Academics

Academics/ Grading Policies/Pupil Progression Information

ACADEMICS

St. Mary Parish Public Schools Pupil Progression Plan details how students at each grade level are graded, how final grades are determined, and how student are promoted from one grade to the next. This document also includes graduation pathways and outlines programs and needed assessments at each grade level. Here is a link to this document: Pupil Progression Plan

Grade Level Classification

High school students are classified according to Carnegie units earned and sessions attended.

Sessions Attended	Classification	Carnegie Credits Earned
0–2	Freshman	0–5.5
3–4	Sophomore	6–11.5
5–6	Junior	12–17.5
7–8	Senior	18 or more

Instructional Minutes

When awarding credit based on instructional time, the following minimum instructional and attendance requirements apply:

Credit Earned	Minimum Instructional Time	Minimum Student Attendance
1 Carnegie Credit	7,965 minutes	7,515 minutes
½ Carnegie Credit	3,983 minutes	3,758 minutes

Uniform Grading Policy

The following uniform grading scale applies to regular courses:

Letter Grade	Numerical Grade
A	90–100
B	80–89
C	70–79
D	60–69
F	0–59

Instructional Materials Review Requests

In compliance with Louisiana R.S. 17:355, parents in St. Mary Parish Public Schools have the right to request a review of instructional materials, including:

Textbooks
Novels
Digital resources
Supplemental lessons
Other instructional materials

The law is designed to promote transparency, support parent engagement, and ensure classroom materials meet state standards and community expectations.

The request form and review procedures are available under the Curriculum section of the district website.

Credit Recovery Courses & Units

Credit recovery provides students an opportunity to earn credit for courses they have previously taken and failed.

Credit Recovery Guidelines

Students may earn a maximum of seven credit recovery units that may be applied toward diploma graduation requirements.
Students may earn no more than two Carnegie units through credit recovery annually unless additional credits are appropriately reported to LDOE.
Students earning Carnegie credit through credit recovery must have previously taken and failed the course.
Previously attempted coursework remains part of the student's academic record and must be recorded on the official transcript.
Completed credit recovery courses must be clearly identified on the official transcript.
Students enrolled in credit recovery courses are not required to meet the instructional-minute requirements applicable to traditional courses.
Credit recovery courses must align with state content standards and include:
- A standards-aligned pre-assessment to identify unfinished learning.
- A standards-aligned post-assessment demonstrating proficiency in previously non-proficient content.
Classroom-based online credit recovery courses must have an assigned certified Louisiana teacher of record or a certified teacher recognized through a state reciprocity agreement.
The weight of the end-of-course exam in the student's final grade must be the same for traditional and credit recovery courses.
Students who previously passed the end-of-course exam but failed the course may choose to retain their previous end-of-course exam score instead of taking the exam again.

Academic Honors

Academic Honors and Recognition

Honor Roll and Principal’s List

The Principal’s List shall consist of students who earn all A’s for the nine weeks.

The Honor Roll shall consist of students who have at least a B (3.0) average for the nine weeks.

To qualify for either list, a student cannot have a D or F on the report card for the nine weeks.

Student of the Year

Berwick High School will, by committee, select a student of the year in accordance with the guidelines set forth by the Louisiana Department of Education and St. Mary Parish district personnel.

Grade 12 nominees must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.1 on a four-point scale based on grades from grade 9th grade through the first grading period or semester of 12th grade.

Students meeting the requirements given will be given the opportunity to compete at the school level. The Berwick High Student of the Year will go on to compete at the district level.

The Louisiana Department of Education’s Student of the Year Awards Program recognizes excellence in students in grades 5, 8, and 12 who have demonstrated leadership, service, citizenship, academic or career and technical achievement.

Each school in St. Mary Parish selects a Student of the Year from these grade levels using criteria provided by the LDOE. To be eligible, students complete a portfolio that includes academic records, an autobiographical sketch, documentation of leadership, service, citizenship, and awards. Additionally, students participate in an interview panel and submit a short essay. The district level committee uses the same criteria to select one student from each grade level to represent the district at regionals.

End of the Year Awards Ceremony

The student with the highest average for each course offered will be recognized at the end of the year awards ceremony.

Graduation Ceremony

Berwick High School’s graduation ceremony will be May 13, 2027, at 7:00 at Geisler Stadium. Graduating seniors are required to participate in mandatory graduation practice set during the week of graduation at the Berwick High School Gym. No guests are allowed at graduation practice. Students not attending graduation practice will not be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony.

Graduates will have no limit on the number of guests that can attend the graduation ceremony if it is held at the stadium. If conditions necessitate the movement of the graduation ceremony from the stadium to the gym, students will be issued a limited number of tickets for guests. The number of tickets will be determined during the week of graduation based on gym occupancy requirements and the actual number of graduates.

Graduates are required to purchase, at a minimum, a graduation gown, cap, and stole from Josten’s. This is to insure uniformity. Further details (attire, location, number of tickets) will be disseminated during the months of April and May as needed.

Graduating Senior Info and Requirements

Graduation & Honor Graduates

Summa Front Row

Students qualifying for Summa Front Row must:

Have a 4.0 GPA with NO B's on their transcript.
Successfully complete 4 Dual Enrollment courses.
Take Chemistry II, Biology II, or Physics.

Students meeting these qualifications will then be placed in alphabetical order.

Honor Graduate Classifications

Honor Classification	GPA Range
Summa Cum Laude	4.00–3.75
Magna Cum Laude	3.749–3.50
Cum Laude	3.49–3.00

Senior Academic Requirements

Seniors must schedule a minimum of two classes per semester.
Seniors enrolled in off-campus programs may include travel as one of these class periods.
Waivers may be appealed to the superintendent based on extenuating circumstances.
All credit is considered earned on the last test date.
Final grades from correspondence and virtual learning courses must be received by the last senior test date.
Proficiency credit for a Carnegie Unit may be awarded as approved by the LDOE. The course title, year proficiency was demonstrated, P (Pass), and the unit of credit earned will be recorded on the student's transcript. Credit awarded through proficiency is not used to calculate GPA.

Early Graduation

Each LEA shall provide an early graduation program that allows eligible students to accelerate their academic progress, complete all state graduation requirements, and earn a high school diploma in fewer than four years.

Early graduation opportunities may include:

Distance education
Dual Enrollment
Carnegie credit and credit flexibility

LEAs may not establish policies or requirements that prevent students from graduating in fewer than four years.

Berwick High School Early Graduation Information: Students may graduate in December or May with full participation in high school graduation programs and ceremonies. All early graduates must be approved by the superintendent and will be based upon extenuating circumstances.

Graduation TOPS and JumpStart TOPS Tech Requirements

Louisiana Graduation Requirements

Louisiana students may graduate through either the TOPS University Diploma Pathway or the Jump Start TOPS Tech Career Diploma Pathway. Students and families should work with school counselors to develop an Individual Graduation Plan (IGP) that aligns with college and career goals.

Class of 2027 Graduation Requirements

Students who entered Grade 9 during the 2023-2024 school year.

Subject Area	TOPS University Diploma	Jump Start/ TOPS Tech Career Diploma
English	4 Credits	4 Credits
Mathematics	4 Credits	4 Credits
Science	4 Credits	2 Credits
Social Studies	4 Credits	2 Credits
Foreign Language	2 Credits in the Same Language	Not Required
Art	1 Credit	Not Required
Physical Education	1.5 Credits	1.5 Credits
Health Education	0.5 Credit	0.5 Credit
Electives / Pathway Courses	3 Credits	9 Credits
Financial Literacy	Not Required	Not Required
Total Credits Required	24 Credits	23 Credits

Additional Jump Start TOPS Tech Requirements - Class of 2027

Complete an approved Jump Start career pathway.
Earn at least one Louisiana-approved Industry-Based Credential (IBC).
Maintain an Individual Graduation Plan (IGP).
Meet Louisiana graduation assessment requirements.
Participate in work-based learning opportunities when available.

Class of 2028 AND LATER Graduation Requirements

Students who entered Grade 9 during the 2024-2025 school year.

Subject Area	TOPS University Diploma	Jump Start TOPS Tech Career Diploma
English	4 Credits	4 Credits
Mathematics	4 Credits	4 Credits (includes Financial Literacy)
Science	4 Credits	2 Credits
Social Studies	4 Credits	2 Credits
Foreign Language	2 Credits in the Same Language	Not Required
Art	1 Credit	Not Required
Physical Education	1.5 Credits	1.5 Credits
Health Education	0.5 Credit	0.5 Credit
Electives / Pathway Courses	2 Credits	9 Credits
Financial Literacy	1 Credit Required	1 Credit Required
Total Credits Required	24 Credits	23 Credits

Additional Jump Start TOPS Tech Requirements - Class of 2028

Complete an approved Jump Start career pathway.
Earn at least one Louisiana-approved Industry-Based Credential (IBC).
Maintain an Individual Graduation Plan (IGP).
Meet Louisiana graduation assessment requirements.
Complete the required Financial Literacy course.
Participate in work-based learning opportunities when available.

Key Differences Between the Class of 2027 and Class of 2028

Financial Literacy becomes a required graduation course beginning with the Class of 2028.
TOPS University Diploma elective requirements decrease from 3 credits to 2 credits for the Class of 2028.
All other major graduation and Jump Start pathway requirements remain substantially the same.

For complete diploma pathway information, approved industry credentials, and graduation policies, visit the Louisiana Department of Education Graduation Requirements webpage.

Special Education Services Information

Special Education Services

St. Mary Parish Public Schools provides a Free, Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for exceptional children residing within St. Mary Parish. Through the Child Find Program, the district prioritizes locating, evaluating, and identifying children who may be eligible for special education services.

The district also works to identify students who may qualify for academically gifted services or talented educational services in visual arts, music, or theatre.

Special education services may be available to eligible children from birth through age 21, including children attending:

St. Mary Parish public schools
Private schools
Public and private preschool programs
Daycare programs
Children who are not yet enrolled in a school or program

Special Education Programs & Services

Special education services are available for eligible children with exceptionalities that may include learning disabilities; hearing, speech, language, or visual impairments; autism; developmental delays; other health impairments; emotional challenges; and other qualifying needs.

Services and programs may include:

Speech therapy
Adapted physical education
Preschool classes
Infant home-based supports
Physical therapy
Occupational therapy
Extended School Year services
Surrogate Parent Program
Child Find
Special Olympics
Very Special Arts
Community-Based Instruction
Transition teams
Assistive technologies

Program models may include self-contained classes, combination classes, and resource room services.

Cameras in Special Education Classrooms

The St. Mary Parish School Board shall install and operate cameras that record both video and audio in each special education classroom.

For this policy, a classroom is defined as a self-contained classroom or other special education setting where students spend 50% of their instructional day.

The video request form, complete policy, and procedures are available under Policy IDDCFC in the St. Mary Parish School Board Policy Manual on the district website.

Community-Based Instruction

Community-Based Instruction is provided to significantly disabled secondary special education students.

Developmentally age-appropriate vocational classroom activities provide students with adaptive, hands-on vocational and functional experiences designed to support successful post-school outcomes.

In accordance with students' IEP goals and objectives, Community-Based Instruction provides opportunities for students to apply skills in community settings and participate in work-based learning experiences across various environments.

Due Process

Federal law requires parents or legal guardians to receive notice before the school identifies, evaluates, places, or designs a special education program for a child.

Important parent/guardian rights include:

An evaluation cannot begin without the parent's or legal guardian's written consent.
Parents/legal guardians may refuse to have their child evaluated.
If an evaluation is completed, the findings must be explained to the parents/legal guardians.
Parents/legal guardians who disagree with the findings may request an Independent Educational Evaluation.
Before placement in a special education program, an IEP-Placement meeting must be held to develop the child's Individualized Educational Program.
The parent/legal guardian participates in the IEP-Placement meeting.

Additional due process information is provided to parents/legal guardians who give permission for their child to be evaluated.

Evaluation & SBLC

If a child experiences difficulties in school involving behavior, academics, communication, medical needs, or other concerns, a parent or teacher may request a School Building Level Committee (SBLC) meeting.

The SBLC is a general education, data-driven, decision-making committee. Members may include:

The student's classroom teacher
Parent or legal guardian
School administrator
School SBLC facilitator
Other individuals requested by the school or parents

The committee discusses concerns and implements or reviews school-based interventions designed to address the student's difficulties.

All requests for special education evaluation are processed through SBLC.

Students must be evaluated by a multidisciplinary team and classified as exceptional before special education services can be provided. Depending upon the student's needs, the evaluation team may include a:

Psychologist
Educational diagnostician
Speech pathologist
Social worker
Audiologist
Physical therapist
Occupational therapist
Adapted physical education teacher

Requests for screening may come from a parent, teacher, principal, designated school personnel, physician, or other professionals interested in the child's well-being.

For concerns about screening or evaluation, parents should contact their child's teacher or the school's SBLC Facilitator.

Extended School Year Services

In accordance with Section 450 of Bulletin 1706, Extended School Year Services (ESYS) are provided for eligible students with disabilities who require special education instruction and related services for more than 180 days.

All students receiving special education services, excluding academically gifted or talented students, must be screened annually to determine eligibility, regardless of previous participation or nonparticipation in the Extended School Year program.

IEP Placement

The IEP or ITP-Placement Committee may include:

A representative from the Office of Special Educational Services
Parent(s) or legal guardian(s)
A school administrator
Classroom teacher(s)
Special education teacher
Related services personnel, when appropriate
Other individuals at the discretion of the parent or school system

The committee reviews evaluation results and available programs and develops the student's Individualized Educational Program.

Parents/legal guardians are encouraged to actively participate in developing the IEP and provide input about what they would like their child to accomplish in the program.

Special Olympics

The St. Mary Parish Special Olympics program began in 1974 with 18 students and now serves students from across the school district.

Special Olympics provides students with disabilities opportunities to:

Experience success through sports
Develop confidence and self-mastery
Build a positive self-image
Participate in socialization opportunities
Apply classroom skills—including self-help, academic, and communication skills—in a natural environment

Special Olympics has become an integral part of the district's curriculum.

Section 504

Parents who have concerns about a child suspected of having a disability that interferes with a major life activity should contact the child's teacher or the school's SBLC Facilitator.

Section 504 disabilities may include, but are not limited to, characteristics associated with:

Dyslexia
ADHD
Health problems

Vocational Transition

Transition planning assists students ages 16–21 with specific disabilities and their families in identifying long-range goals for life after high school and determining anticipated support needs.

Post-school planning may address:

Transition Area	Possible Opportunities
Education	College, continuing education, adult education
Career Training	Vocational training
Employment	Employment and workplace preparation
Adult Services	Connections to appropriate adult service providers
Independent Living	Skills and supports for greater independence
Community Participation	Involvement and participation within the community

The transition plan provides a foundation for coordinated efforts among the student, parents/legal guardians, school, and adult service providers.

Student Progress Center Info (Grades)

PARENT-STUDENT PROGRESS CENTER

SMP parents and legal guardians may review their child’s information through the JCampus Student Progress Center. Parents and legal guardians should create an account using this link Student Progress Center to be able access student attendance, grades, and communications from the school or district.

We have a JCampus Student App.

You can download the app with the links below or visit here for more information.

🔗 Download on Google Play
🔗 Download on the App Store

Student Progress Center Information

The Student Progress Center is a secure site that helps parents and/or guardians view student information such as grades and attendance.

The Student Progress Center can be accessed from the link on our school’s website or by browsing to this address: https://jpams.stmaryk12.net/progress/. Complete instructions and helpful videos can be found by selecting the Help option.

Registering a New User

To establish an account, a parent or guardian will need to provide the following information for verification:

The user's relationship to the student
The user’s Last and First Name
The PSN number of a student (the last five digits of that student’s Social Security number)
The home address that is listed with the school for that student.

If the information entered in the Verification step does not match the information on file at the school, the parent or guardian must contact the school secretary to verify/update the information on file.

If the information entered in the Verification step matches the information on file at the school, the user will be asked to create a username and password. These credentials will be used to access the Student Progress Center.

Linking Additional Students

After logging into the Student Progress Center using the credentials created in the previous step, the parent/guardian can click the drop-down arrow on the top right of the screen and select ‘Link Students.” To link other children to this account, you will need the following information:

The student’s first and last names
The student’s Social Security number
The student’s date of birth

If a match is made, the student will be linked to this account. If some of the information does not match with the date on file, the parent/guardian should contact the child’s school.

WiseCats and PowerCat Programs

WiseCats Program

The WiseCats Program pays tribute to academic excellence. These students have earned honor roll without a “C” in the four nine weeks that makes the school year. Students are awarded for their efforts at the beginning of the next school year with a certificate depicting the degree earned. The levels run from 1^st to 4^th degree.

PowerCat of the Month Program

This program recognizes those students who are constantly and consistently following and striving to meet the Power Cat philosophy. Each month, students will be nominated by the staff. After a list has been complied, names will be drawn (one per grade and one faculty). Power Cat Citizens of the Year will be voted upon from the monthly winners.

PowerCat of the Week

Each week teachers nominate students who have demonstrated all or one of the attributes of POWER and students are recognized for their achievements. Students may also nominate a faculty or staff member each week.