WEST DES MOINES COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Promotion System for Junior High School

Successful completion of seventh and eighth grade courses is necessary for the student to enter and achieve success in the following year's curriculum.  Failing grades raise serious questions regarding a student's readiness to be promoted.

Points are earned when a student passes a course.  The point system is used as a guide by the principal in recommending the promotion or retention of a student.  Other factors are considered, such as age, physical development, educational background, and unusual circumstances.

The point system is based on the number of days a course meets.  Points are awarded when a student passes a course with the letter grade "D-" or better.

Seventh Grade Point System

57 or more points: student will be recommended for passing

50 - 56 points:  student will be recommended for passing with successful completion of summer school*

49 or fewer points:  student will be retained

Courses earning 6 points per semester

                English, Math, ELL, Social Studies, Science, Study Skills

Courses earning 3 points per semester

                General Music, Band, Reading Resource, Chorus, Orchestra, Learning Lab,
                ELP, Physical Education, Study Skills, Spanish, Math Resource

Block Courses earning 3 points per quarter

                Art, Technology Education, Family Consumer Science: Life Skills,
                Consumer Economics / Career Education

Eighth Grade Point System

54 or more points:  student will be recommended for passing

47 - 53 points:  student will be recommended for passing with successful completion of summer school*

46 or fewer points:  student will be retained

Courses earning 6 points per semester

English, Communications Media, Math, Foreign Language, Social Studies,        Family Consumer Science- Foods, Science, Family Consumer Science- Clothing,
Art, Exploring Technology, ELL, Graphics/Energy & Power, Study Skills, Drama                                    

Courses earning a total of 3 points per semester

• Band, Chorus, Reading Resource, Learning Lab, Math Resource, Orchestra, Physical Education, ELP, Study Skills

*Should a student not meet the minimum requirement for promotion, families are given two options:  1) Retention, 2) Summer school centered around deficient academic areas.  Students not meeting minimum requirements for promotion and not successfully completing summer school will be retained.