ACADEMIC ADVISING
Each student is assigned an academic advisor from the faculty. The academic advisor serves as the student’s advocate and guide, and does not hesitate to make specific recommendations when adult guidance is warranted. On a daily basis the advisor helps the student deal with the processes and procedures of the School. This includes regular meetings between the student and the advisor, development of short- and long-term academic goals, regular monitoring of the student’s progress, reviews of teacher reports, referrals when necessary to the counselors, the Upper School Administrator, the Upper School Chaplain, the School Nurses, or the dorm parents, and communication with parents several times a year.

DROP/ADD POLICY
Courses may be dropped or added by completing a Drop/Add slip. It is unlikely that a student may reasonably enroll in a new course after the first two weeks of school.

Students must remain in the class they are planning to drop, including attending classes and doing the work, until officially notified that a switch may take place.

Students may drop a course until Thanksgiving (April 15 for a second semester course) after the Drop/Add slip has been completed. Withdrawing from a course after Thanksgiving (fall semester) or April 15 (spring semester) will be allowed only under exceptional circumstances and requires the recommendation of teacher, advisor, parent, and the Head of Upper School. In general, approved withdrawals after Thanksgiving/April 15 will be noted on the transcript as follows: date of withdrawal, grade at date of withdrawal, and notation of no credit.

GRADES AND EVALUATION
During the school year, the four report periods are midterm in the fall, the end of the first semester in January, midterm in the spring, and the end of the year. At these times, written comments describing performances and progress are sent home. Grades are issued only at the end of each semester (January and June). Please note that, in order to give colleges more information, seniors will receive grades on fall midterm comments when available. Course reports, written for every class, evaluate course work and offer suggestions for improvement. In addition, interim progress reports may be written at any time a student’s work in a given class is not satisfactory or deserves special mention. Final Senior transcripts are sent to colleges within three weeks of the end of the last semester of the Twelfth Grade.

The OES faculty is concerned about overemphasis on the importance of grades. Although the educational system in this country makes grading a necessity, our concerns here are primarily with learning and with the progress students make in strengthening skills and further realizing their full potential. Students and parents are urged to be more concerned with the content of course reports than with the letter grade issued each semester.

HOMEWORK
Students are expected to study on average three hours per evening (45 minutes per class per night). Of course, assignments in various classes, as well as student abilities and study habits, will create evenings when the time required is more or less. In addition, homework increases for junior and senior courses, and for honors or AP courses.

Students are asked to be prepared to participate in class activities — nothing is gained when an individual cannot take advantage of a discussion, lecture, or test due to lack of preparation. The class is also denied the valuable contributions a prepared student can make. Students who have difficulty meeting homework assignments need to discuss the problem with a teacher or advisor immediately.

Good study habits can also be fostered by scheduling homework on a daily and weekly basis, by seeking help before confusion or panic occurs, and by providing optimal conditions for studying: a good light, adequate materials, and an uninterrupted environment. Judicious use of unscheduled time during and after school is essential.

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
OES has found it most successful to have parents meet with all their child’s teachers at one time, thus ensuring that they acquire an overall picture of their child’s progress and collaborate on strategies for a successful year. These parent-teacher conferences are held in November for parents of Ninth Grade, Twelfth Grade, and new Tens and Elevens. The remaining conferences are held in February. Course reports are mailed early enough so that the conferences can focus on the content of these reports. Appointments are scheduled in advance.

Parents are encouraged to talk with their child’s teachers at other times as the need arises. If a conference is desired, please schedule an appointment through your child’s advisor. On most Mondays, teachers are not available for after-school conferences or visits because of required faculty meetings.

The Head of Upper School, the Dean of Residential Life, the Grade Deans, the School Nurses, the Chaplain, and the Counselors are available by appointment to talk with parents, as are advisors, both during and after the school day.

STAFFINGS
When a student shows signs of significant academic, emotional, or social distress, often classroom teachers or the academic advisors contact an Upper School counselor. If a student has learning differences and needs special classroom accommodations, counselors are involved as well. Staffings are the means by which concerned teachers, parents, counselors, and sometimes administrators convene to discuss the student’s particular issues and then formulate a plan of assistance. An Upper School counselor, in partnership with teachers, advisors, student and parents, will organize the meeting and follow through on outcomes.

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