Memo Academic Probation and Automatic Entry into 9th grade

Dear Parents/Guardians,
 
Because there have been many recent questions about these critical issues I am posting them in blog for the record. In addition a letter was sent to all parents.
 
All students who obtain less than 72 GPA in the core courses or who fail 2 or more courses are automatically placed on Academic Probation (AP). Academic Probation lasts a quarter and the purpose of placing students in AP is to provide them with the necessary support to succeed academically. It also  serves as an early warning that the student may be at risk of failing the semester or grade.
 
At CSS, Academic Probation may result in 3 types of interventions:
 
1)      More frequent reporting of learning outcomes: students and parents are sent more frequent information about students performance (in some cases weekly reports on homework completion and tests performance)
 
2)      Academic support – this may be one or more of the following:
a.        one-on-one mentoring by Columbia University graduate students – Wednesday 4-5:30 pm
 
b.       small group study in ELA or Math led by CSS faculty – Tuesday and Thursdays 4-5 pm
 
c.       small supervised homework and study – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 4-5:45 pm
 
3)      Loss of certain privileges such as participation in certain clubs (e.g. Student Government, Basketball Club, Pool and dance parties)
 
On the homefront it is crucial that parents support students in developing proper study habits and that they be consistent in reinforcing the message that high levels of effort and dedication are necessary fro academic success. Specifically parents/guardians should provide students with two hours of distraction free (no TV, radio, other children playing) space in which to study. In homes where this study space is not possible, students are encouraged to stay in our afterschool program or to go to a local public library. An additional 45 minutes of reading (either from required courses or a book of the child’s choosing), just prior to sleeping, is strongly recommended.
 
We also want to remind you that for 9th grade Admissions, 8th grade students enrolled at CSS-MSE who want to remain in the school for high school will have to present a cumulative (6th, 7th, 8th grade) core course GPA of 78% or higher. Students who do not qualify for automatic admission (i.e. those with GPA of less than 77%) will have to compete for a 9th grade slot with citywide candidates. We expect several thousand citywide applicants and thus an exceedingly competitive process. This underlines the importance of all current students meetings a 78% GPA.

 

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