Academic Policies

Athletic Eligibility Requirements

Student athletes must be signed up for and passing at least 5 (five) ½ credit classes each semester and carry the minimum GPA requirements as established by Mason City Schools. 

Early Completion

In order to request Early Completion, the following must be met:

Curricular Requirements: 

The student’s schedule for his/her final year must be approved by the School Counseling Department which, along with credits already received, shall indicate the following:

1. Student’s schedule must indicate a minimum of six (6) courses in the fall semester.
2. Student’s completion of Graduation requirements for Mason City Schools. 
3. Student’s completion of state graduation testing requirements via one of the graduation pathways defined by the Ohio Department of Education.

Additional Requirements:

1. If prior to the spring semester of their senior year and all state and local Board requirements are met for graduation, the student will be considered an alumnus.
2. It is understood that the alumnus forfeits the right to participate in all school activities after completion of his/her school attendance, except that year’s prom and commencement exercises.

Procedures:  

Application cannot be made until the successful completion of the fall semester of their junior year.  After this time, the student shall check with the School Counseling Department to see if the above requirements will have been met by the anticipated early completion date.  If so, the School Counseling Department shall give the student an application requesting early completion.  The application shall contain the following:

1. Courses taken and credits earned with verification by a school counselor.
2. Graduation testing requirements met with verification by a school counselor or MHS testing coordinator.
3. Evidence of parental/guardian approval.
4. Building principal approval.

It is in the interest of students and the educational process to have a grading system that is interpreted uniformly and applied consistently throughout the building.  Grades will then be assigned for each grading period to the following scale:

• 90 - 100 = A
• 80 - 89 = B
• 70 - 79 = C
• 60 - 69 = D
• 0 - 59 = F

The teacher has “professional evaluatory prerogative” in arriving at individual grades recorded in the grade book for the semester.  This includes the construction of classroom materials for evaluation, the grading of such materials, and the weight of each grade.  Teachers may record in their grade books either percentage, letter grades, or letter grade-point values.

A minimum of seven (7) grades must be recorded in the grade book to back up any mark given as a semester grade, (including tests, class participation, homework, reports, projects, etc.).  A minimum of three (3) grades must be recorded before the first interim period.

A student or parent may ask for an administrative review of a grade that appears to be inconsistent with the established policy.  Some exceptions to the grading system described may be made in the areas of Intervention Specialist instruction as noted in the Individual Educational Plan. Notation of curricular modifications and/or accommodations will be made for each graded course.

Semester averages will be used to determine the grade-point average, (in accordance with guidelines published by the O.A.S.S.A. - Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators).

Grade Point Average Calculation

All grades earned at Mason High School and high school credits earned at Mason Middle School will count in the calculation of the student’s grade point average (as of 2014-15.)  Grade point averages will be calculated and rounded to two decimal places.  Advanced Placement/Honors courses in which a grade of “C” or higher is earned will receive the appropriate weighted credit for each designated course.  College Credit Plus courses successfully completed may, with a grade of “C” or higher, be calculated into the student’s grade point average with the appropriate weighted credit for each course (see College Credit Plus.)

Grade-Point Average (GPA) Calculation for Class of 2023 and beyond

All grades earned at Mason High School and high school credits earned at Mason Middle School will count in the calculation of the student’s grade point average.  

When calculating GPA for the Class of 2023 and beyond, Mason High School will award quality points for all courses as follows for .5 credit semester courses: 

AP/CCP	Honors	All other courses
A = 2.5	A = 2.25	A = 2.0
B = 2.0	B = 1.75	B = 1.5
C = 1.5	C = 1.25	C = 1.0
D = 0.5	D = 0.5	D = 0.5
F = 0.0	F = 0.0	F = 0.0

 

Grade point averages will be calculated and rounded to two decimal places. 

Weighted Credit Guidelines for Students Transferring to MHS

Students who transfer to Mason High School from another district will be eligible to receive weighted credit in all courses that are comparable to the honors or Advanced Placement courses that Mason High School offers.  Transfer students will receive weighted credit for only those courses.  Honors courses not offered at Mason High School that are on a student’s transcript will not receive weighted credit but will be designated with their original title.

National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Eligibility

If you wish to participate in NCAA Division I or Division II athletics, you need to be certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center. You need to qualify academically as well as be cleared as an amateur student-athlete.  NCAA guidelines are briefly stated to meet Core Course Requirements for eligibility: 

FULL QUALIFIER: College-bound student-athletes enrolling at an NCAA Division I school need to meet these academic requirements to practice, compete and receive an athletics scholarship in their first year of full-time enrollment.

• Complete 16 core courses in the appropriate areas.
• Ten of the 16 core courses must be completed before the seventh semester (senior year) of high school.
• Seven of the 10 core courses must be in English, math or natural/physical science.
• Earn a core-course GPA of at least 2.300.
• Submit proof of graduation to the Eligibility Center.
• ACADEMIC REDSHIRT: All Division I academic redshirts may receive an athletics scholarship and practice during their first year of full-time enrollment at a Division I school, but may NOT compete.
• Complete 16 core courses in the appropriate areas.
• Earn a core-course GPA of at least 2.000.
• Submit proof of graduation

If you may contact the NCAA Eligibility Center at (877 ) 262-1492 or visit www.eligibilitycenter.org.  Students interested in participating in athletics at the NCAA level should speak with their coach for appropriate division levels, and to their high school school counselor regarding the initial academic eligibility requirements set by the NCAA.  College-bound Student-Athletes should complete the registration process with the NCAA Eligibility Center at the end of their junior year at www.eligibilitycenter.org.

If you plan to compete at a Division I or II school, register for an Academic and Athletics Certification account.

*Recovery credit courses, earned through APEX, are not currently certified by the NCAA Clearinghouse.

* See your Coach and School Counselor for more NCAA information

 

Physical Education Waiver Option

This Physical Education Option is available to students (grade 9-12) participating in Mason High School Interscholastic Sports, Cheerleading, and/or the Marching Band/Color Guard (see below for a complete list).  Daily participation paralleling the official sport season must be successfully completed and approved by each respective coach/director.     

Qualifying Mason High School Activities:

• Baseball
• Basketball
• Bowling
• Competition Swimming/Diving
• Cross Country
• Dance Team
• Football
• Golf
• Ice Hockey
• Lacrosse
• Marching Band
• Soccer
• Sideline Cheerleading
• Softball
• Tennis
• Track & Field
• Ultimate Frisbee (Both Fall & Spring Seasons)
• Volleyball
• Water Polo
• Wrestling

To qualify for the Physical Education Waiver, a student must complete two (2) full-seasons in one or more qualifying activities.  Once successfully completed, the two (2) Physical Education classes (1/4 credit each) required to meet MHS graduation requirements will be waived.  

Important Notes:

1. A student cannot mix one P.E. class with one activity to meet the MHS graduation requirement.  A student must successfully complete two activities or successfully complete two P.E. classes to meet the graduation requirement.
2. No credit is earned toward graduation requirements for participation in the activities.  Students opting for the PE waiver will be required to fulfill the minimum 22 credits for graduation by successfully completing another class offering.
3. The P.E. waiver does NOT include Health.  All students are required to successfully complete Health class to meet the graduation requirement.

If a student participates in an activity outside of Mason High School, they may be eligible for the Credit Flex Program.