RETENTION/TRANSFER  

The decision to promote a pupil to the next grade or to retain him/her in the present grade is based upon a consideration of the overall welfare of the pupil, i.e., made by carefully weighing academic, emotional, and social factors. 

In the event that retention is under consideration, the following guidelines are applied:

• If a student’s performance or behavior indicates the possible need for retention or transfer, the principal, parents and teacher will meet to discuss the issue and to consider remedial help, counseling, and/or psycho-educational evaluation.
• The teacher makes the principal aware of any pupil with significant learning problems by the end of the first trimester.  With the approval of the principal, the teacher informs the parents regularly during the second trimester of the pupil’s progress or possibility of retention.
• Retention is more successful in primary grades than in later grades; therefore, the primary grade teachers diligently observe students with weaknesses so that the problems are corrected before the pupil reaches the upper grades.  Although the assessment of the teacher and parental opinion are significant factors, the final decision to retain a pupil is the responsibility of the principal.
• In the case of a pupil with a severe learning/behavior problem it may be necessary to recognize that the St. Mel School is not equipped to meet the needs of every pupil and that, therefore, a recommended transfer will be necessary.​​​