The curriculum is designed to support, encourage and accelerate students from introductory courses to advanced classes and college concurrent classes. The teaching staff is the strength of the academic program at our US boarding school. Throughout the teaching and learning process, students will experience a myriad of instructional strategies including visual, hands-on, and auditory classroom activities. Small classes taught by dedicated teachers and coupled with the tutorial 8th period and study tables create a supportive academic environment.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Students must be responsible for their own work. Cheating will result in serious academic consequences. All work done for all classes must be the students’ work. Students may discuss class assignments with other class members, may use work from books and other materials if it is properly cited. Copying from a book or other materials without proper reference or from another student will result in an F (0 points) for that assignment. There is no make-up for these assignments.

 PLAGIARISM

“Plagiarism: The representing of the work of other persons as one’s own, including but not limited to the use of work by others and information downloaded from the Internet, is plagiarism. The use of another person’s words, ideas or information without proper acknowledgement is also plagiarism.” Students will receive an F (0 points) for any assignment that has been plagiarized. There is no make up for these assignments. Pima Community College, Student Code of Conduct, www.pima.edu.

8TH PERIOD TEACHER TUTORIAL SUPPORT

Students who have recorded a weekly grade less than 75% will be assigned to 8th Period. During PM homeroom, students are assigned to that appropriate teacher for an additional class session (8th period). This 8th period session allows teachers to focus on individual student learning needs. If more than one teacher needs a student, then the student will be assigned to the next teacher in the 8th Period rotation schedule. Teachers will continue to work with students until the student is passing with a grade better than 75%. Teachers can request any student for 8th period regardless of their grade and students can volunteer to meet with teachers for additional help.

STUDY TABLES

Students are assigned to study tables based on their effort and grades. Study tables begin at 7:00pm and end at 11:00pm seven days a week. Student study table assignments may vary from student to student depending on the grades and the number of classes in question.

MAKE-UP WORK/EXTRA CREDIT

Students will be allowed to complete all make-up work including quizzes, tests, and exams within a time period equal to the number of days missed. If absence is excused, the student can earn 100% of the value of missed work.

All make-up work including quizzes, tests, and exams will be scored at a maximum of seventy percent of their original worth if not completed within the allotted time.

All required make-up work including quizzes, tests, and exams must be completed before extra-credit can be assigned.

If the absence has been recorded as unexcused the student will have appropriate time to make-up work with a maximum of seventy percent (70%) of the original worth.

LIBRARY

The library at Fenster offers an up-to-date and varied selection of literature and multi-media materials. Computers with high-speed Internet connections are available to students for use both during and after school. Educational and leisure magazines are made available to suit a variety of student needs and interests.

WRITING LAB  

A computerized writing lab with appropriate software is available during the school day. This lab supports our goal of writing across the curriculum, improved student writing, and encourages students to write using contemporary technology. Teachers can assign individual students or schedule their entire class for their writing assignments.

TESTING

We administer or arrange for the administration of several national normed referenced tests during the school year, including the SAT, PSAT, ACT and TOEFL. Upon entering Fenster, students will take the Fenster Assessment Test (FAT). They will take the test again in the spring to determine their growth in writing, English, mathematics, reading and science. Attendance is required for all appropriate level students. Students can receive additional support in preparation for the SAT/ACT tests in two of our credit courses that are designed specifically for the math and verbal components. These two classes are semester courses (.5 credits each) and will focus on developing test taking skills and practice questions from the College Board.

QUARTER CREDIT (.25)

Students enrolling at Fenster School midway through the semester can either earn .25 credits for the second or fourth quarter or make-up all the missed work from the first or third quarter (within the semester) and earn .5 credits. This flexibility allows students to immediately earn high school credit without auditing classes.

TRANSFER/ EXIT GRADES

Students enrolling at Fenster School with transfer/exit grades from the previous high school can have that transfer/exit grade (D or better) apply to the same course offered at Fenster School, continue the course work for the duration of that grading period, and earn credit.

TRANSFER CREDIT

Fenster School will accept credits earned elsewhere with the following stipulations: A maximum of 6 credits per year will be accepted from all foreign schools. Credits received from schools approved or accredited by one of the major regional accrediting agencies (NCA, WASA, etc.) will be accepted as earned. Correspondence courses accredited or approved by a major regional accrediting association (American Association for Collegiate Independent Study-AACIS, University Continuing Education Association-UCEA, etc.) will be approved as follows. A maximum of two units of credit will be accepted. No more than one unit may be accepted in any one field (English, Math, Social Studies, or Science) to count toward graduation. Wilderness or rehabilitation school coursework will be counted for one credit only if the institution is regionally accredited. Utah limits a maximum of one credit to be transferred. Credits will be accepted in minimum amounts of .25 units and only for classroom instruction. The final 3 units of credit before graduation must be taken in residence if the intention is to graduate from Fenster School. All correspondence and transfer credit must be submitted to Fenster School before the residence credit is completed.

PIMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DUAL ENROLLMENT OFFERINGS

Fenster School, in collaboration with Pima Community College, offers dual enrollment classes on campus taught by Fenster faculty. Students can earn both college and high school credit. Students will earn .5 credits for every college semester successfully completed. Junior and senior applications are processed and assessed in the fall for placement in the appropriate Writing classes (100, 101, or 102) and college Math, US History Western Civilization or Political Science. These writing classes are credited for Senior English. Late arrival juniors and seniors are processed immediately for placement. Placement may occur second semester if arrival is after Pima Colleges deadline for first semester enrollment. Juniors and seniors may also enroll in other dual enrollment classes. Students earning an A, B, or C in any of the dual enrollment classes can have the earned college credits apply towards their college/university requirements.

GRADING POLICY

Fenster School is accredited as a college prep school. It is important that we remain consistent with college and universities in preparing students for their tertiary educational experience. Therefore, commencing school year 2007-2008 the lowest grade that a student can earn will be 70% (C-). Any grade below 70% (C-) will be recorded as a NC (No Credit) and the student will need to retake that course. The elimination of D’s is consistent with colleges and universities not accepting D’s in the high school college core curriculum and earning a D at that level requires the student to retake that course. Students will continue to receive after school academic support from their teachers in 8th period. In order to support students from falling below 70%, the Academic Office will assign students to 8th period support for any class in which they are earning a grade less than 75%. All transcripts for Fenster students prior to school year 2007-2008 will record their D grades.

GRADING SCALE

97 - 100% = A+

93 - 96% = A

90 - 92% = A-

87 - 89% = B+

83 - 86% = B

80 - 82% = B-

77 - 79% = C+

73 - 76% = C

70 - 72% = C-

- 69% or below = NC

GRADE POINT CALCULATIONS

Student Grade Point Averages are factored into student GPA’S on the following scale.

A+ = 4.00

A = 4.00

A- = 3.67

B+ = 3.33

B = 3.00

B- = 2.67

C+ = 2.33

C = 2.00

C- = 1.67

D/F = NC

Pima Community College concurrent classes offered at Fenster School will be factored into the students GPA on the following scale. Students receiving a grade of D in a college or University course will not receive credit, and will need to retake that course.

A = 5

B = 4

C = 3

F = NC

COLLEGE ADVISOR

The College Advisor is assigned to work with all seniors in registering and taking the SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) and ACT ( American College Test) exams. It is strongly recommended that students take these exams at least twice before graduation. Juniors are required to take both the SAT and ACT during their junior year. The Advisor begins working with the juniors for preparation of their senior year. The Advisor will investigate tertiary educational opportunities, facilitate, and coordinate the application process for all seniors. The Advisor works closely with the college/university admission offices and parents/guardians to ensure that there is an open line of communication. The College Advisor also coordinates with the University of Arizona to ensure that all international students take the computer-based TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) as many times as necessary throughout the year. This test is a pre-requisite for international student placement in American colleges/universities.

HONOR ROLL

Each semester students are recognized for their academic achievement. Students earning a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, have no “D’s”, and have completed seven courses in the semester will receive an Honor Roll certificate. Students’ names are recorded on our Academic poster that is displayed on the Academic Wall of Champions in the school dining hall.

SPECIAL ACADEMIC RECOGNITION

Every day, during either AM or PM Homerooms, teachers will recognize students for special academic achievements in class. Students receive positive reinforcement for their academic efforts in earning a good grade for a quiz, test, exam or completing a difficult assignment.

STUDENT ACADEMIC PROGRESS REPORTS

Parents/guardians will receive academic reports for the 1st and 3rd terms and 1st and 2nd semester. Every Thursday of each week, teachers record current grades for all classes. Parents/guardians can receive these grades beginning on Friday. If parents/guardians provide the school with an e-mail address, weekly grades will be e-mailed every Friday.  

TARDY POLICY

Students will be allowed 3 unexcused tardies per quarter. Each unexcused tardy following the three allowed will result in a reduction of .33% of 1% of their final grade.  

CLASS ATTENDANCE

It is our policy that responsibility for getting to class on time and being adequately prepared is the obligation of the student. Failure to assume that responsibility will incur immediate consequences. The school reserves the right to limit or withhold credit for courses in which attendance falls below acceptable standards. While our campus environment is supportive and appears low-keyed and informal, we are dedicated to the development of those habits, skills and self-disciplines that will be of greatest assistance in life. Attendance, class preparation, classroom behavior and performance are monitored on a daily basis.

STUDENT DRESS

Fenster school provides an educational environment that motivates, teaches, and encourages students to attain the highest levels of student achievement. Dress guidelines promote the awareness of social, cultural, and aesthetic influences within our community and school. Students are expected to dress appropriately which reflects personal and school pride. Clothing should be neat, clean, modest and in good taste. Students are encouraged to do their laundry weekly using campus facilities or participate in off campus laundry trips. Footwear must be worn at all times (this does not include bedroom or house slippers). The following will not be permitted in a teaching and learning environment:

Swimsuits, halters, strapless tops, exposed undergarments, see-through clothing, short-shorts or short skirts or sagging pants that do not cover the buttocks while sitting or standing, garments with plunging necklines and “muscle shirts” or basketball shirts without accompanying T- shirts.

Clothing that portrays racial statements, profane or inflammatory language, and or sexual depiction/innuendo.

Clothing that advertises or advocates the use of alcohol, illegal substances, sex, or tobacco.

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT

Cell phones and IPods are not permitted on campus. Teachers and other staff members are obligated to collect said electronic equipment and give it to an administrator.

Send Your Child to One of the Top College Prep Boarding School in Arizona

As a well-respected college prep boarding school, all of our academic policies are designed with the purpose of spurring students to higher levels of excellence in all areas of their lives. We believe that the lessons and values taught through our classes and other school activities play an important role in shaping the goals and integrity of each graduating student. We are dedicated to making sure that every student who attends our college preparatory boarding school learns the necessary skills to navigate through life successfully.

By setting high standards in our academic policies, we help ensure that our students are challenged and held accountable for their actions. Through implementing these rules, we teach our students lessons that can be applied to their lives once they have graduated from our college prep boarding school. Through our policies, we teach them to take responsibility for their actions so they can become responsible, conscious citizens.

To find out how you can enroll your teen into our program, simply give us a call at 520-749-3340 or call our Headmaster Don Saffer 520-465-0990. We’ll be more than happy to talk with you about the different opportunities available at Fenster for your teenager and the advantages that come from our overall atmosphere. We’re confident that you’ll see positive results in your teen and will be pleased with the difference our school can make.