Academic Requirements for Athletic Eligibility

As a member of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA), Webb School adheres to the minimum academic standards required by this governing body concerning athletic eligibility for student-athletes. Moreover, Webb will conform to the academic guidelines that more accurately identify the expectations of our school community. (For details, contact Webb Athletic Director, David Meske.)

Transcripts

Upon receipt of a transcript release form signed by both parent and student, and with clearance from Webb's Business Office, Webb School will mail official transcripts to designated institutions, agencies or programs. Transcripts given to students or parents will be stamped “UNOFFICIAL.”

Only semester grades are listed on a student’s transcript.

Homework

While the amount of time that a student spends on homework varies from student to student, Upper School students should expect to spend approximately two to three hours per day on homework. Such a general guide does not include long-range assignments.

Test/Examination Policy

The dates and times for full-period tests and major projects are scheduled by the teachers. Students are not required to take more than two tests per day. Students who have more than two tests per day scheduled should meet with their teachers to make other arrangements.

The first semester final examination for ninth grade students is worth 10 percent of the student’s grade, and the second semester final examination for ninth grade students is worth 15 percent of the student’s grade. Semester final examinations for students in grades 10, 11, and 12 count for no more than 20 percent of the final grade.

Students are expected to take their semester examinations during their scheduled periods. Students who fail to follow this direction risk receiving a failing grade for their examinations. Exceptions to this policy include, but are not limited to, emergency situations, verifiable illness or injury. Any exception to this policy must be approved by the Head of Upper School.

Drop/Add Policy

Given the thorough counseling and scheduling process completed in the spring, a student’s need to change (add, drop or move) courses should be a relatively rare occurrence. If, however, students see the need to adjust their schedules, the request for a change should occur during the first two weeks of the semester. In order to make a schedule change, students must complete a Change of Schedule Request form, discuss the appropriateness of the class change with their teachers, advisors, class deans, college counselors, and parents, and have the completed forms approved by an administrator (signature required with a validated copy of the form in hand) before actually changing the class. The Head of Upper School will approve all class changes. Students who fail to follow this procedure are subject to academic and disciplinary consequences. Although students may withdraw from a year-long course as late as October 1 with appropriate approval, they cannot add a new course after the first two weeks of the start of a semester. As a result, no student will be allowed to drop a year-long course after the first two weeks of the start of school unless the student is taking a total of six or more academic courses.

Conversely, students may not drop a semester course after the first two weeks of the start of the semester unless they are enrolled in a total of six courses or more that same semester.

If students must move from AP or Honors courses into College Preparatory sections, student work for the previous AP or Honors course is counted in the semester grade for the new course. In most cases, the new teacher will determine the appropriate semester grade based largely on the student’s work in the new class. In all cases, the teachers involved in the move will work out a fair and reasonable calculation of a student’s grade.

Special Academic Situations

While the school policy is to accommodate, within reason, unusual and unexpected situations affecting academic matters for each student, the school reserves (at its discretion) the right to make final academic determinations for the curriculum and performance of each student.

Some students admitted to the Upper School will be required to strengthen their skills in mathematics and/or English in Webb’s summer program before entrance or before continuing their fall program.

Academic Acceleration

Subject to the approval of the Upper School Head, students may accelerate studies in some academic areas.

Independent Study

Students wishing to pursue an academic interest not covered by the established curriculum may engage in an independent study lasting for one or two semesters under the direction of a faculty member. Students must petition the teacher, department chair, and Head of Upper School in writing; a proposal for the independent study should describe the nature of the study, the objectives, the necessary procedures needed to accomplish the objectives, the specific content and assessments for the study, and the evaluation process employed, along with any additional requirements and responsibilities. Students should pick up and complete an Independent Study Contract (ISC) from the Upper School Office. ISC submissions are due at the same time as course requests each semester.

For independent study coursework, students receive only ¼ credit for a semester course and ½ credit for a yearlong course. Students will not receive an honors or AP weight adjustment in their GPA for independent study coursework

Prerequisites for independent study are a demonstrated ability to sustain independent work of high quality, some prior knowledge of the field of study, and the agreement of a faculty member to serve as a student’s advisor to the study. Students must meet with the teacher a minimum of two class periods each week.

Any exceptions to this policy must be approved in advance, in writing, by the teacher, the appropriate department chair, and the Head of Upper School.

Programs of Study Beyond Webb School &/or Independent Study Proposals

Students may not take courses outside of Webb School of Knoxville, engage in online coursework, and/or do independent study coursework to satisfy a Webb School graduation requirement or meet the required course load expectation for each semester (each student is required to be enrolled in at least five classes each semester). However, students may choose to take classes outside of Webb School, engage in online coursework, and/or do independent study coursework as an extra course going beyond the school’s academic requirements and the standard minimum of five courses each semester requirement. It should be noted that grades earned in this way will not be included in the student’s Webb School GPA.