As we are busy planning for the 2016-17 school year, I’m excited to share with you some of the changes that are happening at Cloverleaf High School. These changes are being implemented to help us better serve the academic needs of all our students and to put us in alignment with high schools across the state. While this letter provides a summary of those changes, families are encouraged to check out the resources referenced and available on the Guidance page of the high school Web site for more in-depth explanations.

-- We are moving from a trimester schedule to a more traditional SEMESTER schedule.

-- We will have a school day made up seven periods, 50 minutes each.

-- Students will have their core classes (English, Math, Science, Social Studies) every day, all year long with the same teacher.

-- Students will be required to carry a class load of at least 6 classes and will have the choice to include a Study Hall in their schedules.

Updated Graduation Requirements * #

-- The core curriculum will not change. (Much of this is in Ohio Revised Code.)

-- Credits requirements will move gradually from the 24 credits currently required to 21 credits for the Class of 2019.

-- See the Course Registration Guide on the high school Web site for details on the credit requirements as well as other graduation requirements prescribed by the Ohio Department of Education.

Earning Credit*

-- Credit will be earned by course; generally, year-long courses are worth 1 credit, and semester-long courses are worth ½ credit.

-- Final grade for course will be determined by averaging student performance on 4 nine-week grades, a mid-term exam, and a final exam.

Revised Policy on Class Rank * #

-- The use of class rank to recognize academic excellence will be eliminated for the Class of 2020.

-- The recognition of Valedictorian and Salutatorian will be phased out and replaced by the recognition of any student who meets certain criteria for Magna Cum Laude, Summa Cum Laude, or Cum Laude. Criteria for these distinctions will be met through a combination of GPA and the pursuit of advanced-level coursework.

Senior Privilege *

Seniors with solid academic standing will be eligible to apply for either early release or late arrival. If your child will be a senior during the 16/17 school year, s/he received an application at a recent scheduling meeting that describes the criteria for obtaining this privilege.

New Courses for 2016-17

-- Advanced Placement Physics

-- Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics

-- United States History to 1877 (University of Akron course)

-- Beginning Spanish I (University of Akron course)

-- Beginning Spanish II (University of Akron course)

-- Music in Our Lives

-- Intro to High School Choir (men and women)

-- Advanced High School Choir (men and women)

-- Career Connections

We have an extensive list of available courses; please see Course Registration Guide.

(*Details in 2016-17 Course Registration Guide # Board Policy)

Administration, the Guidance Department, and the High School Schedule Committee have worked diligently on these changes are very excited about providing these new and improved opportunities to our students. Please do not hesitate to call me or the Guidance Department with your questions. More detailed information regarding these changes, along with other information regarding our extensive programming, is available on the Guidance page of the high school Web site. I encourage you to visit this thorough resource.

We are looking forward to our continued commitment to excellence here at CHS!