2022-2023 Student/Family Handbook
- Letter from HHS Administration
- HHS Mission Statement
- Staff Contact Information
- HHS Campus Map
- Mental Health Resources
- HHS Honor Code
- Student Behavior and Outcomes
- Reporting Safety Concerns
- Reporting Bullying, Hazing, and Hate Incidents and Crimes
- Dress Code
- Technology
- SMUHSD Chromebook/Laptop Usage Agreement
- Student Nutrition
- Health Services
- Emergency Procedures
- Facilities
- Academics
- School Year Calendar
- Attendance
- Student Services
- Athletics
- Clubs and Activities
- HHS Dance Contract
Academics
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Course Offerings can be viewed on our website.
Learn about Graduation Requirements, including approved A-G Courses.
Progress Reports
Progress Report Cards are issued every six weeks, and will be mailed directly to the parents at the address on file. The third (end for fall semester) and sixth (end of spring semester) of these reports contain the number of credits earned and semester grades which are cumulative grades (they are not an average of each six weeks.) The semester information becomes part of a student’s transcript and permanent record. We encourage students and families to use the school’s online tools for more frequent monitoring.
Grading System
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*Does not meet college preparation requirements.
**A grade of “I” (Incomplete) is given in cases where work is not complete because of absences caused by SERIOUS EMERGENCIES. Work must be completed within a specified time or the grade will be replaced with “IF”.
***The grad notation “DF” indicates the drop of a class and a final grade of “F” for the course--this final grade appears on the transcript and in the GPA.
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Homework Policy
Hillsdale High School follows the San Mateo Union High School District homework policy. The Administrative Regulation for this policy can be found at SMUHSD Homework Policy AR or at the district website under Board of Education policies.
Change in Class Schedule/Withdrawal from Classes
Students and guardians must meet with their counselor to make any schedule changes. All class changes require both teacher and counselor approvals. Students must attend all of their assigned classes until an official change form has been issued. The deadline for dropping a class without penalty coincides with receipt of the first six-week report card. A student who drops a class after the 6th week shall receive a Drop/Failure grade on his/her transcript. (See Progress Reports above.) No changes will be made after the 12-week grading period. All students who are enrolled in a community college level course that is taught on the Hillsdale Campus will need acknowledgement and approval from their guardian. This will be completed through the Google Form for concurrent enrollment found on the HHS website.
A student who drops a class after the 6th week shall receive a Drop/Failure grade on his/her transcript. (See Progress Reports above.)
Transcripts
When applying for college and/or scholarships, students will find it necessary to request transcripts of their high school records. All transcript requests should be submitted to the Student Data Analyst in the Counseling Office. For current students the first ten (10) official copies are free of charge. The fee for official transcripts beyond ten is $5 per copy and subject to increase.
Graduation Requirements
San Mateo Union High School District students must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 180 credits in required courses plus 40 additional credits of elective coursework, for a total of 220 credits in order to earn a high school diploma*. Each course passed earns 5 credits per semester. Advisory earns 2.5 credits per semester. To earn a Hillsdale High School Diploma, 12th grade students must also pass their Exit Portfolio Defenses and Capstones.
Graduation Ceremony Participation
Students may participate in the HHS graduation ceremony ONLY if they have successfully completed all required credits, courses, and academic work. Students will not be able to participate in the HHS graduation ceremony if they are short credits or have not passed their exit Portfolio Defenses & Capstones prior to the ceremony though summer completion after graduation may allow a student to participate in the ceremony with the approval of the Superintendent or designee. Students may be ineligible for the graduation ceremony as a disciplinary consequence for misconduct.