- Detroit Public Schools Community District
- Examination Schools
- Examination High Schools
- Student Support & Dismissal
Student Support and Dismissal
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The District has five (5) examination high schools that offer rigorous academic programming aimed at helping students achieve their college and career aspirations. Admission is granted on a competitive basis after students take an exam and submit an application that includes an essay and academic transcripts.
Student Expectations
Every examination high school student is expected to maintain strong academic performance, adhere to the Student Code of Conduct, and to attend school regularly. During the 2021-22 school year, the District implemented a common standard and process to set clear, consistent expectations and support to students across all examination high schools, starting with students in the 9th grade. Specifically, examination high school students are required to meet the following expectations to remain in good standing:
- Maintain a cumulative weighted grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher
- Earn no more than 9 unexcused absences in a single school year.
- Maintain fewer disciplinary infractions than outlined below:
- Five level A
- Two level B
- Combination of three level A and one level B
- One level C
- One level D
Infraction types are defined beginning on page 30 in the 2024-25 Student Code of Conduct, which can be found at: detroitk12.org/Page/7324
The transition from middle school to 9th grade can sometimes be difficult, and the District and our Examination High Schools are committed to helping all students adjust to their new environment and new expectations. Student’s academic progress will be monitored to ensure they are on track, starting with the first quarterly report card and quarterly thereafter through the end of the school year. Attendance and discipline will be monitored daily based on procedures outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.
Each student who is at risk of being placed on probation based on their academic performance will be offered a personalized academic support plan that may include tutoring and in-school academic intervention and other resources. Parents/guardians are expected to serve as partners as schools develop the plans and to actively support their scholars as they participate in academic support activities and work to improve their grades. Parents/guardians are also expected to monitor student progress via the PowerSchool Parent Portal.
Students who do not make academic progress may be dismissed at the end of the school year. Students may also be dismissed at any point in the year for excessive truancy or other violations of the Student Code of Conduct. An appeal process will be made available to students who are dismissed.
While we hope that all of our exam high school students will thrive in their school setting, the District is committed to finding the right fit for families in the case that they need to transition to a different school. Support will be provided to students who are dismissed from both Enrollment and their school counselor as they transition to other educational opportunities.
Expectations Frequently Asked Questions
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FAQ
What are the requirements my student needs to meet to stay in good standing?
- Maintain a cumulative weighted grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher
- Maintain fewer disciplinary infractions in a single school year than outlined below (see Student Code of Conduct)
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- Five level A
- Two level B
- Combination of three level A and one level B
- One level C
- One level D
- Earn no more than 9 unexcused absences in a single school year.
What is a Cumulative Grade Average, and how is it calculated?
Grade Point Average (GPA) is a measure of academic achievement based on a student's grades. GPA points are earned based on two factors the letter grade (A-F) and the credits earned. The more credits a class awards, the higher the impact it has on the GPA. Official weighted cumulative GPAs based on grades and credits are calculated at the end of semesters only. There are two quarters in each semester.
What is a weighted GPA?
Weighted GPA is calculated after adding extra points for honors or advanced placement courses. Some courses have a higher weight or accrue more credits than others, so they may unevenly impact your student's weighted GPA.
Are only core classes included in the cumulative weighted grade point average?
No, all classes that award high school credit are included in the GPA calculation.
How will I know if my student is in danger of falling below 2.5 at the end of the semester?
Grades are reported on a quarterly basis. Students who are at risk of being placed on probation will have a letter sent home alerting them to this status. The status will also be reported in PowerSchool. Parents/Guardians may access this information by logging into the PowerSchool Parent Portal.
What is considered an excused absence?
An absence will be excused if a parent/guardian contacts the school and provides a reason for the absence. The absence, as well as the reason for the absence, will be documented in our attendance systems. For examples of excused absences refer to the Student Code of Conduct.
How do I report an unexcused absence on behalf of my student?
Please contact the school Attendance Agent(s) to ensure each excused absence is documented.
Where can I track my student's attendance and grades?
The Power School Parent Portal has information on attendance and grades. To gain access, contact your school's main office.
Can my student be academically dismissed if they are identified for intervention at the end of the first semester?
No, academic dismissal will only occur after a student has been offered academic support but has not made progress in raising their GPA above the dismissal threshold for three consecutive quarters. Students and parents are responsible for ensuring that students are taking advantage of the support offered.
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Annual Cycle
The District's exam high schools uphold a common standard for all students to maintain academic performance, strong attendance, and alignment with the Student Code of Conduct. In the case that students are not meeting exam high school expectations, the District will offer student support and conduct dismissals according to the following process:
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Intervention - End of 1st Quarter
After the first quarter, students whose GPA puts them in jeopardy of falling below 2.5 after the semester ends will be flagged for intervention. The counselor will meet with Intervention students (individual or group meetings are allowed) to discuss academic needs. Counselors will develop academic support plans for each student, which will be sent to parents for sign off. Schools will track and document student engagement in their academic support plan.
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Probation - End of 2nd Quarter
After the first semester in which a student’s GPA is below a 2.5 GPA, they will be flagged as “on probation.” Schools (counselors) will schedule a mandatory probation meeting with parent and student to reassess academic support plan. Schools will continue to track and document student engagement in their academic support plan.
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Dismissal Review - End of 3rd Quarter
After the third quarter in which a student’s GPA is below a 2.5 GPA, they will be flagged as “Under Dismissal Review.” No parent letters will be sent, as a final decision will come at the end of Q4.
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Midway through the fourth quarter
Schools will review student academic performance, engagement in the academic support plan, along with absenteeism and student behavior infractions to identify students recommended for dismissal. Within those identified for dismissal, schools will be able to identify those eligible to recover their enrollment by participating in summer school and demonstrating sufficient progress. Assistant Superintendents will review the recommended dismissal list to assess whether schools have fulfilled all requirements outlined in the dismissal process and whether dismissal decisions are consistent and fair (i.e. are there students recommended for dismissal who have a higher GPA than others that are not recommended).
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Dismissal Decision - 4th Quarter
At the close of semester two, Enrollment and the Office of Schools will conduct a final review of cumulative GPAs before dismissal decisions are finalized and sent to parents.
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Appeals
Students will be able to appeal their dismissal decision. An Appeals Board will review all appeal requests and schools will be responsible for producing detailed records, including the student’s specific academic support plan, the student’s participation in that plan, follow up communications with the student and parent to support their appeals decision.
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Transition to a new school
Counselors from the exam high schools, as well as Enrollment, will support families to find a new school for the upcoming school year - one of our neighborhood high schools or an application school that may be a better fit.