Academics Programs & Guidelines
Bishop Ludden provides a comprehensive curriculum to elevate students to a college-readiness level. Educating, guiding and inspiring since 1963, teachers of all departments have a personal investment in their students’ individual goals and successes. At a closer look, a deeper mission is present in the classrooms. Bishop Ludden staff assist students on their spiritual journeys through faith-based courses and mentoring to help develop ideals, virtues and values.
Minimum Academic Requirements
At the end of the 8th grade, to be considered a 9th grader, a student must have successfully completed the following units of study: 2 units each of Religion, English, Social Studies, Science, Math, and Physical Education; 1/2 unit each of Music and Art, Technology, and Health; 1 unit High School credit of Foreign Language.
At the end of the 9th grade, to be considered a 10th grader, a student must have a minimum of 6.5 credits including 1 credit each of English, Social Studies, Math, Science, Religious Studies, Foreign Language, and ½ credit of Physical Education.
At the end of the 10th grade, to be considered an 11th grader, a student must have a minimum of 13 credits including 2 credits each of English, Social Studies, Religious Studies, Math, Science; 1 credit of Foreign Language and Physical Education.
At the end of the 11th grade, to be considered a senior, a student must have a minimum of 19.5 credits, including: 3 credits each of English, Social Studies, Religious Studies, Math, and Science; 1 credits of a Foreign Language; and 1.5 Physical Education credits.
| Regents Diploma | Advanced Regents | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Units: | 26 | 26 |
| English | 4 units | 4 units |
| Social Studies | 4 units | 4 units |
| Science | 3 units | 3 units |
| Math | 3 units | 3 units |
| Religion | 4 units | 4 units |
| LOTE | 1 unit | 3 units |
| The Arts | 1 unit | 1 unit |
| Health | .5 unit | .5 unit |
| Phys. Ed. | 2 units | 2 units |
| Electives | 3.5 units | 1.5 units |
| Regents Diploma w/ Advanced Designation Exam Requirements | Regents Diploma Exam Requirements |
|---|---|
| ELA | English |
| Algebra | 1 Math |
| Geometry | 1 Social Studies |
| Algebra 2 | 1 Science |
| 2 Social Studies | 1 Pathway* |
| 2 Science (Living Environment & 1 Physical Science) |
*Pathway assessments are any of the following: additional math regents exam, additional science regents exam, additional social studies regents exam, additional English regents exam, a dept approved pathway assessment in the Arts, additional approved pathway assessment in a Language other than English
International Baccalaureate Program
Bishop Ludden offers an International Baccalaureate Diploma for dedicated, motivated students during their Junior and Senior years. If preferred, students also have the opportunity to enroll in one IB course rather than the Diploma Programme, for which the student will earn an IB certificate in that subject area. IB courses include English Literature, French or Spanish, History of the Americas, Psychology, Environmental Systems & Societies, Mathematics Analysis & Approaches, Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation, Visual Arts, and The Core Class which is scheduled class time for students to study the Theory of Knowledge (TOK), develop and document their Creativity-Activity-Service projects (CAS), and report on progress toward completing the Extended Essay (EE).
College Courses
Bishop Ludden offers Advanced Placement courses in Social Studies, Biology, English, Art, Foreign Languages and Mathematics. Students may potentially receive college credit for each AP course successfully completed. Students are advised to verify transfer of credit with the college they plan to attend.
Adding or Dropping a Course
Parent, counselor and teacher consultation must take place before a student can drop a course. Courses may not be dropped after the 10-week period for full year courses, and the 5-week period for semester courses. If a course is dropped, the student will receive a withdrawal fail/withdrawal pass (WF or WP) on the report card, as appropriate. Course changes will not begin without written notification from the Counseling Office to the appropriate teacher.
Course Level Changes
Level changes are a serious move and should reflect sincere consideration of student ability. Level changes are not made for behavioral or motivational reasons. (Example: Spanish II to Spanish I)
All level changes MUST occur by the midpoint of the course.
- Such changes should be teacher initiated. (In the event of a student or parent requesting a level change, it MUST be discussed with the Teacher first).
- The Counselor will discuss with administration the plan of action to be considered before providing the final decision to the parent(s) and student.
- All decisions will be finalized within 4 school days.
Weighted Overall GPA is determined by multiplying the final grade earned in each course completed by the credit(s) earned for the course, and then by the course weight. The results are added and the weighted average is determined.
Course weight is a factor predetermined for the course by the course’s level of difficulty.
Courses taken off the school campus will not be counted in overall GPA. They may, however, be shown on the student’s transcript if required for graduation requirements.
Final class standing will be determined at the end of the third marking period in the senior year. At this time, the Valedictorian, Salutatorian, and the rest of the top students will be named by the principal.
The following courses carry IB/AP weight of 1.1
- All Advanced Placement Courses
- All IB Diploma Programme Courses
- All other courses carry College Prep weight of 1.0
Honor Roll standing is based on the average of all numerically graded subjects inclusive of Physical Education. Students must be enrolled in at least six academic courses and may not receive any failing grades in the quarter to be eligible.
Principal’s List 94.5-100 Average
High Honors 89.5-94.4 Average
Honor Roll 84.5-89.4 Average
A student will receive a Regents diploma “with honors” for an average of at least 90% on the 5 required comprehensive Regents Examinations. A student will receive a Regents diploma with Advanced Designation “with honors” for an average of at least 90% on the 8 required comprehensive Regents Examinations.
Credit for Regents Courses
“A Regents Course of study involves class attendance, homework assignments, quizzes, tests, and other activities, as well as the Regents examination that is administered at the end of the course. When deciding whether or not a pupil has satisfactorily completed a Regents course of study and is entitled to a unit of credit, the teacher should evaluate the pupil’s performance in all of these activities. The granting of credit should not be based solely on the Regents examination score.
NCAA Eligibility Center
There are specific academic requirements for scholar athletes wishing to attend higher education institutions whose athletic programs are under the jurisdiction of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Student-athletes in grades 9-12 anticipating participation in inter-collegiate sports are to check the NCAA Division I and II freshman-eligibility standards and register with the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse.
Information pertaining to both the standards and the Clearinghouse is available through your School Counselor or online.
Students with Special Services
The Resource Program is designed for and restricted to students who are classified Learning Disabled and have a formal IEP (Individual Educational Plan). Students must be capable of learning appropriate grade level concepts within the classroom. The Resource Teacher assists the students in meeting their IEP goals, as well as providing support in academic school work. Classroom teachers work in conjunction with the Resource teacher to provide the best educational setting and methods for each individual student.
Any questions regarding the Resource Program, please contact the Counseling office at 315- 488-3237