The Archdiocesan Secondary School System and Bishop
McDevitt High School reserve the right at anytime to amend or add to the
policies, rules and regulations contained in this handbook, and to make such
changes applicable to current and new students when the situation dictates.
The
present 21-acre site was purchased in May 1954; however, because of a lengthy
battle over zoning, which finally received a favorable decision by the Supreme
Court of Pennsylvania, ground breaking did not take place until February 23,
1958. In May 1958, the Reverend Thomas
J. Dempsey was appointed founding principal of the co-institutional
structure. Although the building was not
ready for the start of the school year, the 740 freshman and sophomore students
who had enrolled, traveled to Cardinal Dougherty High School from September to
December. On December 9, 1958, the two
top floors of the building were ready for occupancy and the faculty and
students moved into the building.
The
first Commencement Exercises were held in June 1961 at
As
years passed, the school experienced a continual increase in enrollment, which
necessitated the establishment of an annex at St. David’s in
From
its beginning, McDevitt offered a comprehensive and challenging academic
program along with complementing co-curricular and extracurricular activities
which grew in number to accommodate the expanding enrollment. By September of 1968, McDevitt had 2,090
students.
In
1970, McDevitt became co-educational, one of the first Archdiocesan secondary
schools to do so. In 1988 the Middle
States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools accredited the school. In 1993, the Open Enrollment Policy of the
Archdiocese contributed to changes in the makeup of the student body. Instead of students coming from fifteen local
“feeder” parishes, the school population now draws from 45 city and suburban
parishes in three counties representing 14 public school districts. The student body is diverse with regard to
racial, religious, and ethnic background.
Alma Mater
The
challenge of a marching world
We
meet with accent bold
While
cherishing a standard
Ever
new, as ever old.
We
bear our banner gold and white
Our
sign of royalty
And
glory in our Queen’s delight
Of
flow’ring purity
Refrain
All
hail, all hail to Bishop McDevitt High
We
pledge our loyalty to you
May
we prove the trust our patron ever lived
With
ideals inspired by love.
Hail
to you, our Alma Mater
Hail
to you, our Alma Mater
May
faith and courage be our guide
God
our final goal.
May
Mary hover near with help
Our
motto is our plea
That
we our vantage may sustain
While
gaining victory.
At
dusk, at dawning may we see
Amid
the heavens fair
Our
lovely Star of morn and sea
Whose
symbol bright we bear.
RELIGIOUS PROGRAM
Catholic
education necessarily places an emphasis on prayer and moral living. The Office of School Ministry strives to
provide opportunities through which students may grow in relationship to an
understanding of themselves, God, and Church.
Chapel
The
Chapel is located on the third floor in the center of the building. The Blessed Sacrament is revered there
throughout the school year. The Chapel
is open for student use during the day.
Gatherings for prayer services with teams and clubs occur from time to
time, as well as Penance Services that are scheduled throughout the school
year. Each morning the Celebration of
the Eucharist takes place at 7:30 AM.
Liturgies
The
Celebration of the Eucharist occurs several times in the course of the school
year. While the purpose or nature of the
occasion determines the size of the gathering, all students are expected to
attend and participate in the Masses that are celebrated in the community. In addition to the Celebration of the
Eucharist, a variety of paraliturgical and devotional services take place
during the year where students’ attendance and participation are not only
expected, but are also welcomed.
Rite of Reconciliation
Each
Catholic student is offered the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of
Reconciliation within the context of the regularly scheduled Penance
Services. The School Minister is also
available during a student’s lunch or study period if that is a more convenient
time.
Annual Retreats
It
is an Archdiocesan policy that each student enrolled in a diocesan high school
attends an annual retreat as a requirement for promotion and/or
graduation. Retreats will be scheduled
for the students by grade throughout the school year.
Vocations
The
School Minister serves as vocation coordinator for both boys and girls. Special focus is given to vocation awareness
in cooperation with the Archdiocesan Offices for Vocations. The School Minister is also available for
informal talks concerning the student’s spiritual life and choice of vocations.
Student Concerns
The
School Minister is available to every student to discuss any matter relative to
family concerns. The School Minister
should be contacted to arrange for visits to the sick at home or in the
hospital. The School Minister attends
wakes and Funeral Masses or other services of deceased members of the Bishop
McDevitt community and their immediate family members.
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
The
Assistant Principal for Academic Affairs arranges academic offerings consistent
with policies determined by the Department of Education of the
The
Academic Assistant Principal, in conjunction with guidance counselors,
department chairpersons, and teachers, assists students in their selection of
courses. A Course Description Book is
published annually and distributed to all students early in the second
semester. The book provides information
on all courses and programs of study along with an update of academic
policies/procedures.
Admissions
Admission
of students to Bishop McDevitt is based on open enrollment with the following
priorities: students who attend Catholic parish elementary schools or Catholic
academies will be admitted first.
Catholic and non-Catholic graduates of public or private elementary
schools will be admitted, if there is room to accommodate them and if the
student’s records (both academic and disciplinary) are satisfactory. A non-refundable
registration fee is due at the time of registration.
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
The
academic program at Bishop McDevitt works to develop the abilities, talents,
and needs of all students. Bishop
McDevitt offers a four-year comprehensive program of studies. The student is able to select college
preparatory courses, business courses, vocational-technical courses, or a
combination of the three programs.
Advanced Placement courses are offered to academically talented
students.
The
following are the minimum requirements for graduation from
Religion 4.0
credits
English 4.0 credits
Social Studies 3.0 credits
Mathematics 3.0 credits
Science 3.0 credits
Health/Physical Education 1.0 credit
Computer Applications
.5 credit
Electives 5.5 credits
Total 24.0
credits
Most
Bishop McDevitt students graduate with at least 25 credits.
All
freshmen are rostered for seven major subjects.
Physical Science or Honors Biology, Religion, English, World History,
Algebra 1, Business Technology, World Language.
When appropriate, Remedial Reading and Remedial Math will replace the
World Language requirement.
All students follow an academic roster for the first two years, after which they may decide to continue in the college-preparatory program or to follow an academic/business program or an academic/vocational-technical program. All programs will provide the student with sufficient academic credits for college admission.
Although
world language is not required for graduation, a minimum two (2) years of a
language is strongly recommended for college bound students. Any student who elects a first year language
is usually required to take the second year of that language. Exceptions to this policy are made only in
exceptional cases by the Administration.
A
four-year Art program and a two-year Business Technology program are also
available to all students. Students in
the eleventh or twelfth grades may choose to attend the
Each
year Juniors and Seniors have the opportunity to select courses for
Dual-Credit. This program sponsored by
Alvernia College permits students to take courses at Bishop McDevitt during the
normal school day and receive college credit for those courses. Students also will receive a grade from
Bishop McDevitt for the courses. Credits
accepted by
Courses
offered by
Course Changes
For
a fee the School permits limited roster changes
Before August 1st there is no fee.
After August 1st the fee is $30.00.
The
following procedure will determine the roster change:
A written request, accompanied by
the fee, must be made to the Academic Affairs Office.
The Assistant Principal will review the request
and determine the feasibility after reviewing all aspects.
Normally,
rosters will not be changed after the first full week of school. Requests for change in roster because of a
serious problem during the school year must be presented to the Assistant
Principal for Academic Affairs, who will consult with the department
chairperson and the teacher involved. A
solution will be developed at the discretion of the Administration.
Student Tracking
Ability
grouping is the means used for meeting the instructional needs of a
student. Because the range of
achievement is so broad, grouping by ability and achievement narrows the range
to maximize student achievement. Ability
grouping makes possible the adjustment of the curriculum to the individual’s
intellectual ability, interest, and achievement.
Incoming
freshmen are tracked according to their 2nd report of the eighth grade, the
eighth grade teacher’s recommendation, and their performance on standardized
tests.
In
considering ability, past and present scholastic achievement is reviewed. Ability grouping in each subject is a good
means to meet individual instructional needs of students. Students and parents should know strong and
weak subject areas. They should be
realistic in their goals, choose courses which enable students to achieve their
objectives, make use of vocational and college brochures to acquaint themselves
with qualifications demanded by institutions of employment and higher education
and discuss these goals with appropriate counselors.
ACADEMIC STATUS
Grading
Report
cards are distributed quarterly.
Tentative distribution dates appear on the school calendar. The highest report card grade that may be
given is 100; the lowest passing grade is 70; the lowest failing grade is 60.
90
- 100 Excellent
(A) 70 - 72
Passing (D)
80
- 89 Above
Average (B) Below 70
Failing (F)
73
- 79 Average (C)
The
quarter grade reflects the progress
that a student has made during that marking period. This grade reflects achievement on major
tests and quizzes, a quarterly assessment, completion of homework assignments,
and classroom participation. These are
major components in determining the quarter grade. Major projects, term papers, and the
quarterly assessment, which are reasonably spaced over the quarter, are also
used. Semester grading will be 2/5 first
quarter grade, 2/5 second quarter grade, and 1/5 semester assessment grade.
Quality Points
To
compensate for the degree of work demanded in each track, a system of quality
points has been devised by the diocesan secondary school system. For each grade a student receives, a
corresponding number of quality points, based on the track level of the subject
is given. Current and cumulative rank in
class is determined by these quality points.
Quality Point Table
GRADE TRACK GRADE TRACK
AP
H 2 3 4 AP H
2 3
4
100 54
48 44 40
36 79 33
27 23 19
15
99 53 47 43
39 35 78 32 26
22 18 14
98 52 46 42
38 34 77 31 25
21 17 13
97 51 45 41
37 33 76 30 24
20 16 12
96 50 44 40
36 32 75 29 23
19 15 11
95 49 43 39
35 31 74 28 22
18 14 10
94 48 42 38
34 30 73 27 21
17 13 9
93 47 41 37
33 29 72 26 20
16 12 8
92 46 40 36
32 28 71 25 19
15 11 7
91 45 39 35
31 27 70 24 18
14 10 6
90 44 38 34
30 26 69 23
17 13 9 5
89 43 37 33
29 25 68 22 16
12 8 4
88 42 36 32
28 24 67 21 15
11 7 3
87 41 35 31
27 23 66 20
14 10 6 2
86 40 34 30
26 22 65 19
13 9 5
1
85 39 33 29
25 21 64 18 12
8 4 0
84 38 32 28
24 20 63 17 11
7 3 0
83 37 31 27
23 19 62 16 10
6 2 0
82 36 30 26
22 18 61 15 9
5 1 0
81 35 29 25
21 17 60 14 8
4 0 0
80 34 28 24
20 16
Rank in Class
A
student’s rank in class is determined by the quality points earned according to
the grades achieved at the first semester and final marking periods. The rank in class is computed for each
current year and also cumulatively for all four high school years. Rank is printed at each report period.
Academic Honors
Honors
are computed at the end of the first three marking periods and for the final
grade of the year. To attain First Honors, a student must have a
general grade average of 90 or above, with no single grade below 85. To attain Second Honors, a student must have a general grade average of 85 or
above with no single grade below 80.
To
receive an Academic Letter, a student must have first or second
honors for six marking periods, be involved in a co-curricular activity and
have a good conduct grade.
To
receive a Distinguished Letter, a student must have first or second
honors for twelve marking periods, be involved in a co-curricular activity and
have a good conduct grade.
GRADUATION POLICIES
Participation
in Commencement Exercises, which includes both Baccalaureate Liturgy and
Graduation, is a privilege not a right.
Students who have completed all requirements for a diploma and are in
good standing may participate in the Commencement Exercises. Students will be excluded from participation
in these exercises for: a scholastic
failure in any subject; failure to complete the community service requirement,
a discipline failure, excessive demerits, and any serious violation of the
discipline code; a failure to fulfill financial requirements (tuition, school
fees, graduation fees, etc.); and excessive absences. All students awarded a diploma regardless of
participation in Commencement Exercises must pay the Graduation Fee in full.
Since
the Baccalaureate Liturgy and Graduation constitute the Commencement Exercises
for Bishop McDevitt, any student absent from the Baccalaureate Liturgy will not
be permitted to participate in the Graduation Exercises.
Homework
The
Administration and faculty view homework as a vital part of the complete
educational process. Students are
expected to devote approximately three hours each school night on
homework. Homework includes reading
assignments, written assignments and long-term projects. It is considered an integral part of the
subject grade.
Testing Schedule
To
allow students to prepare adequately for tests and to avoid multiple tests on
the same day,
DAY SUBJECTS
1 Language Business Mathematics
2 Art English Religion
3 Science Social Studies Computer
4 Language Business Mathematics
5 Art English Religion
6 Science Social Studies Computer
Quarterly Assessments are scheduled by the
Academic Affairs Office for the last week of each quarter. The mark is included within the quarterly
grade.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT: All students in
Advanced Placement courses are required to take the Advanced Placement
Examinations in May. The College Board
determines the fee for the Advanced Placement Examination.
Failure Warnings &
Progress Reports
When
a student is not performing at a satisfactory level or is in danger of failing
for the quarter, semester or the entire school year, notification will be sent
to the parents/guardians at least twenty school days before the close of the
marking period. Approximate dates are
noted on the school calendar. A notice
of unsatisfactory work may be issued later in the marking period if the
student’s academic performance changes dramatically.
Parent-Teacher
Conferences
Parents
have the opportunity to meet with teachers on the Parent/Teacher Conference
nights, which are scheduled after the first and third quarter progress
reports. These nights afford parents an
opportunity to discuss with the teachers the student’s academic progress. Students are encouraged to accompany their
parents to these conferences. Parents
are encouraged to contact teachers at school as the need arises.
Parents
may make appointments for conferences with teachers or Administrators by using
the telephone directory at 215-887-5575.
Anyone having difficulty contacting a teacher may call the Academic
Affairs Office at ext. 226. Parents may
also contact teachers through the website www.mcdevitths.org
FAILURE AND SUMMER
SCHOOL POLICY
A
student receiving one or more failures in required, elective, major or minor
courses must rectify these grades by attendance at summer school and earning a
passing grade. This is a Diocesan policy
and therefore no exceptions can be made if the student wishes to return to
Bishop McDevitt.
A
senior who fails any subject, elective or required, must attend the Diocesan
Summer School, may not participate in the Graduation Exercises, and does not
receive a diploma until the successful completion of summer school.
Archdiocesan
directives state that students with excessive absences, not excused by medical
certification, do not successfully complete the school year until they make up
the time missed in an approved Diocesan summer school. This applies even though
there are no academic failures. In this
situation, the student attends the classes in which the lowest grade was
received.
The
Diocesan summer school is conducted at
ACADEMIC PROBATION AND
DISMISSAL
A
student will fail a course if the student has shown insufficient effort.
Tenth,
eleventh, and twelfth-grade students with four academic failures in major
subject at the end of the first semester are liable to dismissal in
January. The Administration has the
right to retain students who would normally be dismissed if they judge that
there are grave reasons to do so, whether this judgment results from knowledge
they gain independently or after consultation with other members of the
faculty.
Any
Senior with at least one failure at the 2nd Semester and one failure
at the 3rd Quarter in the same subject will be placed on academic
probation from all activities unless he/she actively participates in the
Monitored Study Program.
MULTIPLE FAILURES &
ACTIVITIES/SPORTS
The
following rules of probation in all activities/sports are in effect for
remedial, not punitive, purposes.
A
student with one failure during any quarter, or at the end of the first
semester, is liable for a 20 school-day probation with respect to
activities/sports. This decision will be
made by the Administration.
A
student with more than one failure during any quarter or, at the end of the
first semester, is placed on a 20 school-day probation with respect to the
activity/sport. The 20 school-day
probation begins the day the Monitored Study Program begins. The student may continue to practice, play,
or participate in an activity or sport if they attend a 45-minute tutoring
session held for ten days after school.
Upon successful completion of the program, a student will be removed
from probation. If a student chooses not
to attend the tutoring program, he/she will not be permitted to practice, play
or participate in an activity until a progress report is completed after the 20
school-day probation. Should the student
show no improvement during that period of time, the student will be suspended
from the activity or sport. The student
is also prohibited from joining any new extracurricular activity.
The
Guidance Counselors interview students with multiple failures to motivate
improved study habits and time management.
Additionally, the National Honor Society provides individual tutoring
for these students.
The
Assistant Principal for Academic Affairs will notify the student and coach or
moderator that the student is placed on probation. After the 20 school-day period, the Assistant
Principal for Academic Affairs, after consulting with the teacher, will decide
whether to reinstate the student to the sport or activity. The suspension will be removed at the
discretion of the Assistant Principal for Academic Affairs.
Early Dismissal Roster
Seniors
and juniors with no scheduled eighth period class or lab have an early
dismissal. For these students, the
school day ends with their last scheduled class period. Sophomores and freshmen with no class
scheduled in the eighth period are automatically rostered for a study
hall. For these students, there is no
early dismissal.
Students
who are dismissed before the end of eighth period MUST go to their lockers and
wait either in the cafeteria or in the area adjacent to the bus lane behind the
auditorium. Students may not remain in
any other part of the school building without the direct supervision of a moderator.
Missing School/Class
Time
Students
who are absent from school or miss class time for any reason are expected to
see their teachers concerning missed work and are responsible for any necessary
make-up. Failure to satisfactorily
complete assignments, homework, tests, or quizzes could result in a failure in
a marking period and/or final report.
Extended school absences require parental contact with the Academic
Affairs Office for arrangements concerning missed school work. The school does not permit student vacations
during the school year.
Transfer/Withdraw
To
transfer/withdraw from Bishop McDevitt, a student must have written permission
from a parent or guardian. The Academic
Affairs Office will provide the form which must be completed by the parents. The student must also arrange for an exit
interview with the Principal or Assistant Principal for Academic Affairs. Transfers will be issued to the parents and
guardians only. Transfers are mailed to
the parents of students who are asked to leave the school for academic,
disciplinary, or financial deficiencies.
No transcript of grades will be
issued until all financial obligations have been met and all books and
equipment have been returned. The
Academic Affairs Office will send all transcripts directly to the Principal or
Registrar of the new school. Transcripts will not be given to the
student.
Vocational/Technical
Courses
Vocational/Technical
courses are provided at the
Special Programs
The
Bishop McDevitt High School Administration reserves the right to approve and
grant credit for all off-campus educational programs: Diocesan Scholars Program, Advanced
Accounting, Computer Science, Engineering classes at
STUDENT SERVICES
The
system of discipline in a Catholic school has as its basic purpose the teaching
of responsibility to God, to self, and to others. An effective discipline code contributes
toward establishing a proper educational atmosphere in the school. While the Assistant Principal for Student
Services is directly responsible for overseeing and coordinating all discipline
efforts, discipline is the responsibility of everyone: students, parents, Administration, faculty,
and staff.
Note To Parents
Good
discipline originates in the home; therefore parents should:
property.
procedures.
student, including discipline.
Parental
interest and support at home are important to the child and greatly appreciated
by our teachers. Teachers have the
authority to assign reasonable and just punishments. In this code, a single demerit - even one -
is cause for concern for both the parents and the students. The School Administration, however, will make
the final decision regarding sanctions and applications.
YOUR SCHOOL AND THE
COMMUNITY
Any
student acting inside or outside of school in a manner, which is alien to our
Catholic philosophy or in a way that would cast shame or cause embarrassment to
Any
student taking part in any unlawful act on or off campus or in any outside
community is liable for suspension, expulsion, or both. If a student is
presently attending or is applying for admission to
Universal Search Policy
To protect the safety and welfare of students and
school personnel, school authorities may question and search a student, his/her
personal effects, lockers and vehicles used by the student and may seize any
illegal, unauthorized, or contraband materials discovered in the search.
Searches conducted by school authorities may
include, but not limited to, utilization of certified drug detection dogs or
any devices used to protect the health, safety and welfare of the school
population. A student’s refusal or
failure to permit such searches and seizures as provided in this policy will be
considered grounds for disciplinary action.
Absence from School
State
law requires each student to be present each day school is in session. If a student is absent, a parent or guardian
must call the Attendance Office at 215 884-3773 before 9:30 AM on the day of
absence stating the student’s name, student’s number, homeroom section, reason
for absence, and the name of the caller.
On
returning to school, the student must bring to the Attendance Office an
official absence form signed by a parent or guardian. A student’s signature for a parent or
guardian is never acceptable. ONLY FORMS PROVIDED BY THE ATTENDANCE OFFICE
WILL BE ACCEPTED. Failure to bring the
proper absence form before first period on the day the student returns to
school will result in the student being issued a detention. If a student fails to return multiple absence
forms, he/she will be assigned a Saturday detention.
A doctor’s certificate must accompany the absence
form for any absence of more than three days.
According to the policy of the Archdiocesan School System, students who
are absent for more than twenty-two days may be required to attend
Diocesan Summer School for the subject in which they received the lowest
grade. A reminder is ordinarily sent to
the parents when a student has accumulated ten days of absence. A pattern of excessive absences not related
to a medical problem may lead to dismissal.
Activities When Absent
Any student who is absent from school or who is late
for school past 10:00 AM on any given day may not participate that same day in
any activity sponsored by Bishop McDevitt. The Assistant Principal for Student Services
will decide exceptions to this rule.
Vacations
The
school cannot grant permission for a student to be absent from school for
vacations or trips. The student is
responsible for any schoolwork missed during any absence or missed class time.
Late Arrival and Early
Dismissal
Permission
to arrive late or leave early will be granted only for a serious reason. Parents must make requests IN WRITING on the
form available from the Attendance Office.
The completed form, signed by the parent making the request, must be
submitted to the Attendance Office the day prior to the requested permission. To be excused for a funeral, a student must
present a note to the Attendance Office.
The student is expected to return to school after the liturgy except for
the funeral of a family member.
Parents
should schedule all appointments for students on holidays or outside of school
hours. If a doctor’s appointment must be
made in school time, the student is expected to return to school after the
appointment and is responsible for all missed class work.
Perfect Attendance
The
only reasons which will permit an absent student to maintain a perfect
attendance record are: death in the
immediate family, quarantine, court attendance, a student representing the
school at various functions and contests, and any day that the student may have
earned. A student eligible for perfect
attendance may not have any unexcused lates. N.B. In order for a student to be credited for a
full day of school he/she must attend at least 5 classes.
Late for School
A
student who reports to school after the 7:45 AM bell has rung is considered
late. Before being admitted to homeroom,
class or study, the student must report to the Attendance Office for a late
slip. Lateness warrants a school
detention regardless of the reasons for that lateness. Detention is to be served at 7:00 AM the
following morning – if the detention is missed, 5 demerits will be assigned.
Leaving School
Grounds/Out of Bounds
Students
must remain on the school grounds from the time they arrive until the
completion of their school day. Even if
homeroom has not yet begun, students must stay on the school premises until
they are dismissed. Permission to leave
campus must be obtained from the Assistant Principal of Student Services. The path areas along the playing field are
off limits and always constitute out-of- bounds.
Alcohol Policy
Any
student who possesses and/or uses alcohol on or in the vicinity of the school
property or at a school-sponsored event may be dismissed or may be subject to
the following disciplinary action:
On the first
offense: If the violation occurs
on school property, the student will be tested for alcohol and if he or she
tests positive, parents will be called immediately and must come to the
school. If the violation occurs at a
school-sponsored event, it will be the responsibility of the teacher, moderator
or coach to contact the Assistant Principal for Student Services. In the event that the Assistant Principal
cannot be contacted, the moderator/teacher will evaluate the student, contact
the parents and, if necessary, the local law enforcement. A written report will be submitted to the
Assistant Principal for Student Services within two school days. If the student tests positive: