Guidance and Student Services
COUNSELORS
Counselors at Point Loma High School assist students in becoming better informed academically, occupationally, and socially in order to deal effectively with critical decisions. Counselors also assist students with class selection and scheduling. They are available to assist with planning, interpretation of tests, school programs, parent/teacher conferences, and referrals to tutoring, testing and community agencies. They provide information for college, financial aid and scholarships.
In addition to individual appointments, counselors work with students in special groups and classroom presentations. Parents are encouraged to email or call their student's counselor for information or to make an appointment for a conference.
APPOINTMENTS WITH COUNSELORS
Students may make appointments with his/her counselor in the counseling office before school, during lunch, or after school. Email is the best way to contact the counseling staff to set-up an appointment.
STUDENT FEES
The California Constitution mandates that public education be provided to students free of charge, unless a charge is specifically authorized by law for a particular program or activity. This constitutional right of free access encompasses all educational activities, whether curricular or extracurricular, and regardless of whether credit is awarded for the educational activity. The right of free access also prohibits mandated purchases of materials, supplies, equipment or uniforms associated with the activity, as well as the payment of security deposits for access, participation, materials or equipment. Finally, a process that allows for a waiver process for an otherwise mandatory fee, charge or deposit does not render it constitutionally permissible.
SELECTING COURSES
All students choose their courses in the months of January and February. During this period, students and parents have an opportunity to talk with teachers and counselors about the courses they plan to take for the next school year. The student should develop a schedule (including alternatives) based upon teacher recommendations, grades, test scores and preferences. The subjects should be checked on the student's course selection card. Parents are to review the choices and then sign the card, indicating their approval and commitment to the schedule. If a form is not returned with parent signature, the choices made at the counselor/student conference will go into effect.
CHANGES IN STUDENT PROGRAMS
Adjustments may be requested for courses listed on course selection cards through the last week of May. Any such adjustments must be signed by a parent. The card signed by the student and parent is a COMMITMENT to take and complete the courses selected. Changes requested after May will be considered on a case by case basis. Not all changes can be made due to the master schedule that was designed based on the original choices.
CHANGING OR DROPPING A CLASS
Our master schedule is based on student course selections. Please carefully select your classes. Counselors shall be available to work with students to individually help guide course selections. No class changes will be made after student's schedules are "live" in the power school system.
GRADE REPLACEMENT POLICY
The purpose of assigning a final grade to students at the completion of a course is to measure progress toward established course objectives. The classroom teacher is accountable for evaluating student achievement in relation to academic standards. The student has the responsibility to meet course standards by completing all necessary requirements.
If a student receives the final grade of "F" in a course, the student may repeat the same course by attending Summer School, Extended Day classes, or a Credit Recovery Courses.
Students who receive the final grade of "D" may elect to repeat the same course and replace the original grade with another earned grade by following the outlined procedures.
Yearlong courses eligible to be retaken must be in the core curriculum departments of English, mathematics, science, social studies, computer science and foreign language.
A grade received from the repeat course will replace the original grade for the same subject on the student's transcript.
Grade point average (GPA) and class rank will be recalculated at the end of each semester.
Caution must be observed when athletes replace courses on their transcript. Families should contact the NCAA Clearinghouse, in advance, to understand the ramification, if any, in the altering of a transcript which has been sent to the NCAA Clearinghouse for processing.
ASSIGNMENT TO GRADE LEVEL
In order for students to advance to the next grade level, they need to complete the following credits:
- Grade 9: Students with 11 or fewer credits
- Grade 10: Students with a range of credits between 12 - 23 credits
- Grade 11: Students with a range of credits between 24 - 31
- Grade 12: Students with 32 or more credits