Semester Exams

Semester Exam Schedule

Grading

Semester Exams account for 10% of your learner’s semester grade, with the following breakdown:

  • Marking Period 1: 45%

  • Marking Period 2: 45%

  • Semester Exam: 10%

  • For learners who are exempt from the semester exam, the two marking periods will each be weighted at 50%.

Attendance

Attendance during the last week of the semester is critical, and all students are expected to be present for every class period, including exam days. 

Please note: Any student marked absent without an approved excuse on an exam day—whether exempt or not—will receive a score of 50 for the semester exam. This score cannot be made up unless proper documentation is provided for the absence.

Excusing Absences

Absences during exam week can only be excused with a doctor’s note, which must be submitted no later than December 31st. Parent notes for illness or travel will not be accepted. Family travel during exam week will only be excused for emergencies, such as the death of an immediate family member. In these cases, students may be excused for one day of travel, one day for the funeral, and one day to return, with proper documentation.

Unexcused absences during exam week may lead to disciplinary action, administrative consequences, and impact eligibility for leadership roles on campus. If you anticipate an absence, please communicate with the assistant principal as soon as possible.

Fall Semester Exam Exemptions

Exemptions are calculated on a per-class period basis, and students must meet all of the following criteria to qualify:

  • 3 or fewer unexcused absences (3 tardies = 1 unexcused absence)

  • Zero disciplinary placements (In-School Suspension, Out-of-School Suspension, or DAEP)

  • Present on the exam day

Spring Semester Exam Exemptions (May 2025)

Exemptions for the Spring semester will include additional criteria:

  • 3 or fewer total absences (excused and/or unexcused, excluding school-related absences)

  • 3 tardies = 1 unexcused absence

  • Zero disciplinary placements (In-School Suspension, Out-of-School Suspension, or DAEP)

  • Present on the exam day

  • Grade benchmarks, based on Marking Period 3 and IPR 2 for the 4th Marking Period:

    • AP Courses: 95 or above

      • AP: Students who complete an AP Exam for a course will not be required to take the semester exam for that course.

    • Honors Courses: 90 or above

    • On-Level Courses: 80 or above

**All Seniors are exempt from their SPRING semester exams unless they miss class on the exam day.