Academics
A Foundation of Faith
Focused on Excellence
Vincentian Education is:
- Excellent: Places quality at the center of educational activities.
- Holistic: Educates the heart, spirit, and mind.
- Integrated: Blends the abstract with the practical.
- Creative and Flexible: Seeks to meet the needs of a diverse student population.
- Collaborative: Engages in cooperative endeavors with parents, students and faculty.
- Focused: Strives to model St. Vincent de Paul and his mission of service to the poor.
Liturgy & Sacraments
Students attend Mass weekly. Students in each grade take turns planning the liturgy. The Kindergarten students do not attend Mass until January. Parents and grandparents are also welcome to join us for the liturgy celebration but are asked to sit behind the student body.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered during the year either at Advent and/or Lent. Students should also go to this sacrament frequently at other times during the year with their family.
Normally the students in the Second Grade will receive Reconciliation and First Holy Eucharist. Parents are required to attend informational meetings prior to the student receiving each Sacrament.
Christian Service Requirement
Each student in grades 9-12 are required to complete 20 hours of Christian Service each academic year. A total of 80 hours (20 per year) is required. Students should complete 7 hours of service by the end of the 1st quarter, a total of 14 hours by the end of the second quarter, and a total of 20 hours by the end of the 3rd quarter. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors cannot do service for their family or relatives. If a student does not complete the hours for the quarter their religion grade will be lowered one full letter grade. Should a student complete 40 hours or more per year, they will receive a special Christian Service Award at the end of the school year. If they complete 100 or more hours at the end of each year, they will receieve a Christian Service Medal at the end of the year.
Elementary School Academics
Accelerated Reader is now online. Each family has a password that tells how to access the web-based program and check the progress of their child. This password allows you to see how many and which books your child has read. Kindergarten will begin using this program a bit later in the year in case you are wondering why your child has not taken a test yet. This takes time to teach our youngest students.
AR app for the iphone: There is an app available for iphones that will allow parents to check the progress of our independent reading at SVES during the school year. The app is called K-12 Activity. This is a free widget for AR. If you click on the little i in the bottom right corner you will be able to enter our school access code: SVES-4KC. This will show you each day how many books were read and tested over using our AR program.
Differentiated Instruction is the concept of tailoring instruction to fit the needs of each student. All students learn at different rates, and ability levels and St. Vincent Elementary School prides itself on ensuring that every student has an educational plan that is both customized to fit the students individualized needs and challenging to maximize potential. The SV Elementary School employs one Learning Consultant and one Academic Resource Teacher that assess the progress of each student and helps create individualized education plans to meet goals. These Learning Consultant and Academic Resource Teacher work directly with both the teachers and students to assist in creating and implementing classroom strategies for students.
St. Vincent Elementary School also partners with the MO Department of Education and receives funding called Title 1 which is used to employ two teachers in the elementary school who work directly with students who are in need of improvements in key areas like reading and language arts. These Title 1 Teachers work with students on a one on one basis and also in small groups in addition to the regular instructional program and provide assistance to both the classroom teachers and parents.
Jr./Sr. High Academics
College credit courses are offered at St. Vincent High School through St. Louis University and SEMO to juniors and seniors who excel in various subjects. Students are not admitted lightly into the 1818 or SEMO program.
Weighted Courses
Weighted Courses are for students who have demonstrated high achievement in given subject areas. These students are taught more intensely with emphasis on quantity and depth of material learned.
Dual Enrollment
1818 Courses, or Dual Enrollment courses, are taught in affiliation with St. Louis University and Southeast Missouri State University by trained St. Vincent faculty. Juniors and seniors can receive college credit for these courses. Additional fees are paid to SLU and/or SEMO. Students must have their college texts rented within the first 2 weeks of class, or can be dropped from the course.
Advanced Placement
Advanced Placement (AP) Courses are equivalent to regular college courses. Students in these courses may choose to take Advanced Placement exams in May. Most universities accept an exam score of 3 or higher as credit.
Online and Co-teaching Courses
These courses will be scheduled with a St. Vincent High School teacher and will be completed on-line and through co-teaching with a Southeast Missouri State University instructor. Additional fees will be paid to SEMO.
Grade Point Average
A student’s Grade Point Average (GPA) will be determined at the end of every quarter based on the quality points (the value of the course) divided by the credits attempted. This will determine if the student is eligible for Honor Roll for the quarter. A student’s Career GPA is the overall grade point average since they began high school. GPA and Class Rank will be adjusted at the end of each semester when course credits are given. ONLY LETTER grades for Career Center and Transfer students will be noted on the permanent record. These letter grades will be calculated within future grade point averages using the St Vincent grade point system.
Honor Roll
Honor roll is determined by the current grade point average and is recognized each quarter.
- 'A' Honors: GPA of 3.667 and above
- 'B' Honors: GPA from 3.000 through 3.66
Grading
Academic progress is indicated by letter grades A through F; a letter grade of D- or higher is required for credit. The following chart indicates the percentages, weighting and transcript symbols.
Letter Grade % Range Grade Point Honors/AP Equivalent
A 95-100 4.0 5.0
A- 93-94 3.67 4.67
B+ 91-92 3.33 4.33
B 89-90 3.0 4.0
B- 87-88 2.67 3.67
C+ 84-86 2.33 3.33
C 81-83 2.0 3.0
C- 78-80 1.67 2.67
D+ 75-77 1.33 2.33
D 72-74 1.0 2.0
D- 70-71 0.67 1.67
F 69 and below 0 0
Semester grades will be figured as follows:
- 1st or 3rd quarter grade = 40%
- 2nd or 4th quarter grade = 40%
- Semester exams = 20%
There are times when a student may receive a quarter grade of “I” (incomplete). The principal, in consultation with the teacher involved, determines the conditions under which work will be completed. Ordinarily, incomplete work is to be resolved within one calendar week after the end of the quarter. Incompletes not resolved in the manner agreed upon will result in a failure.
In the second semester, 12th grade students that earn a grade of A- or higher in a course, once all grades are entered, will be exempt from the second semester final. College and dual credit courses will have no exemptions. 12th grade students must be in good standing with attendance and discipline with the school. Exempted finals are at the discretion of the adminsiatrion and can be reinstated at any time.
Academic Class Rank
Class rank is determined by a student's cumulative grade poitn average, which is determined by his/her semester grades with extra values given to honors courses. To be considered a Valedictorian or Salutatorian, a student MUST attend SVHS for all four years of high school. A Valedictorian is awarded to the student with the highest 4.0 GPA and has attended SVHS for his/gher entire high school career. Salutatorian is awarded to the student with the second highest GPA and has attended SVHS for his/her entire high school career. Salutatorian and Valedictorian are determined at the end of Quarter 3 using the grade point average on the Quarter 3 cumulative GPA calculation.
St. Vincent High School students have the potential to earn 32 high school credits with 30 being the minimum for graduation (29 if attending the Career and Technology Center). Students are not allowed to graduate early and will take a full 8 class schedule per semester (adjusted for Career and Technology Center students). For specific graduation requirements in each discipline, refer to the School Curriculum Guide. Due to their importance in fulfilling St. Vincent's educational philosophy and mission, successful completion of service hours and participation in retreats are required.
The following are the requirements for graduation:
- Religion - 4 Credits
- English - 4 Credits
- Mathematics - 3 Credits
- Science - 3 Credits
- Social Studies - 3 Credits
- Foreign Language (Spanish) - 2 Credits
- Fine Arts - 1 Credit
- Physical Education - 1 Credit
- Practical Arts/Business - 1 Credit
- Health - 0.5 Credit
- Electives - 7.5 Credits
- 80 Hours of Service (20 Hours a Year in Grades 9-12)
Course Curriculum Policy
The curriculum of St. Vincent High School is designed to meet a wide range of student abilities, interests, and career goals. Additionally, the curriculum is designed to provide courses to challenge students on all ability levels. A required core curriculum includes courses that meet or exceed the credit requirements of the State of Missouri. Each student may also select from a variety of elective courses that are offered at each grade level. In addition, for eligible students, college credit is offered in several upper-level courses in English, mathematics, and social studies. All courses offered at St. Vincent High School are issued credit on a semester basis. Most of the academic courses require two semesters of instruction.
- Revised course descriptions are published annually, along with prerequisites, and registration requirements.
- Students who take Algebra I in 8th grade (whether at SV or in another grade school) are given a ‘P’ for passing and the credit. (i.e. the grade is NOT incorporated into the HS grade point average, but the credit will count toward graduation requirements.
Course Selection Policy
In the spring of each year, parents/guardians, teachers, advisors, counselors, and administrator’s work cooperatively to assist each student with course selection. The course selection process includes a review of the school’s offerings, an evaluation of the student’s progress toward earning the credits required for graduation, and an analysis of the student’s post high school educational plans. Changing Courses: Selection of courses should be done after serious and thoughtful consultation among students, parents, advisors, teachers, and counselors. Every effort is made to assist students in the selection of an appropriate course of study according to their abilities, interests, career aspirations, and recommendation of teachers and the counselor. Once you choose your courses, after consulting those listed above, and your selection is approved by parents and school personnel, your schedule is set. A request to change a course must occur PRIOR to the start date of the course. Each request must have a significant educational purpose and approvals are not guaranteed.
Course Registration Procedure and Conflicts
Registration for courses for the following year takes place in the spring. Because a student registering for a course does not guarantee that they will be assigned to that course. Students are scheduled according to the order in which their registration forms are returned to the school office and to the availability of courses in the master schedule.
1. Selection of Courses: Selection of courses is done only after serious and thoughtful consultation among student, parents, advisor, teachers, and counselor. Once a student chooses his/her courses and the selection is approved by the office the student will not be permitted to change course selections.
2. There are only a few legitimate reasons for schedule changes. A few of the changes are: A) Misplaced academically by teacher or counselor. B) Students given an alternate other than those they listed without being consulted. C) Student wishes to take a more academically challenging course. D) Failing a prerequisite the previous semester. E) Other legitimate reasons at counselor’s or administrator’s discretion.
3. Deadline for a Schedule Change: legitimate changes to a student’s schedule should be done during April & May.
4. Special Notes: Class changes must not overload any class and deadlines for changes will be closely adhered to.
5. Conflicts and Scheduling: The counselor sets the schedule for each year. Upon occasion, when the counselor develops the student schedules a difficulty arises requiring uncommon schedule decisions. Although rare, this type of circumstance requires the counselor to consult with the principal. A determination (counselor and principal) will be made as to the means by which the student will achieve the needed course/credit. Options may include online courses for High School credit or College credit. The cost
of any online course will be paid by the parent/student, and the student is expected to complete the course within the timeline set by the administration.
Course Description Guide
Our Course Description Guide contains a listing of all the varied and challenging courses offered by our high school. Every attempt will be made to offer every course, but the final decision will be based upon enrollment, interest, and graduation requirement needs. All course information is subject to change based on the above mentioned. The St. Vincent curriculum is designed to prepare our students for a well-rounded education that positively affects the rest of their life.
Click the link to view the course descirption guides:
The Student/Parent Handbook contains established policies and procedures for the academic school year. The handbook is a contract between parents, students, and St. Vincent Catholic Schools. Since it is impossible for a handbook to address every situation tht may arise during a school year, the school administration reserves the right to amend or revoke the policies and procedures in the handbook at any time as circumstance may require. Some policies, decisions, etc., not included in this handbook are left up to the discretion of the school administration. Due to space, not every infraction and/or school policy can be listed in this handbook. St. Vincent Catholic Schools' policies are in compliancce with the policies of the Archdiocese of St. Louis. By returning the signed forms, students and parents are agreeing to abide by and support the mission and policies contained in the handbooks.
The St. Vincent Student Handbook and Agenda must be carried with students at all times while in school. Its purpose is to help students become more organized, which will help them academically. The agenda also has useful information about school regulations and resources the students can utilize. The handbooks are donated by the sponsors on the back of the cover and there is no additional cost to parents or students. If a student loses their handbook they will have to pay the $10 replacement cost for the handbook, payable to St. Vincent.
Click the link for a copy of the academic and athletic handbook for the 2025-2026 school year:
- 2025-2026 Family & Student Handbook
- 2025-2026 Athletic Handbook