New Fairfield Middle School

Student Handbook

PROMOTION/RETENTION POLICY

Coursework at the middle school is important in that it lays the foundation for fundamental skills essential to foster academic and career success.  Therefore, a student matriculating successfully will be required to earn promotion units for promotion to the next grade and/or to be eligible to enroll in New Fairfield High School.

Seven (7) promotion units may be earned each year.  Five (5) promotion units must be earned to be promoted.  Four (4) must be in core areas as defined by reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies.  A student will be enrolled in one of each such class each year to earn one unit in each subject.  Two (2) additional promotion units may be earned by grade as follows:

Grade 6

One (1) unit from a combination of the following courses:

     physical education/computers/music/guidance.

One (1) unit from a combination of the following courses:

     French/Spanish/art/health/media.

Grades 7 and 8

One (1) unit from one of the following courses:

     French/Spanish/technology applications/directed study workshop (DSW).

One (1) unit from a combination of the following courses:

     physical education/art/music/health.

Should a student’s third quarter report card indicate that s/he is in jeopardy of failing to achieve sufficient units to earn promotion to the next grade, an after-school remediation plan as determined by building administrators will be offered for the students to earn promotion units.

In all cases of promotion or retention, the parent/guardian is to be fully involved and informed throughout the promotion/retention decision-making process.  Parents will be notified as early as possible that retention is being considered and except in very unusual circumstances, no later than the end of the third quarter.  The Principal shall be responsible for making the final decision as to retention and assignment.