HKIS ACADEMIC POLICIES 1. Part-time or postgraduate students are not normally enrolled. 2. A student entering HKIS in Grade 12 must attend the entire 12th Grade at HKIS to receive the HKIS diploma. 3. Grade 9: Yearly course load for students in Grade 9 is between 6.75 and 7.75 credits. The High School recommends Grade 9 students have a free period in their schedule during one semester of the year to help them transition well and balance the academic workload of High School. Grade 10: Yearly course load for students in Grades 10-12 is between 6.25 and 7.75 credits. Variation from the four-year academic requirement would result from a counseling process in which the following factors would be considered: u Compelling reasons for a shortened High School career. u Intellectual development and social maturity of the student. u Uniqueness of the overseas setting. u Satisfactory alternative plans or programs for the balance of the normal term. The school reserves the right to make the final decision. 4. For Juniors and Seniors, approval from the Associate Principal for Academics is required for students who seek to register for more than three Advanced Placement (AP) credits in an academic year. Sophomores are allowed to take ONE AP course. 5. To receive AP designation on the transcript, a student must complete the AP curriculum by fulfilling the requirements of the course, sitting for, and giving full effort on the College Board exam in May. 6. Normally, a student may not enter a new course after the first cycle of class periods. 7. For yearlong courses, the fourth day of class is the last day that the course can be dropped without penalty or record; for semester courses, the second day of class is the last day that the course can be dropped without penalty or record. Withdrawals beyond that point are recorded on the report card and transcript as W (withdrawn). 8. Yearlong courses represent a commitment on the part of teacher and student to develop skills over the long term. They may not normally be dropped after one semester. 9. If a student withdraws from HKIS prior to the end of the term, HKIS will award a grade upon withdrawal; the decision regarding credit rests with the receiving school.
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10. For returning students, the course registration process for the next academic year begins in late January to early February. u The High School administration, in consultation with department heads, determines the program of courses to be offered for the following academic year. u If a student desires to challenge a course placement recommended by the school, they must complete a Course Override process with the Associate Principal for Academic Programs. (See more information in Prerequisites below.)
