Academic Standards

Our courses present rigorous academic challenges.  All teachers provide students with many opportunities to be successful.  The development of each student is our primary concern.  Overlake has established a procedure described below to ensure that students examine their educational objectives carefully before continuing enrollment.

In some cases, a student’s contract will not be renewed.   This procedure is designed to ensure that this action is taken before a student’s record deteriorates to a point where admission to another school is jeopardized. There are two levels of low academic performance, Academic Warning and Academic Probation.

Academic Warning

Any student whose efforts toward academic success have not been satisfactory may be issued an Academic Warning.  Circumstances resulting in Academic Warning are the following: the quarterly grade average below 73% in any one grading period, two grade scores below 70% in any one grading period, or a grade score below 60% in any one grading period.  A grading period is defined as one quarter of the school year. In the Upper School, mid-semester grades may be indicated in grade ranges.  When this happens, the lower grade of the range will be considered when determining a grade point average.  A student may incur Academic Warning status for a total of two quarters (not necessarily consecutive) before the status is changed permanently to Academic Probation. Students on Academic Warning may be restricted from co-curricular activities until their performance improves.

Academic Probation

If a student fails to meet minimum academic requirements for a third grading period, they will be placed on Academic Probation.  Students on Academic Probation may be subject to academic dismissal from the school if at the end any future grading period they do not meet minimum standards. If a student in Upper School is placed on Academic Probation, this status is permanent for the duration of their tenure at Overlake.  Students on Academic Probation will be restricted from co-curricular activities until their performance improves.

If a student in Middle School is placed on Academic Warning or Academic Probation, this status is permanent through the eighth grade. At the end of the eighth grade, the performance of the student on warning or probation will be reviewed, and it may affect the student’s enrollment into the Upper School.  If the student is enrolled into the Upper School, warning or probation will remain in effect for the first semester (two quarters) of the next academic year. 

Fifth and Sixth Grade

Fifth and sixth grades are non-graded.  Therefore, it is necessary to modify the Academic Policy outlined above to accommodate the difference in evaluation procedures for fifth and sixth grade students.   

Fifth and sixth grade students whose academic efforts and/or grade level skills have not been satisfactory based on teacher assessments will be placed on an academic contract outlining steps for improvement. An academic contract will be considered “academic warning.” If the student’s performance does not improve the contract will be reissued for a second quarter. The quarters do not have to be consecutive. If at the end of the second quarter the contract is not satisfied, the student will be placed on “academic probation” at the beginning of the next academic quarter. Students on academic probation may be subject to academic dismissal from the school at the end of any academic quarter in the middle school in which their efforts have been unsatisfactory.

If a fifth or sixth grade student is placed on Academic Probation, this status is permanent through the eighth grade.  At the end of the 8th grade, the student’s performance will be reviewed, and it may affect the student’s enrollment into the Upper School.  If the student is enrolled in the Upper School, s/he will be on probation for the first semester of the next academic year.

Academic Dismissal

In some cases, after due consideration of the student’s academic performance, effort, behavior, and/or special needs, a student may be asked to leave Overlake.

Reinstatement

Students who have received notice of academic dismissal may petition for reinstatement.  Factors considered in determining reinstatement may include new efforts to achieve, measure of academic aptitude, summer school, extenuating circumstances, or compliance with requirements that were stated upon dismissal.  All students who petition for reinstatement are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Disclosure

Teachers and advisors of the Upper School may be informed of any students on Academic Warning and Academic Probation.

Athletic Eligibility

In order to be eligible to participate in an athletic contest, a student must satisfy the following:

1. The student-athlete must attend a full day of classes to participate in that day's practice/game.
2. The student-athlete must earn at least a 73% average during the previous grading period and maintain a 73% average during the current grading period.
3. If a student-athlete falls behind academically, a teacher may require certain academic requirements to be fulfilled by the student within a five-day period. Failing to fulfill such requirements, the student may be prohibited from participating in a scheduled game after the five day time period has elapsed. It is the responsibility of the teacher to inform the Athletic Director of this situation.