We have provided this new section to parents in the hope that we can quickly answer common questions to important questions. If you would like to suggest new questions to be answered please send the request to parentsuggestionbox@walnuthillarts.org.
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Q: What if my child wants to change a course?
After the school year begins, any course or section changes must go through the office of the Academic Dean. The student must first consult with his or her teacher and advisor.
Students may add courses only during the first two weeks of each semester. They may withdraw from courses up through four weeks into each semester. Courses that are dropped within the first four weeks of the year are not included on the Walnut Hill transcript; those dropped after that time appear on the transcript with a notation of “WD.” Once two-thirds of the semester has passed, courses can no longer be dropped.
Q: Can a student take an academic independent study?
An upper-level student who has completed all advanced electives in a particular department and who wishes to pursue further study may, with approval from the department and the sponsorship of a faculty member, be permitted to elect Independent Study. Proposals for Independent Study must be submitted by the student to the Academic Committee of the School in the semester prior to the year in which the student will undertake the project. Proposals must be developed in consultation with an advisor and must include written support from a continuing member of the faculty. Independent Study confers one academic credit. Partial credit is not permitted. This addition to a student’s program may require supplemental funding.
Q: Can my child take an academic course for credit at another school in the summer?
While enrolled at Walnut Hill, students must apply for permission if they wish to take an academic course over the summer that they intend to transfer to Walnut Hill for credit toward graduation. Applications, which must include a letter from the family explaining the reason for the request, a letter of support from the student’s Walnut Hill advisor, and a detailed course description from the institution the student desires to attend, must be submitted for approval to the Academic Heads Committee no later than March 31 of the spring semester.
Q: What happens to credit for courses if a student must leave the School?
If a student has failed to comply with basic course requirements such as consistent class attendance, she is at risk for being administratively withdrawn from the course. If administratively withdrawn, the student will not receive a grade and will not receive credit.
Q: What are the consequences for academic dishonesty?
In order to be eligible for credit, all work submitted by students at Walnut Hill must be independent and original, with appropriate and consistent citation when applicable. All instances of academic dishonesty are reported to the Academic Dean and may be presented to the Administrative Council of the School, for further action, up to and including dismissal from the School.
Q: What is Academic Probation?
A student whose performance, attendance, or attitude is persistently poor may, upon recommendation of the faculty, be refused an invitation to return for the following year. The recommendations of the faculty are brought to the Administrative Council of the School for consideration.
A student who fails a course for the year is generally required to make up that course during the summer following the school year. The student should discuss the matter with the Academic Dean.
Q: What is an academic warning?
Faculty is in regular communication with the Academic Dean regarding concerns of poor academic performance. Consequences for poor academic performance can include mandated weekly study hall during the academic day and loss of Evening School List (“E-list”) privileges and may culminate in academic probation.
For more questions, contact Julie Faulstich, Academic Dean at jfaulstich@walnuthillarts.org.
Q: How does arts placement and casting work?
All arts placements occur during Student Orientation in the fall. Theater classes are generally organized by grade, with some exceptions. All students are reauditioned every fall to ensure proper class placement. Ballet classes are organized by level of challenge and thus are mixed grade. Music (theory) classes are organized by level of challenge; a placement test is administered in the fall. Students also audition for orchestra placement; students are placed by ability. The Director of Music works with every incoming student to assign him/her to a studio teacher early in the fall.
We expand the opportunities for casting by mounting many productions and performances. All ballet students are involved with The Nutcracker and the Spring Repertory Performance. All theater students are involved in productions throughout the year, either on stage or on a crew. Lastly, while important, what makes Walnut Hill’s program effective is not the performance opportunities, but rather the day-to-day studio work.
For more information contact Roger Shoemaker, Associate Head for the Arts at rshoemaker@walnuthillarts.org.
General Questions
Q: Can a student matriculate early?
If a student wishes to leave at the end of her or his junior year to pursue study at another institution other than transferring to a different high school, the student must discuss these plans with the Dean for Admission and Placement, Director of the relevant Arts Department, and Academic Dean by the beginning of the spring semester of the junior year. This includes ballet students pursuing the Ballet Department’s Senior Year Away to audition for companies, musicians applying to institutions such as the Curtis Institute, and any student wishing to apply to college early. Students will forfeit their ability to earn a Walnut Hill diploma if they matriculate before their senior year.
Q: What is the process for withdrawal from Walnut Hill?
If a student withdraws from Walnut Hill School, his or her parents must inform the School by writing to the Dean of Students. Once the written documentation is received, the Dean of Students will alert the Business Office to begin the withdrawal process. Parents and students will be asked to complete a withdrawal questionnaire. When a student either voluntarily or involuntarily leaves school, he or she may reapply for admission in the future. No withdrawn or dismissed student will automatically be reenrolled.
Q: What is the process for a leave of absence?
During the year, a student may need to depart temporarily from school for medical, psychological, personal, or familial reasons. In such circumstances, the School may grant a leave of absence for a maximum of two weeks. Requests for leaves exceeding the two-week limit are approved at the discretion of the Administrative Council of the School. Families may submit documentation in support of their request for an extension. If a request is declined by the School, or a student is unable to safely return to the School, the student must withdraw.
If a student has a medical issue or behavior that is disruptive to the community, the Dean of Students may put that student on leave.
There are three types of leave described below:
Familial Leave: This leave is used when there is a family emergency or crisis (as determined by the family and the School) and the student must be away from school. The leave is typically for a maximum of two weeks, but may be extended with administrative approval. Students will be expected to make up their work on a schedule determined upon their return.
Administrative Leave: This leave is put in place by the School when there is a matter of student safety or major disciplinary infractions, or when a student is not thriving at school. Administrative leaves are typically for a maximum of two weeks, but may be extended with administrative approval. Return from an administrative leave may result in a change in student status, disciplinary action, or required medical or mental health initiatives. Students will be expected to make up their work on a schedule determined upon their return.
me kind of treatment that is not available to the student while at school. Medical leaves are typically for two weeks, but may be extended with administrative approval. Criteria for a student’s return will be determined by the School Nurse and Doctor or the School Counselor, in consultation with the health team, at the time of or during the leave. Students will be expected to make up their work on a schedule determined upon their return.
Questions regarding leaves of absence should be addressed to Melissa Cassel, Dean of Students at mcassel@walnuthillarts.org.
When a student takes a leave, the School reserves the right to reevaluate the conditions of the student’s return, including but not limited to residential status.
Students on medical leave, or who are expelled or administratively withdrawn, may not visit campus for the remainder of the school year without prior administrative approval.
A student who is withdrawn—voluntarily or involuntarily—will not be automatically reenrolled for the next year. However, she or he may reapply for admission.
Q: What is the process to withdraw my student?
If a student plans to withdraw from school, the Dean of Students is the first contact for the student, family, or Walnut Hill faculty. The Dean of Students will alert the student’s advisor and other responsible parties of the student’s decision. If initial contact is made by the student, the Dean of Students will then communicate with the parents.
A formal letter of withdrawal from the parent must be received to finalize withdrawal. Upon receipt of this letter, the Dean of Students will alert the advisor, Dorm Parents, current teachers, department head, Administrative Council, Health Services, Business Office, and Registrar. The student and family will be asked to complete an exit survey about reasons for withdrawal, future plans, and similar matters.
Once the withdrawal is formalized, the Business Office will begin the tuition refund process. The Business Office will notify the Registrar and the Dean of Students once all financial obligations have been met, after which transcripts and other paperwork (I-20’s, etc.) may be processed.
In the case of an expulsion or withdrawal, any responsibilities or obligations on the part of teachers toward the expelled student terminate at the time of separation from the School. In exceptional cases, the School may consider carrying a second-semester senior through the end of the year. Such exceptions are granted by the Head of School, the Academic Dean, the Dean for the Arts, and the Dean of Students, in consultation with the department heads.
No official transcripts or paperwork may be completed without authorization from the Business Office that all financial obligations have been met after first-semester grades are complete.
Q: How do I reenroll my student?
Contracts for all students who began in September will be reviewed in the second semester of the school year. This review will include arts, academics, and social considerations given to the appropriate Dean. Discussion and decision on contracts being issued will be made by the Administrative Council. Students beginning in the second semester are not eligible for invitation to return at this time. A letter will be sent to the parents of any student whose contract is held. This letter will outline the expectations for a successful completion of the year and future contract review.
1. 1. Two weeks prior to student elections for the following year, a second review will occur of all held contracts and those of students who enrolled in the second semester. Again, the decision to invite students to return will be made by the Administrative Council with input from arts, academic, and social areas. A letter will be sent to the parents of any student whose contract is held. This letter will follow up the letter sent in February noting any continued concerns, and for second-semester students, it will outline the expectations for a successful completion of the year and future contract review.
2. 2. The final review of contracts will be done at thefinal faculty meeting, the day after graduation. Again, the final decisions regarding invitations to return rest with the Administrative Council. Families will be notified by phone or email the day that final decisions are made.
Please note that no contracts will be released before or between the review dates, unless they are held for a financial obligation which is cleared through the Business Office.
