Academic Regulations

Graduation Requirements 

Our courses are taught on a trimester system with students earning up to 7.75 credits per year. 

Students are eligible for graduation from Rivendell Academy once they have completed an Upper House Project** or a Career Internship*** (including the corresponding fieldwork), met all course distribution requirements, and completed sixty (60) hours of community service.****

Course Distribution required for Graduation

• 5.0 credits Language Arts (4 years)
• 4.5 credits Science (3 years)
• 4.0 credits Social Sciences (3 years)
• 4.0 credits Math (3 years)
• Level II in World Languages
• .5 credit in Physical Education
• 1.0 credit in Health Education
• .5 credit in Upper House Project or Career Internship
• .5 credit in Visual Arts
• .5 credit in Performing Arts
  
  

Grand total credits needed to graduate: 

• 27.00 Credits (Students will be able to earn up to 7.75 credits per year)

Credit required for class status:

• Sophomore 6 credits
• Junior 13 credits
• Senior 19 credits

** Upper House Project: The project is designed to allow students to explore a topic and independently research, design and present that topic to an authentic audience. The project is meant to reflect Rivendell Academy’s Learning Expectations which include interdisciplinary thinking, creative problem solving and clear communication using a variety of media.

***Career Internship: Students explore career choices and learn about employment skills. They participate in a 40 hour unpaid internship for high school credit at a job site of their interest. 

**** Community Service:  60 Hours of Community Service is required of all students, and many participate with staff from the Cross Rivendell Trails to continue the thirty-five mile trail construction that crosses through our district. While middle-level years (grades 7 and 8) do not accrue toward the graduation requirement, students are expected to perform documented community service on the following schedule:

• Grade 7 - 10 hours
• Grade 8 - 10 hours
• Grade 9 - 15 hours
• Grade 10 - 15 hours
• Grade 11 - 15 hours
• Grade 12 - 15 hours
  
  

Honors Challenge and AP Options

Students may go beyond course requirements through the Honors Challenge Program. The honors challenge will be reflected on transcripts by an “H” next to the grade and/or by “Hon” in the course name. While Rivendell Academy offers many challenging, advanced level courses, none are designed solely to prepare students for the Advanced Placement (AP) examinations.

Additional Opportunities for Advancement: For students

who seek advanced courses and meet the appropriate criteria, classes are available through: Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH; Dual Enrollment and Early College through the State College System of Vermont; Running Start courses through River Valley Community College; and E*Start courses through the Community College System of New Hampshire and Southern New Hampshire University.

Grading System

100-90 = A  (A+ = 4.33, A = 4.0, A- = 3.67)

89-80   = B  (B+ = 3.33, B = 3.0, B- = 2.67)

79-70   = C  (C+ = 2.33, C = 2.0, C- = 1.67)

<69      = F  (< 1.5) 

GPA is based on a scale from 0–100 and is unweighted. Class rank is unweighted.