GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
A student of PMA must meet the following requirements for graduation.
To graduate from PMA, a student must:
Earn passing grades in each course, every semester for a minimum of 240 semester credits.
Take an English, Math, and Religion course each semester.
Complete one hundred (100) hours of Christian service and attend the annual retreats.
Recommended to Complete an SAT Preparation Course by the beginning of their senior year and take the SAT or ACT.
A. CREDITS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION
NOTE: Participation in the graduation ceremony and receipt of a diploma are privileges, not rights. PMA reserves the right to deny participation in graduation and to deny a diploma. Any student subject to such penalties will be granted a transcript, in accordance with the requirements of California law.
Any student who is deficient in five credits (one class) of coursework at the time of graduation, will be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony, but will not receive a diploma until documentation is received that the appropriate class has been successfully completed. This class must be pre-approved by the counselor.
Any student who is deficient in ten or more credits (two or more classes) of required coursework will not be allowed to participate in Prom, Graduation Ceremony, the Baccalaureate Mass, Grad Nite, or rehearsals. Attendance at any senior events is a privilege that can be taken away on the Senior Citizenship Contract. Seniors who do not submit copies of all college acceptance letters and college scholarship letters to the senior counselor by the second Friday of May also lose the privilege of attending Grad Nite.
B. VALEDICTORIAN AND SALUTATORIAN SELECTION PROCESS
The Valedictorian and Salutatorian are selected each year from the graduating class. The Valedictorian ranks first in scholarship and is considered the top student of his/her class; the salutatorian ranks second in scholarship and is considered the second highest student in his/her class. Criteria are based primarily on cumulative GPA, the number of advanced placement classes must have attended PMA for at least 3 years.
The following point system will be used to determine valedictorian/salutatorian:
Cumulative GPA shall be determined at the end of the 1st semester of the senior year. The top 5 seniors shall be ranked by academic weighted GPA and given the following point values. 1st: 30 points; 2nd: 27 points; 3rd: 24 points; 4th: 21 points; 5th: 18 points; 6th: 15 points; 7th: 12 points; 8th: 9 points; 9th; 6 points; and 10th: 3 points (70%).
The number of advanced classes taken by the top 5 GPA seniors shall be determined at the end of the 7th semester of the senior year. The following point values will be awarded: 1st: 10 points; 2nd: 9 points; 3rd: 8 points; 4th: 7 points; 5th: 6 points; 6th: 5 points; 7th: 4 points; 8th: 3 points; 9th: 2 points; 10th: 1 point (30%).
The point totals from the above 2 categories will be used to determine Valedictorian and Salutatorian. The Principal/Academic Guidance Counselor will meet with the qualifying students after the 3rd quarter of their senior year to inform them of their honor and to begin preparing for graduation.
Note: Under this point system, it is possible that more than one student may qualify for the valedictorian and salutatorian distinctions. Should there be more than one valedictorian or salutatorian, candidates must write a speech and the best one will be selected by for the commencement ceremony
C. GRADUATION WITH HONORS
Summa Cum Laude Students maintain an academic grade point average of 3.80 to 4.00 over the first 7 semesters.
Magna Cum Laude Students maintain an academic grade point average of 3.60 to 3.79 over the first 7 Semesters.
Cum Laude Students maintain an academic grade point average of 3.40 to 3.59 over the first 7 semesters.
D. HONOR ROLL
Honor Roll status is based on the previous semester’s grades. Students earning a 4.0 GPA and above are placed on the Principal’s Honor Roll. Students earning between 3.50 and 3.99 GPA are placed on the PMA Honor Roll. Students earning between 3.49-3.0 GPA are awarded the PMA Academic Excellence Award.
E. COLLEGE ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
1.REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTRANCE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/freshman/requirements/index.html
4 years English
3 years Mathematics (4 recommended)
2 years of the same Foreign Language (3 recommended)
2 years of Lab Science (3 recommended
2 years of History/Social Science (including 1 yr World History and 1 yr. US History or US History/Government)
1 year of Visual and Performing Arts
1 years of U.C. approved College-Prep electives
UC GPA: includes 10th and 11th grade required courses, weighted for honors/AP.
ALSO REQUIRED: SAT I or ACT test (see counselor for scores required) and SAT II (if needed) Subject Area Tests (one Math, one English, and one additional) UCs also consider essay, school/community activities, honors and awards, and work experience.
Things to Know for UC:
UC and all other SELECTIVE colleges (Harvard, Stanford, Notre Dame, etc.) require the most rigorous course sequence possible, i.e. 4 years Math, 4 years science, 3 years language, AP and Honors courses, etc.
Electives include all courses beyond the minimum requirement, e.g. Physics, Spanish III, Econ., and Psychology. Not all electives are U.C. approved. Check with the counselor for details.
Things to know for CSU:
CSU GPA: includes both 10th and 11th grade required courses, weighted for honors/AP
ALSO REQUIRED: SAT I or ACT test (see counselor for scores required). SAT Subject Area tests may be required for some majors (see your counselor).
NOTE: CSU requirements meet most out of state college requirements but there are differences. Check with the school counselor for specific requirements for specific schools. Most electives meet CSU Requirements but there are exceptions. Check with your counselor before completing your schedule for junior year.
3. PRIVATE COLLEGES / OUT OF STATE COLLEGES
These vary in requirements; it is best to try to match UC requirements. Private colleges also consider test scores, essays, activities, and also look at recommendations from teachers and others. Students and parents are encouraged to meet with a guidance counselor to discuss these requirements.
4. COMMUNITY COLLEGES OF CALIFORNIA
Requirements: High School Diploma. Community colleges now have transfer and matriculation services to help all students reach their goal of transfering to 4-year colleges/universities and/or earning an AA/AS degree.
Please be sure to see the counselor if you have any questions regarding college admission requirements. Senior Counselor reserves the right to deny writing a recommendation for any student who does not meet the minimum requirements for admission into the university or college.
F. CHRISTIAN SERVICE PROGRAM HOURS & CLASS RETREATS
The Christian Service Program at PMA is rooted in the Gospel of Matthew, which reminds us of our call as Christians to serve Christ through others:
“Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you cared for me, in prison and you came to visit me...I assure you, as often as you did for one of my least brothers or sisters, you did it for me.” Matthew 25:34-40.
At PMA, Christian service experiences are inspired by this Gospel message that calls for us to love and serve our neighbor, especially the marginalized. Our program is linked to Catholic Social teaching embodied in PMA’s philosophy and mission statement. PMA strives to create a sense of school pride through community engagement.
PMA understands that the opportunity to service is in our surrounding community and fully empowers our students in direct service that will develop them as lifelong learners.
TOTAL NUMBER OF CHRISTIAN SERVICE HOURS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION
1. Every PMA student will engage in 25 hours of service every year.
2. Every PMA student will meet the graduation requirement of 100 Christian service hours by his/her senior year.
All service hours must be submitted using the Christian Service Reflection form. Shared with students on Google Drive and granted access through their PMA email address. The form includes a reflection rooted in a Gospel that they can choose from the form drop down menu. In addition the students create a 1 minute video that illustrates the type of service and an explanation of its connection to the Gospel.
