
Teacher Aide
A Junior or Senior may earn credit as a Teacher Aide, assisting teachers in the classroom (e.g., setting up equipment, leading a discussion) or with academic paperwork. Teacher Aides are not allowed to enter student grade information into PowerTeacher Gradebook. Students receive a credit and a letter grade for their work as a Teacher Aide; the credit counts toward the 50 needed for graduation, but does not count toward the minimum fourteen credits needed each year. Additionally, the letter grade is not factored into a student’s GPA. Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, and may earn a maximum of two semester credits as a Teacher Aide.
If a student wishes to be a Teacher Aide, they do not register for that until the first week of the semester. Teacher Aide enrollment is done by adding this to a student’s schedule during an existing Open Period. The Academic Office will not alter a student’s schedule in order to accommodate a request to be a Teacher Aide during a particular period.