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To provide a more rigorous academic program for achievement-oriented and academically talented students in each school, the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools Board of Education established the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools Scholars Program for the pursuit and recognition of academic excellence. The Scholars Program provides for two levels of achievement: Academic Honors and Distinguished Scholar.

Objectives

· To provide more opportunities for in-depth study in all subject areas

· To strengthen academic skills

· To intensify academic achievement

· To improves scores on college admission tests

· To increase options for university admissions, college majors and careers

Admission Policy

A student choosing to participate in the Scholars Program should be willing to engage in the rigorous high school curriculum required by the Scholars Program to receive either an Academic Honors Diploma, Distinguished Scholars Diploma or an International Baccalaureate Diploma.

Curriculum

The curriculum requirements for Academic Honors, Distinguished Scholar or IB Diplomas are those prescribed by the State Department, the IB organization and Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools. Students must pass Gateway examinations in Algebra I, English II and Biology I.

Beginning with the class of 2007, students shall:

· Earn eight (8) credits of Honors, Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses in any subject.

· No more than six (6) of the eight (8) credits may be Honors.

· Two (2) of the 8 credits must be Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB). One of the two IB/AP classes must be in the junior or senior year.

· Two of the Honors, AP or IB credits must be in the junior year and two in the senior year.

· The student must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 85.

Scholars Designation/Grades

The averages for Academic Honors and Distinguished Scholar will be computed from seven semesters of grade averages. The overall cumulative average for Distinguished Scholar will be 93-100. The overall grade average for Academic Honors shall be 85-92. These Scholars designations will be noted on the student’s transcript and diploma. In computing numerical grades for Advance Placement or an IB course, eight points will be added to the numerical six weeks and examination grades. No AP grade, or IB grade below 77 will receive extra points. Any student who takes AP examination(s) and pass(es) with a score of three or above shall be reimbursed for the cost of the ex­amination(s) by Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools.

School will determine the cumulative grade point average for all students who are participating in the Scholars Program at the end of the seventh semester. The Valedictorian and Salutatorian will have earned the highest grade averages among the Scholars. (See page 105 for more information.)

Students who take the Scholars Program curriculum and fail to achieve an average of 85 will have “Scholars Program Curriculum” stamped on their cumulative record and transcript. They will receive a regular diploma.

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The Requirements for a Scholars Program Diploma

For Graduating Class of 2007 and thereafter are as Follows:

University Path Technical Path

And . . .

In addition to meeting the core course and path requirements, the Gateway Exams must be passed in English II, Algebra I and Biology I.