FORT FAIRFIELD MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL

28 High School Drive, Suite A

Fort Fairfield, Maine  04742

(207) 472-3271

FAX (207) 472-3281

 

Principal:  Mark Jenkins

Assistant Principal/AD:  Timothy Watt

Director of Guidance:  Susan Pierce

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

            Fort Fairfield Middle High School houses grades six through twelve with an approximate enrollment of 330 students.  The school serves Maine School Administrative District #20, which is comprised of the town of Fort Fairfield.  Fort Fairfield is a rural community of approximately thirty six hundred people located in northeastern Maine on the border with New Brunswick, Canada.  In addition to the middle high school, the school district has one elementary school.

 

Ninety percent of the class of 2005 planned to continue their education. Thirty eight students were accepted at either a two or four year college, one entered the military and three entered the workforce.

 

            Fort Fairfield Middle High School is fully accredited by the New England Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and by the Maine Department of Education and Cultural Services.

 

            The school offers comprehensive courses of study.  Juniors and seniors also have the opportunity to attend programs at a nearby regional vocational high school.  Classes at Loring Job Corps center are also available. 

 

Graduation Requirements for the Class of 2007

 

                                    English                                                              4 credits

                                    Mathematics                                                                 3 credits

                                    Science                                                                        2 credits

                                    Social Studies                                                               3 credits

                                    Fine Arts                                                                      1 credit

                                    Health (1 Credit 2008)                                     1/2 credit (2007)

                                    Physical Education (2 semesters)                                   1 credit

                                    Electives                                                                       5 credits           ____

                                                                                                                        20 credits minimum                  

 

            Graduation requirements for the Class of 2008 will be 23 credits with additional required credits in math (1) social studies (1) and science (1).  For the Class of 2009 credit requirements will be 24, with one additional credit in science.

 

Students who fail required subjects may earn the credit through correspondence courses, summer school, other approved outside programs, or they may retake the course the following year. Prior to the start of the program, all correspondence, summer school, and outside courses must be approved by the Principal or the Director of Guidance.

 

No more than four credits from outside a formal, secondary educational day program will be allowed to count toward graduation, and no more than two of these can come from correspondence courses. 

 

PROMOTION

 

            Students are formally promoted according to the minimum number of credits they have earned.  However, for day to day purposes, students will remain grouped in the class with whom they entered high school.

 

            Promotion from:                                                                        Credits

 

Grade Nine to Grade Ten                                                         Five credits

 

Grade Ten to Grade Eleven                              .                       Ten credits

 

Grade Eleven to Grade Twelve                                                 Fifteen credits

 

Graduation from Grade Twelve                                     20 credits (18 must be academic)

 

GRADING

 

A = 100 to 93, B = 92 to 85, C = 84 to 78. D = 77 to 70, F = Below 70.

 

Students are not eligible for the yearly top ten designations if they are failing a class or have failed a class in that school year.

 

Home schooled students entering or re-entering school must take the core curriculum for the grade which they are entering. Documentation of past work to determine grade placement will be presented to the Principal for approval.

 

            All grades posted to report cards are earned grades.

 

            Under certain circumstances and for selected classes, a half credit may be awarded.

 

HONOR ROLL

 

            Fort Fairfield Middle High School recognizes both Honors and High Honors at the end of each ranking period.  The Honor Roll is determined by grades from academic classes, two weeks after grades close.

 

      • High Honors:  Average grade of at least 93, with no grade below an 85.
      • Honors:  Average grade of at least 85, with no grade below a 78.

 

WEIGHTED CLASS RANK

 

The purpose of weighted class rank is to encourage, reward, and recognize students who go beyond the standard curriculum, particularly in areas valued by competitive four-year colleges.

 

Only class rank will be weighted.  GPA will be un-weighted and will reflect grade-based student achievement. A weighted class rank will be used for the college application and scholarship process and for the senior class honor parts.

 

            Class rank will be calculated at the end of the junior year, and at the start of the second semester senior year. A final class rank for graduation will be calculated at the end of the senior year.

 

The level of difficulty for classes, as valued by competitive four year colleges, is assigned to recognize students who take classes above and beyond the standard curriculum:

3 - Colleges and Universities recognize the course as an AP, advanced or an extremely demanding course academically and intellectually. It is recommended for students who wish to excel in an area or apply to competitive college or honors programs.

 

2 - The course is a demanding elective for the student with above average ability and/or strong motivation. It is highly recommended for students preparing for college.

 

1 - The course is part of the standard curriculum and is recommended or required for all students.

·        Category 3 classes:  A college or AP class, Anatomy/Physiology, Calculus

·        Category 2 classes:  Advanced Chemistry, French III, French IV, Trig/Pre-Calc

 

ACADEMIC LOAD

 

            All FFMHS students must always carry a minimum of five academic subjects to be considered full time students. (6 for the class of 2008 and beyond)

 

ACADEMIC/”NON-ACADEMIC” CLASSES

 

            While FFMHS recognizes the value of all of its course offerings toward the growth and well-being of its students, for the purposes of calculating class standing, honor rolls, and types of credit earned toward graduation, certain classes are designated “non-academic.”  Non-academic subjects are band, chorus, and driver education. 

 

ADD-DROP PERIOD

 

            Together with students and parents, we will make every effort to choose an appropriate course of study and select classes accordingly.  Since we have made this effort together thoughtfully, and the school has balanced class sizes, last minute changes are discouraged.  No changes to a student’s schedule will considered after the first ten school days of each school year unless justified by exceptional circumstances.

If a student withdraws from any course after the first quarter ranking period, the course will appear on the student’s record with the grade earned at the time of the withdrawal.  No credit will be allowed in the subject.  Full year, one-credit subjects may not be dropped at the end of the first semester without forfeiting credit for the work completed.

 

ADULT EDUCATION

 

            By state law, adult education classes cannot be substituted for regular day classes and may not be used toward graduation requirements for FFMHS students until after their class has graduated.

 

INDEPENDENT STUDY

 

            The purpose of independent study is to give highly motivated students an opportunity to further explore an area of interest.  Students design their course, which must require at least as much work and study as a regular course, have a teacher from that area of study agree to advise and evaluate progress, and have guidance or administration approve the plan.  Independent study courses cannot be used for minimum class requirements or as a convenience to cover regular requirements.  Up to one credit per course may be awarded.    

             

RECOMMENDED CLASSES           

 

To apply to a competitive college or university:

 

                                    AP or Advanced English 10, 11 & 12

Algebra, Geometry, Advanced Algebra, Trigonometry, and if appropriate, Calculus

                                    Advanced or regular Chemistry (depending on planned major)

                                    Advanced or regular Biology (depending on planned major)

                                    Anatomy/Physiology

                                    Physics

 

                        To apply to an open admission college or university, community college, trade or technical

                        program or into the labor market:

 

                                    English 11&12

                                    Algebra, Geometry, Advanced Algebra                        

Chemistry

                                    Biology

 

All Social Studies classes are heterogeneously grouped as are most freshman and sophomore classes. In selecting classes, parents and students should carefully consider the student’s ability and plans for the future.  Additionally, a course should never be selected on a whim, or just because a friend is taking the class.  Courses must be chosen on the basis of sound information and careful thought.  Once your schedule is complete, it must be approved by your parents or guardians and the school.  Many students successfully blend parts of different programs.

 

TYPICAL COURSE SELECTION

           

The level of a particular class selected will depend on post-secondary plans and ability.  More advanced of difficult courses have weighted grades (see below).  Course selection will change for the Class of 2008 and there after.

Freshman Year

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

Senior Year

 

 

 

 

English *

English *

English *

English *

Math *

Math *

Math *

Math **

World History I*

18th/19th Century *

20th Century *

Anatomy/Physiology **

Freshman Science *

Biology *

Chemistry *

Physics **

Spanish I**

Spanish II**

French III**

French IV**

Band/Chorus **

Band/Chorus **

Band/Chorus **

Band/Chorus **

Phys Ed *

Phys Ed *

Electives *

Electives *

I-Search *

Electives *

Electives *

Electives *

 

Health*

Voc Ed

Voc Ed

 

* Required

** Recommended

 

 

TIPS ON COURSE SELECTION

Although there are courses that each student must take to meet minimum graduation requirements, students and parents need to consider long term career and educational goals when developing a four-year plan of study. It is frustrating for students to reach the senior year, have a career goal or college program in mind and find out that they do not have the basic requirements to get into the post-secondary program of their choice. Planning the course of study is the process of building a resume for the future. Colleges and employers will look at the four years in high school to decide which individuals they will accept or hire and which individuals they will reject.

 

The guidance office has post-secondary educational and career planning information available for use by students and parents.

 

Parents, please feel free to contact the office for an appointment if you would like to meet with the guidance counselor to discuss your child's course selection.