Academic Planning

Scheduling and Curriculum Guide

This information can be found online by logging into the student's Edline account. This is only available for rising 8th through 12th grade students and parents. General course information for Upper School classes may be found on the department curriculum pages.

Course Weighting for GPA

A.P. - Advanced Placement
E.P. - Enriched Prep
C.P. - College Prep

Grade Point Average - GPA

All students should keep in mind that all semester grades earned in grades 9-12 become a part of the permanent high school record that is used by college admissions officers, employers and others.  Students should work to assure that this record reflects their best efforts. Grade point averages are computed using semester grades. Two separate GPAs are computed for grades 9-12: an In-House GPA and a College Recommendation GPA. Grade point averages are computed to two decimal places.

The IN-HOUSE GPA is based on semester grades earned in all credited subjects graded A-F.  This In-House GPA is used for the determination of Gold and Silver Eagle awards and spring semester exam exemptions.

The COLLEGE RECOMMENDATION GPA is based on semester grades beginning with the fall term of the ninth grade and is cumulative for grades 9-12.  Courses from the disciplines of mathematics, science, English, social studies, computer science, foreign language, comparative religions and advanced placement course work are considered in the computation.  The College Recommendation GPA is used for determining academic probation, honors at graduation, study hall exemption and National Honor Society eligibility. 

The Academy no longer releases class rank information to persons, agencies or colleges outside the Woodward community.

Requirements for the Georgia HOPE scholarship.

Eagle Roll and Eagle Awards

Based on the In-House GPA, students achieving the designated grade point average (with no grade less than D) are placed on the Eagle Roll at the end of the fall semester.  Eagle Honor Roll Awards are given to students who earn a cumulative grade point average for the current school year of 3.8 (Gold) or 3.2 (Silver) on a scale of 4.0 with no grade less than D.  The final date(s) for accepting spring semester grades for honor roll consideration will be established by the Upper School administration.

Exam Exemption for Second Semester – Grades 9-12

Based on the In-House GPA, students in GRADES 9, 10 and 11 will be eligible for exemption from spring semester exams if the student has:

1. No grade less than D for any spring semester class.
2. A GPA of 3.2 or higher for the current academic year on grades earned by the date established by the Upper School administration prior to spring semester exams.
3. Fifteen or fewer detention and demerit (combined total) hours for the current school year.
4. Ten non-school related absences or fewer for the spring semester. The student may petition an Administrative Review Panel for exemption to requirement #4 if he or she has more than the allotted absences.
5. While a student may meet the initial requirements for exam exemption for the spring semester based on items 1-4 above, students may exempt only those spring semester exams in which they have earned a grade of A or B for the spring semester. Grades are determined by teachers on the date set by the Upper School Administration prior to spring semester exams.

Students in grade 9, 10 and 11 who do not meet requirements 1 through 5 above may, at the discretion of the individual teacher, be exempt from the spring semester exam. Only students who have earned a grade of A for the spring semester (as calculated on the date set by the school administration prior to spring semester exams) and are not in violation of requirements #3 and #4 above are eligible for individual course exemption.

Senior students have the privilege of exempting spring semester exams if the student has:

1. A spring semester average of C or higher in each of his of her courses. Seniors will be required to take spring semester exams in courses where their spring semester grade falls below a C average as calculated on the date established by the Upper School Administration prior to spring semester senior exams.
2. Fifteen or fewer detention and demerit (combined total) hours for the current school year.
3. Ten non-school related absences or fewer for the spring semester. If he or she has accumulated more than the allotted absences, the senior may petition an Administrative Review Panel for exemption to requirement #3
   NOTE:  Any student that is exempt from spring semester exams may, if they wish, elect to take one or more exams.

Honors at Graduation

Valedictorian and Salutatorian
The Valedictorian and Salutatorian will be the Summa Cum Laude students who, in the opinion of the faculty, have attained the highest academic achievement in grades 9-12. All graduation honors are based on grades earned using the College Recommendation GPA.

Graduation With Honors
To graduate with honors, a student must earn a minimum GPA (based on the College Recommendation GPA) in grades 9-12 in courses from the disciplines of math, science, English, social studies, computer science, comparative religions, foreign language, or advanced placement course work. In addition, the student must take the requisite number of honors or AP courses from these disciplines beginning with the fall semester of the junior year and ending with the fall semester of the senior year. No semester grade can be lower than D. Spring semester grades in the senior year are not included.

A newly enrolled senior must take three (3) semesters of Honors Courses fall semester to be graduated Cum, or four (4) semesters of Honors Courses fall semester to be graduated Magna. The appropriate GPA still applies.

Class Drop Policy

Students may initiate a course Drop Request no later than the end of the second week of fall semester (for fall semester electives and year-long courses) or the end of the second week of the spring semester (for spring semester electives).  If the student wishes to drop a course after the second week of the semester, he/she must apply in writing to drop a course and meet with the Academic Dean and Grade Counselor who will consult with the faculty member. Changes are possible due to extraordinary circumstances.  Faculty, however, may suggest a course drop recommendation at any point in the semester. 

Students may request an academic status (honors, enriched prep, college prep) change no later than the end of the first week after the completion of the first grading period in each semester. The Academic Dean will determine if the request is appropriate.  Faculty may initiate an academic status change at any point in the semester.