It is the desire of the Cook Inlet Academy School Board that each graduate represent well the goals and mission statement of this school. Realizing God has made each student unique, it remains graduates must meet the standards set forth in the student and policy manuals as well as complete the course work required.
CREDITS
Students must complete 25 credits (beginning with the class of 2011) including the specific courses of study required for graduation. These requirements may vary but any changes will be well publicized. These are detailed in “Credit Requirements” available at the office.
CREDIT MAKE-UP
A student will not be labeled a “senior” if graduation with the senior class is not possible. If, however, certain requirements are not fulfilled during the senior year, the student may not “walk” with his/her class unless waived. All deficiencies will be made up before August 1 following the graduation date. The diploma will be issued when the deficiency is rectified. (6/29/98)
GPA
Students will not be graduated with a cumulative gpa under a 2.0 unless an appeal for waiver is requested of the school board. Student effort and ability will be considered, recognizing that character and spiritual life receive prime consideration.
EXIT EXAM
An exit exam will not normally be required of graduating seniors, however, when the testing results of the school’s SAT program reveal a level of achievement below the educational history of the student in question, an exit exam may be required by the administration to qualify for graduation. All seniors MUST take the school’s annual SAT tests. If a senior cannot take the SAT their senior year, they must appeal to the school board during the board's February board meeting. Failure to do so will compromise graduation from Cook Inlet Academy.
TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE STUDENTS
Students transferring into the high school with credits earned elsewhere will need to have their transcript evaluated before credits are granted. Both transfer and exchange students must meet full graduation requirements unless an appeal is made to the board for a wavier. No transfer student will be graduated without completing their senior year (5 credits minimum) at CIA.
SENIOR YEAR PARTICIPATION
The State of Alaska as well as CIA considers four credits as minimum for a full time student. Any senior wishing to graduate must be a full time student (enrolled in 4 classes--credits) two of which are taken at Cook Inlet Academy. A senior will be expected to participate in school life, attend senior meetings, and meet expectations of senior class advisor and school administration. Attendance at graduation is required. If unavoidable obligations present attendance, an appeal for waiver must be made to the school board the month prior to the obligation.
MODIFIED DIPLOMA
An appeal may be made to the board for a modified diploma in the case of a physically or academically challenged student. This appeal must be made well in advance of beginning the senior year.
ROLE MODEL
Seniors represent to the student body and our community what our school stands for. Therefore, a senior’s behavior and attitude are critical areas of evaluation. A senior’s graduation status is severely jeopardized when attitude or behavior is less than exemplary. No student on probation will be graduated. The senior should demonstrate wise choices and a serious incident of bad judgment (such as use of banned substance or immoral behavior) might disqualify a student for gradution.
PUBLIC SERVICE
Students as CIA will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of the Christian principle of service to others. Public schools have long required public service as a requirement for graduation. CIA students will be required to have documented public service of a minimum of 24 on-task hours. (The equivalent of four years of Work-a-thon.) Students transferring in must also meet the requirement of 24 documented hours. Acceptable documentation is satisfactory completion of Work-a-thon or a letter from a non-profit organization documenting individual participation.
GRADUATION CEREMONY
The office has an approved graduation ceremony that works well. Certain elements of the ceremony must remain intact and in the proper timeframe of the ceremony. Cap and gowns must be all royal blue, gold, or white or a combination of royal blue/gold/white.
Seniors, along with their parents, will want to participate in the choosing of a speaker, music, photo memories, refreshments, etc.. A printed program presenting each graduate needs to be done for spectators and family. Program covers can be ordered at a reasonable price, which can accommodate photocopying and inserts. Class verse, class song, etc need to be chosen well in advance and approved by the administration. All seniors are required to attend the graduation practice and the graduation ceremony. All aspects of the ceremony need to be an expression of our school’s mission statement.
The $180 graduation fee pays for the diploma, unlimited transcripts, and an honorarium for the speaker, "creator of program", "creator of slideshow", soundman, caps and gowns, decorations, programs, senior class gift, and refreshments. This fee is due by March 3st.
STAFF GIFT
The CIA School Board and Staff express their congratulations to the graduating seniors by presenting them with the annual from their senior year.
