Frequently Asked Questions

Block classes aim to engage students in learning activities which largely cannot be duplicated outside the classroom. Consequently, attending class is critical. Inevitably, students will be absent from class in cases of illness, family emergency and other unavoidable conflicts. When makeup work accumulates, students may become overwhelmed, the quality of their work may deteriorate and the learning experience may be compromised. After an absence, THE STUDENT MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY for making up any missed work, including tests, quizzes, exams, essays, reading assignments and projects.

For each day of excused absence, a student is allowed one day of make-up time; a day of absence is defined as a day of school rather than class attendance. [Reason for an excused absence includes illness of the student, death in the family, religious holidays, participating in election day activities, school-sponsored activities and Learning Adjustment Center (LAC) placement.]

EXAMPLE: If Susie Student is absent for her A-day class and returns to school on B-day, that B-day is her makeup time. On that B-day (her return-to-school day), she must pick up the materials she needs for her next A-day class and will be expected to be prepared for that A-day class.

• The same basic rule applies to extended absences.
• If a student is present in school on a particular day but called out to miss a particular period, the work due on that day is still due on that day; extended makeup time does not apply.
• In the instance of an explained absence, the student has the obligation to inform his/her teacher prior to the absence and make appropriate arrangements at that time to complete any missed work. If students do not take the initiative in these instances, the teacher is under no obligation to accommodate makeup work. [Parent-approved absences, such as vacations, are considered by the building administrator for approval as an explained absence if the request is made by the parent prior to the absence.]
• If a student is absent on the day prior to an exam or due date for an assignment, except under extreme circumstances, the student is still expected to turn in the work due or take the exam on the day of his or her return.

EXAMPLE: If Paul Pupil has known that on September 19, an A-day he is to turn in his essay on “The Lottery” or that he will be taking a unit exam in algebra, but he was absent on September 18 because of a bout with allergy, his teacher will expect him to turn in his essay or to take his algebra test as scheduled. However, if Paul’s mother was taken to the hospital for emergency surgery, his teacher is likely to understand when Paul explains that he has forgotten his essay or was too distracted to prepare for his algebra exam.

• When students do not follow established procedures covering delayed work, teachers are under no obligation to give full or even partial credit. 
• In the case of unexcused absences and out-of-school suspensions, teachers may not give full or even partial credit.
• Teachers will respond to extenuating circumstances individually.

The Advanced Placement program has been developed for the purpose of providing opportunities for academically-talented students to pursue college-level courses and receive college credit. The Board of Education encourages the continued growth and development of this program at the Glenbrook school and considers it to be an excellent opportunity for college-bound students.

1. Students who register for Advanced Placement courses are expected to take the Advanced Placement examinations for those respective courses. Any student enrolled in an Advanced Placement course who does not wish to take an AP exam for that course, for any reason, is required to consult with their counselor.
2. All students who enroll in an AP course must pay the examination fee which is determined by the College Board.
3. Fees will not be refunded.
4. Students who are unable to pay for the AP examinations because of financial difficulties should see their counselors.
5. Students who are not enrolled in an AP class who wish to take an AP exam must obtain permission from the respective instructional supervisor.

Junior and senior students who participate in a Board of Education approved varsity interscholastic athletic team are eligible to substitute the varsity athletic team participation for enrollment in one semester of physical education, during the semester in which the student is participating in the varsity athletic team. Eligibility for such substitutions is subject to the following conditions:

1. Students shall be required to be enrolled in a Physical Education course during each semester they are enrolled in the district; enrollment in the required Health course shall satisfy this requirement for the semester during which the student is enrolled in the required Health course. 

2. Junior and senior students who participate on an interscholastic athletic team that is either an IHSA sanctioned and/or Board of Education approved sport, or who are enrolled in a marching band course offered for credit, shall be eligible to substitute the athletic team or marching band participation for enrollment in one semester of Physical Education, during the semester in which the student is participating in the athletic team or marching band. Marching band participation will begin with the 2007-2008 school year. Eligibility for such substitutions shall be subject to the following conditions:

3. The student shall continue to be required to be enrolled in a minimum of six courses during the semester in which the athletic team or marching band participation is substituted for participation in Physical Education.

4. To substitute athletic or marching band participation for enrollment in physical education for an entire semester, the student must replace the physical education course with another course for credit.

5. A student may substitute athletic or marching band participation when offered for academic credit during the official season for participation in the physical education class in which they are enrolled. They will remain enrolled in the physical education class and will be expected to fully participate at all times during the semester that are outside of the official athletic or marching band season. Students electing this option will be expected to follow the established policies of the physical education department for attendance during the official athletic or marching band season.

6. A student who voluntarily discontinues participation on an athletic team may be required to re-enroll in a physical education class or be required to make up the enrollment in and credit for Physical Education for that semester. Students removed from a team may be re-enrolled in Physical Education as determined by the school administration.

7. Students who are not able to continue their participation on an athletic team because of injury shall not be required to re-enroll in Physical Education.

8. A student on a winter season athletic team, i.e., a team with schedule that spans first and second semester who elects to substitute athletic participation for enrollment in Physical Education, must do so during the first semester.

9. A student participating in athletic teams in two separate seasons (fall, winter, spring) may elect to substitute athletic participation for enrollment in Physical Education during each semester, provided that the two separate seasons are a combination of a fall or winter sport and a spring sport.

10. If a student requests the substitution of participation in an athletic team for enrollment in Physical Education at registration time, indicating an intention to be a part of an athletic team later in the year, and that student subsequently does not go out for the team or does not fill the other conditions listed above, the student shall be required to make up the enrollment in and credit for Physical Education for that semester.

11. Credit toward graduation will not be given for the semester during which athletic team or marching band participation is substituted for physical education.

Incoming Freshmen Placement

Glenbrook High School District 225 administrators determine course placement recommendations through collaboration with middle school educators, parents, and students.  The goal is to provide students with academic challenge and support to ensure growth and achievement. Our guiding principle in this process is to promote student success and wellbeing in high school and postsecondary endeavors.

Instructional Supervisors use a holistic approach when determining course placement recommendations.  They use several factors to determine a recommendation, including:

• Meetings held between Instructional Supervisors and middle school educators to discuss course placement recommendations 
• Course grades/standards achieved in eighth grade

Should students and parents desire a course different than the placement recommendation, the student will take the content assessment for that discipline.  This information will provide additional insights as to the student's readiness for a particular course. Following the completion of the assessment, the instructional supervisor will contact the parent via email with the assessment results and the updated course recommendation.  If the student and parent still desire a course different than the placement recommendation, their request will be honored.

Forms to request a content assessment will be available after course recommendations are sent to incoming freshmen. 

Current Student Placement

Similar to the process described above, the student’s current teachers from the respective academic areas make recommendations in course placement level for the upcoming school year. They take into account the student’s academic ability and study habits. Teachers consider each student individually, striving to match the student with the course level in which he/she will be academically challenged and also motivated to succeed. This placement is not a permanent designation and is reviewed twice yearly.

What is Dual Credit?

Oakton Community College collaborates with partner high schools to offer college-level classes to eligible high school students. These courses allow students to obtain high school and college credit simultaneously. Dual credit courses are taught in the high school classrooms by Oakton approved high school teachers.

What are the Benefits of Taking a Dual Credit Course?

• Earning college credit
• Experiencing college-level academic rigor
• Saving time and gaining flexibility in college by completing credits in high school
• Gaining confidence in pursuing a college career
• Only cost incurred is a one-time $25 application fee

Oakton strives to provide students, instructors, and high school personnel with the resources and support that empower students to successfully complete college-level courses during their high school years and successfully transition to college.

The Board of Education recognizes that some students may need a shorter school day because of work experiences outside of school, illness or serious home obligations. The Board also understands that a few students may encounter difficulty adjusting to a full day of school and may profit from a shortened school day. The Board authorizes early dismissals and late arrivals to students when circumstances warrant. Application for early dismissal and late arrival should be made through the student’s counselor.

At least one of the following circumstances must exist before an early dismissal or late arrival is granted:

1. The student has a need for employment which requires a shortened school day.
2. The student has a family-related situation which requires the student’s presence.
3. The student needs a shortened school day, in the judgment of the principal.
4. A shortened day is listed as an accommodation on an IEP or Section 504 accommodation plan.

Students eligible for standard Late Arrival/Early Release must be juniors or seniors. Before granting an early dismissal or late arrival, the following criteria must be met:

1. For Late Arrival, written request from the parent, which indicates the specific need for a shortened school day, must be submitted. In the case of health issues, a letter from the physician is required.
2. Early release applications for employment require the signature of the employer. Please note that we make periodic checks with the employer to be sure the student continues to require early release.
3. The student’s current schedule must have openings (no scheduled classes) at the beginning of the day for Late Arrival, or at the end of the day for Early Release. The schedule may not be changed to accommodate this request.
4. Approval of the request must comply with state requirements.The student must be enrolled for at least 300 minutes of school attendance per day
5. Students must be registered in at least 6 courses.
6. No student is released earlier than 2:10 P.M. for reasons of employment, other than those students enrolled in a school conducted work/study program.
7. Students who have been granted late arrival must report to school by 8:25 am for attendance purposes.
8. No student may have both a late arrival and an early dismissal on the same day.

The semester evaluation schedules and procedures are developed to imple-ment the Board of Education’s Final Examination Policy (7260). Each student must complete semester evaluations according to Administrative guidelines. It is not within the teacher’s prerogative to permit deviations from established evaluation dates and times.

Semester Evaluation Adjustments:

An adjustment in the evaluation schedule may be arranged if a student is scheduled for three evaluations on one day. The following steps are required:(1) Student obtains evaluation adjustment form from administrative assistant to Associate Principal/Curriculum. (2) Student requests that teacher of scheduled third evaluation complete form. (3) Student returns evaluation adjustment form to Associate Principal’s administrative assistant. (4) Procedure must be completed a minimum of five school days before the scheduled evaluation. (5) No fee is required.

Early/Late Semester Evaluations:

Evaluations are scheduled for the last three school days of each semester. It is imperative that students and parents not schedule vacations, jobs or other commitments during evaluation times; however, in extraordinary circumstances it may be necessary to request a deviation from established dates and times. Parents must contact the Associate Principal/Curriculum to review any adjustment requests. No fee is required.

Second Semester Senior Final Exam Policy

1.  During the second semester, a senior student with at least an 80% semester average, and with no unexcused absences (including out-of-school suspensions), may have the option of waiving the final exam in a given course.
2. By the nature of the course, if a final exam is deemed critical to a fair assessment of the student’s work, the student must take the final exam whether or not the condition mentioned in the previous paragraph has been met. The instructor(s) of the course, instructional supervisor, and principal (or designee) make this decision.
3. Students in classes in which a final may be waived will be notified one week prior to senior finals if their performance meets the criteria stated above. In order to maintain their exempt status, students must continue to meet the criteria through the last day of senior attendance.

Because of the value inherent in a person’s high school experience apart from his/her accumulation of the 24 credits necessary for graduation, Glenbrook believes s/he should spend a full four years in high school. Student age and mental development are all factors important in the last year of high school; the last half of the senior year provides further opportunity for the student to realize potential before leaving the high school phase of life. Consequently, a student meeting graduation requirements will graduate at the completion of eight semesters unless compelling circumstances make graduation before eight semesters a matter of urgent importance. Application for early graduation (7 semesters) should be made through the student’s counselor by May of the junior year. 

Two grade point averages will be computed for each student. Both grade point averages will be included on transcripts for other academic institutions or agencies.

The all-subject grade point average will include all courses for which a letter grade is awarded, irrespective of the area of instruction or level of difficulty. No weighting system will be used, and all courses will be considered of equal rank regardless of the level of instruction (i.e. honors and advanced placement or other courses will also be scored on a four-point scale). All- subject grade point averages will be calculated on the four-point scale listed under the “All Other Courses” column on the table listed below.

The academic grade point average will include only those courses in the areas of English, world languages, mathematics, science, and social studies for which a letter grade is awarded. While honors courses are usually limited to these five areas, this does not preclude the possible inclusion of honors courses in the other areas. Such courses will be so identified if they meet the criteria established by the superintendent and are approved by the principal/ designee and by the committee of teachers to establish criteria for honors courses. Such approval will enable the particular course to be included in the computation of the grade point average described above.

Weighting of courses will be included in the method for determining grade point average as described above. The following point system, based upon the level of instruction, will be used:

Letter grades received from academic institutions outside of District 225 will be recorded on a student’s transcript but will not be counted in the student’s grade point average.

All-subject and academic grade point averages will not be used to determine a class rank for students. No information indicating a relative class rank using either the all-subject or academic grade point averages will be issued internally or externally to staff, students, parents, other academic institutions or agencies.

The principal of each school shall designate as Glenbrook academic scholars members of each year’s senior class who meet the established academic criteria for Glenbrook Scholars. The determination of Glenbrook Scholars is made after the completion of a student’s seventh semester in high school. The final semester of a student’s senior year is not included in the determination of Glenbrook Scholars. The minimal criteria for a student who has completed three full semesters at a Glenbrook high school to be designated as a Glenbrook Scholar is the following:

The Pass/Fail option was established to de-emphasize the concern for grades while emphasizing the focus on learning. It is hoped that the option will encourage students to broaden their education by venturing into areas which they might otherwise avoid. Please be advised that college/universities typically do not look favorably upon high school Pass/Fail options unless extenuating circumstances are involved.

• A student may elect the Pass/Fail option for one course each semester, including summer school. A maximum of 2.0 (4 classes) credits, not including Peer Group, Guided Study, or Lab Assistant, may be taken during a student’s high school career, with the Pass/Fail option. Permission of the principal or the principal’s designee is required to exceed the 2.0 credit limit.
• Students electing the Pass/Fail option are expected to meet the same course requirements as other students in the class.
• Prerequisites will not be waived for students seeking to enroll in the Pass/Fail option.
• The criteria for receiving credit with a “P” for a course taken pass/fail is 60% or better on the teacher’s grading scale for all students in the class. 
• The course title and a letter grade of “P” (pass) or “F” (fail) is entered on the student’s transcript at the end of the semester. If a grade of “F” is earned, it will be computed in the grade point average.
• Students must complete the Pass/Fail request form (which is available in the Student Services Office and on the Student Services web page) by the end of the 14th week of each semester. The request for Pass/Fail will be discussed by the student’s counselor, the teacher of the course requested as Pass/Fail, and the student submitting the request.  Once a course has been approved as Pass/Fail, only a grade of “P” or “F” may be given for that semester.
• The principal or the principal’s designee is authorized to make exceptions to the Pass/Fail option on a case-by-case basis.

The school or center within a college or university must be accredited for high school work.

1. The college or university cannot describe the course(s) as “college level.” The student cannot receive high school credit for work that is awarded credit at the college level. The exception to this is a class offered at Oakton Community College under the “Concurrent Enrollment” provision.
2. The student must obtain permission from Glenbrook South High School prior to enrolling or participating in an educational course outside the Glenbrooks that is being taken for credit and will be transferred to Glenbrook South for inclusion on the student’s transcript.

The amount of credit granted by Glenbrook South will be determined by the number of teacher/student contact hours scheduled by the school or institution and GBS's assessment of the appropriateness of the course.

It should be noted that honors courses offered by the Glenbrooks contain more rigor and extensive content. Any course taken at the honors level outside of Glenbrook will be evaluated individually before it is accepted for honors designation. In a similar manner, summer classes completed in another accredited high school program will be evaluated by the number of contact hours, course title, and the course curriculum, to determine the appropriateness of the course, the level, and the amount of credit awarded. The notation on the student’s official GBS transcript indicates that the course was not completed in the Glenbrooks, and the grade appears on the transcript but is not computed into the GPA.

Procedures:

1. The student must see his/her counselor before enrolling in any external school course. The counselor advises the student whether the course is appropriate academically for the student.
2. The student then secures the “Glenbrook South High School Approval Request Form for External Course,” completes Section 1 of the form and submits it to the Instructional Supervisor of the appropriate department.
3. The Instructional Supervisor completes Section 2 of the form and submits it to the Assistant Principal for Student Services who distributes it to the parent, counselor and registrar.

Glenbrook North recognizes summer school and other external classes as an acceptable method for students to remediate or gain additional credit for acceleration. However, we reserve the right to grant credit utilizing the above guidelines.

Correspondence and Internet Courses

Under extraordinary circumstances, a student’s needs may most appropriately be met by enrollment in a supervised, independent study course by correspondence or internet. In such cases, the administration is authorized to approve enrollment in these courses for credit towards the Glenbrook graduation requirements. A maximum of two units of credit obtained by the completion of approved correspondence/internet courses may be applied towards the Glenbrook graduation requirements.

Students may enroll in a correspondence/internet course only with prior written approval of the Assistant Principal for Student Services. In determining whether enrollment in a correspondence/internet course is the appropriate educational experience for a student, the Assistant Principal for Student Services considers such factors as: 1) the availability of programs provided at Glenbrook, 2) the number of credits needed by the student to meet graduation requirements, 3) the age of the student, 4) the availability of Glenbrook summer and evening school courses. When correspondence/internet classes are approved, their cost is at student/parent expense.

Withdrawal From Class

Students are permitted to withdraw from a course during the first two weeks of the semester without penalty. Courses dropped during this time period will not appear on the student’s transcript. A student who withdraws within the first nine weeks, but after the second week, receives a “W” grade for that course on his/her transcript. A student must officially withdraw from a class no later than eight (8) school days after the completion of the first quarter of the semester. A student who withdraws after the quarter and eight (8) school days is subject to a “WF” grade for that course on the transcript.

Repeat of Course

Any student who wishes to repeat a course may do so within one calendar year of first enrolling in the course. Both grades received (the initial grade and the repeat grade) are recorded on the student’s transcript and the higher of the two grades is calculated into the grade point average. Students repeating a course because of a previous failure and the need to meet a graduation requirement are given priority for enrollment.