- John F. Kennedy Middle
- FAQ High School Credit
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FAQ High School Credit
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Why do middle schools offer high school courses?
Offering high school courses in middle school is considered one way of providing accelerated and challenging coursework to students.
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What are the advantages of earning high school credit in middle school?
Your child will earn high school credit. This may allow your child to complete graduation requirements early, allow them to take more elective courses in high school, and provide challenging course work to your child.
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What are the potential disadvantages?
Any high school credit that a child earns in middle school is automatically entered into his/her high school transcript. This can have the following effects on your child’s high school record:
- An impact on your child’s high school grade point average
- An impact on your child’s class rank
- An effect on the opportunity of your child earning valedictorian or salutatorian during senior year.
In addition to the impact on grades, students who are not emotionally ready for the rigors of a high school course may develop negative attitudes toward both the content of the course and their abilities in the subject area.
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What happens if my child does poorly in the course?
Per the State’s grade forgiveness policy, your child may retake the course in high school.
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What is the State Policy on Grade Forgiveness for High School Courses taken in Middle school?
Grade forgiveness for required courses is limited to replacing a grade of “C”, “D” or “F,” with a grade of “C” or higher earned subsequently in the same or comparable course. F.S. 1003.428
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Can I choose not to have my child’s high school course appear on his transcript?
No, F.S. 1003.428 requires that any high school course your child takes in middle school appear on the transcript.
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Will taking high school courses in middle school help me get into a magnet program like EMIT or IB?
Yes and No. While the rigorous high school coursework in middle school can help prepare your child for the screening samples and tests your child may have to take for admission, our magnet programs do not weight these courses differently than a traditional middle school course.
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Will my child be “behind” if he does not take a high school course?
No, your child can earn all the necessary credits he needs to graduate and go to college without taking high school courses in middle school.
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What help can I get in making a decision about whether taking a high school credit course is right for my child?
It is important to speak to your child’s counselor, your child’s current teachers, and/or the Assistant Principal for Curriculum at your child’s school. It is also important to involve your child in the decision.
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What are some of the factors that I should consider in making this decision?
Important factors include:
- Current grades in the subject area
- Interests of your child
- FCAT scores
- Maturity level of your child
- Extracurricular activities in which your child is involved
