ACADEMIC INFORMATION AND POLICIESt

 

While the MCAS is no longer a graduation requirement, it remains an expectation that all students participate in these assessments. Taking the MCAS provides valuable information about your academic progress and helps us identify areas where you might need additional support. It also allows the school to assess the effectiveness of our programs and continue to improve the quality of education for all students.

 

Furthermore, strong performance on the MCAS can open doors to significant opportunities, such as the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship. This merit-based scholarship provides a tuition waiver for up to eight semesters of undergraduate education at a Massachusetts state college or university. To be eligible, students must achieve advanced and proficient scores on the Grade 10 MCAS English Language Arts, Mathematics tests or STE biology, and have a combined MCAS score that places them in the top 25% of their district. Eligibility is based on each students FIRST attempt on the next-generation tests. Students who qualify are notified in the fall of their senior year. While the scholarship covers tuition, it does not include fees, room, or board. We encourage all students to take the MCAS seriously, as it can be a valuable step towards your higher education goals.

Students will take the  MCAS Mathematics, English Language Arts, and Science and Technology Tests.

The preliminary MCAS Testing Schedule for the 2026-2027 school year was released in August. As of that time, the following was proposed: 

Biology MCAS: February 2, 2027 & February 3, 2027 - For those who take Bio in the fall

English MCAS: March 23, 2027 &  March 24, 2027

Mathematics MCAS: May 18, 2027, and May 19, 2027

Biology MCAS: June 1, 2027 & June 3, 2027 - For those who take Bio in the Spring

 

 

 

Students must earn 26 course credits and meet the graduation requirements for ORHS.  For students who have not received a Competency Determination (CD) through successful completion of the MCAS prior to January 1, 2025 the ORHS graduation requirements serve as the district’s standard for CD. The table below shows the minimal credits and required coursework needed to meet Oakmont graduation requirements, but all students have the ability to earn 32 credits.
High school students have diverse needs, abilities, and future goals. Each student's educational program should be developed individually to provide a balanced course of study that reflects those needs while including instruction in the core academic areas of language arts, social studies, science, and mathematics.   Students intending to pursue post-high school educational opportunities should consider taking the additional recommended courses listed in the table as a minimum for admission to most colleges, universities and technical schools.  

Seniors in good academic standing may receive .5 credit to meet their Grade 12 fitness participation requirement by participating in a supervised athletic or fitness activity outside the normal school day.

An athletic or fitness activity must meet the following conditions to qualify:

• Be supervised by a licensed fitness professional or coach
• Result in increased physical fitness
• Extend for at least 60 hours
• Take place during first semester

Participating seniors must fill out a senior fitness waiver form and return it to their school counselor before the end of the second week of the fall semester, and complete fitness hours before the end of semester one of their senior year. Seniors who do not complete the activity or fail to meet the participation hours will be scheduled for a fitness class during the second semester.

 

The Oakmont Regional High School graduation ceremony for the class of 2027 will take place on Friday, June 4^th 20267. It is held on the Arthur I. Hurd Memorial Field, weather permitting. The ceremony will be moved inside to the gymnasium or rescheduled to an alternate day or time if the weather is uncooperative. Complete details will be provided to Seniors and their family members.

The class president will address parents and classmates at the commencement ceremony. Other speakers will be determined by the administration and faculty. 

Students will be seated and receive their diplomas in alphabetical order by last name.

 

Students must earn the following minimum credits by the beginning of the academic year to be considered a member of each academic class: 

Freshman Class (9^th Grade) Successful Completion of 8^th Grade 

Sophomore Class (10^th Grade) 6 Credits 

Junior Class (11^th Grade) 12 Credits 

• Senior Class (12^th Grade) 18 Credits

Students and parents can monitor student progress at any time via the online portal. Even though students and parents can check grades 24 hours a day / 7 days a week, teachers will be expected to update their grade books regularly. 

Students will be issued numerical grades on report cards. Grades between 60 and 100 are considered passing and will allow a student to earn credit for the course. Any grade between 0 and 59 is considered failing and will not earn the student credit for the course. 

DEFINITION OF OTHER GRADES 

GRADE DEFINITION 

I Incomplete 

P Pass 

X No Grade 

W Withdrawn 

 

Report cards and progress reports will be available on the portal at various times during the semester. The table below provides an approximate timeline of when grades will be reported: 

Semester 1: September-January 

Day 22: Progress Reports posted online 

Day 45: Semester 1 Term 1 Report Cards posted online 

Day 67: Progress reports posted online 

Day 90: Semester 1 Term 2 and Final Course Grades posted online 

Semester 2: February-June 

Day 112: Progress Reports posted online 

Day 135: Semester 2 Term 1 Report Cards posted online 

Day 157: Progress reports posted online 

Day 180: Semester 2 Term 2 and Final Course Grades posted online 

Please refer to each course syllabus for specific details on how grades are determined in each class. 

 

In case of incomplete coursework, the following will apply: 

1. An “I” may be recorded on a report card when a student has not completed the required term coursework. 

2. The student will be given two weeks (10 school days) after report cards are issued to make up for the missing work at the end of the first semester only. If the work is not made up within the two-week time frame, all missing work will earn a zero and the course grade will be changed accordingly. 

3. In extraordinary circumstances, the teacher, school counselor, and the student will design a makeup contract if work cannot be completed within the ten-day timeframe outlined above. All work must be made up and completed by this schedule, or missing work will earn a zero. 

4. Under special circumstances, a student may make arrangements with their teachers along with guidance and administrative approval to complete work during the summer vacation or to attend summer school. 

5. All senior work is to be completed and submitted to senior teachers by the deadlines teachers announce in individual courses. No Incompletes will be issued to Seniors except for special circumstances approved in writing by the Principal. 

6. All incomplete grades must be resolved by the last day of the school year. No incomplete grades will be issued except for special circumstances approved in writing by the Principal.

Students who have failed a course and want to retake it in summer school must have a semester average of 50-59% to be eligible to take the course in summer school. Only summer schools that have classes that meet for a minimum number of hours and meet in person as approved by School Counseling and Administration may be approved to replace a failure. Summer school enrollment must be approved by the School Counseling before a student begins classes. For a student to receive credit for a summer school course, the student must earn a final grade of C- (70% or higher). While a summer school grade of C- or better may restore the academic credit for a failed course, summer school grades are not factored into grade point average (GPA). All summer school costs will be incurred by the parent/guardian. 

 

Course grades are un-weighted and are based on a 4.3 scale. A copy of the GPA system is available in the school counseling office upon request. 
 

The honor roll exists to recognize academic achievement.  A student must have a minimum of three (3) blocks of academic credit from courses offered at Oakmont Regional High School to qualify for the Honor Roll.

Honor Roll eligibility for grades 9-12 is as follows:

 

• Highest Honors - Students having all "A" range grades (No grades less than a 90)
• High Honors - Students having all grades in the "A" range (90 or above) with the exception of no more than one "B" range (80 or better) grade. 
• Honors - Students receiving all "A" or "B" Range grades (80 or better)

 

Course Selection

Students in grades 9 through 11 will be contacted by the School Counseling during the second semester to select courses for the following year. At that time each student will be given instructions on how 

to access the “Program of Studies” guide and complete the online course selection sheet. Students should complete this online process with their parents/guardians. When preliminary schedules are available, counselors will review them with their students. If a course change is academically necessary, it can be made at that time. Parental concerns should be directed to the school counseling office before the master schedule is finalized in mid-May. 

 

Course Changes

We strongly recommend that parents and students carefully choose courses because changes during the school year limit options and jeopardize academic success. Fall and winter course changes will be limited to computer errors, incorrect academic placement, or course failures and must be done within the first five days of the semester. Course availability is limited. Therefore the following students will receive priority for course changes: 

1. Students who are scheduled for fewer than 8 courses. 

2. Students who have failed a course and did not attend summer school. 

3. Students who are scheduled for courses out of sequence. 

4. Students who are scheduled for a course they have already completed. 

Student requests to change a course for any other reason after schedules have been published will require  both add/drop teacher approval, parental approval, and administration approval. Courses dropped after ten (10) school days in a semester will be recorded as withdrawal on the student’s permanent record at the discretion of the Principal. 

 

Advanced Placement at Oakmont Regional High School

 

Mission Statement

The Advanced Placement Program at Oakmont Regional High School empowers students to engage in challenging academic instruction and learning while still benefiting from the support and community of a high school environment. Our mission is to challenge students to think critically, develop strong academic habits, and cultivate the skills, curiosity, and confidence necessary for success in college and beyond.

 

Program Philosophy

At Oakmont, we believe that Advanced Placement courses provide meaningful academic opportunities for students who are ready to embrace higher-level expectations. Our AP philosophy is grounded in the following principles:

• Intellectual Growth: Intellectual challenges lead to significant personal and academic growth. AP coursework encourages students to think more deeply, engage in complex discussion, and develop higher-order thinking skills.

• Accessible Rigor: While AP courses are demanding, they are accessible to students who demonstrate commitment, curiosity, and a strong work ethic. With dedication and effort, students can meet high standards and experience the pride that comes from meaningful accomplishment.

• Skill Development: AP courses help students build essential habits such as time management, organization, productive study routines, and resilience.

• Variety and Opportunity: Our diverse AP offerings allow students to explore strengths, challenge weaknesses, and pursue areas of interest at a deeper level.

• Shared Responsibility: Success in AP courses requires partnership among students, teachers, and families. Students must be prepared for consistent effort both in and outside the classroom, teachers provide guidance and support, and our families help reinforce expectations and commitment.
• College-Level Experience: AP courses expose students to the rigor, structure, and expectations they may encounter in college, allowing them to earn potential college credit and explore advanced content in areas of personal interest.

 

Course and Exam Policy

• Students who enroll in an AP course are required to take the corresponding AP Exam in the spring. 
• Families are responsible for the AP Exam fee.*
• Students who do not take the exam without a valid, documented reason will receive honors credit for the course instead of AP credit.
• Students are strongly encouraged to review expectations before enrolling to ensure they are ready to fully commit to the course and the exam.

 

Available AP Courses

 

Academic Integrity Standards for AP Courses at Oakmont

Oakmont Regional High School expects that students will exercise the highest standard of academic honesty. Academic honesty violations will be referred to the administration, parents will be notified, and an automatic “0” will be recorded for the assignment in the grade book. Violations may be intentional or unintentional. Regardless, the expectations and consequences are the same. Below are examples of infractions that violate academic honesty:

1. Plagiarism - Presenting the ideas or work of another as one’s own. This includes copying research and other information directly from a website, book, journal, or copying, paraphrasing, reusing, or submitting another’s work without acknowledging the source.
2. Collusion - Supporting another student’s cheating, for example, allowing one’s work to be copied or submitted by another student.
3. Duplication of Work - The presentation of the same work for different assignments and/or subject areas.
4. Generative AI Tools - AI tools that complete assignments for the student in a variety of ways, including but not limited to summaries, main points, analyses, full essays, extensive rewrites, or solving math and science problems, without the student doing their own reading, thinking, calculations, or experimentation. Teachers may allow certain types of “AI-aided” work and will guide students on how to use AI tools effectively and responsibly.

 

Summer Work

Students enrolled in AP courses are expected to complete all assigned summer work. The assignments are designed to support student readiness and uphold high academic standards. 

 

The following guidelines outline the expectations for all summer assignments:

• Summer work is due on the Thursday before Labor Day for all students.
• This deadline applies regardless of whether the student is scheduled to take the course in Semester 1 or Semester 2.
  • Students taking a Semester 2 AP course may be required to submit additional work in early January, particularly in subjects such as science and math, to refresh key concepts and ensure readiness. 
• Students who transfer into school over the summer or close to the start of school will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Students may receive an extended deadline or be excused from some or all summer work depending on: date of enrollment, availability of materials, the nature of the assignment, and teacher and administrator discretion.

 

Students are responsible for obtaining and completing all required summer work. Assignments can be found on the Oakmont Regional High School website under the “Students” menu by selecting “Summer 2026 Assignments.” Any questions or concerns should be directed to the course teacher or department head.

 

Dual Enrollment

Dual Enrollment programs are educational programs that afford high school Juniors and Seniors who meet Oakmont Regional High School qualifications the opportunity to enroll in college-level courses. Juniors are only eligible for part-time study at a college and must carry a total of 4 courses each semester. Seniors, however, may participate either part-time or full-time in the program. 

The student and their parents/guardians must agree to the following conditions for participation in Dual Enrollment with participating colleges and universities: 

1. The student meets the following prerequisites before enrolling: 

a. A student in 11th grade must: 

i. Have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.2 at the end of 3 semesters for fall enrollment and 4 semesters for spring enrollment. To continue in the program, a 3.0 GPA must be 

maintained in the college courses. 

ii. Passed the ELA, Math, and Science/Technology MCAS exams prior to enrollment. iii. Be enrolled in the Oakmont grade 11 curriculum in 20th Century US/WorldHistory, English, & two other full-credit electives at Oakmont. 

b. A student in 12th grade must: 

i. Have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.0. The 3.0 GPA must be maintained to remain eligible for the program. 

ii. Taken the ELA, Math, and Science/Technology MCAS exams prior to enrollment. iii. Be enrolled in English 12 at Oakmont unless enrolled as a full-time Dual Enrollment student, in which case an English course must be taken at the college. 

iv. Enroll in courses equivalent in number to those carried by all Oakmont seniors (4 each semester), a minimum of eight courses (4 each semester), or 24 college credits over one year. Seniors are expected to be enrolled in four credits per semester, unless otherwise approved by administration

v. Have completed all courses necessary to fulfill all graduation requirements at Oakmont or enroll in courses at the college to fulfill the requirements. 

2. The college or university has accepted the Oakmont student into its Dual Enrollment Program. 3. Student schedules must be approved by his or her school counselor before the start of classes. Schedule changes are not allowed unless approved by the counselor. Any exceptions, due to an extenuating circumstance, must be approved by the Counselor and Administration. College course enrollments that are not approved by school counselors may not be awarded Oakmont graduation credit. 

4. Students are required to carry a minimum of 4 three-credit classes each semester and will not be allowed to drop a course unless it is replaced - during that same semester - by a course of at least equal credit value. 

5. The student must earn an equivalent number of total credits to meet Oakmont graduation requirements. Seniors must take and pass a full semester of English and remain enrolled in the equivalent of 8 “full credit” courses. 

6. All tuition and fees shall be paid by the student/parent. 

7. Full participation in Oakmont athletics and activities, including clubs and senior activities, is encouraged and will be permitted provided that the student can meet the requirements for that activity and any additional M.I.A.A. requirements. It is the student’s responsibility to remain informed of class activities and deadlines. Seniors are responsible for keeping themselves updated regarding deadlines and requirements for graduation. 

8. A total not to exceed 4 courses each semester will be included in the Oakmont GPA and Honor Roll To be eligible for honor roll a student must be taking a full course load of 4 courses or equivalent. 

9. It is the responsibility of the student and/or parent to have official transcripts of their college work sent to the Oakmont School Counseling no later than five days before the end of each Oakmont semester and ten days before Oakmont's graduation ceremony in June for seniors seeking a diploma. Failure to comply with these timelines may result in course failure, exclusion from the Honor Roll, ineligibility to participate in graduation ceremonies for seniors, or denial of permission for further participation in Dual Enrollment for juniors. 

10. Should an Oakmont senior fail a Dual Enrollment course that is an Oakmont graduation requirement, the student will have to make up needed credits before an Oakmont diploma is granted. 

 

Homework is considered a necessary and significant factor in the learning process. Much of the success or failure of a student depends upon the ability to complete daily assignments. Homework is assigned to all students in all grades and may be assigned on any night in any given subject. Students should take the responsibility of communicating with their teachers via email to receive assignments when absent, however, a parent or guardian may receive assignments for absent students by communicating with teachers directly. Teachers put in extra time to facilitate this and parents should follow up to ensure that assignments are being completed. Please see the AWRSD Homework Policy in Appendix A and the specific teacher’s course syllabus for more details regarding homework.

 

Artificial Intelligence Policy

Philosophy: Artificial intelligence is a powerful tool with the potential to revolutionize our classrooms. At Oakmont Regional High School, we recognize its value but will limit its use to ensure students develop and demonstrate their own knowledge and skills. AI may be used minimally in clearly defined ways when permitted, and all work must reflect students’ original thinking.

 

Guiding Principles

• Own Your Work: AI is a tool to support your learning, not do the work for you. Your assignments must reflect your own thinking, understanding, and effort.
• Be Honest and Check Your Work: If you use AI, you must say so. AI can be wrong, so review, fact-check, and properly cite any information before turning in your work.
• Use AI to Support Learning, Not Replace It: AI can help you think and collaborate, but it should not replace your learning or participation.
• Protect Your Privacy: Do not share personal, sensitive, or school-related information in AI tools. Use only district-approved platforms.

 

Student Expectations

1. All assignments must reflect your own thinking, effort, and understanding.
2. Only use AI tools in ways your teacher has approved.
3. Do Not Use AI to:
   1. Generate essays, projects, or assignments for submission.
   2. Fabricate citations, data, or research.
   3. Bypass learning or assessment requirements.
4. Always clearly indicate if AI contributed to your work.
5. If you are unsure when or how AI may be used, check with your teacher.
6. Use the provided AI assessment guidelines to help determine appropriate AI use.

 

Assessment Guidelines - Levels of AI Use

(Adapted from Somerville Public Schools Artificial Intelligence Guidelines, 2022)

 

Utilizing AI & Citations

Students must disclose their use of generative AI, which should be treated as assistance from another person or source.

• How to Cite AI (MLA)
• How to Cite ChatGPT (APA)
• Links or screenshots to AI conversations or Screenshots of AI-generated responses (e.g., Gemini, ChatGPT, Claude) 

 

AI Misuse and Consequences

Misusing AI at Oakmont violates the Student Handbook. Depending on the severity, consequences include:

• Academic: A zero on the assignment and a referral for academic dishonesty.
• Technology: Loss of school computer and network privileges.
• Disciplinary: Detention, suspension, or expulsion.
• Legal: Reporting to law enforcement for cases involving deepfakes, harassment, or threats.

 

This section reflects the school’s expectations as outlined in the Academic Integrity section of the handbook. The misuse of artificial intelligence to generate work, including instances involving cheating, plagiarism, or the use of unauthorized academic materials, is considered a violation of these expectations.

 

Teacher Expectations

1. Provide clear guidance to students when AI use is allowed in assignments, emphasizing ethical and appropriate use through modeling and exemplars. 
2. Monitor student work for responsible and ethical AI use.
3. Structure assignments to encourage students to learn how to use AI appropriately.
4. Model transparency by acknowledging when AI is used in instruction or preparation.

 

Commitment to Growth

ORHS is committed to regularly reviewing this policy to keep pace with evolving technologies, providing training for staff and students on responsible AI use, and creating opportunities to discuss and shape the use of AI in the classroom.

 

This policy was informed by and, in some instances, directly incorporates language from the following sources:

“AI Guidance - Holliston Public Schools.” K12.Ma.us, 2025, www.holliston.k12.ma.us/district-departments/technology/ai/ai-guidance. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.

“Somerville Public Schools.” Somervilleschools.org, 2022, www.somervilleschools.org/page/artificial-intelligence-guidelines/. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.

“Student Handbook.” Shrewsburyma.gov, 2025, schools.shrewsburyma.gov/high/studenthandbook#AI-SyntheticMedia. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.

“VVHS AI Policy - Virgin Valley High School.” Vvhsdawgs.org, 2025, www.vvhsdawgs.org/school-policies-and-compliance/policy-and-procedures/vvhs-ai-policy. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.