Utica Community Schools

NOTES:
I. To meet minimum graduation requirements, a total of 22 high school credits must be earned one-half credit is granted for each semester course.

II. Special Education students: The Individualized Education Plan (IEP) shall identify the appropriate course or courses of study and identify the supports, curricular requirements, or in a Personal Curriculum, and meet the requirements for a high school diploma.

III. Each student is expected to successfully achieve a full high school program each year.

IV. It is the responsibility of students to meet with school staff to ensure course work meets the basic requirements of the college and/or career of their choice.

V. A personal curriculum may be requested after completion of grade 9.

VI. Career Technical Education program or curriculum consists of the following requirements:

• A coherent sequence of courses so that students gain academic, technical, and work behavior skills.
• Instruction that includes classroom, laboratory, work-based learning, and leadership opportunities
• Instruction that is supervised, directed, or coordinated by an appropriately certificated CTE teacher.
• Consists of standards approved by the State Board.
• Received approval from MDE/OCTE through an application process.
• Successful completion is defined as completed coursework covering all program standards, and/or take any required technical assessment.

VII. If a pupil successfully completes 1 or more of the high school credits required before entering high school, the pupil shall be given high school credit for that credit.

• For the class of 2022 and beyond:​
  • Students who complete any of the 3 required math courses prior to grades 9 – 12 must still earn 3 math credits in grades 9 – 12 and must successfully complete 1 credit in a math course or in a math related course during their senior year.  More information can be obtained from your child’s school counselor.
• For the class of 2023 thru 2026:​
  • Students who received credit (CR) for a high school course taken in grade 7 and/or grade 8, may choose to keep the CR or change the CR to the earned letter grade and the grade will count towards the GPA and class ranking determination. This request will need to be submitted to the building principal by the end of the 2022-2023 school year.
  • A parent or guardian must submit the UCS CR Removal to Letter Grade Form to the building principal to have the CR changed to the earned letter grade​
• For the class of 2027:
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  • Students who received credit (CR) for a high school course taken in grade 7, may choose to keep the CR or change the CR to the earned letter grade and the grade will count towards the GPA and class ranking determination. This request will need to be submitted using the UCS CR Removal to Letter Grade Form to the building principal by the end of the 2022-2023 school year.
  • Students taking a high school course in 8th grade will earn a letter grade for the course according to the UCS grading policy for high school students. The high school course will be placed on the high school transcript and the grade will count towards the GPA and class ranking. Any student taking a high school course prior to grade 9 can have the course removed from their transcript and may retake the course if the following criteria is met.  A parent or guardian must submit the UCS Credit Removed Request Form to the building principal prior to the first day of the student starting grade 9, requesting the course to be removed from the student’s high school transcript and for the student to retake the course. Credits that are removed will act as if the course was never taken.
• Beginning with the classes of 2027 and 2028: ​
  • Students taking a high school course prior to grade 9 will earn a letter grade for the course according to the UCS grading policy for high school students.  The high school course will be placed on the high school transcript and the grade will count towards the GPA and class ranking determination.  
  • Any student taking a high school course prior to grade 9 can have the course removed from their transcript and may retake the course if the following criteria is met.  A parent or guardian must submit the UCS Credit Removed Request Form   to the building principal prior to the first day of the student starting grade 9, requesting the course to be removed from the student’s high school transcript and for the student to retake the course. Credits that are removed will act as if the course was never taken.

VIII. In accordance with MCL 380.1278b each student shall be provided the following opportunities:

• Develop an Educational Development Plan (EDP) during grade 7 and shall have his or her EDP reviewed by school personnel during grades 8 – 12.
• Develop a Talent Portfolio.  A talent portfolio shall be developed and revised throughout the implementation of a pupil’s EDP.
• Develop and use a resume and talent portfolio.  In addition, know how to request and use a letter of reference and school record. 

Personal Curriculum Math Options

A student earns Algebra II credit when he or she has demonstrated proficiency in the required content expectations for Algebra II.  Students may take Algebra II over 1.5 years for 1.5 credits without requesting a Personal Curriculum.

A change of Algebra II with a PC requires students to complete a minimum of two-an-a-half (2.5) math credits including Algebra I, Geometry, and on-half (0.5) credit of Algebra II, statistics, or functions and data analysis, or the equivalent of these credit requirements in an integrated math or other program, such as Career and Technical Education (CTE).  Once this requirement has been met, a student must earn a minimum of one (1) additional math or math-related credit.

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