To receive a diploma from Bishop Chatard, students are required to:
- Complete a total of 8 semesters in high school
- Successfully complete all of the academic requirements, including Theology, for one of the following diplomas: Core 40 or Core 40 with Academic Honors
- Class of 2020, 2021, 2022: Pass the ISTEP+ Assessment in Math and English/Language Arts or qualify for a state waiver
- Class of 2023 and beyond: Complete the Indiana Pathways Graduation Requirements
- Complete an Indiana Core 40, Core 40 with Academic Honors, or General diploma
- Complete the Service-Based Learning requirement
- Meet the minimum test score requirements on the SAT, ACT, and ASVAB or qualify for a waiver by attempting all three tests and completing the previous two requirements
Students may opt out of the Core 40 requirements and receive a general Indiana diploma, but only with administrative approval.
2019/20 Diploma Academic Requirements
| Area | Core 40 Diploma | Core 40 with Academic Honors Diploma |
|---|---|---|
| Theology | 8 credits or 2 for each school year in attendance at BCHS | 8 credits or 2 for each school year in attendance at BCHS |
| English | 8 credits: English, Literature, Composition | 8 credits: English, Literature, and Composition |
| Mathematics | 6-8 credits: Algebra I*, Algebra II, and Geometry. Students must take a math course each year. | 8-10 credits: Algebra I*, Algebra II, Geometry. Students must take a math course each year. |
| Science | 6 credits: 2 Biology; 2 Chemistry, Physics or Integrated Chemistry-Physics; and 2 add’l credits from any Core 40 science course. |
6 credits: 2 Biology; 2 Chemistry, Physics or Integrated Chemistry-Physics; and 2 add’l credits from any core 40 science course. |
| Social Studies | 6 credits: 2 World History or 2 World Geography/History of the World; 2 U.S. History; 2 Government/Economics | 6 credits: 2 World History or 2 World Geography/History of the World; 2 U.S. History; 2 Government/Economics |
| Directed Electives: World Language, Fine Arts |
5 credits total in any combination of World Language*, Fine Arts and/or Career & Technical Education | 8 credits total: World Language: 6-8 credits in one language or 4 credits each in two different languages*, Fine Arts 2 credits |
| Health | 1 credit | 1 credit |
| Physical Education | 2 credits | 2 credits |
| Electives | Additional courses to bring the total number of credits to 48 | Additional courses to bring the total number of credits to 55 |
| Total | 48 credits minimum | 55 credits minimum |
| Add’l Requirements | None | Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above
Semester grades of C- or above.
|
| * Courses a student tests out of (e.g. Algebra I, Spanish I) are not awarded high school credit, so are not counted in the total required. | ||
Advanced Placement (AP) and ACP core dual credit courses also receive a weighted grade.
Students enrolled in an AP course are required to take the AP exam in the spring. Only seniors enrolled in four or more AP classes are allowed to opt out of an AP exam. Seniors who opt out still must take at least three of the exams. Any student who does not make arrangements in advance to opt out of an AP exam will be charged the cost of the exam. AP exam scores range from 1 through 5, and students who receive a 3 or higher may receive college credit.
Dual credit courses are based on the curriculum of the university awarding college credit and taught by BCHS teachers. Students who successfully complete a dual credit course will receive high school credit as well as college credit. Students are beginning a college transcript with dual credit courses.
First semester grades are calculated using the following formula: quarter 1 grade (40%) + quarter 2 grade (40%) + semester exam/project (20%) = semester 1 grade. Second semester grades are calculated using the following formula: quarter 3 grade (40%) + quarter 4 grade (40%) + semester exam/project (20%) = semester 2 grade.
View the Student Handbook for details
Grading and Honor Roll
Grades can be found in PowerSchool. A progress report is posted in the parental portal midpoint in each quarter. ‘Report Cards’ are posted quarterly in PowerSchool. An email reminder will be sent to each family at midterm and at the end of each quarter.
Grading Scale and GPA Calculation
The Grade Point Average (GPA) is a cumulative average of the previous semesters. All courses taken at Bishop Chatard, except driver’s education, are included in the GPA. All credits earned in summer school for credit recovery are also included in the student GPA. Students who transfer from other schools are given grade points on the basis of how those courses transfer into the Bishop Chatard grading scale and attempted credits.
| Letter Grade | Percent | Grade Point | Honors Point | AP/ACP Point |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 94-100 | 4.00 | 4.50 | 5.00 |
| A- | 93 | 3.67 | 4.17 | 4.67 |
| B+ | 91-92 | 3.33 | 3.83 | 4.33 |
| B | 86-90 | 3.00 | 3.50 | 4.00 |
| B- | 85 | 2.67 | 3.17 | 3.67 |
| C+ | 83-84 | 2.33 | 2.83 | 3.33 |
| C | 76-82 | 2.00 | 2.50 | 3.00 |
| C- | 75 | 1.67 | 2.17 | 2.67 |
| D+ | 73-74 | 1.33 | 1.83 | 2.33 |
| D | 71-72 | 1.00 | 1.50 | 2.00 |
| D- | 70 | .67 | 1.17 | 1.67 |
| F | Below 70 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
Weighted Courses
Students who take rigorous courses have an additional weight value added to them. Honor courses and ACP Dual Credit courses receive an additional .5 points and AP (Advanced Placement) courses receive 1 full point. Report cards reflect the actual grade earned in the course. Grade point average (GPA) reflects the weighted value.
Honor Roll Requirements
Grade points are the basis for computation of the honor roll.
The quarter honor roll is computed on the basis of the course work for that nine-week grading period only. For a student to be eligible for the honor roll, he or she may not have received any grade lower than a C.
The honor roll is published each quarter and is computed in the following manner:
- Principal’s Honor Roll: GPA 4.00 – 4.00+ (All A’s)
- First Honors: GPA 3.50 – 4.00+ (All A’s and B’s)
- Second Honors: GPA 3.00 – 4.00+ (All A’s, B’s and C’s)
**All courses, with the exception of driver’s education, are included in the calculation of the honor roll.