BHS Student Handbook

Academic Information - Semester Examinations

Each semester course will have a final examination covering the content of the course. All students must take a semester final exam to be eligible for credit. (See exemption policy below).

Students missing first semester final exams who have an APPROVED ABSENCE are to make up the exam with the subject teacher. These students should contact their teachers as soon as they return to determine the date and time of the makeup exam. Normally, makeup exams must be completed within the first two weeks of the new semester. Students are to make arrangements with their teacher promptly upon their return to school. Students with pre-arranged absences for examinations are not permitted to take examinations early unless approved by the Principal. Such approval is very rare.

Students missing second semester final exams who have an APPROVED ABSENCE may make up the exam for full credit provided they do so before the start of the next school year. The student should arrange to take it with the subject teacher before teacher dismissal time on the last day of school for teachers. In cases where this is not possible, the assistant Principal may permit the student to arrange to make up the examination prior to the start of the next school year. Makeup examinations are scheduled through the Guidance Office. Students with pre-arranged absences for examinations are not permitted to take examinations early unless approved by the Principal. Such approval is very rare.

Students who miss final examinations without an approved absence, or who neglect to make up an examination by the time limits specified above will receive an "F" for the course with loss of credit for the entire semester course. Students with unapproved absences are not normally given the privilege of making up the exam. The student's Assistant Principal can review such situations if special circumstances exist. In reviewing the circumstances, the Assistant Principal may allow the student to take the exam, but authorize a grade penalty for the final course grade, thereby allowing the student to pass the course if the overall semester average is passing.

Seniors shall be exempt from semester exams in accordance with the following policy:

Seniors must have:

Six or fewer absences (Approved or Unapproved)* in a course for the semester.
Earned a “Meets or Exceeds” on the Prairie State Achievement Exam (Reading and Math) required by the State of Illinois
Possess a grade of “B” or above for quarter grades in each course

Seniors who are exempted are excused from school during the time the exam from which exemption has been earned is administered. Students with an A/B or B/A split may choose to take the semester examination or take the “B” for the final semester course grade. An exam grade of “A” would result in an “A” for the final semester course grade.

* The only absences that would be excluded from this total would be field trips, testing, and non-disciplinary visits to the office, counselor, or the nurse.

1^st/3^rd Grading Pd	2^nd/4^th Grading Pd	Absences Both Qtrs*	Exempt?	Final Grade
A	A	6 or fewer	Yes	A
A	B	6 or fewer	Yes	B**
B	A	6 or fewer	Yes	B**
B	B	6 or fewer	Yes	B
C	A	6 or fewer	Yes	B
A	C	6 or fewer	No	See next section
(any combination of grades)		7 or more	No	See next section

** Students with an “A/B” split or a “B/A” split may choose to take the final examination. An examination grade of “A” would result in an “A” for the final semester course grade.

Special note regarding examinations in AP classes: Teachers of AP classes have the option of giving their final examination early in coordination with the national AP exam schedule. The grade on this exam can count towards the quarter grade. The determination of whether this grade will also be recorded as an examination grade for seniors will be made in accordance with the above exemption policy. When the examination is given early, the teacher may expect non-exempt students to complete a meaningful substitute activity