Hackensack High School Guidance Policies

Class Rank 

• Class rank is computed for seniors at the end of the 6^th and 7^th semesters.
• Fall rank is calculated by October 1, based upon the final grades in all courses completed at that point. 
• Spring rank is calculated after mid-year grades are finalized. 
• All students registered by September 15 of their senior year will be included in senior rank. 
• Any student registered after September 15 of their senior year WILL NOT be included in senior rank.
• Course credits are multiplied by the weighted value indicated in the table below. The cumulative total is then divided by the total credits attempted, including failures.
• The following quality point index is used:

• Level 1 courses include Advanced Placement (AP), Pre AP, Honors, and Middle College courses.
• Level 2 courses include College Preparatory and elective courses.
• Level 3 courses include Non-College Preparatory courses including Physical Education, Health, Drivers Education, Cooperative, Vocational, ESL, and Resource courses.

Course Audit 

• A student may audit a class by officially registering for a class without earning a letter grade or credit with permission from the Guidance Supervisor.
• A student must obtain fill out a “Course Audit Form” signed by the Guidance Supervisor, parent and student in order to audit a course.
• A student auditing a course must adhere to school attendance policy.
• A student auditing a course is responsible for all assignments, testing and class preparation required of the other members of the class.
• The audited course will appear on a student’s transcript with an “N” grade.
• No credit is earned, and the student's grade-point average is not affected.
• Exceptions to the rule shall be made, under extenuating circumstances, with the permission of the Principal.

 Course Failure 

• A student who fails one or more courses during a school year must accept the responsibility of repeating the course in summer school.
• Students may only attend a board approved summer school. A list of the board approved summer schools are located on the Hackensack High School Guidance website.
• Summer school tuition and fees are the responsibility of the student.
• Summer school courses will be added to a student’s transcript upon successful completion of the course and will be designated with an SS.
• Failed course will not be removed from a student’s transcript.

Course Withdrawal 

• Any dropped course requires written permission from a parent or guardian.
• A student continue to carry a minimum of 32 credits for the school year in order to drop a class.
• Any course dropped before September 15^th will not be recorded on a student’s transcript.
• Any course dropped after the above-mentioned date shall result in a withdrawn failing or withdrawn passing recorded on a student’s transcript.
• Exceptions to the rule shall be made, under extenuating circumstances, with the permission of the Principal.
• Students are to continue attending course until the necessary paperwork is processed.

Grade Point Average 

• Grade Point Average is not weighted.
• GPA is computed for all students using final grades. 
• Course credits are multiplied by the numeric value indicated in the table below.
• The cumulative total is then divided by the total credits attempted, including failures.
• The following quality point index is used:

Schedule Change 

• Student schedule changes will only be honored during the month of August by filing a “Schedule Change Form” in the Guidance Office.
• Students may not request a change based on preferences for teachers or lunch periods.
• Students who failed a course under a specific staff member may request a course section change.
• Student requested schedule changes will not be honored during the school year unless there is a scheduling error.
• Students may not change to another section of a course for any reason other than safety and/or security.
• Students may drop to a lower level course within the same content area at the discretion of the Department Supervisor with written parental permission.
• Exceptions to the rule shall be made, under extenuating circumstances, with the permission of the Principal.

School Registration 

• A student under age 18 who intends to register into school must present themselves in the guidance office accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
• Students aged 18 or older may legally sign themselves into school.
• Registration Packet must be filled out completely.
• In addition to the registration packet, the following information must be provided:
  • School records
  • Medical form
  • Proof of birth
  • Proof of residence
  • Photo ID of parent
  • Guardianship papers if necessary
• Upon registration, student must complete placement tests.

School Withdrawal 

• A student under age 18 who intends to withdraw from school must present themselves in the guidance office accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
• Students aged 18 or older may legally sign themselves out of school.
• Student and parent will be required to fill out release cards.
• Student must return all books and settle all fines.
• Student records will only be released upon successful completion of above procedure.

Transcripts 

• Student transcripts are confidential documents.
• A student, parent, or legal guardian may request a copy of his/her own transcript from the guidance office.

• A student must have a completed transcript request form on file in order to have a transcript released to third party.

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