Students shall receive a progress report at the end of each grading period. Students who are doing poorly, and their parents, shall be notified mid-point through the grading period in order to have an opportunity to improve their grade. The board encourages notifying parents of students who have made marked improvement prior to the end of the semester.
Parent-teacher conferences will be held for all students at least twice a year to keep the parents informed. High school conferences are not individually scheduled.
Parents, teachers, or principals may request a conference for students in addition to the scheduled conference time. Parents and students are encouraged to discuss the student's progress or other matters with the student's teacher.
The superintendent shall be responsible for the creation of administrative regulations regarding this policy.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 256.11, .11A; .280, 284.12 .
281 I.A.C. 12.3(4), .5(16).
Cross Reference: 505 Student Scholastic Achievement
506 Student Records
Approved: 3-14-89
Reviewed: 11-16-98, 1-26-15, 2-22-2021
Revised: 11-16-98, 1-13-03, 10-10-05, 11-9-09
Students will be promoted to the next grade level at the end of each school year based on the student's achievement, age, maturity, emotional stability, and social adjustment.
The retention of a student will be determined based upon the judgment of the licensed employee and the principal. When it becomes evident a student in grades kindergarten through eight may be retained in a grade level for an additional year, the parents will be informed. It is within the final authority of the board to retain students in their current grade level.
Students in grades nine through twelve will be informed of the required course work necessary to be promoted each year. When it becomes evident a student in these grades will be unable to meet the minimum credit requirements for the year, the student and parents will be informed. It shall be within the final authority of the board to retain students in their current grade level and to deny promotion to a student.
Students in grades kindergarten through twelve with exceptional talents may, with the permission of the principal and parents, take classes beyond their current grade level. Enrichment opportunities outside the school district may be allowed when they do not conflict with the school district's graduation requirements.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 256.11, .11A; 279.8; 280.3 .
281 I.A.C. 12.3(7); 12.5(16).
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
505 Student Scholastic Achievement
Approved: 3-14-83
Reviewed: 10-11-93, 9-9-02, 11-9-09, 1-26-15, 2-22-2021
Revised: 12-23-96, 10-10-05
The school district shall provide a program that establishes honors and awards including, but not limited to, academic letters, scholarships and good citizenship awards for students to assist students in setting goals. Students are made aware of honors and awards and the action necessary on the part of the student to achieve them. Students who have not attended the school district for 2 years shall not be eligible for honors and awards that are based on class rank.
It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to develop the administrative regulations regarding this policy.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code § 279.8.
Cross Reference: 504 Student Activities
505 Student Scholastic Achievement
Approved: 3-14-83
Reviewed: 8-9-93, 1-13-03, 1-10-10, 1-26-15, 2-22-2021
Revised: 12-23-96, 10-10-05
A comprehensive testing program shall be established and maintained to evaluate the education program of the school district and to assist in providing guidance or counseling services to students and their families.
No student shall be required, as part of any program, to submit to a survey, analysis or evaluation that reveals information concerning:
1. political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parent;
2. mental and psychological problems of the student or the student's family;
3. sex behavior and attitudes;
4. illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating and demeaning behavior;
5. critical appraisals of other individuals with whom students have close family relationships;
6. legally recognized, privileged and analogous relationships, such as those of lawyers, physicians and ministers; or
7. Religious practices, affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parent;
8. income, (other than that required by law to determine eligibility for participation in a program or for receiving financial assistance under such program).
It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principal, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.
It shall be the responsibility of the board to review and approve the evaluation and testing program.
Legal Reference: No Child Left Behind, Title II, Sec. 1061, P.L. 107-110 (2002).
Goals 2000: Educate America Act, Pub. L. No. 103-227, 108 Stat. 125 (1994).
20 U.S.C. § 1232h (2012).
Iowa Code §§ 280.3; (2013).
Cross Reference: 505 Student Scholastic Achievement
506 Student Records
607.2 Student Health Services
Approved: 3-14-83
Reviewed: 3-13-95, 11-9-09, 1-26-15, 2-22-2021
Revised: 12-23-96, 1-13-02, 10-10-05
Students must successfully complete the courses required by the School Board for graduation. Students must successfully complete each grade level, grades one through twelve, and complete all the required courses of study prior to graduation as determined by the State Department of Education and the school board.
The requirement will be 28 credits for students graduating from the Mid-Prairie High School (MPHS), Mid-Prairie Virtual Academy (MPVA), and Home School Assistance Program (HSAP). The requirement will be 20 credits for students graduating from the Alternative Learning Center (ALC) program. It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to ensure that students complete grades one through twelve and the appropriate number of credits prior to graduation.
There are qualifications for a homeschool student transferring to MPHS wanting to receive a Mid-Prairie High School Diploma. We recommend the student meets with the MPHS counselors as soon as possible, so they can facilitate the process and help the student be successful in the transition. The following information will give an idea of what is required/expected, but specifics can only be determined by meeting with the MPHS counselor.
Seniors must graduate from the program where they begin their senior year with the exception of HSAP.
Seniors may move from MPHS to HSAP mid-year and graduate with an unaccredited HSAP Diploma if those graduation requirements are met.
Transfer credits will be determined by administrative discretion, an audit of transcripts, and/or placement tests/assessments determined by the high school. A placement test is required for transfer credits from IPI or an unaccredited institution to be considered for the MPHS Diploma. Transfer credits from an unaccredited institution (including home school/HSAP) will not count towards the high school GPA or class rank.
The Mid-Prairie School Board believes that a student’s post-secondary plan should help determine the appropriate high school courses. Appropriate elective courses will be recommended based on interest and future college and career readiness planning. Student course selections will be supported by the Student Services Department, Seminar Advisors, and Administration and will be communicated to parents/guardians.
Beginning with the 2023-2024 school year:
All MPHS/MPVA/ALC students shall meet the following minimum requirements:
4 credits Language Arts (including English 9, English 10, Literature and .5 Composition)
3 credits Social Studies (including US History and .5 Government)
3 credits Science (Biology, Earth/Environmental Science, and Physical Science or Chemistry)
3 credits Math* (Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II or Technical Math)
*Students in the graduating class of 2024 will be required to complete 3 credits of any combination of Math courses.
All HSAP students shall meet the following minimum requirements:
4 credits Language Arts
3 credits Social Studies (including US History and .5 Government)
3 credits Science
3 credits Math
In addition to the requirements above:
All students in grades 9-12 at MPHS and MPVA must take .5 credit of Physical Education each year. Students must also take .5 credit of Parent Education and .5 credit of Financial Literacy prior to graduation. The balance of the graduation requirements shall be made up of elective credits.
ALC students must complete 2 credits of Physical Education and 1.0 credit Parent Education prior to graduation. The balance of the graduation requirements shall be made up of elective credits.
Students graduating from HSAP must take 2 credits of Physical Education, .5 Health, and .5 credits of Financial Literacy prior to graduation. The balance of the graduation requirements shall be made up of elective credits.
When illness, accident, or other unusual circumstances are a factor, credit may be granted for work at a recognized extension school when supervised by the Mid-Prairie principal. The required courses of study will be reviewed by the school board every third year, or more often, if necessary.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code $$ 256.11, .11A; 279.8; 280.3. .14; 281 I.A.C. 12.2, .5
Cross Reference: 505 Student Scholastic Achievement
603.3 Special Education
Generally, students will be required to complete the necessary course work and graduate from high school at the end of grade twelve. Students may graduate prior to this time if they meet the minimum graduation requirements stated in board policy.
A student who graduates early will no longer be considered a student and will become an alumnus of the school district. However, the student who graduates early may participate in prom and commencement exercises.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 280.3.
281 I.A.C. 12.2; .5.
Cross Reference: 505 Student Scholastic Achievement
Approved: 4-24-89
Reviewed: 10-11-93, 9-9-02, 10-10-05, 11-9-09, 1-26-15, 2-22-2021
Revised: 9-23-96
Students who have met the requirements for graduation will be allowed to participate in the appropriate commencement proceedings for their academic program provided they abide by the proceedings organized by the school district. It shall be the responsibility of the principal to solicit input from each graduating class regarding the proceedings for their commencement.
Failure of a student to participate in commencement will not be a reason for withholding the student's final progress report or diploma certifying the student's completion of high school.
Any student, at the discretion of the administrator, may be excluded from participating in the graduation ceremony.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 280.3 .
281 I.A.C. 12.5.
Cross Reference: 505 Student Scholastic Achievement
Approved: 12-23-96
Reviewed: 10-10-05, 1-26-15, 2-22-2021
Revised: 1-13-03, 11-9-09
Parental involvement is an important component in a student’s success in school. The board encourages parents to become involved in their child’s education to ensure the child’s academic success.
(1) Parent involvement in the development and improvement of the Title I plan will be accomplished through parent meetings conducted at each Title I building, participation of title I teachers in parent-teacher conferences, building level parent surveys, and home-school compacts between parents and teachers.
(2) The Title I parent involvement administrative regulation will provide direction to school personnel and parents on the coordination, technical assistance, and other support necessary to assist planning and implementing effective parent involvement activities. In addition, district personnel will meet annually with Department of Education title I consultative staff.
(3) In conjunction with previously stated activities and strategies, capacity for parent involvement will be enhanced through a communication system that will include teacher and school building newsletters as well as the district’s website and blogs.
(4) Building, Child Study, and IEP meetings will provide opportunities to integrate parental involvement strategies across programs.
(5) Grade and school-wide data on student performance will be shared with the school board and public annually. Efforts will be made to identify barriers that limit greater participation by parents in Title I activities (with particular attention to low-income parents, Limited English Proficient (LEP) parents, minorities, parents with disabilities and parents with low literacy.) Strategies for easing barriers will be implemented on an ongoing basis.
(6) Title I activities will be open and inviting to parents and families and will actively seek parent involvement, support and assistance.
The board will review this policy annually. The superintendent is responsible for notifying parents of this policy annually or within a reasonable time after it has been amended during the school year. It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.
Legal References: No Child Left Behind, Title I, Sec. 1118, P.L. 107-110.
Cross Reference: 903.2 Community Resource Persons and Volunteers