​Holy Name of Mary School: 8th Grade Requirements and Expectations

The eighth-grade year is a significant milestone for students at Holy Name of Mary School. It is a time of academic growth, spiritual development, and preparation for high school. This policy outlines the specific requirements and behavioral expectations for all eighth-grade students to ensure a successful and rewarding final year. Adherence to these standards is a prerequisite for participationin graduation activities, such as field trips, class parties, sports and the commencement ceremony as well as dinner dance.​

I. Academic Requirements

To be eligible for promotion and graduation, eighth-grade students must maintain satisfactory academic standing throughout the school year. This includes:

• Passing Grades: Students must achieve a passing grade in all core subjects for each trimester and as a final year-end average. Core subjects include Religion, English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies.
• Completion of Assignments: All major projects, research papers, and assignments must be completed and submitted by their designated due dates. Failure to complete required work may result in a failing grade for the subject.
• Academic Integrity: Students are expected to uphold the highest standards of academic honesty. Cheating, plagiarism, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in disciplinary action as outlined in the school’s Code of Conduct and may jeopardize graduation eligibility.

II. Christian Service Hours

In keeping with our Catholic values of compassion and service to others, all eighth-grade students are required to complete a minimum number of Christian service hours.

• Requirement: Students must complete a total of 30 service hours during their eighth-grade year.
• Qualifying Service: Services performed without compensation for family, friends, school, church, or community during personal time may be counted toward the service hours requirement. However, routine chores or family responsibilities normally expected from a 5th–8th grade family member do not qualify as service hours.
• Service Hour Timeline: Hours served from the last day of the previous school year through the last day of the present school year will count toward the present school year's requirement.
• Carrying Over Hours: Any student who falls short of the required minimum hours will have the balance added to the next year's requirement. Students transferring into Holy Name of Mary in the Junior High are only responsible for the hours required starting from their year of entry.
• Total Hours: Students are required to complete a total of 90 service hours between 5th and 8th grade.
• Documentation: All service hours must be documented on the official school form, signed by an adult supervisor at the service location, and submitted to the student’s homeroom teacher by the final deadline announced in the spring trimester. Eighth grade service hours must be pre-approved by the principal or teacher.
• Purpose and Consequences: The service requirement encourages students to live out their faith by serving the parish and the wider community, fostering a lifelong commitment to helping others. Students who fail to complete and document the required service hours by the end of 8th grade will not receive the privilege of participating in the 8th grade graduation field trip or the graduation dance. Additionally, the diploma and/or report card will be withheld until all service hours are completed.

During the spring, all 8th grade students are required to have an Exit Interview with the Administration. The SLE (Schoolwide Learning Expectations) Portfolio must provide satisfactory evidence that the student has met or exceeded all expectations. Students who satisfactorily complete the eighth-grade courses participate in a simple but dignified graduation ceremony.

III. Behavioral Standards and Expectations

As leaders and role models within the school, eighth-grade students are held to the highest standards of conduct. Each student is expected to demonstrate respect, responsibility, and reverence in their interactions with faculty, staff, peers, and visitors.

• Respect for Authority and Peers: Students must show courtesy and cooperation toward all members of the school community. Disrespect, insubordination, bullying, or harassment will not be tolerated.
• Responsibility for Actions: Students are accountable for their own behavior and its impact on the school environment. This includes responsible use of school property and technology.
• Representation of the School: Eighth-grade students represent Holy Name of Mary School both on and off campus, including at school-sponsored events and on social media. Their conduct should consistently reflect the values of our Catholic faith and school community.

IV. Consequences for Failure to Meet Standards

Participation in end-of-year activities, including the class trip, eighth-grade dance, and the graduation ceremony, is a privilege, not a right. This privilege is reserved for students who have successfully met all academic, service, and behavioral requirements.

The school administration reserves the right to remove a student from any or all graduation-related activities for failure to meet these standards. Such actions may be taken in response to:

• Failure to meet academic requirements for promotion.
• Failure to complete the Christian service hours requirement.
• A single serious disciplinary infraction (e.g., fighting, vandalism, academic dishonesty, bullying) at any point during the school year.
• An accumulation of minor disciplinary infractions that demonstrates a consistent disregard for school rules and expectations.

All decisions regarding a student’s participation in graduation activities are at the discretion of the school administration. Parents and students will be notified in a timely manner if a student’s eligibility for these privileges is in jeopardy. We partner with our families to encourage and support every student in meeting these important goals for their final year at Holy Name of Mary School.

Please refer to the school handbook for detailed information regarding policies on bullying, cheating, plagiarism, and the tiered breakdown of consequences, as not all information is included here.​​

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During the Spring, all 8^th grade students are required to have an Exit Interview with the Administration.  The SLE Portfolio must provide satisfactory evidence that the student has met or exceeded all Schoolwide Learning Expectations.  Students who satisfactorily complete the eighth grade courses participate in a simple but dignified graduation ceremony.