Special Note for the Class of 2029
The Indiana Department of Education recently issued new diploma requirements beginning with the Class of 2029. These new requirements will not impact the courses the Class of 2029 will take as freshmen. Detailed updates for the Class of 2029 will be presented at the New Parent meeting in June 2025 and added here thereafter.
Graduation Pathways
The State of Indiana requires each candidate to complete each of the three pathway requirements to graduate.
(Read about pathways from the Indiana Department of Education)
Bishop Chatard students will be directed to complete these 3 requirements in the following manner:
| Pathway Requirements |
|---|
| #1 Earn a high school diploma from Bishop Chatard. (See diploma requirements in the tables below). |
| #2 Learn and demonstrate employability skills by completing and reflecting upon a service-based learning experience. A written reflection is required and will be embedded in Theology course curriculum at each grade level. Read about the BCHS Service Program |
#3 Earn one of the postsecondary-ready competencies below:
|
Diploma Requirements
| Area | CORE 40 DIPLOMA |
|---|---|
| Theology | 8 credits or 2 for each school year in attendance at BCHS |
| English | 8 credits: English, Literature, and Composition |
| Mathematics | 6-8 credits: Algebra I*, Algebra II, and Geometry. (Students must take a math course each year) |
| Science | 6 credits: 2 Biology; 2 Chemistry, Physics or Integrated Chemistry-Physics; and 2 add’l credits from any Core 40 science course |
| Social Studies | 6 credits: 2 World History or 2 World Geography/History of the World; 2 U.S. History; 2 Government/Economics |
| Directed Electives: World Language, Fine Arts |
5 credits total in any combination of World Language*, Fine Arts and/or Career & Technical Education |
| Health | 1 credit |
| Physical Education | 2 credits |
| Personal Financial Responsibility | 1 credit: Beginning with the Class of 2028 |
| Electives | 6 credits |
| Total Credits | 48 minimum |
|
*Courses a student tests out of (e.g. Algebra I, Spanish I) are not awarded high school credit, so are not counted in the total required. – Students may opt out of the Core 40 requirements and receive a general Indiana diploma, but only with administrative approval. |
|
| Area | CORE 40 with ACADEMIC HONORS DIPLOMA |
|---|---|
| Theology | 8 credits or 2 for each school year in attendance at BCHS |
| English | 8 credits: English, Literature, and Composition |
| Mathematics | 8-10 credits: Algebra I*, Algebra II, Geometry. (Students must take a math course each year) |
| Science | 6 credits: 2 Biology; 2 Chemistry, Physics or Integrated Chemistry-Physics; and 2 add’l credits from any Core 40 science course |
| Social Studies | 6 credits: 2 World History or 2 World Geography/History of the World; 2 U.S. History; 2 Government/Economics |
| Directed Electives: World Language, Fine Arts |
8 credits total: World Language: 6-8 credits in one language or 4 credits each in two different languages*, Fine Arts 2 credits |
| Health | 1 credit |
| Physical Education | 2 credits |
| Personal Financial Responsibility | 1 credit: Beginning with the Class of 2028 |
| Electives | 8 credits |
| Total Credits | 55 credits minimum |
Additional Requirements
|
|
| *Courses a student tests out of (e.g. Algebra I, Spanish I) are not awarded high school credit, so are not counted in the total required. | |
| Area | INDIANA DIPLOMA |
|---|---|
| Theology | 8 credits: 1 Vocation Theology course with a college & career curriculum |
| English | 8 credits: 7 English, Literature & Composition; 1 Communications focused |
| Mathematics | 7 credits: 2 Algebra I, 1 Personal Finance; 4 additional math credits |
| Science | 7 credits: 2 Biology; 4 additional science credits (STEM focused); 1 Computer Science |
| Social Studies | 5 credits: 2 world perspectives; 2 U.S. History; 1 Government |
| World Language | 4 credits |
| Fine Arts | 2 credit |
| Health | 1 credit |
| Physical Education | 2 credits |
| Electives | 6 credits |
| Total Credits | 50 minimum |
| *Courses a student tests out of (e.g. Algebra I, Spanish I) are not awarded high school credit, so are not counted in the total required. | |
| Area | INDIANA DIPLOMA with HONORS SEAL |
|---|---|
| Theology | 8 credits: 1 Vocation Theology course with a college & career curriculum |
| English | 8 credits: 7 English, Literature & Composition; 1 Communications focused |
| Mathematics | 9 credits: 2 Algebra I; 2 Geometry; 2 Algebra II, 1 Personal Finance; 2 additional math credits |
| Science | 7 credits: 2 Biology; 2 advanced lab science; 2 additional science credits; 1 Computer Science |
| Social Studies | 6 credits: 2 world perspectives; 2 U.S. History; 1 Government; 1 elective |
| World Language | 4 credits |
| Fine Arts | 2 credit |
| Health | 1 credit |
| Physical Education | 2 credits |
| Electives | 6 credits |
| Total Credits | 53 minimum |
Additional Requirements
|
|
| *Courses a student tests out of (e.g. Algebra I, Spanish I) are not awarded high school credit, so are not counted in the total required. | |
| ENROLLMENT HONORS PLUS SEAL |
|---|
| Earn the Honors Enrollment Seal, plus: |
Earn a credential of value that may include, for example:
|
| Complete at least 75 hours of work-based learning (may include multiple experiences that are paid, unpaid, on-site, or simulated) |
| Demonstrate skill development in the following areas: Communication, Collaboration and Work Ethic |
AP Courses: Students enrolled in an AP course are required to take the AP exam in the spring. Only seniors enrolled in four or more AP classes are allowed to opt out of an AP exam. Seniors who opt out still must take at least three of the exams. Any student who does not make arrangements in advance to opt out of an AP exam will be charged the cost of the exam. AP exam scores range from 1 through 5, and students who receive a 3 or higher may receive college credit.
Dual credit courses are based on the curriculum of the university awarding college credit and are taught by BCHS teachers. Students who successfully complete a dual credit course will receive high school credit as well as college credit. Students are beginning a college transcript with dual credit courses.
Grading and Honor Roll
Grades can be found in PowerSchool. A progress report is posted in the parental portal midpoint of each quarter. ‘Report Cards’ are posted quarterly in PowerSchool. An email reminder will be sent to each family at midterm and at the end of each quarter.
First-semester grades are calculated using the following formula: quarter 1 grade (40%) + quarter 2 grade (40%) + semester exam/project (20%) = semester 1 grade. Second-semester grades are calculated using the following formula: quarter 3 grade (40%) + quarter 4 grade (40%) + semester exam/project (20%) = semester 2 grade.
View the Student Handbook for details
Grading Scale and GPA Calculation
The Grade Point Average (GPA) is a cumulative average of the previous semesters. All courses taken at Bishop Chatard, except driver’s education, are included in the GPA. All credits earned in summer school for credit recovery are also included in the student’s GPA. Students who transfer from other schools are given grade points based on how those courses transfer into the Bishop Chatard grading scale and attempted credits.
- Daily GPA can be found in PowerSchool
- Quarter GPA determines athletic/extra-curricular eligibility and Honor Roll
- Semester GPA is 40% Q1(3) + 40% Q2(4) + 20% Final S1(S2) = S1(S2) GPA
- Cumulative GPA is the average of all semester grades throughout high school
| Letter Grade | Percent | Grade Point | Honors Point | AP/Dual Credit Point |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 94-100 | 4.00 | 4.50 | 5.00 |
| A- | 93 | 3.67 | 4.17 | 4.67 |
| B+ | 91-92 | 3.33 | 3.83 | 4.33 |
| B | 86-90 | 3.00 | 3.50 | 4.00 |
| B- | 85 | 2.67 | 3.17 | 3.67 |
| C+ | 83-84 | 2.33 | 2.83 | 3.33 |
| C | 76-82 | 2.00 | 2.50 | 3.00 |
| C- | 75 | 1.67 | 2.17 | 2.67 |
| D+ | 73-74 | 1.33 | 1.83 | 2.33 |
| D | 71-72 | 1.00 | 1.50 | 2.00 |
| D- | 70 | .67 | 1.17 | 1.67 |
| F | Below 70 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
Weighted Courses
Students who take rigorous courses have an additional weight value added to them. Honors courses receive an additional .5 points, and AP (Advanced Placement) and dual credit courses receive 1 full point. Report cards reflect the actual grade earned in the course. The grade point average (GPA) reflects the weighted value.
Honor Roll Requirements
Grade points are the basis for the computation of the honor roll.
The quarter honor roll is computed based on the coursework for that nine-week grading period only. For a student to be eligible for the honor roll, he or she may not have received any grade lower than a C.
The honor roll is published each quarter and is computed in the following manner:
- Principal’s Honor Roll: GPA 4.00 – 4.00+ (All A’s)
- First Honors: GPA 3.50 – 3.999 (All A’s and B’s)
- Second Honors: GPA 3.00 – 3.499 (All A’s, B’s, and C’s)
**All courses, except driver’s education, are included in the calculation of the honor roll.