Student Services

The Northland Scholars Academy Student Services will assist you throughout your high school career.

Our staff is dedicated to working with you in a variety of areas: enrollment, withdrawal, course selection, scheduling, development of individual learning plans (ILPs), achievement and aptitude testing, English language testing, transcript status, university and technical college selection process, and post-secondary applications and scholarships. We provide one-on-one assistance in helping you achieve your high school, post-secondary, and career goals. The Student Services resource and career library contains an extensive collection of reference materials as well as on-line sources. Each student will be able to plan their future college and career paths by exploring options and linked to their Individual Learning Plan (ILP). Our Student Services department enhances your options by bringing representatives from many post-secondary institutions across the U.S. to the NSA campus.

All students are encouraged to discuss their post-secondary career plans with Student Services staff early and often. It is important to align short term selections to long term goals. Remember, today’s lost chances impairs tomorrows choices. Post-secondary planning can seem overwhelming and it is in your best interest to start the process sooner rather than later. Some of the items that often seem arduous are: the number and type of scholarships available and requirements, Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), post-secondary institution tuition assistance, application and resume writing, college campus employment opportunities, and much more. NSA Student Services will be there to help guide you through the post-secondary decisions of your future. 

Enrolling

Students who wish to enroll at Northland Scholars Academy have several options. Option one is to make an appointment with Student Services and complete the application process on campus. Option two is to apply on-line by completing and submitting the application packet electronically. The third option is to download and print the application packet. After completing and signing the documents, mail the entire packet to Student Services at our address. Once accepted, all students will meet with Student Services and discuss short and long term goals regarding academics, post-secondary options, and future employment goals and opportunities. The counselor and student (after identifying the academic focus and track) will build the student’s academic semester and year-long schedule. Prior to scheduling, an official copy of the student’s previous transcript(s) must be on file in NSA’s Student Services office. Information about courses and credits can be found in Northland Scholars Academy Course Description Book, available from Student Services.

Immunizations

All students enrolling into Northland Scholars Academy must have an updated immunization record on file as required by state law. NSA will work and coordinate with the Marinette County Health Department for additional services as needed. Health records will be maintained on all students at NSA.

Transfer Student Admission Procedures

These procedures apply to students who enter or re-enter NSA after having participated in an outside educational program.

Definitions

In these procedures, unless the context clearly requires otherwise:            

  • Private school means an institution with a private educational program that meets all of the criteria under s118.165(1) or is determined to be a private school by the state.
  • Home-based Private Educational Program means a program of educational instruction provided to a child by the child’s parent or guardian or by a person designated by the parent or guardian as defined under s.115.001 (3)(g). An instructional program provided to more than one family unit does not constitute a Home-Based Private Educational Program.
Records Information

Students transferring to Northland Scholars Academy  shall provide the school with identifying information (i.e., name, date of birth, chronological age, address); summary of  development background; record of immunization and illness; academic achievement; subjects completed; credits earned; and if applicable, the results of standardized testing (including English language). Students shall be placed in the appropriate grade level and/or courses as indicated by the records provided to Northland Scholars Academy.

In addition, students who have been in attendance in a Home-Based Private Educational Program for a period of ninety (90) calendar days or more shall furnish the head of school, or designee, with the following documentation of the Home-Based Private Educational Program:

  • A copy of Home-Based Private Educational form: Wisconsin EPI Form PI-1206 (Rev. 1-86).*
  • A copy of the school calendar that verifies that each school term of Home-Education instruction consisted of a minimum of 875 hours (W.S. s. 118.165(1).*
  • Copies of the sequential curriculum that was taught in the six (6) mandated subject areas (s118.165 (1) (d).*
  •  Records of student performance for each course taken.

*As required by the student’s home state/country.

Placement

Upon receipt and review of the above documentation, the head of school or designee and placement team may require that a placement examination evaluation be completed so that the student will be placed at the appropriate grade level. This evaluation may consist of:

  • Achievement tests    
  • Diagnostic tests        
  • Criterion referenced tests
  • Mental abilities tests
  • Parent curriculum check list
  • Counselor interview

The placement team may consist of the head of school, dean of students, or designee, guidance counselor, appropriate faculty members, and/or school nurse. In making the placement decision under the above provision, the head of school, or designee, and placement team, may also consider the age, mental ability, English language ability, social and emotional development, and academic progress of the student. Placement shall be discussed with an adult student, or the parent/legal guardian before becoming effective along with the Individual Learning Plan (ILP). 

Home-Based Classes for Credit and Grades

Students entering Northland Scholars Academy from a home-based educational program will be allowed to enter only at the beginning of the semester. The head of school may make exceptions, if there are extenuating circumstances.

Core Classes (English, Math, Science, Social Studies)

These classes taken while on a home-based educational program shall be recorded with credit value and a grade of S (Satisfactory) on the official Northland Scholars Academy transcript if the following documentation to the head of school or designee is provided:

  1. Written course curriculum
  2. Calendar showing instructional hours and evidence of student attendance
  3. Evidence of assessment process used (i.e., a portfolio, tests, grades, etc.)
  4. Standardized test assessment which is recognized by the head of school or designee and student knowledge shown in the results of the test.
Non-Core Required Classes (Health, Physical Education, and electives)

Credit value will be recorded on the transcript when documentation is the same as is required for the core classes is presented. If a standardized test is not available to take, then the knowledge of the student will be based on the portfolio of work or a demonstration of skill (i.e., computers). The head of school or designee on an individual basis will evaluate each class credit value. For each credit approved, a grade of satisfactory (S) will be recorded on the transcript.

High school credit for home-based classes will only be awarded on the high school transcript only if NSA students have the same opportunity to achieve those credits.

Appeals

A parent or legal guardian or an adult student may appeal a student placement in writing to the head of school. The head of school, or designee, will review the placement. The decision or placement will be made by the head of school, or designee, and will be considered as final by all parties.

Probation Period

Students placed under these procedures shall be subject to a probationary period of thirty (30) school days to determine whether original placement was in the best interests of the student. If a reviewed placement is deemed necessary to the best interests of the student by the head of school, or designee, the head of school, or designee, shall make such placement within fifteen (15) school days after the probationary period ends.

Withdrawal

Students are encouraged not to withdraw from school because of the obvious benefits of NSA’s academic rigor and Diploma. An alternate education program can be prescribed for students experiencing severe difficulty and/or failure in his/her present program. When a student requests a withdrawal from school, they must report to Student Services. A conference involving the student, counselor, head of school or dean of students, will be scheduled to review the request. Permission from the student’s parent/guardian is required. All school materials, bills, and fines must be taken care of prior to the validation of the withdrawal.

Cumulative Records

A permanent cumulative record is kept for each student who has attended Northland Scholars Academy. Information regarding scholastic achievement and attendance is the type of information recorded for each year on the cumulative record. This record reflects student academic progress throughout their educational years. Recommendations for present and former students are partially based on information found in the cumulative record.

STUDENT SCHEDULES

All students must be scheduled for and maintain a minimum of six courses. Students are strongly encouraged to take seven courses a semester. Students will be scheduled for one study period per day per semester. In extenuating circumstances, a waiver of the above rules may be issued by the dean of students and/or guidance counselor.

COURSE OPTIONS

NSA students will have the option to select courses which will provide them with dual credits, NSA, as well as college/university credit from our post-secondary partners. In addition, NSA students can select courses to be taken in our Distance Learning Lab (DLL) delivered from post-secondary institutions all across the U.S.

ACADEMIC ASSISTANCE

Student Services can assist students with securing before and after school academic assistance with either a faculty or student tutor. In addition, NSA has a strong English Second Language (ESL) support system with in-school and in-dorm ESL certified instructors. For international students, NSA provides English Language Testing options.

COURSE WITHDRAWALS & SCHEDULE CHANGES

Students are encouraged to develop their Individual Learning Plans (ILP) and subsequent schedules carefully. Selecting a course is a commitment on the part of the student to the teacher, NSA, and if applicable, to

Post-Secondary Institutions. Instructional assignments and class sections are determined by the commitments from the students. Dropping classes is time consuming, expensive, and disruptive to the entire educational process. For these reasons and more, students are discouraged from withdrawing from a course. Therefore, all course withdrawals will be refused unless there are extenuating circumstances, which warrant a change in the student’s ILP and schedule. The following reasons are examples, which would warrant a scheduling change:

The student…

*failed a course, which would affect the scheduling sequence.

*needs a course to meet graduation requirements.

*had scheduling or placement errors.

*needed a change in the student’s ILP.

*changed their college major or area of study.

*wanted to add rigor to their academic curriculum.

All schedule change requests will be evaluated by the school counselor and/or dean of students. All drops must be submitted on the appropriate form to Student Services by the end of the fifth school day in each semester. Students are reminded they are required to remain enrolled in and finish a MINIMUM of six full credit courses each year. A minimum academic schedule each semester is three credits. Each Post-Secondary 3 credit semester course equals .75 NSA credits.

Curricular Modifications

Students, parent/guardian(s), may request modifications in the student’s educational program. However, schools are not required to provide modifications. (WI Statute 118.15 (l) (f))

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

All students must complete the graduation requirements as established by the Northland Scholars Academy to become eligible for the NSA Diploma. Students must obtain approval from the head of school prior to enrolling in courses not offered by NSA. Students will not be permitted to participate in commencement exercises until all academic, community/volunteer service requirements and obligations are completed. These obligations may include fees, fines, classroom materials, and obligation time owed.

NSA Academic Requirements

No less than 24 credits distributed as follows must be earned in grades 9-12:

  1. Four English credits:

            1 Credit English 9 – Grade 9

            1 Credit English 10 – Grade 10

            Two Credits of Junior/Senior English ELECTIVES*

  1. Three social studies credits:

            1 Credit United States History – Grade 9

            1/2 Credit Global Studies – Grade 10

            1/2 Credit American Government/Civics – Grade 10

            One Credit Junior/Senior Social Science ELECTIVES*

  1. Four mathematics credits

            1 Credit – Grade 9

            1 Credit – Grade 10

            2 Credits – Junior/Senior Mathematics ELECTIVES*

  1. Four science credits:

            1 Credit Physical Science/Chemistry – Grade 9

            1 Credit Biology/Chemistry – Grade 10

            2 Credits Junior/Senior Science ELECTIVES*

  1. One and one-half physical education credits:

            1/2 Credit Recreation Education – Grade 9

            1/2 Credit Recreation Education – Grade 10

            1/2 Credit Recreation Education – Grade 11 or 12

  1. 1/2 Credit Health – Grades 7-12
  2. 7 elective credits – Grades 9-12

Academic Summary: 17 Required Credits & 7 Elective Credits (See Student Services regarding any course questions and the requirements for all post-secondary courses and the dual credit option.) To be recommended for a high school diploma, a student must fulfill and pass these minimum requirements. One full unit of credit is granted for earning a passing grade in a subject, which meets 5 days each week for 36 weeks.**

*ELECTIVES include Post-secondary courses which are available to students for both secondary and post-secondary credit (dual credit). (All post-secondary courses must be PRE-APPROVED by Student Services)

**Post-secondary course work credits – a 3 credit semester course is equivalent to earning .75 secondary credit.

See Course Description Book for all course descriptions and pre-requisites. Post-secondary course descriptions are provided on-line. Hard copies are available in Student Services.

Community/Volunteer Service Requirements: Each year, students at NSA must complete community/volunteer service hours (as recorded in Student Services). In order to graduate, a minimum of 20 community/volunteer service hours must have been recorded in Student Services. MOST ELITE UNIVERSITIES CONSIDER COMMUNITY/VOLUNTEER SERVICE EXPERIENCES VERY FAVORABLY WHEN DETERMINING WHETHER OR NOT TO ACCEPT A STUDENT.

COMMENCEMENT

Prior to participating in Commencement Exercises, all requirements must have been met. These include the minimum academic requirements, community/volunteer service requirements, and any and all other obligations. These may include fees, fines, the return of classroom materials and equipment, all books, and any obligation time owed. This requirement has been supported by the courts i.e., Fowler v. Williamson.

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