Questions and Answers

Questions frequently asked by eighth graders.


What is Core 40?
Core 40 is a curriculum that is required by the state of Indiana for all students to pursue. If a student completes a Core 40 curriculum, he or she should be prepared to enter college, vocational school, the military, or the work force immediately after high school and be successful.

Do I have to take honors classes to get the Academic Honors Diploma?
 No. The Academic Honors Diploma has a list of required classes, number of credits, and a minimum GPA of 3.0. The classes do not have to be at the honors level. The AHD is the highest recognition a student can earn in high school.

How is the Academic Honors Diploma different from Core 40?
 The Academic Honors Diploma requires 47 credits, a GPA of 3.0, and no grade below a "C". It also requires two semesters of fine arts, and three years of foreign language. A very thorough description of the Academic Honors Diploma can be found in the student handbook, the curriculum handbook, or on the Guidance page of the website.

How do I earn credit?
 One credit is given for each course passed each semester, with the exception of Basic PE and Driver Ed. Basic PE I and II and Driver Ed only earn .5 credit per semester.

Can a student earn credit for courses taken in middle school?
 A student who takes Algebra I in the middle school will earn credit at Jeff. Also students taking courses at Jeff while attending Tecumseh will earn credit for those courses.

How many credits do I need to graduate from high school?
 Starting with the class of 2004, students must earn 40 credits to graduate from Jefferson High School. If a student averages five credits a semester, the student will have no trouble graduating in eight semesters.

What is needed to be classified as a 10th grader? 11th grader? 12th grader?
 To be a 10th grader, a student must earn eight credits in the ninth grade. To be an 11th grader, a student must have earned a total of 16 credits after four semesters. To be a senior, a student must have earned a total of 26 credits and have attended six semesters of school full time.

What is a GPA?
 GPA stands for Grade Point Average. Each grade is assigned a point value - 4 points for an A, 3 points for a B, 2 points for a C, and 1 point for a D.

How often is the GPA figured?
 GPA is computed every semester by dividing the total points earned by the number of credits attempted. Basic PE and Driver Ed are not included. This is a cumulative which means every semester is added in.

What is the highest GPA possible?
 It is possible to achieve a GPA higher than 4.0 by taking Honors or AP courses. In Honors or AP courses a student can earn a grade of A+ and get an additional point (5 points), thus allowing the student to receive a GPA above 4.0. Any student may take an honors or AP course by completing an application and being accepted into the program.

How do I earn the Freshman Academic Award?
 A student must have a 3.75 GPA the first semester and a 3.75 GPA the first nine-weeks of the second semester.

What is a class rank?
 Students are ranked by GPA. The student with the highest GPA is ranked #1 in his or her class.

How can I make the honor roll?
 There are two levels of honor rolls based on nine week grades. The distinguished honor roll is for all students with a GPA of 3.75 or higher, honor roll is 3.25 to a 3.749. There is also academic recognition given to students with a GPA of at least 3.0 to 3.24.

What is a transcript?
 A transcript is an official document of a student's academic record. It shows all of the courses taken, the semester grades earned (not progress report grades, nine week grades, or final exam grades), the GPA, class rank, attendance, and test scores such as ISTEP and SAT or ACT scores. A student's record is maintained at the high school.

How do I know which classes to take?
 Your middle school counselor will assist you in the choices that are recommended for you based on your past academic performance. You and your parents will be responsible for your final course selections. High school counselors will also help you make your course selections.

Can I request a certain teacher, or request not to have a certain teacher?
 No. However, you are welcome to call the high school guidance officer and speak with your child's assigned counselor about any critical issues concerning scheduling of classes.

Do I have to take a foreign language?
 No, you do not have to take a foreign language to graduate from high school. But most students are usually interested in taking a language at some time. You will find that a foreign language is strongly recommended for any student who is planning on going into college and to earn an Academic Honors Diploma.

I'm not very good at math. How many years of math do I need to graduate?
 Because of the state-mandated Core 40 program, all students are obligated to attempt a minimum of three years (six credits), in math during high school. The minimum number of credits in math for graduation is four. However, less than six credits in math will not allow a student to receive Core 40 recognition, creating major hardships in any post-secondary educational plans.

Once school starts, how difficult is it to change a class?
 It is very important that wise choices be made from the beginning to avoid the uncertainty of courses that may be full, or schedule conflicts that may prohibit certain choices. There is, however, a short drop/add period of time for changes to be made.

If I fail a course, do I have to take it over?
 The only courses that must be repeated are required courses for graduation. However, some courses are required to meet Core 40 or Academic Honors Diploma requirements, but not graduation.

What is a prerequisite?
 The prerequisite to a course is a requirement that you must meet to take the next level of a course. For example, Introduction to Two Dimensional Art (two semesters) must be completed in order to take any advanced level art course. The prerequisites are listed for each course in the curriculum handbook.

Do I have to take summer school?
Students can elect to go to summer school to get ahead and have more room for electives during the school year, or students may choose to retake a failed class. If a student fails a required English class, summer school is strongly recommended. Students may not progress to the next level until the previous year of English is passed. For example, if the student does not pass both English 9-1 and English 9-2, that student may not take English 10-1 and 10-2 the next year.

Can I graduate if I don't pass ISTEP?
No. The ISTEP+ is a graduation qualifying examination.

Can I graduate in less than four years?
Yes, you can, but that is an issue that you, your parents, and your high school counselor will need to discuss early in your high school career.

What should I do, beginning as a freshman, to ensure that I am a good candidate for college scholarships?
Plan to take the most rigorous course of study and do your very best in every course. Be an active participant in extracurricular or volunteer activities.

When should I take the PLAN, PSAT, SAT, or ACT?
PLAN/PSAT - grades 9, 10, 11
SAT/ACT - grades 11, 12

Can freshman students be scouts?
No. This is a privilege given primarily to juniors and seniors.

How do I know when I will eat lunch?
There are four-30 minute lunch periods at Jeff. The students are assigned to lunch by department based on the course they have third period. For example, English and Business departments go to second lunch, PE/Health and Math go to first lunch.

What is a block eight schedule?
Students take four 92 minute classes each day, rotating with the other four classes the next day. To help you remember which classes are on which day, the days are designated as red days and black days - Jeff High School colors. You will go to each class every other day.

How can I find my classes at Jefferson High School?
Please pick up a copy of our school map. The reverse side explains what the room numbers mean. It really is easier than it appears at first!

In middle school, the principals are very particular about the dress code. Can I wear what I want in high school?
Jeff has a dress code similar to the middle schools. It is important that you read what the dress codes are in your student handbook (Broncho Board).

What happens if I am absent from school several times?
A student can lose credit in a course if the student has more than five non-exempt absences in that course.

What is an exempt absence?
A list of exempt absences can be found in the student handbook. A few examples of exempt absences are those due to illness that is excused by a doctor, serving as a page in the state government, and any legal matter ordered by court. Any absence from school must be called in to the attendance office.

What is necessary for me to participate in athletics at Jeff?
Students must have a physical on file each year, pay insurance, sign an agreement about behavior, and pass at least five courses each grading period.

Are there clubs and organizations that I can join?
There are many clubs and organizations at Jefferson High School. They can be found in the JHS Extracurricular Activities Guide and on the website.

Where can I receive answers to more of my questions?
Please feel free to call your middle school counselors or your Jeff counselor with any additional questions you may have.

You may also find the Student Handbook, the Curriculum Handbook, Athletic information, etc. throughout the website.

1801 S. 18th Street
Lafayette, Indiana 47905
VOICE: 765-772-4700
FAX: 765-772-4713