High School Grade Placement Policy

Students of high school age should be placed in the grade level according to their age (use the linked 2009 Grade level chart) if the student is not "behind". Students that are remedial (15 or above - including some adults) should be placed in a grade level based on the number of credits they have on their transcript according to the following guideline:

0-50 credits = 9th grade

51-100 credits = 10th grade

101-150 credits = 11th grade

151+ credits = 12th grade

Exceptions to this guideline include students who have completed more credits than would typically correspond to their age. For example, a student that turns 14 year by Dec. 2nd with 100 credits should be enrolled as a 9th grader. In such a case, the student could possibly complete high school during his/her junior year. Thus, students who have earned credits prior to attaining typical high school age should, upon reaching high school age (14 years old by Dec. 2nd) be placed in 9th grade, regardless of the number of credits they have earned. For example, a 13 year old (by Dec. 2nd) with high school credits would be placed in 8th grade. However, once s/he has turned 14(by Dec. 2nd), s/he would be placed in 9th grade even if s/he had earned, for example, 120 credits. Students below high school grade level (according to their age), can work at earning high school credits if working in high school level courses. They must be placed in the grade appropriate to their age, even if earning credits on their transcripts for a grade level higher than their age dictates. For more information on assigning credits to students below high school age, please consult your ES advisor.

In all cases, it is mandatory for a student to show satisfactory progress toward graduation. IEM has typically identified attempting at least 25 credits per semester as satisfactory progress. Attempting does not mean merely "signing up for." Rather, it means a serious endeavor towards, and completion of most of, 25 credits. ESs with students having difficulty in this area should contact their advisor.

All students, regardless of age, wishing to earn a diploma in 2006 or after must pass the California High School Exit Exam.