Students will receive a progress report at the end of each grading period.  Students, who are doing poorly, and their parents, are notified prior to the end of the semester in order to have an opportunity to improve their grade.  The board encourages the notification of students who have made marked improvement prior to the end of the semester.

Parent-teacher conferences will be held twice per year on an individual basis at the elementary to keep the parents informed.  The conferences at the middle school and the high school are not individually scheduled, but are held twice per year.

Parents, teachers, or principals may request a conference for students in  grades kindergarten through twelve in addition to the scheduled conference time.  Parents and students are encouraged to discuss the student's progress or other matters with the student's teacher.

 

Legal Reference:    Iowa Code §§ 256.11, 41; 280, 284.12

    281 I.A.C. 12.3(4), 12.3(6), .5(16).

Cross Reference:    505    Student Scholastic Achievement

    506       Student Records

Approved    9/15/97            Reviewed     12/19/18            Revised      12/16/25   

Students will be promoted to the next grade level at the end of each school year based on the student's achievement, age, maturity, emotional stability, and social adjustment.

 

The district shall adhere to the following:

• Retention/Promotion in Kindergarten-Eighth Grade: The retention of a student will be determined based upon the judgement of the district’s professional staff. When it becomes evident a student in grades kindergarten through eight may be retained in a grade level for an additional year, the parents will be informed prior to making the retention decision. It is within the sole discretion of the district to retain students in their current grade level and to deny promotion to a student.

• Retention/Promotion in ninth-twelfth grade: Students in grades nine through twelve will be informed of the required coursework necessary to be promoted each year. When it becomes evident a student in these grades will be unable to meet the minimum credit requirements for the year, the student and parents will be informed.  It is within the sole discretion of the district to retain students in their current grade level and to deny promotion to a student.

• Acceleration in kindergarten-twelfth grade: Students in grades kindergarten through twelve with exceptional talents may, with the permission of the principal and parents, take classes beyond their current grade level.  Enrichment opportunities outside the school district may be allowed when they do not conflict with the school district's graduation requirements.

• Retention or Acceleration in kindergarten-twelfth grade may also occur in additional instances as provided by law.

 

For students in grades kindergarten through sixth, if a student is not reading at a proficient level, the district will notify a student’s parent or guardian of the student’s reading level, and the option for parents to request that the student be retained in the student’s current grade level for the subsequent school year.  The district is prohibited from promoting a student to the next grade level if the student is not reading proficiently, and the student’s parent or guardian requests the student be retained at their current grade level for the next year.

Any student or parent who is not satisfied with the decision of the district’s professional staff may seek recourse through policy 502.4-Student Complaints and Grievances.

 

Legal Reference:    Iowa Code §§ 256.11, .41; 279.8.

    281 I.A.C. 12.5(16).

Cross Reference:    501    Student Attendance

    505    Student Scholastic Achievement

    603.2    Summer School Instruction

Approved    1/22/01            Reviewed     1/16/19           Revised 12/16/25

The school district will provide a program that establishes honors and awards including, but not limited to, academic letters, scholarships and good citizenship awards for students to assist students in setting goals.  Students are made aware of honors and awards and the action necessary on the part of the student to achieve them.

It sis the responsibility of the superintendent to develop the administrative regulations regarding this policy.

Legal Reference:    Iowa Code § 279.8 (1999).

Cross Reference:    501.6    Student Transfers In

    504    Student Activities

    505    Student Scholastic Achievement

Approved    9/15/97            Reviewed     3/15/17            Revised   12/16/25

A comprehensive testing program is established and maintained to evaluate the education program of the school district and to assist in providing guidance or counseling services to students and their families.

No student is required, as part of any applicable program, funded by the United State Department of Education, to submit to a survey, analysis or evaluation that reveals information concerning:

• political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parent:
• mental or psychological problems of the student or the student's family;
• sex behavior or attitudes;
• illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating or demeaning behavior;
• critical appraisals of other individuals with whom respondents have close family relationships;
• legally recognized, privileged and analogous relationships, such as those of lawyers, physicians and ministers;
• religious practices, affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parent; or
• income,(other than that required by law to determine eligibility for participation in a program or for receiving financial assistance under such program);

without the prior consent of the student (if the student is an adult or emancipated minor), or in the case of an unemancipated minor, without the prior written consent of the parent.

 

It is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principal, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.

 

It is the responsibility of the board to review and approve the evaluation and testing program.

 

Legal Reference:    20 U.S.C. § 1232h 

    Iowa Code §§ 280.3

 Cross Reference:    505    Student Scholastic Achievement

    506    Student Records

    607.2    Student Health Services

Approved    9/15/97            Reviewed     3/15/17          Revised   12/16/25      

Policy 505.5 GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Students must successfully complete the courses required by the board and Iowa Department of Education in order to graduate. 

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to ensure that students complete grades one through twelve and that high school students complete  50  credits prior to graduation.  The following credits will be required for graduation:

English/Language Arts Science Mathematics Social Studies Physical Education United State Government American History Financial Literacy

8    credits    6    credits    4    credits    3    credits    0    semesters    1    credits    2    credits    1    credits

The required courses of study will be reviewed by the board annually.

Prior to graduation, the district will advise students on how to successfully complete the free application for federal student aid.

Beginning with the class of 2022, graduation requirements for special education students will include successful completion of four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies and three years of science.

Students who complete a regular session in the Legislative Page Program of the general assembly at the state capitol will be credited ½ credit of social studies.

Students enrolled in a junior officers’ training corp will receive 1/8th physical education credit for each semester the student is enrolled in the program. 

Students taking Algebra 1 for a full year as an 8th Grader (or earlier) will receive high school Math credit, but must take and pass 3 years (6 semesters) of Math at EHS. The recommended track would be Geometry (9th), Algebra 2 (10th). Pre-Calculus (11th) and Calculus (12th).  

Beginning with the school year starting July 1, 2026, students must receive a passing score on the civics test as set forth by the Iowa Department of Education and required by relevant laws.

NOTE:  This is a mandatory policy.

 

Legal Reference:

Iowa Code §§ 256.7, 11, .41; 279.8; 280.3, .14.

281 I.A.C. 12.3(5); 12.5.

Cross Reference:

505 Student Scholastic Achievement

603.3 Special Education

 

Approved: 6/25/79    Reviewed: 1/16/19, 7/17/19    Revised: 8/20/25

Generally, students will be required to complete the necessary course work and graduate from high school at the end of grade twelve.  Students may graduate prior to this time if they meet the minimum graduation requirements stated in board policy.

 

A student who graduates early will no longer be considered a student and will become an alumnus of the school district.  However, the student who graduates early may participate in commencement exercises.

 

Legal Reference:    Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 280.3

    281 I.A.C. 12.3(5); 12(5)

Cross Reference:    505    Student Scholastic Achievement

Approved    1/20/94            Reviewed    12/16/25           Revised     2/19/01, 9/15/21

 

Students who have met the requirements for graduation will be allowed to participate in the commencement proceedings provided they abide by the proceedings organized by the school district.  It is the responsibility of the principal to solicit input from each graduating class regarding the proceedings for their commencement.

 

Failure of a student to participate in commencement will not be a reason for withholding the student's final progress report or diploma certifying the student's completion of high school.

District Reference: Number updated from 505.8 to 505.7 on 8/18/21.

Legal Reference:    Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 280.3, .14 (1999).

    281 I.A.C. 12.2; .3(7); .5.

Cross Reference:    505    Student Scholastic Achievement

Approved    6/25/79            Reviewed     12/16/25    Revised    2/19/01__

505.8 PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT

Parent and family engagement is an important component in a student’s success in school.  The board encourages parents and families to become involved in their child’s education to ensure the child’s academic success.  In order to facilitate parent and family involvement, it is the goal of the district to conduct outreach and implement programs, activities and procedures to further involve parents and families with the academic success of their students.  The board will:

(In each of the following six items, the board must describe within this policy how it will accomplish each of the items.  This mandatory policy is not complete without providing specific information for each of these six categories.)

(1)    Involve parents and families in the development of the Title I plan, the process for school review of the plan and the process for improvement by: 

 

(2)    Provide the coordination, technical assistance and other support necessary to assist and build the capacity of all participating schools in planning and implementing effective parent and family involvement activities to improve student academic achievement and school performance by:

 

(3)    To the extent feasible, coordinate and integrate parent and family engagement strategies under Title I with parent and family engagement strategies outlined in other relevant Federal, State, and local laws and programs by:

 

(4)    Conduct with the involvement of parents and family members, an annual evaluation of the content and effectiveness of the parent and family engagement policy in improving the academic quality of the school served including identifying: barriers to greater participation by parents in Title I activities (with particular attention to low-income parents, Limited English Proficient (LEP) parents, parents of any racial or ethnic minority, parents with disabilities and parents with limited literacy); needs of parents and family to assist their children’s learning; and strategies to support successful school and family interactions by:

 

(5)    Use the findings of the annual evaluation to design strategies for more effective parent and family involvement and to revise, as necessary, the parent and family involvement policies by:           

(6)    Involve parents and families in Title I activities by: 

The district shall involve parents in determining how to allocate reserved Title I funds in accordance with applicable laws.  

The board will review this policy annually.  The superintendent is responsible for notifying parents and families of this policy annually or within a reasonable time after it has been amended during the school year.  The superintendent may develop an administrative process or procedures to implement this policy. 

NOTE:  This is a mandatory policy and accompanying regulation. The intent of this portion of Every Student Succeeds Act is that districts will uniquely tailor this policy in a manner and format that suits the needs of their individual community.  As a result, there are underlined spaces within this policy that indicate areas where the district should add their own plans after having taken the steps to collaborate with parents and families.  This policy is not complete without the necessary description of how each district intends to implement the policy.

Approved:   9/17/2007               Reviewed: 7/17/24                            Revised:  9/16/26

A student in the Emmetsburg Community School District who does not meet the requirements for graduation and who plans to terminate his/her formal academic education at the end of the regular four-year period will receive a certificate of attendance, “attendance certificate”.  To meet the requirements for attendance certificate, the students must have observed the following:

1. The student and his/her parents must submit to the principal no later than the end of the fifth semester in high school an application to be considered only for a certificate of attendance.

2. The student must have been enrolled for four consecutive years and have conscientiously worked toward meeting the requirements for graduation with a diploma as outlined in section 505.5.

3. The applicant’s attendance record must be satisfactory following his/her application to be considered for a certificate of attendance.

 

Approved    6/25/79            Reviewed     1/21/26    Revised     8/23/21 

Regulation 505.8R1 PARENT AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT BUILDING-LEVEL REGULATION

To further the interests of student achievement, the superintendent will create necessary rules to engage parents and family members within the district in the following ways on a building-level basis:

1.   

Policy Involvement:  The district will host an annual meeting and invite all parents to attend; and inform parents of their rights and the district’s requirements under Title I.  This meeting will also invite parents to become involved in the planning, review and improvement of a building policy and in developing the district plan.  The district will inform parents of: 

·        

programs under this policy,

·        

curriculum and assessment used for students,

·        

the opportunity to meet with administration to participate in decisions related to their children’s education,

·        

a description and explanation of curriculum used in the school forms of academic assessment used to measure student progress, and

·        

achievement levels of the challenging State academic standards. 

1.   

Accessibility:  Provide opportunities for informed participation of parents and family members in understandable formats and languages.  This includes participation by parents and family members who may have disabilities, limited English proficiency, and migratory children. Offer a flexible number of meetings during the day, evening and weekends to facilitate parent involvement.  The superintendent has discretion to allow schools to provide childcare for families of students during these meetings through Title I funds.

2.   

High Student Academic Achievement:  Each school in the district will jointly develop with parents and family members a school-parent compact that outlines how parents, staff and students share responsibility for improving student academic achievement; and how a partnership will be built to achieve this.  The compact will describe the responsibility of the school to provide high quality curriculum and instruction, and the parents’ responsibility to support their children’s learning.  This will also address the importance of communication between schools and parents through parent teacher conferences, regular reports to parents on their children’s progress, and ensuring regular meaningful communication between family and school staff. 

3.   

Building Capacity for Involvement: Each school within the district will include in their plan ways to achieve the following:

·        

Assist parents and families to understand topics including academic standards and assessments and how to monitor student progress;

·        

Provide materials and training to help parents work with students to improve achievement;

·        

Educate teachers and staff in how to communicate with parents and build ties to foster academic success;

·        

Coordinate and integrate other federal, state and local programs to support parents in more fully participating in students’ education;

·        

Ensure information related to programs is sent to parents and families in understandable formats; and

·        

Provide other reasonable support to encourage parental involvement

1.   

Schools Operating a Schoolwide Program:  Each school operating a schoolwide program under this policy shall:

·        

Involve parents on a timely and ongoing basis in the planning, review and improvement of programs, including the parent and family engagement school policy drafting and review, and the joint development of the schoolwide program. 

·        

If the schoolwide program plan is not satisfactory to the parents of the participating children, parent comments will be requested and submitted with the plan to the district.

          

Approved: 8/18/21

Reviewed:

Revised:

Regulation 505.8R1 PARENT AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT BUILDING-LEVEL REGULATION

To further the interests of student achievement, the superintendent will create necessary rules to engage parents and family members within the district in the following ways on a building-level basis:

1. Policy Involvement:  The district will host an annual meeting and invite all parents to attend; and inform parents of their rights and the district’s requirements under Title I.  This meeting will also invite parents to become involved in the planning, review and improvement of a building policy and in developing the district plan.  The district will inform parents of: 

• programs under this policy,
• curriculum and assessment used for students,
• the opportunity to meet with administration to participate in decisions related to their children’s education,
• a description and explanation of curriculum used in the school forms of academic assessment used to measure student progress, and
• achievement levels of the challenging State academic standards. 

1. Accessibility:  Provide opportunities for informed participation of parents and family members in understandable formats and languages.  This includes participation by parents and family members who may have disabilities, limited English proficiency, and migratory children. Offer a flexible number of meetings during the day, evening and weekends to facilitate parent involvement.  The superintendent has discretion to allow schools to provide childcare for families of students during these meetings through Title I funds.
2. High Student Academic Achievement:  Each school in the district will jointly develop with parents and family members a school-parent compact that outlines how parents, staff and students share responsibility for improving student academic achievement; and how a partnership will be built to achieve this.  The compact will describe the responsibility of the school to provide high quality curriculum and instruction, and the parents’ responsibility to support their children’s learning.  This will also address the importance of communication between schools and parents through parent teacher conferences, regular reports to parents on their children’s progress, and ensuring regular meaningful communication between family and school staff. 
3. Building Capacity for Involvement: Each school within the district will include in their plan ways to achieve the following:

• Assist parents and families to understand topics including academic standards and assessments and how to monitor student progress;
• Provide materials and training to help parents work with students to improve achievement;
• Educate teachers and staff in how to communicate with parents and build ties to foster academic success;
• Coordinate and integrate other federal, state and local programs to support parents in more fully participating in students’ education;
• Ensure information related to programs is sent to parents and families in understandable formats; and
• Provide other reasonable support to encourage parental involvement

1. Schools Operating a Schoolwide Program:  Each school operating a schoolwide program under this policy shall:

• Involve parents on a timely and ongoing basis in the planning, review and improvement of programs, including the parent and family engagement school policy drafting and review, and the joint development of the schoolwide program. 
• If the schoolwide program plan is not satisfactory to the parents of the participating children, parent comments will be requested and submitted with the plan to the district.

          

Approved: 9/15/21

Reviewed: _____

Revised: _____