On behalf of the faculty and staff of the Academy of Our Lady of Peace (OLP), we are pleased to share with you the 2026–2027 Student-Parent Handbook Within these pages, you will find the expectations, policies, and procedures that have long guided our school community and helped OLP flourish as an excellent all girls’ Catholic high school in the tradition of our founding Sisters of St Joseph of Carondelet (CSJ)
We believe that OLP will remain strong and vibrant to the extent that every member of our community students, families, faculty, and staff works together in pursuit of the values expressed in our school’s mission and philosophy. It is our shared responsibility to ensure that the resources of our community are used with purpose and care to uphold these goals
Each member of the OLP community plays an essential role in supporting our mission The guidelines outlined in this Handbook reflect the collaborative spirit that defines OLP and serve as the foundation for a culture rooted in the charism of our founding CSJ Sisters, to foster a community of unifying love in service to the dear neighbor without distinction
We also believe deeply that every student at OLP has unique, God-given gifts When nurtured, challenged, and shared, these gifts strengthen not only the individual, but the entire school community. Positive attitudes and behaviors that uphold the dignity of each person are vital to our success
The primary purpose of this Handbook is to help students and their families understand and embrace their role within the OLP community We ask that each student and parent* read this Handbook carefully and sign the acknowledgment form provided at the beginning
From time to time, updates to the Handbook may be necessary. These revisions will be shared through our monthly electronic newsletter We ask all community members to approach these expectations with thoughtful consideration and a commitment to the values they represent.
T
e pride in and responsibility for the ongoing realization of the ideals that f rage and excellence at OLP.
* term “parent” is used inclusively to refer to any individual with legal and/or e ility for a student. This may include one or both custodial parents, legal guardians, or other individuals legally recognized as responsible for the student’s care and education
See Section 6.1 Policies Affecting Parents
Academy of Our Lady of Peace 2026-2027 Board of Trustees
Dr Lauren Lek, Head of School
German Andrade Bustamante
Paola Avila ‘93
Cara Beauvais ’06
Francesca Castagnola
Monsignor Richard Duncanson
Andrea Gilman
Dr Steven Jones
Francesca Castagnola & Paul Baribault, Board Co-Chairs
Jamie Flannery, Asst. Principal, Director of Campus Life
Ryan Martin-Spencer, Director of Mission Integration
Jen Meza, Asst. Principal, Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Tiffany Rajski ’07, Asst. Principal, Director of Student Support
David Ritzmann, Senior Director of Technology
Aaron Wilker, Director of Facilities
Christine Wilson ’04, Chief Advancement Officer
Michelline Suarez, Office of the Head of School
Stephanie Avery, Office of the Asst. Head of School
Academy of Our Lady of Peace is Co-Accredited by: Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Six-year term, Effective 2024 - 2030
Academy of Our Lady of Peace is affiliated with: Sponsored by the Sisters of St Joseph of Carondelet (CSJ)
A partner with the Diocese of San Diego and the Office of Schools
National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) International Coalition of Girls’ Schools (ICGS) National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) College Board
for a list of all Honors Societies, see Section 3 9 Honor Roll and Honor Societies
School Numbers by Departments
Main Office 619-297-2266
Admissions 619-725-9178
Alumnae 619-725-9168
Attendance 619-297-2566
Athletics 619-725-9181
Communications 619-725-9110
Finance Office 619-725-9194
Institutional Advancement 619-725-9113
Retreats & Service Learning 619-725-9152
Counseling
Jamie Brooker (Student last names A-D)
619-725-9134
Jill Hicke (Student last names E-K) 619-725-9106
Anita Heveron (Student last names L-P, College Program Coordinator) 619-725-9133
Elsi Hildebrand (Student last names Q-Z)
619-725-9144
Arielle Lugn (Sisters and Scholars & SJSP, Department Chair ) 619-725-9163
Teacher and staff emails are listed on the school website directory
Communications and Contacting School Personnel
Parents and/or students often have questions or concerns and are unsure as to whom they should contact at OLP While everyone at OLP is willing to be of service to you, the following chart may be of help in connecting you to the person who can be most effective in meeting your needs We encourage you to contact us whenever you have a concern If you are unclear or need further clarification, the receptionist can assist you at our main number, (619) 297-2266
*AHOS = Assistant Head of School, AP = Assistant Principal
Academic Progress in a Particular Class or Grading Questions
1st: Teacher of the Class
Admissions Referrals
1st: Office of Admissions
2nd: Counselor
2nd:Director of Admissions
Adult Volunteer Opportunities/Fundraising
1st: Institutional Advancement
2nd: Chief Adv Officer
Alcohol/Other Substance Abuse Concerns
1st: Counselor
2nd: Student’s AP
3rd: Student’s AP
3rd: Head of School
3rd: Head of School
3rd: AHOS
Attendance Policies
1st: Attendance Office
Athletics
2nd: Student’s AP
1st: Coach/ Head Varsity Coach 2nd: Athletic Director
Student’s Behavior/Discipline in a Particular Class
If there are any other questions or concerns, the Front Office can direct you to the appropriate staff member
Emergency Communication Plan
OLP is committed to a safe educational and work environment for all students and staff, as well as the community Timely communication in the event of an emergency is a priority The emergency communication response plan is comprised of the following communication components in which any or all may be utilized:
1 Telephone calls to home and cellular telephones
2 Text messaging to cellular telephones of parents and students
3 Email to all parents and employees
4 Message posting on school website and other social media sites
5 Classroom/campus PA announcements
6 Press releases
2026-2027 Table of Contents
Communications and Contacting School Personnel
Statement Of Integrity
Permission To Videotape/Photograph/Record/Live Stream
Emergency Release/Indemnification Policy
Guidelines For Acceptable Use Of School Brand/Logo
Student Guidelines For Acceptable Use Of Technology
Chapter 1 - About the Academy of Our Lady of Peace
1.1 History of the Academy of Our Lady of Peace
1 2 Founding Charism of the Sisters of St Joseph of Carondelet (CSJ)
1 3 Mission Statement
1.4 Philosophy Statement
1 5 Integral Student Outcomes
1 6 OLP Traditions
1 7 Fundraising
Chapter 2 - Admissions, Registration and Records
2 1 Non-Discrimination Policy
2 2 Admissions Policy
2.3 Registration Policy
2 4 Tuition and Payment Policies
2 5 Scholarships & Tuition Assistance
2.6 Information Changes
2 7 Student Records
2 8 Transcript Request Policy
2.9 Transfer Students
Chapter 3 - Academic Programs & Policies
3 1 Curriculum
3 2 OLP Policy Regarding Late Work
3.3 Graduation Requirements
3 4 Grading Scale
3 5 Grade Point Average
3.6 Grade Reporting
3 7 Grade Review Request
3 8 Advanced Placement Program
3.9 Honor Roll and Honor Societies
3 10 Academic Awards
3 11 Service Learning at OLP
3.12 Academic Integrity Policy
3 13 Academic Review Process
3 14 Academic Probation
3 15 Academic Disqualification
3.16 Academic Renewal or Refreshment
3 17 Academic Enrichment Policy
3 18 Off-Campus Fulfillment of Course Requirements
3 19 Medical Waiver for Physical Education
3 20 TrustThink STEM Program Certificate
3.21 Summer School
3 22 Field Trips
3 23 Travel Program
Chapter 4 - Student Activities
4 1 Leadership Development Program
4 2 Traditional OLP Annual Activities
4 3 OLP and St Augustine Co-Curricular Activities
4 4 School Events
4 5 Dance Policy
4 6 Lettering Policy Chapter 5 - Athletic Program
5 1 Eligibility
5 2 Informed Consent
5.3 OLP Code of Conduct for Student Athletes
5 4 Sportsmanship Code for Spectators
5 5 Medical Requirements
5.6 Concussion Protocol
5 7 Outside Competitions
5 8 Transfer Eligibility Rules Chapter 6 - Parents
6 1 Policies Affecting Parents
6 2 Students: Eighteen Years Old
6 3 Megan’s Law
6.4 Parent Volunteer Requirements & SAFE Training
6 5 Back to School Night
6 6 Student-Parent-Teacher Conferences
6.7 Custody Disputes and Arrangements Chapter 7 - Counseling Services
7 1 General Counseling Services
7.2 Web-Based Counseling Services
7 3 Child Abuse Reporting
7 4 Suicide Prevention Policy
7 5 Sisters and Scholars: Identified Learning Differences & Accommodations
7 6 St Joseph’s Scholars Program Chapter 8 - Discipline
8 1 OLP Code of Conduct
8.2 Non-Violence Policy
8 3 Student Boundaries Policy
8 4 Harassment and Discrimination
8.5 Sexting
8 6 Bullying
8 7 Substance Abuse Policy
8 8 Cell Phone and Personal Electronic Device Policy
8 9 Minor Infractions
8.10 Major Infractions
8 11 Discipline Committee
8 12 Probation
8.13 Suspension, Expulsion and Recommended Transfers
Chapter 9 - Attendance Rules and Procedures
9 1 Absence
9 2 Excessive Absence - Loss of Course Credit
9 3 Health Related Extended Absence
9 4 Excused Absence
9 5 Truancy
9.6 Tardies
9 7 Absence and Activities
9 8 Anticipated Absence
9.9 Leave of Absence
9 10 College Visitation Days
9 11 Illness or Injury at School
9.12 Early Dismissal
9 13 Absences During Finals Week
9 14 Emergency Cards
Chapter 10 - Appearance Code
10 1 Daily Uniform Expectations
10 2 Formal Uniform Requirements
10 3 Spirit Wear, Senior Celebrations, and Add-On Days
10.4 Non-Uniform Dress Guidelines
10 5 Grooming and Personal Appearance
10 6 Virtual Learning Attire
10.7 Uniform Enforcement and Consequences
Chapter 11 - Student Services
11 1 Textbooks
11.2 Cars and Parking
11 3 Closed Campus Policy
11 4 Finance Office
11 5 Personal Items & Lost and Found
11 6 Flowers/Balloons/Food
11 7 Insurance
11 8 Posters
11.9 Water Bottles and Recycling
11 10 Work Permits
11 11 Library/Media Center
11.12 Student Fundraising
11 13 Transportation
Chapter 12 - Communication with the School
12 1 Campus Hours
12 2 Dropping off Students
12.3 Picking up Students
12 4 Calling the School
12 5 Visitors
Chapter 13 - Health and Safety
13 1 Accident/Incident Forms
13 2 Emergencies and Disaster Preparedness
13 3 Immunization
13 4 Communicable Diseases
13 5 Medication Protocols
13 7 Physical Examination
13.8 School Facilities
13 9 Safe School Environment
13 10 Child Abuse Reporting and Mental Health Referral
A Handbook Addendum: Guiding Framework for Synchronous Virtual Viewing
A.1 OLP Philosophy of Learning
A 2 Definition of Synchronous Virtual Viewing (SVV)
A 3 Parents Reporting a Student Absence when Students are Not Attending In-Person Learning
A 4 Student Expectations for Synchronous Virtual Viewing
A 5 Failure to Comply with Student Expectations during Synchronous Virtual Viewing
A 6 Guidance for Parents in Choosing Synchronous Virtual Viewing
A 7 It is okay to just be absent!
2026-2027 Student-Parent Acknowledgement
Students, you and your parent are required to complete the 2026-2027 Student-Parent Acknowledgement Form that accepts that you have read the OLP Student-Parent Handbook and agree to cooperate with the policies, procedures, and expectations outlined therein
Please visit PowerSchool to complete this form no later than August 21, 2026 Failure to submit the acknowledgement form through PowerSchool will result in an infraction and may impede student’s ability to participate in co-curricular activities
Statement Of Integrity
Student
I have carefully read this Handbook. I understand that I will compose all of my own writing assignments; that I will cite the source of any information or ideas taken from an outside source; and that I may use study aids, but they must be cited. I also understand that I must not misuse the electronic resources provided by the school Such misuse may come in many forms, but can be viewed as any messages sent or received that include or suggest pornography, unethical or illegal solicitation, racism, sexism, inappropriate language, or other inappropriate content I understand that I am expected to respect the dignity, privacy, personal space, and healthy boundaries of others, and to conduct myself in an ethical manner when I am at school and in online environments associated with OLP
Parent
For purposes of this acknowledgement, “parent” is used consistent with the definition provided at the beginning of this Handbook and includes any individual with legal, guardianship, and/or educational custodial responsibility for the student
As the parent of this student, I have carefully read this Handbook I understand that my daughter will compose all of her own writing assignments; that she will cite the source of any information or ideas taken from an outside source; and that study aids may be used, but must be cited I also understand that my student must not misuse the electronic resources provided by the school, or personal resources brought on school grounds Such misuse may come in many forms, but can be viewed as any messages sent or received that include or suggest pornography, unethical or illegal solicitation, racism, sexism, inappropriate language, or other inappropriate content I understand that my student is expected to respect the dignity, privacy, personal space, and healthy boundaries of others, and to conduct herself in an ethical manner at school, during school-related activities, and in online environments associated with OLP.
Permission To Videotape/Photograph/Record/Live Stream
I grant the Academy of Our Lady of Peace and/or its agents, permission to videotape/photograph/record/ livestream my daughter’s likeness and/or voice at the Academy of Our Lady of Peace for the purpose of obtaining live or still images or voice commentary for school publications and/or media productions The purpose of said efforts would be to demonstrate the qualities of the Academy of Our Lady of Peace, its teachers, students, academic, religious, and community service environment or convey information about the school Productions/ads/publications, etc , would be shown to students, prospective students, parents, supporters, and the larger San Diego Community, and is not intended for commercial resale
Recording Classes and School Activities
I understand and agree that the School may record video, audio and/or still image captures of or at School activities and class sessions, including virtual classes conducted via video conferencing or other means, with or without notice For distance learning class sessions, the recording may include any video, audio and virtual displays (computer screens) that are visible or audible to other class participants
Recordings may include a student’s name, voice, signature, image, or likeness to the extent the name, voice, signature, image, or likeness is visible/audible to others who are present in the classroom or virtual environment (e g , Zoom, Google Meets, Vimeo, etc ) I further understand and agree that recordings of both in-person and virtual class sessions in which a student may be transmitted to other students or
School employees or to parents and others Recordings may be transmitted in real time (i e , “live-streamed”) by an electronic recording device or camera that is placed in the classroom.
I understand and agree that Student and I are prohibited from recording audio, video or still images of class sessions, including virtual classes conducted via video conferencing or other means, or of School assemblies or activities, unless Student and/or I obtain express authorization to do so from their teacher(s) or another School official If the Student records or captures video, audio or still images of class sessions without prior approval, including distance learning classes, she may be subject to discipline, including, but not limited to, suspension or expulsion If Student and/or I have been authorized to record classes, we may not distribute, publish, post, or share class recordings unless written authorization is obtained from the School for the distribution of the recording
Emergency Release/Indemnification Policy
I authorize the Academy of Our Lady of Peace to secure emergency care deemed necessary for Student’s immediate care due to illness or injury and consent to the Student receiving initial treatment by an EMT, nurse, physician, or other licensed medical professional or facility This permission includes emergency transport, surgery and admission to the hospital, in addition to necessary medications and diagnostic testing It is further understood that this authorization is given in advance of any specific diagnosis, treatment or hospital care being required and that I will be responsible for payment of any and all medical services rendered I agree to waive and relinquish all claims that I may have as a result of the student’s injury
Indemnification
I do hereby fully release, discharge, hold harmless and agree to indemnify OLP from all claims, including participation against the Academy of Our Lady of Peace, its Board of Trustees, the Sisters of St Joseph of Carondelet, and their officers, agents, employees and coaches from financial responsibility and any liabilities whatsoever resulting from injuries (including death), damages and losses sustained by the Student.
Communicable Diseases
The school will follow all state and local provisions put in place in regards to communicable diseases For additional information, see Section 13.4 Communicable Diseases, of this handbook.
Force Majeure
I understand that a “Force Majeure Event” may necessitate a cessation of or change in all or part of the School’s operations. A “Force Majeure Event” includes, but is not limited to, any fire, flood, act of God (earthquake, tsunami, volcanic eruption, hurricane, tornado, lightning, etc ), governmental action, or acts or threats of the following: terrorism, epidemic, pandemic (including but not limited to the COVID pandemic), viral outbreak, war, revolution, natural disaster, riot, strike, lockdown, or any event beyond the School’s reasonable control, or that makes performance inadvisable, impracticable, illegal or impossible in the School’s determination
If a Force Majeure Event occurs, I understand that the School shall be entitled, in its sole discretion, to immediately and without notice: (1) extend, condense or otherwise modify the School Year; (2) change the facilities in which the School’s educational program, including classes, programs, activities and events, (“Program”) are held; (3) change the manner and format of the Program, including, but not limited to, changing to an on-line electronic format, independent or parent-guided study, or any other format or manner; or (4) postpone or cease all or part of its operations and its duties, obligations and performance under this Contract I further understand that my obligations under this Contract remain and will continue, and that no portion of any tuition, fees or other payments made by me or that are outstanding will be forgiven or refunded if the School’s operations cease or are postponed, suspended or modified because of any Force Majeure Event.
Guidelines For Acceptable Use Of School Brand/Logo
For any school publication or school postings on social media, OLP reserves the rights to approve or edit as deemed necessary
Logo/School Name Usage
The OLP logo is the most immediate representation of our school, our constituents, and our brand to the community It is a valuable asset that must be used consistently and in proper and approved forms
The OLP logo and school name in any of its forms (Academy of Our Lady of Peace or OLP) may not be used on any materials, printed or digital, in any capacity, without prior written approval from the Chief Advancement Officer or Associate Director Institutional Communications. This includes, but is not limited to, clothing, brochures, flyers, websites, social media accounts, banners, sporting goods, and posters
Social Media
We encourage our students to post positive messages and purposeful content on social media platforms. All student-run social media pages that identify a relationship to the school, must be approved by the Chief Advancement Officer or Associate Director Institutional Communications and overseen on a regular basis by a faculty moderator The school logo may not be used on any social media pages except on official pages operated by the school. For OLP sponsored clubs, the club president and the adult moderator of the club are the only two collaborators on social media platforms Students are strongly discouraged from sharing passwords and adding friends as collaborators on private student accounts, as any person associated with the social media site is responsible for the context/images that are posted If the login and password are shared with anyone please notify the Chief Advancement Officer or Associate Director Institutional Communications
OLP is not liable for content posted on non-school sanctioned social media pages
When sharing content on social media pages, including private pages, if a student is in uniform, on campus or at an OLP sponsored event you are representing the school, and if posts are in violation of school policy or contrary to the school’s mission, it will necessitate a follow-up with the student, parent and the student’s Assistant Principal, and may result in disciplinary consequences Please see the school’s guidelines for the Acceptable use of Technology, along with Chapter 8: Discipline for more information on harassment and discrimination, sexting, and bullying
Student Guidelines For Acceptable Use Of Technology
Purpose and Scope
OLP provides technology resources to support student learning, communication, research, creativity, and collaboration These resources include school-managed accounts, email, Google Workspace, PowerSchool, Schoology, internet access, applications, databases, approved artificial intelligence tools, hardware, and other communication technologies
As a Catholic school rooted in the charism of the Sisters of St Joseph of Carondelet, OLP is guided by the Catholic Companion Framework in decisions regarding the integration of technology into student learning This framework supports OLP’s commitment to using technology in ways that uphold human dignity, foster wisdom and discernment, nurture community, and advance the mission of Catholic education
Use of OLP technology resources is a privilege, not a right Students are expected to use all technology responsibly, ethically, legally, and in a manner consistent with OLP’s mission, school rules, classroom expectations, and the standards outlined in this Handbook
Bring Your Own Device Requirement (BYOD)
OLP maintains a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program Each student is required to have daily access to her own laptop or school-approved computing device that meets OLP’s current minimum technology specifications The device must be capable of accessing OLP’s required platforms, software, security tools, and instructional resources.
Students are expected to bring this device to school each day, fully charged and in good working order. Cell phones, tablets, iPads, and smartwatches are not substitutes for a laptop or school-approved computing device. Parents are responsible for ensuring that their student has access to a device that meets OLP’s requirements OLP may update minimum technology specifications annually and will provide setup guidance to students and families. For expectations regarding cell phones and personal electronic devices, see Section 8 7 Cell Phone and Personal Electronic Device Policy
Device Maintenance and Troubleshooting
Students are responsible for maintaining their devices, completing regular updates, keeping required applications current, charging devices each day, and saving school-related files to their school-issued Google Drive or other such school-approved platform If a student experiences a technology issue, she should promptly seek support from the IT Help Desk located in the Library and communicate with her teacher as needed Technology problems should not be used as an excuse for incomplete or late work when reasonable steps to resolve the issue have not been taken
Care of Devices and Loaner Equipment
Students and parents are responsible for the care and security of student devices Devices should not be left unattended, loaned to another student, or borrowed from another student. OLP is not responsible for the loss, theft, or damage of personal electronic devices
Loaner equipment may be available in the Library on a limited basis, and must be returned as directed Borrowing privileges may be suspended if equipment is not returned on time. Students and families are responsible for the repair or replacement cost of any school equipment that is lost, damaged, or not returned.
Account Security
Students are responsible for maintaining the security of their OLP accounts and may use only their own login credentials. Students may not share passwords, usernames, multi-factor authentication codes, or account access Accessing another person’s account, device, files, email, or data without permission is prohibited and may be treated as a serious violation.
Parents are encouraged to support students in creating secure passwords and managing school accounts responsibly, while allowing students to develop appropriate independence in using school technology.
Students who identify or suspect a security problem, account compromise, phishing attempt, or unsafe technology issue should report it promptly to the IT Department via support@aolp org, or a trusted school employee, and should not discuss or share the issue with other students
Internet, WiFi, Filtering, and Reporting
OLP provides internet and WiFi access for educational purposes and school-related work This is accessible only on the student’s computing device OLP uses filtering and monitoring tools, but no system is perfect Students must notify a faculty or staff member if they encounter content, messages, images, or online interactions that are inappropriate, dangerous, threatening, or make them feel uncomfortable Students may also use OLP’s anonymous reporting tools when appropriate See Section 8 2 Non-Violence Policy Parents are responsible for setting expectations and restrictions on home networks and personal devices outside of school.
Acceptable Use
Students may not use OLP technology resources, personal devices, or online platforms to engage in conduct that is illegal, unsafe, dishonest, harassing, discriminatory, bullying, obscene, threatening, disruptive, or contrary to OLP’s mission and policies
Students may not use technology to violate copyright law, privacy rights, school policy, or applicable law Students may not disrupt or interfere with OLP networks, systems, devices, accounts, software, filters, or security settings Students may not use OLP accounts for commercial activity, unauthorized advertising, political lobbying, or non-school-related mass communication.
Students are expected to protect their own personal information and the personal information of others. Students may not share home addresses, phone numbers, passwords, social security numbers, personal images, private communications, or other sensitive information without appropriate authorization
Recording, Images, and Privacy
Students may not record, photograph, livestream, post, or share images, video, or audio of another student, employee, volunteer, guest, class session, meeting, school activity, or school space without appropriate permission Cell phones and other personal electronic devices may not be used in restrooms, locker rooms, changing areas, or any other location where privacy is expected (See 8 3 Student Boundaries Policy, 8 4 Harassment and Discrimination, 8 5 Sexting, 8 6 Bullying, 8 8 Cell Phone and Personal Electronic Device Policy, and 13 9 Safe School Environment)
Academic Integrity and Artificial Intelligence
Technology must be used in a manner consistent with OLP’s Academic Integrity Policy Students are responsible for completing their own work, citing sources appropriately, and following teacher directions regarding permitted tools, including artificial intelligence tools. AI tools may be used only when permitted by the teacher and only in the manner authorized Students may not submit AI-generated or AI-assisted work as their own unless such use has been expressly permitted and properly acknowledged. See Section 3 12 Academic Integrity Policy
Students may not enter confidential, private, sensitive, or personally identifiable information about themselves, other students, employees, families, or OLP into artificial intelligence tools or other external platforms unless expressly authorized by the school
School Accounts, Monitoring, and Privacy
OLP email accounts, files, stored data, transmitted data, school-managed accounts, school networks, and school-provided devices are the property of the school and may be accessed, monitored, reviewed, or retained by designated school personnel. Students should have no expectation of privacy when using OLP technology resources
Students will cease to have access to OLP accounts following graduation or withdrawal Students should plan in advance to save or transfer appropriate personal academic files before access ends.
Inspection, Search, Confiscation, and Consequences
Any personal electronic device brought onto campus or used at a school-sponsored activity may be confiscated, inspected, or searched by a school administrator when there is a school-related reason to do so, consistent with school policy and applicable law School-owned devices, school-managed accounts, and OLP technology resources may be accessed, monitored, reviewed, or searched by the school at any time
Inappropriate use of technology may result in loss of access, confiscation of devices, disciplinary action, financial responsibility, and, when appropriate, referral to legal authorities Serious or repeated technology misuse may be addressed under Section 8 9 Minor Infractions, 8 10 Major Infractions, and 8 13 Suspension
Services and Limitations
OLP makes no warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, for the technology services it provides. OLP is not responsible for loss of data, service interruptions, delays, misdeliveries, non-deliveries, inaccurate information, or damage resulting from student use of technology resources. Students are responsible for maintaining appropriate backups of school-related files, including saving work to their school-issued Google Drive or another school-approved storage platform.
Technology Support
Students and parents should contact the IT Help Desk or email support@aolp org if they need assistance with OLP accounts, passwords, multi-factor authentication, PowerSchool, Schoology, Google Workspace, or school technology access
Chapter 1 - About the Academy of Our Lady of Peace
1.1 History of the Academy of Our Lady of Peace
From a pair of rented cottages to a 22-acre hilltop campus in Mission Hills, the story of the Academy of Our Lady of Peace (OLP) is one of courageous Sisters, visionary lay partners, and generations of young women whose God-given gifts have shaped San Diego and beyond
The roots of OLP trace back to 1836, when six Sisters of St Joseph left France for Carondelet, Missouri, at the invitation of the Bishop of St. Louis. In 1870, seven Sisters ventured west to establish a school in the Arizona Territory En route to Tucson, they paused in San Diego and met Father Antonio Ubach, the determined pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Old Town. Moved by the region’s need, Father Ubach persistently appealed for the Sisters to return and establish a school in his growing mission territory. That dream became a reality on May 10, 1882, when four Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet arrived in San Diego and opened a day school with 30 students 28 girls and 2 boys in two rented frame houses at Second and G Streets Just a month later, the first Mass was celebrated in their small convent chapel, which they dedicated to Our Lady of Peace
As enrollment quickly grew, the Sisters relocated in 1887 to a new site at Third and A Streets in downtown San Diego, where they constructed Academy Hall and, soon after, St Joseph’s Boys’ School By 1924, seeking more space and a tranquil setting for their growing student body, the Sisters purchased the 22-acre Van Druff Estate atop Mission Hill. The land, overlooking Mission Valley, included three unfinished buildings two originally designed as residences and one as a scientific laboratory These would become the nucleus of today’s campus. By 1927, three hallmark structures Aquinas Hall, St. Margaret’s Hall (now Qualiato Hall), and the marble-clad Chapel stood as a testament to the school’s bold vision and enduring mission.
Modern expansion began in earnest in the late 20th century In 1997, OLP opened the Holy Family Event Center, adding a much-needed gymnasium and multi-purpose space for athletics and community gatherings Between 2003 and 2004, the school completed significant renovations of the Upper and Lower Plazas, Library Plaza, and Chapel Courtyard In 2014, construction began on the St Catherine’s Parking Structure and the adjacent Student Services Center, completed in 2015 This building became home to wellness services, counseling, Campus Ministry, retreat offices, and the beloved Pilot Café, framed by a rotating student art gallery
That same year, the Board of Trustees approved a schoolwide Strategic Plan to guide OLP’s future Centered on five key priorities deepening the Catholic identity and CSJ charism, achieving academic excellence, growing institutional resources, fostering socially responsible leadership, and modernizing campus facilities the plan launched a transformative new chapter.
In 2019, OLP broke ground on Phase I of its first comprehensive, board-directed capital campaign The 40,000-square-foot renovation of Aquinas and St Joseph Halls concluded in August 2020 with the opening of Esther Sanfilippo Navarra Hall and the Shiley Center for Science and Innovation Phase II soon followed: the 20,000-square-foot St Thérèse Library and Performing Arts Center was dedicated in November 2023 and officially opened in April 2024 These historic enhancements reflect the school’s enduring commitment to innovation, academic distinction, and the holistic formation of young women of heart, faith, and courage
1.2 Founding Charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet (CSJ)
The Academy of Our Lady of Peace was founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet (CSJ), whose spirit of unifying love continues to animate every dimension of campus life Their mission, rooted in John 17:21 “that all may be one” reflects an enduring call to deepen unity with God and one another.
The 1693 Primitive Constitutions of the CSJ declare the congregation’s dedication to “the practice of all the spiritual and corporal works of mercy of which woman is capable and which will most benefit the dear neighbor without distinction ” This foundational directive remains central to OLP’s Catholic
identity and educational mission Inspired by Father Jean-Pierre Medaille, the Jesuit priest who guided the first Sisters, we are called to “love love and let love love through us,” carrying forward a faith that is active, inclusive, and transformational
Guided by the legacy of Mother St John Fontbonne, who reestablished the CSJ congregation after the French Revolution, OLP’s Integral Student Outcomes (see 1 5 Integral Student Outcomes) are grounded in her vision of forming femmes de foi, femmes de cœur, femmes de courage women of faith, heart, and courage. At OLP, this has been expanded drawing from the CSJ Consensus Statement and the Ignatian influence that shaped the Sisters’ spirituality to include excellence, inspiring all students to live as women of faith, heart, courage, and excellence.
Special school traditions celebrate and embody the CSJ heritage, including:
● The St. Joseph Day celebration and awarding of the St. Joseph medals
● Recognition of student leaders who embody the CSJ values of service and leadership
● Participation in leadership programs rooted in CSJ spirituality
● Commitment to social justice and right relationships among all people and creation
● Ongoing education in peace, justice, and Catholic Social Teaching
The charism of the Sisters of St Joseph of Carondelet as the school’s sponsors ensure that OLP remains a vibrant, mission-driven Catholic community forming young women to lead with faith, compassion, and unity.
1.3 Mission Statement
Founded and rooted in the Gospel values of the Catholic church and the charism of the Sisters of St Joseph of Carondelet, the Academy of Our Lady of Peace empowers young women in an innovative learning environment that honors the individual while fostering community, and develops faith-filled leaders dedicated to the “love of God and the dear neighbor without distinction.” revised and affirmed in May 2016, and November 2021
1.4 Philosophy Statement
The Academy of Our Lady of Peace (OLP), founded in 1882, celebrates a rich history of empowering young women to become Catholic leaders in their local community and in the world Guided by Gospel values and the charism of the Sisters of St Joseph of Carondelet, faculty and staff inspire young women to be leaders who impact global change by building community through a conscious love of God and love of the dear neighbor without distinction As a woman of faith, woman of heart, woman of courage and woman of excellence, an OLP student is provided opportunities to put her faith into action, and become a transformative agent of change in our world
The school is committed to research-based practices, which foster intellectual curiosity and a passion for learning through an interdisciplinary lens, in order to form collaborative learners, visionaries and innovators. Looking toward preparing students for the future, critical thinking skills are woven across the curriculum, leveraging technology as a tool to facilitate student learning in an ever-changing world An OLP student is encouraged to explore her passions within academic, athletic, co-curricular and spiritual activities, and develop a mindset ready to take risks and to strive for excellence
The school celebrates the uniqueness of the individual girl and intentionally strives to foster an inclusive community, celebrating sisterhood and unifying love. While OLP endeavors to ensure there is a richness of opportunities to challenge student thinking, cultivate confidence and expand her capacity, rigorous learning is consistently balanced in an environment of support and joy. In partnership with parents as the primary educators, OLP seeks opportunities to actively engage them in their daughter’s transformative academic and faith experiences. revised and affirmed in May 2016, and November 2021.
1.5 Integral Student Outcomes
The Academy of Our Lady of Peace and the parents of our students work as partners in the development of Christian values and leadership education inspired by the charism of the founding Sisters of St Joseph of Carondelet The following Integral Student Outcomes (ISOs) are derived from the school’s mission and
philosophy statements, providing broad-based behavior signifying what a student knows, understands, values and practices. They are integral as they serve to unify all the academic, social and spiritual outcomes that OLP establishes as goals for its students
In the spirit of the founding Sisters of St Joseph of Carondelet, the following four ISOs are derived from Mother St John Fontbonne where the following words were written on the wall “femmes de foi, femmes de coeur, femmes de courage ” As CSJ students, OLP looks to help all our young women become a woman of faith, woman of heart, woman of courage and woman of excellence in the tradition of our founding Sisters of St Joseph
A woman of FAITH who maintains a relationship with “God and the dear neighbor without distinction” understands and values Catholic teachings applies Gospel values through her actions and choices encourages and serves as a model to others in fostering the mission of Jesus in our world
A woman of HEART who… actively works to foster solidarity, unity and sisterhood in a spirit of joy recognizes and values the diversity of society acts as a responsible member of the global community to promote justice and peace strives for unity and reconciliation through compassion for others
A woman of COURAGE who… takes initiative in response to challenges advocates for social justice embodying Catholic Social Teaching perseveres through challenges and adversity chooses integrity regardless of personal consequences
A woman of EXCELLENCE who... seeks collaboratively to solve problems through critical thinking and creative solutions seeks opportunities to be challenged and takes risks in the active pursuit of learning communicates ideas and perspectives effectively and articulately through appropriate mediums adapts to emerging technology responsibly
revised and affirmed in May 2016, and November 2021
1.6 OLP Traditions
● Historical Name: Academy of Our Lady of Peace; Villa Montemar (“House on a Hill by the Sea”)
● Founding Date: May 10, 1882
● Founding Religious Order: Sisters of St Joseph of Carondelet (CSJ) The Congregation was founded in Le Puy, France, in 1650; it was extended as a United States Congregation in Carondelet, Missouri, in 1836
● Colors: Columbia blue and white
○ These original school colors changed for a brief time to red and white when “Snoopy, the Red Baron” served as the school mascot. (See explanation of “mascot” below.) It was changed back to the original blue and white at the time of OLP’s 125th anniversary
● Motto: Deus Illuminatio Mea (“God is My Light”)
● Mascot: “The Pilots”
○ The “Pilots” mascot emerged with the rise of women’s competitive athletics, when schools were required to adopt official mascots OLP initially used “Snoopy, the Red Baron” through a verbal agreement with cartoonist Charles Schulz. Following his passing, the school was unable to continue use of the character due to copyright restrictions OLP retained the name “Pilots,” reimagining it to reflect qualities such as leadership, adventure, confidence, and the courage to pursue “all of which woman is capable ”
Alma Mater
Set on a hill over valley royal, Mountain and sea afar, Built by a love and devotion loyal, Stands Villa Montemar
Though years may pass, Other cares abringing, And you may not be near, Turn back your thoughts, Your hearts are singing to those memories dear
So sing to Villa Montemar, Where our hearts will be always; Sing once more to Our Lady of Peace, Who deserves all our tribute and praise
With your shoulders back and heads up high, And a bright gleam in your eye, Stand and cheer, loyal daughter, For your Alma Mater, With a hail, hail, hail Ada Nisbet, OLP Class of 1924
End of the Day Prayers:
Mary, Queen of Peace:
Mary, Queen of Peace, we entrust our lives to you.
Shelter us from war, hatred, and oppression
Teach us to live in peace, to educate ourselves for peace. Inspire us to act justly, to revere all God has made Root peace firmly in our hearts and in our world.
Amen
God Bless the World
Might God, Father of all, Compassionate God, Mother of all, Bless every person I have met, every face I have seen, Every voice I have heard, especially those most dear; Bless every city, town, and street that I have known, Bless every sight I have seen, every sound I have hearts, every object I have touched In some mysterious way these have all fashioned my life: All that I am, I have received Great God, bless the world
Amen
1.7 Fundraising
Nonprofit Status
The Academy of Our Lady of Peace is a non-profit religious 501(c)3 corporation which entitles it to seek voluntary and charitable support. To protect the school’s non-profit status, and appropriately cultivate, solicit, and recognize contributions from donors, all fundraising programs are reviewed and approved by the Board of Trustees and administered by the Office of Institutional Advancement.
Philosophy of Fundraising
The United States is noted for its culture of citizen-based giving and generosity in terms of time, talent and treasure. Giving of ourselves and resources is also a primary tenant of Catholicism. The OLP Board of Trustees ensures that all fundraising programs encourage the growth of a culture of philanthropy to fulfill the school’s mission. Our school embraces the values and virtues of volunteerism, philanthropy and best practices in fundraising
At OLP there is a strong expectation that all families will financially contribute to the Carondelet Annual Fund to advance the school by providing the highest level of instruction, curriculum, technology, and support necessary to prepare students to be successful in college and in life
Definition of Fundraising
School sponsored fundraising events and appeals to the school community provide support for needed resources via financial contributions, materials and in-kind gifts, services, and time to provide resources that are not provided by the school’s annual operating budget
Carondelet Annual Fund
Each fall, OLP launches its annual fundraising campaign, All in for OLP, which supports the Carondelet Annual Fund The Carondelet Annual Fund provides funding for our students and programs in all areas, including academics, athletics, co-curricular activities, campus ministry, technology, campus facilities, and more We ask our families to participate in any way they can to this annual campaign
Chapter 2 - Admissions, Registration and Records
2.1 Non-Discrimination Policy
The Academy of Our Lady of Peace admits students of any color, race, ethnic origin, or faith to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school The school does not discriminate on the basis of color, race, ethnic origin or faith in the administration of its educational policies, scholarships, financial aid programs, athletic and other school administered programs.
2.2 Admissions Policy
Rooted in the Gospel values of the Catholic faith and the charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, OLP seeks students and families who demonstrate alignment with the CSJ charism of unifying love and service to the dear neighbor without distinction. OLP seeks students who are open to growing as women of faith, heart, courage, and excellence, and who are prepared to participate fully in an all-girls Catholic educational environment. The admissions process considers each applicant holistically, including her character, academic readiness, willingness to learn, school record, recommendations, interview, and other related factors.
New students may be accepted into sophomore, junior and senior classes if space is available and at the discretion of school administration All transfer students must also be able to meet the necessary OLP graduation requirements Please see the Curriculum Guide for more information on these requirements
The specific criteria considered in determining admission include:
● Completed application through the online portal, including the student statement, co-curricular activities, and all other required information
● Completed recommendation forms or letters from the student’s current principal or assistant principal inclusive of Math, English and Science placement
● Two years of the student’s most recent transcripts, which include 7th and 8th grade transcripts for freshman applicants and a current transcript for transfer students
● Submission of 7th and 8th-grade standardized test results (STAR, CAASPP, or equivalent)
● Student and parent personal interview with an OLP faculty or staff member
● Confirmation that the student is in good standing at her prior school, based on the principal recommendation
All students who currently have a 504 Plan, IEP, or other learning support plan are required to submit all supporting documentation at the time applications are due Submission of the student’s psychoeducational report or related documentation will assist OLP in determining whether accommodations may be provided for the OLP Course Placement Diagnostic Test (CPDT) If the psychoeducational report or related documentation cannot be obtained by the application deadline, OLP will review it at a later date; however, accommodations for the CPDT cannot be guaranteed For more information regarding acceptance through our St Joseph’s Scholars Program, (See 7 6 St Joseph’s Scholars Program)
At the time the application is submitted, student applicants must also submit a processing fee with the application The application fee includes registration for the CPDT, which is administered at OLP following acceptance.
All accepted incoming students are required to complete the OLP Course Placement Diagnostic Test (CPDT), which is used to support appropriate placement in OLP courses The CPDT is not used as part of the admissions decision
In addition to the criteria for admission, consideration is given to applicants who are continuing Catholic education, applicants whose grandmother, mother, or sister attended OLP, and applicants who are Catholic and seeking admission from a public school The admissions process operates independently and is not influenced by the finances of the prospective family.
Once accepted, students are expected to maintain good academic, disciplinary, and financial standing at their current school prior to attending OLP.
International Student Admissions
OLP is certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to issue the Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, to eligible international students seeking F-1 student visa status OLP welcomes applicants of any nationality or citizenship who meet the school’s admissions requirements.
As a criterion for acceptance, OLP reserves the right to require additional language proficiency assessments as necessary. For students being admitted in partnership with an international student agency, this requirement may be fulfilled through the agency agreement or related agency admissions process.
International students who will reside in the United States without a biological parent, legal parent, or court-appointed legal guardian are required to work with one of OLP’s preferred international student agencies for homestay and guardian coordination Students who reside in Tijuana, Mexico, or otherwise commute across the border while living with their biological parents are not considered international homestay students for purposes of this agency requirement
Students and parents are responsible for completing all required OLP I-20 application materials and coordinating with the Office of Admissions and Registrar regarding all SEVIS and Form I-20 documentation, including initial issuance, annual updates, transfers, travel, withdrawal, graduation-related matters, and maintaining current F-1 student status. Students must also provide required supporting documentation, including a current passport and evidence of financial support, as requested by OLP It is the responsibility of the student and parent to understand and comply with all F-1 visa, SEVIS, and Form I-20 requirements
Students holding F-1 student visa status must check in with the Registrar before any international travel, including holiday travel outside the United States, to ensure that the student’s Form I-20 includes any required and current school signatures necessary for re-entry
The international student agency representing the student is responsible for collecting tuition, application, registration, international student, and other applicable fees from the family and remitting payment to OLP on behalf of the student’s FACTS account. For the 2026-2027 academic year, the non-refundable annual International Student Fee is $3,000 and is due at the time of registration All required fees must be paid by June 20 unless otherwise directed by OLP.
2.3 Registration Policy
Enrolled students are given first choice of course offerings for the next year, if the Tuition Agreement is completed and registration fee is paid by the specified date determined by school administration A completed Tuition Agreement, paid registration fee and timely tuition payments ensure returning students space reservation for the next academic year The school considers a student automatically withdrawn at the end of the current year if the tuition agreement and related paperwork and payments are not returned by the specified date
A non-refundable registration fee of $525 is required with the completed Tuition Agreement for all students. Returning students must pay the registration fee through the school's third party enrollment management company (Finalsite Enrollment) The registration fee and agreement are due by March 15, 2027 for the 2027-2028 academic year.
2.4 Tuition and Payment Policies
All tuition payments are to be made through FACTS, the school’s designated third-party tuition management company. Tuition payments for the 2026-2027 academic year begin in June 2026 All families must have an active FACTS account and the June tuition payment must be made in order to
maintain the student’s enrollment for the school year The school considers a student’s enrollment automatically withdrawn at the end of June if the tuition payment has not been received. Students that are automatically withdrawn will be placed at the bottom of the school’s waitlist and may be readmitted at a later date if an opening becomes available
Families have the option to pay tuition on either the 5th or the 20th of the month However, once a date is selected the family must maintain that payment date throughout the school year Annual tuition is due in June 2026. The annual tuition payment option is entitled to a 3% discount of net tuition to be reflected in the FACTS tuition account If a family elects to pay over 12-months, payments are due monthly from June 2026 through May 2027.
All bank charges are passed to the family, including those for insufficient funds, stop payments, closed accounts and bank errors. Payments that fail to clear the bank are routinely re-deposited through your tuition management account When payment fails to clear multiple times, the full amount plus all bank charges will be added to the family’s tuition account
Failure to maintain a tuition account on a current basis may subject a student to suspension and/or student to be held out of class on the first day of the quarter In addition, the yearbook will be held at year-end and graduating seniors will not receive tickets for the graduation exercises
The student’s tuition account must be current at the beginning of each quarter (Start of School, 2nd Quarter, 3rd Quarter and 4th Quarter) A student will not be allowed to attend classes until payment of proper fees and tuition has been received. It is the parent’s responsibility to contact the finance office when unforeseen financial problems occur Failure to fulfill tuition obligations may result in a student’s suspension and/or expulsion.
Course Load
The tuition for the 2026-2027 academic school year includes the opportunity for students to participate in 14 academic courses Students wishing to supplement their course load with additional academic course offerings (15 or more) will be required to pay a $500 fee per extra semester course or $1,000 for year-long courses
Any student who requests dropping an extra course, Zero block, G block, or online course after April 1st will be charged a $500 withdrawal fee per course We staff our schedule according to enrollment prior to April As a result, we need an accurate commitment from students
Cancellation/Withdraw Policies
All students are enrolled for the entire school year and a full year’s tuition must be paid; however,
● If a student withdraws before school begins in August 2026, one month’s tuition will be charged.
● If a student withdraws at the end of the quarter, prior to the beginning of the next quarter, tuition will only be charged for the quarter(s) attended.
● If a student withdraws during the quarter, tuition is due for the entire quarter
A tuition refund will be issued based on the above policy. If you have any questions about tuition, please contact the school’s Finance Office
2.5 Scholarships & Tuition Assistance
Academy of Our Lady of Peace offers scholarships, and/or tuition assistance to qualifying students
Tuition assistance and scholarships are dependent on tuition being current and the student maintaining a grade point average specific to the scholarship and/or tuition assistance awarded If the student’s grade point average falls below the required average, the student will no longer be eligible for the scholarship and/or tuition assistance and the account will be adjusted accordingly
The tuition assistance program at OLP is guided by our belief that parents have an obligation to pay the educational expenses of their children to the extent that they are able. In an effort to promote access for
students who will benefit from an outstanding Catholic, college preparatory education and whose contribution in and outside of the classroom will enrich the OLP community, OLP provides tuition assistance to qualified families OLP’s tuition assistance policy reflects standards of equity and fairness and embraces OLP’s ongoing commitment to access, affordability and socio-economic diversity
Tuition assistance is available to families who can document financial need This assessment is done by an outside service provider There is a fee for this assessment Tuition assistance must be applied for each year of enrollment to be considered for allocation A complete tuition assistance application and tax returns must be submitted by January 5, 2026 for the following school year In order to be considered for assistance, families must meet the January tuition assistance deadline Families will not be considered for tuition assistance if the deadline is not met, the application is incomplete, and/or there is missing tax return information No exceptions will be granted Please note that in the case of a separated or divorced family, absent compelling circumstances, the school will require both parents to complete all of the requirements for applying for tuition assistance
Tuition assistance decisions are made by a committee and communicated in a manner that allows families to make timely, careful and fully informed enrollment decisions. The committee considers and is guided by the following factors and standards selected by the Board of Trustees:
1. A cumulative GPA of 2.0 must be maintained (determined based on GPA of most recent semester)
2. Students must be in good standing with regards to behavior.
3 The awards are made on the basis of financial need
4. Families with multiple Catholic education tuition bills are given additional consideration.
5 Other special financial hardships are given consideration
6. Students continuing Catholic Education will be given priority.
7 Tuition account must be current
8. Students must be progressing towards graduation.
All information provided to the OLP Tuition Assistance Committee is treated with the strictest confidence OLP will not make full tuition assistance awards for tuition and fees OLP believes that every family can demonstrate their commitment to their child’s education by making some contribution to the cost of the education OLP reserves the right to withdraw any offer or award of tuition assistance if it is determined that the application is incomplete, false or includes misleading information Tuition Assistance is a grant that is applied toward tuition only Requests for funding for school programs or activities not covered by tuition should be directed to the Finance office Tuition assistance awards will not be made if the account carries an unresolved past due balance
OLP expects that all students will in all matters of academic, social and extracurricular life perform to the best of their abilities and OLP will not subsidize substandard performance or lack of commitment to the life of the School In the review of financial aid applications, the committee differentiates between necessary expenses and money spent for lifestyle choices With respect to the latter, beyond a certain point, OLP will not provide aid to offset “lifestyle” expenditures that could have been directed towards education
For those receiving scholarships and/or tuition assistance, credits are applied on a pro-rata basis according to the tuition payment option selected If a student withdraws from school prior to the end of the year, the scholarship and/or tuition assistance is reduced on a pro-rata basis according to the cancellation/withdrawal policies
If you have any questions about tuition assistance, please contact the school’s Finance Office
2.6 Information Changes
Parents are reminded to update school records whenever there is a change in their email address, address, phone number, or work number. It is important that school records are accurate so that communication between the school and families may be done in a timely manner Please complete a
Change of Information Request Form via Forms in PowerSchool Alternatively, parents may also email the school at addresschanges@aolp.org.
2.7 Student Records
In 1974, the Congress passed the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act This law gives the student, if she is an eligible student, or the student’s parents (if the student is not eligible), certain rights regarding student educational records An eligible student is one who has reached the age of 16 or is attending any school after graduation from high school
The law requires that schools:
1 Allow the parent or eligible students to review and inspect the student’s record This rule does not apply to records made and kept by one person, such as a counselor or social worker, which are not shared with anyone but a delegated substitute
2. Give the parent or eligible student the chance to challenge the records in a hearing to make sure they are not misleading or inaccurate
3. Obtain written permission from the parent or eligible student before revealing the records to other persons
4. Notify parents or eligible students of their right under this law.
There are some exceptions to rule #3 above. School personnel may show or turn over records without permission to:
1. Other officials of the same school.
2 Officials of another school in which the student seeks or intends to enroll
3. Certain federal, state and local authorities perform functions authorized by law.
4 Individuals or organizations in connection with a student’s application for receiving financial aid
5 Court or law enforcement officials, if the school is given a subpoena or court order
Educational Rights and Health Privacy (ERH)
Parents of currently enrolled or former students may review any and all pupil records related to their children that are maintained by the school If parents are divorced or legally separated, both parents have the right to access pupil records unless the school is provided with a court order that specifically limits or revokes that right A divorced or legally separated parent is not entitled to review financial or tuition assistance records containing information about the other parent’s finances
At the time of application, enrollment, and for all currently enrolled students, parents are required to disclose and provide documentation identifying all legal parents or guardians, including biological parents and any individuals designated by court order as having custodial or educational rights This includes submitting copies of any applicable legal documents such as custody agreements, court orders, or other official determinations of parental or guardianship status
To ensure the school can maintain compliance with legal obligations and safeguard student privacy and access rights, families must notify the school immediately of any changes to custodial arrangements or legal authority, and must provide updated legal documentation reflecting such changes as soon as they become available
Failure to disclose or update legal custodial or educational rights documentation may impact the school's ability to communicate effectively, manage educational decisions appropriately, and comply with privacy and record access laws
Required Student Documentation
As part of the enrollment process and annually thereafter the school collects and maintains required documentation for all students to ensure compliance with state regulations and school policy Parents are required to submit the following documents at the time of initial enrollment and update them as needed each year:
● Birth certificate
● Up-to-date immunization records
● Official Transcripts
● Emergency contact and medical information forms
● Any legal documents related to custody, guardianship, or parental educational rights
● Other school-specific forms as communicated annually (Ex: IEP, 504, etc )
It is the responsibility of the parent completing enrollment/re-enrollment paperwork to ensure that all documentation is accurate, complete, and current Failure to provide required documents may result in a delay or restriction in a student's participation in school activities or attendance, in accordance with applicable laws and policies
A. Procedure for Requesting Student Records
All requests to review pupil records must be directed to the Assistant Head of School or their designee Pupil records will be made available for parent review during school hours and the review will take place on school’s campus, unless alternate arrangements are made with the parents A school employee will be present to assist and to oversee the inspection of records Parents may also request assistance from school staff in interpreting records
B Circumstances Where Parent/Student Access to Student Records May Be Restricted
In following limited circumstances, marks, transcripts and diplomas may be withheld from parents or students:
● Where a student has failed to return loaned school property or willfully damaged school property, the parent and student must be notified of the unreturned or damaged property The parent and student will be offered an opportunity to return the property, pay for the damage or, in lieu of payment, the student may perform community service If these efforts fail, the school may notify the parent/student that the school will withhold the marks, transcript, and diploma of the student from the parent and student until the issue is resolved
C. Disclosure of Student Records to Third Parties
Parents of students under 18, and students 18 and over, may provide written consent to third parties to access pupil records as follows:
● The written consent must specify the records to be released, the purpose(s) of record release, and the party to whom the records may be released.
Written consent is not required to disclose pupil records in the following circumstances:
● School officials and employees may access pupil records when there is a legitimate educational interest or as necessary as part of their job duties.
● Information contained in pupil records may be released to state and local officials or agencies to the extent that the information is required to be reported pursuant to state law.
● Information contained in pupil records may be released to appropriate persons in connection with an emergency if the knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of a pupil or other persons
● Information contained in pupil records may be released to officials and employees of private schools or school systems where the pupil is enrolled or intends to enroll
● Pupil Records may be released to those authorized in compliance with a court order or lawfully issued subpoena or as otherwise required by law
2.8 Transcript Request Policy
Transcript information reflects a student’s home address, date of birth, courses attempted and completed while enrolled at OLP Cumulative GPA is based on a weighted grade point calculation on all course work completed in grades 9 through 12. A student’s transcript does not contain information about a student’s co-curricular activities, test scores or discipline record
Transcripts may be requested through the following methods:
1. Current students or Alumnae should request an electronic copy of their transcript via the OLP Parchment Portal There is no fee for this service Please allow time for receipt
2 Current Students or Alumnae requiring paper delivery of a transcript should contact the registrar directly, Nelson Kim, nkim@aolp.org. Please allow 2 business days from the time of request for a transcript to be generated Fees vary through Parchment for paper delivery of transcripts, USPS, Fed Ex, overnight, etc
3 Current Students or Alumnae attending academic programs abroad may be required to submit a notarized transcript/diploma The Student should contact the registrar directly, Nelson Kim, nkim@aolp org OLP will attempt to provide personnel to serve as an on-site notary In the event that an OLP employee is unavailable to serve as the notary, the student may be required to hire an independent notary to come to the school
Alumnae who need a replacement Diploma should reach out to our registrar directly, Nelson Kim, nkim@aolp org Please allow for a minimum of two to three weeks for processing
2.9 Transfer Students
Transfer students have amended requirements when it comes to issues such as courses required for graduation, service learning hours and courses that may be repeatable for credit. OLP will determine, during the admissions evaluation, which courses from the previous school(s) will be posted on the transcript and accepted for graduation. Courses posted on the OLP transcript and the corresponding grades will be used in calculating cumulative GPA, based on the OLP grade point scale In addition, transfer students who plan on participating in OLP Athletics must meet with the Athletic Director to complete and submit a transfer application to the CIF San Diego Section office A student-athlete “sit-out period” is often a prerequisite for transfer students to fully participate in an OLP athletic program.
Chapter 3 - Academic Programs & Policies
3.1 Curriculum
OLP strives to ensure that the structure of the curriculum will meet the student’s present concerns and future needs Students should select their courses after consultation with their teachers, counselors and parents in order to meet their desires and needs
The signatures of the student and parent on each year’s course selection worksheet should indicate careful selection of courses and the intention of remaining in them for the duration of the course Program adjustments for the entire year can be requested via course correction form during the specified windows on the AOLP calendar
A student may request to drop a course within the first 3 class meetings of the semester without academic penalty. After this time period and until the first or third quarter marking period, a student who chooses to drop a semester course will receive a W on their transcript Students choosing to withdraw from a course after the first or third quarter of the semester will receive a WF (withdrawal fail). A “WF” has significant implications including loss of credit and GPA impact All course withdrawal requests must be done in consultation with the student’s counselor and approved by the assigned Assistant Principal including completion of proper documentation Additionally, students must demonstrate progress towards graduation while enrolled at OLP.
We will consider all change requests based on the availability of space in the requested classes and the school's policy of maintaining balanced class sizes as much as possible If a course does not have enough students enrolled, it may be dropped
Learning Format
In a time of endemic, state, county, and local orders governing schools are continuously evolving and there is no guarantee that the School will provide virtual classes or any other distance learning options if state, county, and local orders permit the School to provide on campus learning for all students
OLP believes learning should be an active, contextualized, and constructive process for students that allows them to grow academically, socially, spiritually and emotionally We believe that our girls construct knowledge through experience and social mediation and that the essential purpose of school is to provide supportive learning environments that are rich in engagement, social interaction, and feedback Relationships play an essential role in every student’s school experience. Accordingly, OLP has seen throughout the pandemic repeatedly the necessity and unparalleled value of student’s learning in face-to-face environments whenever it is safe to do so.
OLP prioritizes face to face learning as the ideal model, and synchronous virtual viewing of the classroom as a short-term mediation to meet student needs as are necessary for temporary health situations Much like faculty have always worked with students when an absence either anticipated or unanticipated occurs, OLP believes that synchronous virtual viewing of the learning taking place in the classroom is considered a pathway only to be exercised when health and safety conditions leave no other option. [For more information on synchronous virtual viewing, please see the Appendix]
Course Load Information
The tuition for the 2026-2027 academic school year includes the opportunity for students to participate in 14 academic courses Students are expected to take a minimum of 6 academic courses per semester Students wishing to supplement their course load with additional academic course offerings (15 or more) will be required to pay a $500 fee per extra semester course or $1,000 for year-long courses Any student who requests dropping an extra course, Zero block, G block, or online course after April 1, 2026 will be charged a $500 withdrawal fee per semester course We staff our schedule according to enrollment prior to April As a result, we need an accurate commitment from students
Homework
On the first day of each class, students receive a Course Syllabus which contains homework requirements and study expectations Additionally, links provided within the Curriculum Guide include course profiles, which estimate homework expectations for each course Students are encouraged to practice time management and create schedules which are feasible for their work/life balance Each student should maintain good study habits, if applicable choosing a quiet place free from interruptions and distractions, developing a study schedule, and putting forth her best individual effort to complete each assignment
The Study Hall/ Block G period is an opportunity for students to obtain tutoring or assistance from teachers or to work on group projects Study Hall is an optional course to help students to balance their workload Only one Study Hall block per semester is recommended Students should devote a minimum of two hours daily (exclusive of class time) to their written and study assignments In addition to completion of all written assignments, a student should spend a reasonable amount of time each day reviewing the day’s lesson, reading assigned portions of the text, reviewing and studying class notes and vocabulary, and preparing for the next day’s lesson.
3.2 OLP Policy Regarding Late Work
Students are expected to exercise personal responsibility in all of their academic endeavors. It is the student’s responsibility to email the teacher and to check the department’s policy regarding classwork/homework that is missed due to absence.
Major Projects, Papers, and Other Long-term Assignments
All major projects, papers, and assignments must be turned in or, in the case of same-day absence, emailed to the teacher before 8:00 am on the assigned due date, though teachers may extend this deadline according to their discretion If, however, a teacher has not explicitly stated an exception to this policy in writing, it should be assumed that the universal policy is in place
OLP Policy Regarding Work Assigned During an Excused Absence
Once an absence has been reported to attendance by parents, a student should communicate directly with their instructor regarding any missed assignments, according to school policy Students will be given the time (and instruction) necessary to complete the missed assignments commensurate to the number of class periods missed, to be decided upon by the instructor All students will have fair, reasonable, and equitable opportunities to submit their work, with the minimum of one class meeting per day of absence to make up work (So, if a student is absent on Monday, any assignments missed would be due on Wednesday, at the earliest If a student is absent Monday and Wednesday, assignments would be due two class periods from Wednesday, etc) Teachers have the discretion to extend this timeline as needed Teachers are not required to re-teach the material due to absences.
3.3 Graduation Requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 240 credits for graduation. Each subject completed at OLP with a “D” grade or higher is equivalent to five credits per semester An “F” or “I” (Incomplete) grade does not earn academic credit. If the credits are not repeated for a class that the student failed, the student is ineligible to be promoted to the next academic level As a CSJ sponsored Catholic institution, we value the consistent pursuit of faith and knowledge; therefore, students must be enrolled in theology during the fall and spring semesters for all four years
St Joseph Scholars Program Graduation Requirements
For those students accepted into the St Joseph Scholars Program, please refer to specific graduation options listed in Section 7 6: St Joseph Scholars Program
Transfer Students
Transfer students from other schools shall be required to successfully complete graduation requirements proportionate to the time of attendance at OLP Students must complete 8 consecutive semesters of high school courses to be eligible for graduation from OLP
International transcripts are subject to review and assessment prior to admission or a return from a leave of absence when studying abroad, in order to determine credits, subject categories and GPA calculations.
3.4 Grading Scale
The grading scale is as follows:
A = 90 - 100%
B = 80 - 89 9%
C = 70 - 79 9%
D = 60 - 69 9%
F = 59 9% & below
It is important that both students and parents understand the different ways in which individual academic departments reflect learning progress In all cases, assessment practices are developed to reflect learning characteristics of that particular discipline At the beginning of every academic year (for courses that are two semesters in length) and semester (for courses that are one semester in length), each teacher provides written explanations of grading practices in that class Students should refer to the class syllabus for specifics with regard to grading policies, make-up test procedures, and homework policies
Incompletes
At times, a student might miss a significant amount of school due to a serious illness or hospitalization In these cases, a resource team composed of the student’s teachers, counselor, and Assistant Principal will work together with the family to support the student’s academic progress A teacher may assign a grade of incomplete, “I”, if necessary, so that the student has the opportunity to make up the assignments that were missed The incomplete must be made up within three weeks after report cards are received barring extenuating circumstances approved by the Assistant Head of School. It is the responsibility of the student to find out what work must be completed The grade of incomplete may automatically become an “F” if another grade is not submitted by the teacher at the end of the three-week period.
3.5 Grade Point Average
The four-point system per unit is used in computing the grade point average for the semester
A = 4 points
B = 3 points
C = 2 points
D = 1 point
All courses are included in the GPA Advanced Placement and Honors level courses carry one additional grade point (A = 5, B = 4, C = 3, D = 2; grades below D earn no credit) The number assigned to the grade is multiplied by the number of credits for that course These numbers are added together and divided by the number of credits attempted Please note that in some instances, when a student takes multiple weighted courses and an additional (7th course) the cumulative GPA may be lowered even when all A grades are earned
3 6 Grade Reporting
The school year is divided into two semesters, each of which is composed of two quarters At the end of the first and third quarters, progress reports are issued via PowerSchool. During the middle of each quarter, students receive notifications indicating that deficiencies exist in their academic progress These notifications are prepared by the instructor and emailed to the parents of the student in order to formally alert both parties that an academic deficiency exists and that there is danger of the student receiving a below average or failing grade in the subject Parents and students may be called upon to attend Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences Both students and their parents should always review academic progress on a regularly basis throughout the school year using the school's online grading programs (PowerSchool and Schoology)
Report Cards
Report cards are posted at the end of the semester in PowerSchool and include the following information: academic grades for each subject, credits for each subject, and teachers’ comments Report cards are emailed to parents and students
Transcripts (See 2.8 Transcript Request)
Transcript information reflects a student’s legal name, home address, telephone number, and courses attempted and completed while enrolled at the Academy of Our Lady of Peace Cumulative GPA is based on a weighted grade point calculation on all course work completed in grades 9 to 12, using the OLP grade point scale A student’s transcript does not contain information about a student’s co-curricular activities, test scores, teacher comments or discipline record. OLP does not rank students’ GPAs on the transcript
While we encourage students to participate in summer enrichment programs, including summer school, only coursework that is used to fulfill prerequisites for OLP graduation requirements or course prerequisites will be posted on the transcript The Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction must approve all outside non-OLP courses (See 3.17 Academic Enrichment Policy).
Parents are reminded that they should retain a copy of the student’s official transcript for any courses completed in summer school or outside of OLP to use in the college admissions process
3.7 Grade Review Request
A student who wishes to challenge a semester grade may do so by requesting a formal grade review All challenges must be made in writing within two weeks of the grade issuance Grade Review Request forms are available in the office of the Assistant Principal of Curriculum & Instruction The review process calls for a written rationale, the response of the teacher who originally issued the grade, and a decision for the grade to either remain as submitted or be changed by the Assistant Principal of Curriculum & Instruction
Any grade change petition outside of the above mentioned parameters and that alters a Senior student’s grade after grades are finalized for the semester (beyond the 7th semester of Senior year) will not be counted toward Valedictorian or Salutatorian
3.8 Advanced Placement Program
The Advanced Placement Program at OLP offers a college/university level curriculum for high school students. An AP course at OLP will assess students by college/university level standards. It is expected that college/university level projects and activities that span a wide range of intellectual tasks will be assigned to students. Students who sign up for AP courses must be highly motivated and will make the AP course and exam a priority Students should carefully consider the level of difficulty that an advanced placement course, or courses, present and plan their schedule wisely.
Please note that there is a separate test fee for each AP exam Those fees are not included in tuition In the Fall Semester, communication will be sent out to all families regarding AP Testing Exam sign ups The AP fees are paid directly to a third party administrator No refunds will be issued The school cannot receive a refund for AP tests that are ordered for students
For those families facing financial hardship, there is a test fee waiver form that can be accessed from the Counseling offices
3.9 Honor Roll and Honor Societies
Honor Roll
Honor roll status is granted at the end of each semester according to the following requirements:
1 Head of School’s Honor Roll includes GPAs of 4 0 and higher
2 First Honors includes GPAs of 3 67 to 3 99
The OLP Honor Roll will be published via the school’s communications at the end of each semester This could include Weekly Bulletins, the Website, School Information Systems or Monthly Newsletters. Requests to not have a student's name included on the honor roll should be made in writing to the school’s registrar by September 1st. Those can be emailed to Nelson Kim at nkim@aolp.org.
Honor Societies Sponsored by OLP:
● American Sign Language Honor Society: Since 2006, ASLHS has been a valued addition to the field of ASL education. The primary mission is to encourage and recognize high academic achievement in ASL studies for high school and college/university students Like honor societies for other languages, the ASLHS seeks to enrich the learning experience of those studying ASL. To be eligible for a cord at graduation, members must have studied ASL for two years, completed at least five (5) hours of community service that benefits the Deaf community; possess an overall grade point average of 3 5 / B+ in her ASL coursework; possess an overall grade point average of 3.2 / B in all other subjects
● California Scholarship Federation: To be eligible for membership, students must earn 10 points each semester from five subjects certified on a list as qualifying subjects for CSF A grade of “A” merits three points, while “B” merits one point A gold cord or a gold stole is worn at graduation (See specific award information in 3 10 Academic Awards) Students who apply for CSF status must submit a scanned, up-to-date transcript and complete an application by the posted deadline Students should check the weekly announcements and their email inboxes to find out when the deadlines are CSF chapter leaders cannot submit grades and applications retroactively if the required application and scanned documents have not been submitted by the posted deadline
● International Thespian Society: The International Thespian Society, founded in 1929, is an honor society for high school theater students, including those on stage and back stage It is a division of the Educational Theatre Association, and serves students in grades 9-12 Festivals are held annually at the district, state and national levels Membership currently stands at approximately 100,000 student members across 4,700 schools There are various offices including President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Publicity, and Historian There are also state and international student leaders elected annually by their respective student bodies.
● Mu Alpha Theta (National Math Honor Society): Mu Alpha Theta, the National High School and Two-Year College Mathematics Honor Society, was formed in 1957 at the University of Oklahoma We are dedicated to inspiring a keen interest in mathematics, developing strong scholarship in the subject, and promoting the enjoyment of mathematics in high school and two-year college students Currently, more than 100,000 students are Mu Alpha Theta members at more than 2,420 schools in the United States and in 23 foreign countries.
● National English Honor Society: The National English Honor Society was founded in 2004 and the OLP chapter was established in 2023. It is sponsored by Sigma Tau Delta and aims to recognize academic grades and performance and to nurture members to further develop their abilities in the various fields of English.
● National Honor Society: The John F Kennedy Chapter of the NHS was established at OLP in 1965. Students of the sophomore, junior, and senior classes who have a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA, at least 75 service hours, leadership experience, and exemplary character may apply for NHS membership Final election of members is made on the basis of an electronic application as well as verifiable leadership, service and scholarship as evidenced most specifically on campus The purpose of this organization is to create enthusiasm for scholarship, to render service, to promote worthy leadership and to encourage character development Final
selection is based upon a student’s demonstration of these four qualities A blue honor cord is worn at graduation.
● National Art Honor Society: A national organization for more than 40 years, the chapter at OLP was established in 1984 It recognizes those students who excel in art scholarship, character and service Applicants must have an overall GPA of 3 0 and must have taken at least one semester of art at OLP To be eligible for a cord at graduation, members must demonstrate regular attendance and participation; this encompasses 2 art related service projects and 3 general projects, activities or fundraisers throughout the year
● National Honor Society for Dance Arts™ (NHSDA): is a program of the National Dance Education Organization, created to recognize outstanding artistic merit, leadership, and academic achievement in students studying dance in public and private schools in K-12 education, dance studios, cultural/community centers, performing arts organizations, and post-secondary education In order to qualify for induction in OLP's chapter of NHSDA, students must have taken at least one dance class offered at OLP in the Visual and Performing Arts Department, or be a member of the OLP Dance Team. Students must have at least 30 points for regular induction and 45 points plus an essay for induction with Honors Inducted students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and 3.5 overall in Dance Class. This chapter recognizes students who are passionate about studying dance and hope to continue it at a higher level past high school
● Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica: Founded in 1953, the mission of SHH is to recognize high school achievement in Spanish and Portuguese and to promote interest in Hispanic and Luso-Brazilian studies.This chapter of Delmira Agustini, was established in 2014. It consists of members enrolled in Spanish IV or higher and explores Spanish culture and language It invites those enthusiastic about Spanish culture to participate and host activities that immerse themselves in the Spanish language and its tradition in both Spain and Latin America
● National Speech & Debate Association Honor Society: The National Speech & Debate Association Honor Society recognizes high school students for participation in speech and debate activities. Students earn distinction through speech and debate competition, as well as community service, public speaking, and leadership activities Members are eligible to join the Honor Society once they have earned the required number of points
● Rho Kappa: Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society is the only national organization for high school juniors and seniors that recognizes excellence in the field of Social Studies
● Science National Honor Society: SNHS is a prominent scientific organization that will engender a new group of young thinkers who will be the future of industry, research, and scientific exploration for America Participation encourages leadership and supports a student's academic achievements in the sciences
● Société Honoraire de Français: The local high school chapter provides a vehicle to focus activities around French language and Francophone literature and cultures and to encourage participation in the annual writing contest and travel grant competition
● Tri-M Music Honor Society: The international music honor society for high school students is designed to recognize students for their academic and musical achievements, reward them for their accomplishments and service activities, and inspire other students to excel at music and leadership.
3.10 Academic Awards
The following are Academic Awards presented to students at Graduation:
● Valedictorian and Salutatorian Honors: The senior student who earns the highest cumulative grade point average after seven semesters of coursework is designated as Class Valedictorian. The student who earns the second highest cumulative grade point average after seven semesters of coursework is designated as Class Salutatorian. OLP Administration reserves the right to discern if there is more than one student that has earned the distinction of Valedictorian and/or Salutatorian. To earn either of these academic distinctions, a student must have completed at least six semesters of study at the Academy of Our Lady of Peace, and have not missed more than 8 days of classes each year (excused or unexcused) To be named a Valedictorian or Salutatorian, a student must have also demonstrated exceptional standards of behavior (no serious disciplinary record) and respect for school mission and traditions Students must have attended OLP for 3 consecutive semesters prior to the start of her Senior year to be eligible for
Valedictorian or Salutatorian Up to two enrichment courses will be calculated into the determination of Valedictorian and Salutatorian. Official transcripts for all coursework must be received by the school’s registrar by January 13, 2026 in order to be included in the final GPA calculations
California Scholarship Federation Awards:
CSF is an organization whose purpose is to foster high standards of scholarship, service and citizenship Its motto is “Scholarship for Service ” These honors are signified by the following awards: the Federation Chapter Seal on the diploma, permanent record and transcript, and the gold tassel and honor cord for graduation There are four types of membership:
● Associate Membership: Any student in the second semester of the 9th grade or first semester of the 10th grade whose grades meet CSF requirements, or any student in the first semester of the 9th grade who was an Honor Member of the CJSF in her elementary or junior high school, can apply for associate membership Membership is based on scholarship and citizenship only Membership is for the semester following the one in which the qualifying grades were earned. Application must be made each semester; it is neither automatic nor retroactive Grades earned in the second semester of the 12th grade will count toward Life Membership.
● Semester Membership: Any student in the 12th, 11th or second semester of the 10th grade who has met the required eligibility standards can apply for semester membership.
● 100% Membership: Recognition is given to those seniors who have been members for all of the last six semesters of high school.
● Sealbearer or Life Membership: Any student maintaining membership in the California Scholarship Federation (CSF) for four semesters of her last six (one of which must be in her senior year) becomes a life member or sealbearer Membership is neither automatic nor compulsory. The Bylaws (Article IV, Section 2) and every chapter’s mandatory Standing Rules (Article III, Section 3) require that the eligible student actually apply for membership, and retroactive membership (after the deadline) is prohibited.
Academy of Our Lady of Peace Awards:
● Academic Awards: OLP recognizes outstanding students in each of its academic departments at an honors assembly at the end of the second semester Students in grades nine through twelve are awarded honors in: Theology, English, French, Spanish, ASL, Social Studies, Science, STEM, Mathematics, Physical Education, Art, Music, Dance, and Athletics
● Ada B Nisbet Alumnae Award: This award is presented to a graduating senior nominated by members of the faculty and staff The basis for this selection is determined by the student’s characteristics of the ideal OLP student who emulates a woman of heart, woman of faith, woman of courage and woman of excellence Students should demonstrate a commitment to service and sisterhood through their actions and activities
● Special CSJ Awards: Special series of awards honor both the Sisters of St Joseph who were part of OLP’s history and the OLP women who are making Academy history today Given in the areas of Leadership, Service and Spirit, these awards are presented each year:
○ the Fontbonne Awards for outstanding OLP Seniors;
○ the Generosa Awards for outstanding OLP Juniors;
○ the Mother Catherine Awards for outstanding OLP Sophomores;
○ the Mother Margaret Awards for outstanding Freshmen
● Dear Neighbor Service Awards: The Dear Neighbor Service Award is available to any OLP student that has demonstrated a commitment to our founding Sisters of St Joseph in “serving the Dear Neighbor without distinction,” through the completion of over 100 hours of service in any one calendar year (any 12 month period) To qualify for this award, you will complete a form through the Campus Ministry office, and have their hours logged on our service learning platform affirmed (for hour submission, see 3 11 Service Learning) Students who qualify for this award, are recognized in a special school wide presentation. Those who qualify for the Dear Neighbor Service Award also qualify for the President’s Volunteer Service Award
● St. Joseph Day Awards: Each year the faculty and staff select three seniors as recipients of the St Joseph Day Awards honoring “all of which woman is capable " The recipients emulate the spirit of our Sisters of St Joseph of Carondelet by serving others as the “dear neighbor” and
working to build a unified community These young women live out the mission of our CSJ based on John 17:21 “that all may be one,” and the charism of unifying love. In addition, these students are leaders in exemplifying Mother St John Fontbonne’s call that we grow as women of faith, women of heart, and women of courage
● Athletic Awards: Individual sports are recognized at the end of the respective season of sport (i e Most Valuable Player, Most Improved Player, Most Inspirational Player, and Team Faith Leader) Additionally, the awards for Rookie of the Year, Scholar Athlete, Woman of Heart, and Athlete of the Year are awarded in May
3.11 Service Learning at OLP
At the heart of the Sisters of St Joseph (CSJ) mission “that all may be one” is the call to serve the “dear neighbor.” This same call grounds the mission of OLP. Inspired by the CSJs, who have served with love since their founding in 1650 in Le Puy, France, we invite students to follow Christ through acts of service rooted in gentleness, peace, and joy. Through Service Learning, students are encouraged to discover their passions and share their time and talents with organizations and individuals aligned with those interests. The Theology and Campus Ministry teams, in collaboration with academic departments and student programs, accompany students as they work to promote justice, compassion, and unifying love in our local and global communities.
Serving the Dear Neighbor
Service Learning at OLP is an opportunity to live the CSJ call to be women of heart, faith, and courage We cultivate and celebrate a vibrant culture of service across campus, rooted in authentic compassion and the desire to encounter Christ in others especially those impacted by social justice issues near and far.
Service Opportunities at OLP
OLP offers a wide range of service opportunities throughout the year, many of which are hosted in collaboration with service and community-based student clubs These opportunities are shared through the weekly bulletin, PTV announcements, Theology classes, and Schoology A full list of immersion and justice-based experiences is available on the Serving the Dear Neighbor page of the OLP website
Submitting Service Hours
While OLP does not require a minimum number of service hours for graduation, we strongly encourage students to log their service hours Information about logging hours can be found on our OLP Website or by checking in with the Campus Ministry Center Recording hours allows OLP to celebrate the impact of our community’s service and ensures students are recognized for their efforts Students who go above and beyond in service are honored annually (see 3 10 Academic Awards) To be eligible for a service award, all hours must be submitted directly to OLP within the 12-month period leading up to the awards Summer service is highly encouraged. All submissions must include electronic verification by a service supervisor If electronic verification is not possible, students may use a printed Service Hour Verification Form, have it signed by the supervisor, and submit it to Campus Ministry. Instructions and forms are available in the Campus Ministry Schoology group Students are always welcome to stop by the Campus Ministry Center with questions or for support.
3.12 Academic Integrity Policy
As a community that affirms the traditions and values of the Catholic faith, OLP demands academic integrity and ethical conduct in all areas of school life Students, parents, teachers, staff and administrators must work together to maintain and enforce an atmosphere of honesty, integrity and respect for each other’s work and ideas in all areas of campus life All academic work prepared at home and at school should always be the product of the student’s own reflection, analysis and research
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to:
● Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is the act of using another person's ideas, words, facts, or writings without proper acknowledgment and presenting them as one's own, whether intentionally or unintentionally This includes, but is not limited to, copying and pasting text from the Internet, utilizing work generated
●
by artificial intelligence, and failing to appropriately cite sources in written work Plagiarism also encompasses the use of classmates' work with or without their knowledge or consent. At OLP, plagiarism is considered a form of academic dishonesty and a breach of the principles of honesty, integrity and respect
Cheating:
Cheating is defined as engaging in any form of dishonest behavior to gain an unfair advantage in academic assessments or assignments This includes, but is not limited to, using unauthorized notes, materials, or resources (including those generated by artificial intelligence), seeking or providing assistance to another student during exams, quizzes, papers, or homework, and attempting to access unauthorized information during assessments Additionally, allowing another student to cheat by sharing answers or allowing them to copy from one's own work is also considered cheating Cheating undermines the integrity of the learning process and is strictly prohibited at OLP
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
OLP recognizes the growing presence of artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential to enhance learning when used responsibly. However, the use of AI tools such as text generators, translation services, or problem-solving platforms must always align with the principles of academic honesty and ethical conduct. Students must ensure that all submitted academic work reflects their own original thinking, analysis, and voice Any use of AI to generate or assist with assignments, papers, projects, or assessments must be explicitly approved by the teacher. Submitting content generated by AI without proper attribution or authorization constitutes academic dishonesty and is treated in the same way as plagiarism or cheating.
Students are expected to ask for clarification before using AI tools for any academic work. If a student is unsure whether AI use is permitted for a particular assignment, they should consult their teacher in advance.
In alignment with the OLP Honor Code, students must acknowledge and cite all sources that contribute to their work including those generated by AI when such use is permitted
Consequences (See 8 9 Major Infractions)
Consequences will be appropriately assigned to any student who gives the impression of academic dishonesty by word and/or action
OLP, therefore, supports the belief that academic integrity demands individual accountability with regard to the submission of all student work Academic dishonesty of any kind constitutes a breach of the spirit of honor and mutual trust at OLP and will not be tolerated within the OLP community or wherever a student represents OLP Such actions may result in loss of academic credit and disciplinary action
As a means of guiding student understanding of the correct manner of source citation, all departments promote accurate and honest academic research. Instruction with regard to how sources should be cited, when they should be cited, and consequences of incorrect citation is given at all grade levels
Consequences for Academic Dishonesty (See
8.9 Major Infractions)
In accordance with the OLP policy on academic integrity, any student who submits the words, facts, or ideas of another source, including those generated by Artificial Intelligence, as their own is guilty of academic dishonesty. Academic dishonesty undermines the spirit of honor and mutual trust at OLP and will not be tolerated within our community Should an instance of academic dishonesty occur, the following actions will be taken:
1 The teacher notifies the student and parent about the incident details, in writing - within two school days.
2 The teacher notifies the student’s assigned Assistant Principal about the incident
3. The student may be asked to participate in a meeting with their teacher, Department Chair and/or Assistant Principal, and parents to help them understand the meaning and severity of academic dishonesty
4 The student may not receive credit for the assignment/paper at the discretion of the teacher and/or the Assistant Principal.
5 If the Assistant Principal identifies the event as a second or subsequent incidence of plagiarism, the student may be referred directly to the Discipline Board and held accountable for their actions The teacher will submit a copy of the work along with a report of the incident to the Discipline Board
Academic Honor Code
OLP holds its students to the highest standards of academic honesty, integrity, and responsibility in alignment with the school’s integral student outcomes of becoming a woman of faith, a woman of heart, a woman of courage, and a woman of excellence Students are expected to produce academic work that upholds scholarly and intellectual standards, including accurate attribution of sources and transparent acknowledgement of the contributions of others, whether human or AI-generated
By committing themselves to the OLP Academic Honor Code, students affirm their dedication to academic integrity They agree not to give or receive any unauthorized assistance and understand the consequences of violating the Honor Code. Prior to completing an assessment, students may be asked to sign an Academic Honor Code as a reminder of their commitment to OLP's policy on academic integrity
The following statement may be included:
"As a student of OLP, I am educated to be a woman of honesty, integrity, and responsibility. Honesty is a value that compels each person to be truthful and to uphold the truth Integrity is a firm commitment to shared values, whether alone or in the presence of others. Responsibility involves being accountable for one's actions and accepting the consequences of those actions I affirm that I have completed this academic task with honor, integrity, and responsibility. I did not give or receive any assistance that was not permitted I understand that my signature is an acceptance of OLP's Honor Code. If I do not abide by our Honor Code, I will accept the consequences as set out in the Student Handbook for my actions Such consequences include loss of academic credit and disciplinary actions "
By incorporating these guidelines OLP ensures that students understand the importance of academic integrity in the ever evolving context of technology and learning
3.13 Academic Review Process
As a college preparatory school, the Academy of Our Lady of Peace provides those courses and learning experiences that are necessary for a student’s admission into college Included in this program is a policy that expects each student to earn a minimum grade of “C” in every course attempted In the middle of each quarter, students and parents are formally notified via email of deficiencies (e g , D and/or F in a course). Any student who earns two or more “D” grades and/or one “F” grade will participate in an Academic Review Process
Students who earn “F” grades are not making progress towards graduation and may, therefore, be ineligible to participate in extracurricular activities such as school dances, Spring Sing, drama productions, OLP Athletics, and other co-curricular activities (See 3.14 Academic Probation)
The Academic Review Process involves a mandatory meeting with the student and her counselor to discuss the causes for her academic performance. Parents will be notified by the school counselor of the meeting and the plan for supporting academic achievement Parents are encouraged to remain in communication with the school counselor and set up a meeting or phone call if deemed necessary.
In the case of a student receiving an “F” grade, the meeting will be mandatory for the parents, student and her counselor Discussions will include study habits, curricular and co-curricular activities, and the student’s plan for improving her academic record and suggestions made for improved academic progress Failure to improve grades will either mean the student’s placement on Academic Probation, or recommendation of non-continuation at OLP
When a student earns an “F” grade in their senior year, it results in certain consequences
1. If the “F” grade is earned at the conclusion of the first semester of a year-long elective course then the student may be removed from the second semester of the course
2 An “F” grade is not granted academic units If a student does not have extra units to replace the missing 5 units then she may not meet graduation requirements
3 If the “F” grade is earned in a required course then the course must be repeated prior to graduation to satisfy graduation requirements
Students who do not meet graduation requirements will not be granted a Diploma until all requirements have been met
3.14 Academic Probation
Students are placed on Academic Probation for a period of one semester when any one of the following conditions are met:
● Students earning below a 2 0 Semester GPA
● Students who receive one or more semester “F” grade(s)
● Students who are deficient in total number of units required for graduation
Academic Probation status will be communicated to a student and her parent via letter at the end of each semester.
While on Academic Probation:
● A student will be required to meet with her counselor and attend academic support, as needed A course of remedial action will be prepared by the counselor regarding the deficiency.
● A student may be prevented from enrolling in a required course due to a missing prerequisite
● A student may be ineligible to participate in athletics, theater productions, Spring Sing, Robotics, Mock Trial, student leadership, and/or other extra/co-curricular activities at OLP
● If a student has improved grades by the first grading period, she may become eligible to participate but still on Academic Probation monitoring and required to continue participating in academic support/remedial action Eligibility is reassessed at each grade monitoring date Academic Probation Period
Fall Semester Academic Probation
August 11, 2026 - December 17, 2026
Spring Semester Academic Probation
January 11, 2027 - May 26, 2027
Quarter 1 Deficiencies (September 8, 2026)
Quarter 1 Progress Report (October 8, 2026)
Quarter 2 Deficiencies (November 10, 2026)
Quarter 3 Deficiencies (February 10, 2027)
Quarter 3 Progress Report (March 15, 2027)
Quarter 4 Deficiencies (April 21, 2027)
A student may be removed from Fall Academic Probation if they complete summer course refreshment and submit official transcripts to the Registrar by August 1, 2026 However, the student may still be required to participate in academic support throughout the school year.
3.15 Academic Disqualification
A student may be academically disqualified from further attendance at OLP if she receives two or more semester “F” grades during a given semester, or if the student fails to meet the terms of academic probation
3.16 Academic Renewal or Refreshment
Semester “D” grades, while considered passing in the secondary California high school system, do not support a student’s transition into the next phase of learning In addition, neither “D” nor “F” grades meet the admission standards at most colleges and universities Students who earn a semester “D” are,
therefore, encouraged to repeat the class An “F” grade does not receive credit towards completion of OLP graduation requirements and will be required to be refreshed in order to fulfill such requirements.
A student may renew (or refresh) a grade of “D” or “F” if the same class is repeated on the OLP campus or if it is repeated at another institution (online or traditional school) provided that the repeated course has UC/CSU approval Course grades higher than a “D” or “F” may not be refreshed and recorded on the OLP transcript
Priority seating in all OLP classes, however, is given to students enrolled in the class for the first time Students repeating a class for renewed academic credit are enrolled only if space allows Students are highly encouraged to immediately make up a class during summer school (at OLP or another approved institution) Counselors are available to assist families in finding approved courses and institutions A student should receive written confirmation of an approved course prior to enrolling
Reporting Repeated Courses on the Transcript
To obtain academic credit, the student must earn at least a “C” grade or higher in the repeated course Beginning August 1, 2026, the original “D” or “F” grade remains on the student’s OLP transcript, but, once successfully passed, the units are changed to “0" (the grade is removed from the GPA calculation) The repeated course is recorded on the transcript and now carries the academic units (the new grade is now used to calculate the GPA)
Please note that a semester grade of “F” must be repeated in order to meet OLP graduation requirements. The repeated grade is added onto the student’s transcript and is averaged into all other credits earned Students who refresh a semester grade of F will not be considered for major academic honors.
Upon completion of the course(s), the student must submit an official transcript to the Registrar (no later than August 1st of the new school year)
3.17 Academic Enrichment Policy
OLP encourages students to explore areas of academic interest Academic enrichment is defined as a course that OLP does not offer or an academic subject of interest that is beyond the course offerings listed in the OLP Curriculum Guide A student may take an enrichment course if they desire to accelerate their learning opportunities and as long as it is not an OLP graduation requirement This course will be recorded on the OLP transcript (if desired) only if the student took a UC/CSU approved course that is not currently a graduation requirement at OLP Enrichment courses taken at a college or university are not recommended to be added to the OLP high school transcript; instead, these course transcripts should be submitted separately by the student at the time of college applications
We will allow a student to report up to two enrichment courses on the OLP transcript Up to two enrichment courses will be calculated into the determination of Valedictorian and Salutatorian. Upon completion of the course, the student must submit an official transcript to the Registrar Students must receive approval of the Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction for the course prior to enrollment.
3.18 Off-Campus Fulfillment of Course Requirements
All required courses are ordinarily taken on the OLP campus. In rare circumstances, students may fulfill graduation requirements off campus Students wishing to request this permission must individually consult with the Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction before a decision is made. In all cases, the off-campus institution/program must show proof of offering an approved UC/CSU course A syllabus review will need to be provided to the Assistant Principal to ensure the course is similar to OLP’s graduation requirements
When permission is given to take a required course off campus, the student is still responsible for taking an alternative course on campus during that semester in order to complete 30 credit hours Upon receipt of the official transcript for the off-campus course, academic credit will be added to the student’s official
transcript Only grades of “C” or higher will transfer Up to two enrichment courses will be calculated into the determination of Valedictorian and Salutatorian.
3.19 Medical Waiver for Physical Education
A student who is unable to fully participate in PE class must bring a note from a physician to their Counselor and the Health and Fitness Department Chair, who will determine whether the student may safely participate in an adaptive PE program Students who are excused from participation in an activity class may be required to participate in alternative projects and/or assessments Students who have a long-term medical condition (exceeding but not limited to one quarter) which excuses them from the regular Health and Fitness program should request a waiver from the Health and Fitness Department Chair
3.20 TrustThink STEM Program Certificate
In 2016, OLP created the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) certification to acknowledge students for their achievements and involvement in STEM related activities. Students completing the requirements to earn a STEM certificate will receive special recognition at their commencement ceremony, as well as a seal of completion on their graduation diploma. In addition, documentation of STEM completion will be noted on their transcript Beginning in 2024, TrustThink enhanced the STEM Certificate Program, joining OLP as a trusted corporate partner, supporting OLP as a leader in STEM education for young women
The certificate program has the following academic and extracurricular activity requirements:
● Citizenship: Adherence to all policies outlined in the Student-Parent Handbook
● STEM Courses: Complete the minimum units in each of the following categories:
○ Science: 40 Units
○ Math: 40 Units (Students may also meet this requirement by passing OLP Calculus B/C course or an equivalent college-level course or by earning a 3 or higher on the AP Calculus B/C examination
Extracurricular Activities
Students must earn a minimum of 125 points to meet the extracurricular requirements by participating in any combination of the following activities listed below Students must provide proof of attendance, a short summary of the event attended, and what was learned
● STEM Online Certification Program (external to OLP) = 20 points
● Internship = 30 points per internship and/or year
● OLP STEM Event (on campus) = 15 points per attendance (i.e., Robotics competition, etc.)
● STEM Club = 15 points per year of participation (i e EPICS, Women in Medicine, Robotics, etc )
● Off-Campus STEM Event = 10 points
● National and International Travel Experience = 30 points
All STEM program scholars must participate in a culminating presentation during their Senior year.
3.21 Summer School
Students may choose to take a course during the summer at either OLP or another institution for either enrichment or refreshment In some cases, these courses can be added to the official OLP transcript All courses taken off campus will be identified by a “*” on the transcript Review Section 3 16 for submission of a non-OLP course Up to two enrichment courses will be calculated into the determination of Valedictorian and Salutatorian Refreshment courses must be approved by the OLP Counseling Department Enrichment courses must be approved by the Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction
3 22 Field Trips
Field trips sponsored by OLP serve the purpose of enhancing the classroom curriculum All participating students will submit a signed parental permission form that clearly states the education purpose of the activity and the day’s schedule The classroom teacher and an appropriate number of chaperones will supervise trips Please be aware that all school trips require a parent signed permission slip via PowerSchool and are due a minimum of three days before the scheduled event Students are expected to follow all OLP conduct expectations during field trips and travel programs
3.23 Travel Program
OLP offers U S and international travel opportunities for students across all grade levels These opportunities support the mission of OLP and each has a central theme and well-defined agenda All are designed to exceed what a student might experience when traveling on a typical tourist trip and offer a dimension of learning that is not possible in a traditional classroom or through technology and distance learning All Academy trips are chaperoned by Academy faculty in numbers that are sufficient to effectively monitor each travel group. It is understood that trip participants will uphold the OLP standards of appearance and behavior, should be responsible and cooperative travel group members and should present a good history of behavior at OLP when applying to attend the offered trips. More information can be found on the aolp org website OLP school policies are in effect during OLP sponsored travel
Chapter 4 - Student Activities
4.1 Leadership Development Program
It is a long-standing tradition at OLP to foster the leadership development of its students through its curricular offerings and its co-curricular programs including student government, Campus Ministry, Athletics, Carondelet Circle, Link Crew, Spring Sing, and Drama All student leadership positions are rooted in our CSJ Mission.
Student Government and Leadership Programs
The purpose of student government at OLP is to develop the leadership potential of its students, to promote their involvement and participation in school activities, and to give the members of the Associated Student Body a democratic means of government Any enrolled student at OLP is eligible to participate in the election of students who will represent them in all matters and who will coordinate and provide for the activities of the Associated Student Body Students may be elected to Founders’ Council by the vote of the student body and to Class Council by members of their class Students are appointed to the Commissioner positions through an application and interview process These elected and appointed officers comprise the Student Council
To be eligible to run for the Student Council, a student must meet the following requirements:
1 Academic Requirement: Have a cumulative GPA of 2 5 and a third quarter GPA of 2 5 with all “Cs” or above at the time of application
2 Conduct and Discipline Requirement: Students must be in good standing with conduct and behavior to maintain an elected officer position She may not be on Disciplinary Probation
3 Attendance Requirement: Applicants may not exceed the number of absences per semester as stated in the absence policy (see Section 9 2)
4 Re-election: Students seeking to hold office (same position or new position) must receive a recommendation from their moderator stating that the student is in good standing, active participant in the leadership class and served the current role according to the requirements (ex: attending class prepared, consistently supporting events, etc )
Any student who fails to meet the stated requirements may submit a letter of appeal and show cause for obtaining an eligibility waiver to the Assistant Principal, Director of Campus Life.
Candidates elected must maintain the qualifications listed above throughout the elected service appointment in order to maintain good standing in office If qualifications are not maintained, the student officer may be removed from office.
Once elected, student leaders must also maintain the qualifications listed above during the year of their term of office Failure to meet eligibility requirements more than once during the year of their term in office will result in permanent removal from office.
The school reserves the right at all times to determine the eligibility of any student who is seeking election to a student government position Additionally, the school reserves the right per the discretion of the Assistant Head of School to remove any student officers at any point in the school year based on a failure to meet or promote the Mission of the Academy of Our Lady of Peace, including a failure to meet school policies and/or student leadership expectations
4.2 Traditional OLP Annual Activities
● Grandparents’ Day: A day when grandparents join their granddaughters on campus
● Miss OLP: A recognition of those students who most represent themselves as CSJ women of faith, courage, heart, and excellence. Parents traditionally present their daughters at a formal assembly on campus, followed by a semi-formal dance for all students
● Spring Sing: A musical extravaganza featuring each of the classes in a song, dance and dramatic presentation of a selected theme. Class competition results in the awarding of ribbons and the coveted plaque for the performance deemed best by a panel of judges
● St. Joseph’s Day: Special celebration in honor of St Joseph, the patron of the Sisters of St Joseph, and the co-patron of the school The recipients emulate the spirit of our Sisters of St Joseph of Carondelet by serving others as the “dear neighbor” and working to build a unified community
● Community Day: A day set aside in the spring for prayer (traditionally called "Mass on the Grass"), community-wide celebration, competitive games and outdoor lunch Proceeds support both local and foreign missions
● Evening of Excellence and Academic Assembly: Special ceremonies to recognize students from all grade levels for outstanding levels of academic achievement as well as service to the school and community
4.3 OLP and St. Augustine Co-Curricular Activities
Eager to support a vibrant co-curricular program, OLP shares a special activities calendar with St. Augustine High School Joint opportunities include: dramatic and musical productions, leadership activities, coordinated faith and service and social events. Such activities are generally coordinated through each school’s Campus Life and Campus Ministry Programs Student conduct expectations at OLP and St. Augustine co-curricular activities include respect for personal boundaries, privacy, personal space, and appropriate communication, including electronic communication (see also 8 3 Student Boundaries Policy).
4.4
School Events
A “School Sponsored Event” or “Event” is one which has been approved by the school and for which the school provides supervision All School Sponsored Events have a specified starting and ending time As partners with parents in their children’s education, we will notify parents of concerns about student behavior whenever questionable activities occur on or off campus, especially if these negatively affect either the reputation of another student or of the school Student conduct expectations at School Sponsored Events include respect for personal boundaries, privacy, personal space, and appropriate communication, including electronic communication (see also 8 3 Student Boundaries Policy)
4.5 Dance Policy
Each year OLP sponsors the Miss OLP Dance It also co-sponsors with Saint Augustine High School the Senior Prom and the MORP dance. The Homecoming Dance and Miss OLP Dance, are open to all current students attending OLP in good standing The Senior Prom is open to all 12th grade students in good standing. The MORP dance is open to students in grades 9-11.
The purpose of these guidelines is to promote a safe, clean, and fun environment at dances. All rules pertaining to discipline and dress are in effect at sponsored dances, including the following:
1. Chaperones: Faculty members and other designated chaperones have the full authority to admit, refuse entrance to, or dismiss any student from a dance The chaperone will contact the parent of any OLP student who is asked to leave the dance. At all times the instructions of any chaperone and/or supervisor must be followed
2. Dance Times: Each dance will set a time frame for when doors are opened and closed for the event Students are expected to meet this requirement Exceptions to this rule are only made when special circumstances warrant and a note of explanation from the student’s parent is submitted to the Assistant Principal, Director of Campus Life in advance of the dance No exceptions will be made at the time of entrance to the dance There are no in and out privileges
3 Dance Agreement: All dances will require students and parents to complete a Dance Agreement at the time of purchase This affirms that the student and parent have read and acknowledge the school’s dance policies
4 Guest Passes: Specific dances allow for off-campus guest passes The Assistant Principal, Director of Campus Life will provide the application for dances that support off-campus guest attendance
5 Student I D s: All students must show a school I D to gain entrance into an OLP dance
6
Substance Usage: Anyone possessing, using, or found to be under the influence of alcohol or other drugs will be held and released only to parents or police. The school policies and procedures for use of alcohol and/or other drugs will be implemented on campus following the dance Tobacco use and products including vaping devices are not acceptable at school and school functions, and the student handbook lists the consequences for these serious violations of school policies
7 Transportation: Students who require parent transportation must arrive by the specified time and must be picked up by the specified time at the conclusion of the activity An authorized adult will remain at the activity site until all students have been picked up Students will only be released to their parent if a student needs to leave an event prior to the “doors open” time listed for the event
8 Formal Dance Attire: Tasteful, elegant attire is required Dresses must be floor-length or calf-length, and slits may not be more than 3 inches above the knee High-low dresses are appropriate if they meet the slit-length expectations Dresses and jumpsuits may be strapless but must be tasteful and appropriate Dresses that are too revealing, expose the midriff or cleavage, are one-piece or two-piece with any portion of the midriff open, or are too short in length are not appropriate for this event Attire may not be backless (below the elbow), may not be see-through, or have cutouts on the side or the front. A sheer layer that reveals more than four inches above the knee or a low-cut neckline is not acceptable Gentlemen Guest Attire: Gentlemen are required to wear a tuxedo or suit and tie. OLP reserves the right to determine what is appropriate attire.
9 Semi-Formal Attire: A tasteful, elegant dress, pantsuit, or jumpsuit for a Catholic school dance is required. Dresses may not be shorter than 3 inches above the knee. This includes any slit. Dresses that are too revealing, are skin tight or form-fitting, expose the midriff or cleavage, or are too short in length are not appropriate. Dresses may not be backless (below the elbow), may not be see-through or have cut-outs Please be modest with sheer material A sheer layer that reveals more than 4 inches above the knee or a low cut neckline is not acceptable for a Catholic high school dance Dresses and jumpsuits may not be strapless OLP reserves the right to determine what is appropriate attire.
10 Inappropriate Attire: Attire that is deemed by an adult chaperone or Administrator to be inappropriate for the occasion or deviates from the modesty of a Catholic school dance may result in being denied admission and/or a Saturday detention will be issued
11 Inappropriate Behavior: The use of inappropriate language, sexually suggestive dancing or movements, and behavior that is disruptive, disrespectful, or inconsistent with a school-sponsored event is not permitted Examples of prohibited behavior may include, but are not limited to: the use of profane, vulgar, or inappropriate language, sexually suggestive or explicit dancing or physical movements, dancing or conduct that is deemed unsafe, disrespectful, or inconsistent with the standards of the OLP community (see 8 3 Student Boundaries Policy)
12. School Attendance Prior to a Dance: Students required to attend school in-person for the majority of the day (2 out of the 3 blocks), prior to any school related dance, activity, co-curricular function Failure to do so may result in these students being unable to attend Attending classes through a synchronous virtual attendance, or having an excused absence, does not meet this requirement Extenuating circumstances may be brought to the attention of the Assistant Head of School.
13 Other: Any student who has been dismissed or withdrawn due to a school-initiated withdrawal due to disciplinary action will not be admitted to any school event sponsored by OLP.
4.6
Lettering Policy
OLP is committed to celebrating student achievements and fostering a culture of excellence in all areas of student life Students at OLP may earn one letter during their academic career, along with a certificate per year for each additional lettering achievement. OLP values student accomplishments and seeks to recognize outstanding effort, positive contributions, and exemplary achievement within our community Students have the opportunity to earn varsity letters in academics, arts, athletics, etc. Earning a varsity letter is considered a significant accomplishment
OLP reserves the right for Head Coaches and Moderators to determine specific lettering policies for their respective activities These leaders will develop and communicate baseline expectations that incorporate,
but are not limited to, the following components: academics, behavior, participation, and community service.
Athletics, performing arts, and activities programs can award varsity letters if they are sanctioned and recognized competitions by relevant governing bodies such as the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), local leagues, or similar organizations with competitive teams/groups representing the Academy of Our Lady of Peace
Any school club or activity wishing to award letters must submit a request for review to the Assistant Principal, Director of Campus Life including a proposed lettering policy for the activity that is approved by the faculty moderator Applications for the school year 2026-2027 are due by January 17, 2027
Chapter 5 - Athletic Program
OLP strives to provide the following competitive CIF athletic programs, along with fielding club teams where CIF may not offer a competitive program
Fall Sports
Cross Country Flag Football
Golf Tennis
Volleyball
Winter Sports Spring Sports
Basketball Soccer Water Polo
Badminton
Beach Volleyball
Lacrosse
Track & Field
Swim & Dive Softball
Multi-Season Sports
Archery * Competitive Cheer
Competitive Dance *
ESports
Surf *
Non-CIF, Club Teams are designated with an asterisk*
Tryouts
Varsity, J V and Novice tryouts are held at the beginning of each season Team membership is determined by athletic ability, academic standards, and disciplinary standards
Athletic Fees
OLP requires that all students pay a participation fee per sport. The athletic participation fees for 2026-2027 are $350 per sport; there is a reduced fee for the third sport within the same calendar year of $175. All fees are paid through the student’s FACTS account. Please note that there is a separate fee for Cheer/Dance Competition participation fees which are $3500, and Sideline/Spirit Cheer and Dance fees are $2500. Once a sports team is rostered, participation fees are non-refundable.
A student athlete will be charged for any missing, lost or damaged school issued uniform or equipment not returned at the end of the season of sport Student athletes will not receive their yearbook until all equipment/uniforms are returned or the fee is paid.
Concerns with Coaches
Please review the Communications & Contacting School Personnel chart for further information on the school’s protocols. OLP and the Athletic Director supports its coaches’ decisions on playing time and game strategy In almost each case with a concern regarding playing time or strategy, the coach’s decision will be final. If a student or parent has a concern of another nature, the following procedure, as is specified in the Communications & Contacting School Personnel chart, should be followed:
1 The involved student athlete should discuss any issue with the coach before her parents become involved The coach should not be contacted directly before or shortly after a contest
2 If a concern still exists after the first step in the process, the student athlete and her parents should schedule a meeting with the coaching staff
3 If a concern still exists after the meeting with the coaching staff, the student athlete and her parents should submit in writing the concern to the Athletic Director At this point the Athletic Director, the student athlete and her parents will meet collectively with the coach
4 Should the student athlete and her parents feel the Athletic Director was unable to resolve the concern, the student athlete and her parents should schedule a meeting with the student’s assigned Assistant Principal
5.1 Eligibility
All students participating in OLP Athletics and CIF Sports programs must maintain at least a 2 0 academic average as stated by the rules of the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) and the San Diego City Conference Eligibility for participation in Fall sports is determined by the semester GPA of the June report card Winter sports eligibility is determined by the GPA of the 1st quarter progress report Spring sports eligibility is determined by the semester GPA of the January report card Cumulative GPA is not a factor in determining eligibility, nor are weighted GPAs
A student is disqualified from OLP Athletics if one or more of the following conditions is met:
● GPA falls below 2.0
● Receives an “F” in any course at the quarter or semester
● Is placed on Academic Probation (See Section 3.14 for Eligibility).
The student-athlete may be deemed ineligible to participate in sports, and, if on a team, may be removed from the team A student may be eligible to try out but will not be able to compete in games, matches, meets, or performances (etc) until conditions are met at the next grading period. Placement on Disciplinary Probation will result in suspension from the team during the period of probation
5 2 Informed Consent
Since there is a risk of being injured in all sports, parents and student athletes need to be aware of the potential dangers of participation in interscholastic athletics The risk of injury may be severe, including varieties of fractures, sprains, contusions, brain injuries, paralysis, or even death Risk of injury may be somewhat reduced through parent insistence upon student athletes following carefully all of the guidelines given by the coaching staff and school regarding training rules, safety procedures, proper use of equipment, legal and safe playing techniques, and any and all other safety procedures As part of the OLP Athletic Registration process, students and parents will acknowledge the risks inherent with athletic competition and parents will be required to sign an assumption of risk, waiver, and release from liability Parents also authorize the Athletic Trainer to administer treatment for OLP athletic-related injuries, assisting in care and support Additionally, parents will be required to sign an assumption of risk, waiver, and release from liability annually
5.3 OLP Code of Conduct for Student Athletes
In alignment with the school’s mission and the charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet (CSJ), student athletes commit to fostering a community of respect, responsibility, and excellence As a student athlete at OLP, students are expected to embody the spirit of sisterhood, the principles of the CIF Ethics in Sports and Pursuing Victory with Honor program By participating in OLP athletic programs, student athletes agree to uphold the following code:
1 Academic Standards: Maintain academic eligibility by maintaining a cumulative 2 0 GPA during your season of sport. Ensure no F’s in the semester grading period or quarter progress prior to participation Avoid academic or disciplinary probation (See 3 14 for Academic Eligibility) Furthermore, students are required to attend school in-person for the majority of the day (2 out of the 3 blocks), prior to attending any athletic practice or competition Failure to do so will result in the student being unable to compete. Attending classes through synchronous virtual attendance, or having an excused absence, does not meet this requirement and students will not be allowed to compete (See 9 7 Absence and Activities)
2 Women of Heart, Faith and Courage: Ensure all actions, both on and off the field, align with the highest standards of integrity, indicative of an OLP student Understand that inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated and will be addressed accordingly
3 Service to our “Dear Neighbor”: Reflect our school’s CSJ charism of serving the "dear neighbor without distinction" by showing respect for self and others This includes refraining from the use of foul or derogatory language, accepting the decisions of officials, and demonstrating courteous behavior to visiting teams and officials
4 School Representation: Understand that the athletic uniform and letters awarded symbolize your contribution and responsibility in representing the school at all times Uphold the
responsibilities that come with wearing it, and being an ambassador for the school, its mission, and the charism of our CSJ sisters.
5 Sportsmanship: Represent OLP with integrity and sportsmanship, reflective of the school's mission Respect the dignity, privacy, personal space, and healthy boundaries of teammates, opponents, coaches, officials, and spectators (See 8 3 Student Boundaries Policy) Attend games and practices on time, without unexcused absences, even when injured to support the team, and once rostered, fully commit to the team for that entire season of the sport (See 9 7 Absence and Activities)
6 Substance Policy: Abstain from the use of alcohol, tobacco, steroids, and drugs Any violation will result in being removed from athletic eligibility Remember that at all times, as a student athlete you represent the school and your team (See 8 7 Substance Abuse Policy)
7 Pillars of Character: Embrace the six pillars of character - trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship as outlined in the CIF Ethics in Sports agreement Strive to win with character and lose with dignity, as outlined in the CIF Victory with Honor agreement. Abide by all OLP and CIF Conference Policies and Rules.
8 Hazing, Bullying and Harassment: Recognize that hazing, bullying, and harassment, in any form to players or coaches, and through any medium (in person or via technology/social media), are unacceptable Commit to fostering a supportive and respectful team environment at all times See Section 8.4 Harassment and Discrimination
9 Outside Competitions: Adhere to the school’s policy to not compete in multiple sports at the same time, including sports outside of OLP (See 5.7 Outside Competitions). The school also asks that student athletes obtain prior approval from the Athletic Director and the Assistant Head of School, before attending any tryout for a professional or national team.
10 Equipment Responsibility: Take responsibility for all issued athletic equipment including OLP issued uniforms, and return them in good condition. Should any equipment or uniforms be damaged during the season, immediately notify your head coach A fee will be charged via the student’s FACTS account for the lost or damaged items.
5.4 Sportsmanship Code for Spectators
OLP expects all spectators to uphold the highest standards of sportsmanship during athletic contests Spectators conduct reflects not only on themselves but also on the school community and the team OLP asks all spectators to adhere to the following guidelines:
1 Exemplify Sportsmanship: Maintain a high degree of sportsmanship and collegiality at all times, promoting positive interactions and respect for all participants All conduct should be in alignment with the CIF Code of Ethics in Sports and in support of officiators, coaches and school officials
2 Stay in Designated Seating Areas: Remain in designated seating areas while a contest is in progress to ensure safety and order
3 Respectful Interaction: Refrain from confronting officials, coaches, or players before, during, or immediately after an athletic contest. Support the decisions of officials and coaches as part of a respectful sports environment At no time should spectators use vulgar or derogatory language
4. Prohibition on Throwing Objects: Any spectator suspected of throwing objects onto the playing surface will be immediately ejected from the premises, as this endangers participants and disrupts the game.
5 Positive Influence: Actions by spectators that are inferred by coaches, school officials, or officiators as detrimental to the game, which could include negative comments or disruptive behavior, may result in the spectators forfeiture from the contest, or for the remainder of the season. Should the offense be deemed repeated, or severely against the mission of the school, the Athletic Director reserves the right to remove the spectator from all future OLP home games
6. Supportive Cheerleading: Avoid antagonistic or deprecating yells/taunts directed at the players on either team Instead, focus on positive cheers that uplift both teams, in the spirit of the school’s mission and CSJ charism of “serving our dear neighbor without distinction,” and demonstrating perpetual respect for our opponents
7 No Noisemakers: No noise makers of any kind are permitted at any athletic contests, ensuring that the focus remains on the athletes' performance and maintaining a respectful environment
8 Organized Bands/Music Only: Only organized bands/music are allowed to play, and only before the contest, during time-outs, quarter breaks, and halftime, to maintain a structured and
supportive atmosphere See the Athletic Director or head coach for questions in advance of a contest.
9 Consequences for Misconduct: Parents or spectators who are asked to leave a contest at a visiting school may also face repercussions including but not limited to being restricted to attending OLP home competitions for that season, or future seasons of sport(s)
5.5 Medical Requirements
Every student choosing to participate in an OLP designated sport must provide the following:
1 A physical examination by a CA licensed medical practitioner (MD/DO) in order to satisfy CIF and OLP athletic policies Physical examinations are valid for one calendar year and must be valid through the remainder of the school year Such evidence is to be uploaded via the online registration, as indicated by the school, prior to the beginning of practice for the athlete’s sport.
2 A completed emergency release form and assumption of risk, waiver, and release from liability form signed by the parents.
3 Participating students are required to have medical insurance and must be confirmed and signed by the parents at the time of the athlete’s registration along with the emergency information.
4 All injuries must be reported to the Head Coach, Athletic Trainer, and Athletic Director If an injury requires a physician evaluation, a release in writing must be obtained from a CA licensed medical provider and turned in to the Head Coach, Athletic Trainer, and Athletic Director before a player may resume participation. Please see the Section 5.6 for Concussion Protocol.
5.6 Concussion Protocol
OLP follows CIF regulation and California state law to promote student athlete safety during athletic participation CA State Law AB 2127 requires that any student athlete that is believed to have suffered a concussion must be evaluated by a physician (MD/DO) before returning to play In addition, California law mandates that all coaches must receive training on concussions Nationwide data continues to show that many catastrophic head injuries are a direct result of injured athletes returning to play too soon, not having fully recovered from the first head injury On a yearly basis, a concussion and head injury information sheet shall be signed and returned by the student athlete and the athlete's parent before the athlete's initiating practice or competition
If the student athlete is believed to have experienced a concussion, the following protocol will be initiated:
● If the injury occurs during an OLP athletic event, the coach or Athletic Trainer will notify the parents regarding the incident If an injury occurs during the school day, and a student is believed to have experienced a concussion, a faculty member will notify the parents
● The parents will be asked, per CIF guidelines, to have their daughter evaluated by a physician (MD/OD), and a return to play plan established in partnership with the OLP Athletic Trainer Parents should refer to the Concussion Protocol documents listed on the athletics page of the school website
● The Athletic Trainer will work with the student athlete’s counselor to notify the student’s teachers and based on the physician’s recommendation, establish an appropriate accommodation plan for homework/assignments. This is referred to as a student’s Return to Learn plan.
● The coach will be notified about the tentative Return to Play plan based on preliminary symptoms and the doctor’s assessment.
● The Athletic Trainer and student’s counselor, will continue to monitor the student, in partnership with the parents to coordinate necessary learning accommodations and develop an individualized return to play plan
● Should concussion symptoms persist beyond six weeks of the initial injury, the Athletic Trainer and counselor may suggest the student athlete be re-evaluated or outside options be explored
5.7 Outside Competitions
According to CIF rules, no student may participate for an outside team and a school team in the same sport during the same season; i e Club and OLP Team OLP also fields Club teams that are not sanctioned CIF sports The Club teams are open to students who wish to participate in those Club sports All Club team tryouts and eligibility requirements are identical to those of sanctioned CIF sports Please see above for all prerequisites
Athletes are not obligated to attend any meeting when the sport is not in season or when the athlete is still a member of another school team Athletes shall request their coach’s permission to attend organizational meetings of another OLP sport, especially if it would involve missing a practice time
Students participating in outside competitions are still responsible for following the Anticipated Absence protocol and risk academic penalties if absence limits are exceeded See Section 9 2 Excessive Absence
5.8 Transfer Eligibility Rules
In accordance with the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) and CIF-San Diego Section guidelines, students who transfer to OLP must meet specific eligibility requirements to participate in athletic programs. Transfer students are required to complete all necessary CIF transfer paperwork and may be subject to a period of ineligibility or a minimum sit out period, based on CIF rules Factors such as the student’s prior participation in sports, the reasons for the transfer, and the timing of the transfer will be considered It is essential that families consult with the OLP Athletic Director to ensure compliance with CIF regulations and to understand the impact on the student’s athletic eligibility. For detailed information, please refer to the CIF Transfer Eligibility guidelines or contact the OLP Athletic Department
5 9 Competition on an Outside Team
To maintain CIF eligibility, student-athletes may not compete on an outside team in the same sport during their OLP high school season. Participation on an outside team in the same sport during the high school season will result in loss of eligibility, except in the situations outlined below in accordance with CIF Bylaw Section 600
Student-athletes are permitted to attend individual non-school practices, camps, and clinics during their sport's high school season, provided they do not compete with an outside team in contests or games
Exceptions
Modified Team Formats: If the outside team has fewer than half the number of players required for a regulation team, as defined by National Federation rules, it is not considered the same sport For example:
● 3-on-3 Basketball: Not permitted during the high school basketball season
● 2-on-2 Volleyball: Permitted during the high school volleyball season
● Soccer: Additionally, indoor soccer and futsal are not considered the same sport as outdoor soccer
● Swimming & Diving: Swimmers may compete for an amateur team during the high school season in approved USA Swimming Championship meets recognized by CIF
● Sports Outside the CIF Season: This rule does not apply to sports that are conducted outside the CIF State-adopted season of sport
● Spontaneous Recreational Activity: Student-athletes may participate in informal recreational games where teams are formed spontaneously and not organized by a school, club, or other team. Examples include pickup basketball or soccer games with friends. Such participation does not affect CIF eligibility
Chapter 6 - Parents
6.1 Policies Affecting Parents
The school uses the term “parent” to inclusively refer to any individual with legal and/or educational custodial responsibility for a student. This may include one or both custodial parents, legal guardians, or other individuals legally recognized as responsible for the student’s care and education
At the time of application, enrollment, and for all currently enrolled students, parents are required to disclose and provide documentation identifying all legal parents or guardians, including biological parents and any individuals designated by court order as having custodial or educational rights This includes submitting copies of any applicable legal documents such as custody agreements, court orders, or other official determinations of parental or guardianship status See Section 2 7 Student Records
Parents are expected to uphold the mission, goals and policies of the school; nevertheless, a situation could arise in which the uncooperative or disruptive attitude and/or the actions of parents might so diminish the effectiveness of the school that continuation of the student in the school could be morally impossible As stated in our philosophy, the school acts in partnership with parents in the education of their daughter. The school administration and teachers work collaboratively and engage in consistent communication to meet the needs of their daughter It is the expectation of the school that students reside with their parents or designated legal guardian while enrolled at the school.
The school expects parents to model the standards of respectful and courteous behavior in their communications with others at the school The school reserves the right to suspend, expel, or otherwise remove a student from the school, or decline to re-enroll the student, if the Head of School or Assistant Head of School concludes, in his/her sole discretion, that the actions of the student’s parents, or other individuals interacting with the school and/or the school community by virtue of their relationship with the student, impede the school’s ability to meet its educational objectives or mission, disrupt school operations, are uncooperative, unreasonable, or unsupportive of the school, its administration, its faculty or staff, philosophy, rules, regulations, policies and standards, or make it difficult to have a positive or constructive relationship with the parents
6.2 Students: Eighteen Years Old
All school procedures, policies, and regulations continue to apply to students who are 18 years of age or older as long as they are enrolled in the school The school shall continue to direct all official correspondence and other matters to parents/guardians concerning their student’s grades, disciplinary status, permission slips, tuition statements, graduation privileges, and so forth
6.3 Megan’s Law
The State of California encourages schools to inform parents or guardians about the availability of Megan's Law information, which pertains to registered sex offenders The web address for this information is www.meganslaw.ca.gov. The site outlines a number of items including FAQ's, publications, requirements, and other electronic tools
6.4 Parent Volunteer Requirements & SAFE Training
The Catholic Diocese of San Diego mandates that all adults who come in contact with minors must complete the following requirements prior to beginning their service/volunteer ministry at OLP:
● Submit proof of current TB immunization
● Complete Live Scan fingerprinting process
● Complete the Diocesan SAFE Environment Course
Parents driving students must provide a copy of a current driver’s license and verify their auto insurance is current with minimum liability coverage of $100,000 bodily injury limit per person/$300,000 bodily injury limit per accident
6 5 Back to School Night
Back to School Night is held early in the first quarter of school Close cooperation and ongoing communication between home and school are essential to excellence in education. The faculty and staff recognize the very important role of parental responsibility in the education of students and depend on parental support to ensure that students receive the full benefit of the quality education offered at OLP
Back to School Night provides the opportunity to be informed of the teacher’s plans and objectives for the year, to ask questions, and to meet the faculty, administration and other parents
6.6 Student-Parent-Teacher Conferences
Student-Parent-Teacher conferences are accessible during the first and third quarter Teachers are available for meetings with parents and the student, to discuss the scholastic standing of the student Appointments during this week and at times other than this scheduled week can be made by emailing the teacher directly
6.7 Custody Disputes and Arrangements
The school requires all parents/guardians to keep the school informed about changes to a student’s home location, family contact information, custody arrangements, or other changes that might impact the student’s educational experience See Section 6 1 Policies Affecting Parents
Noncustodial parents generally retain the same rights as custodial parents, unless a court order restricts the rights of the non-custodial parent. These rights include but are not limited to accessing their child’s pupil records, participating in school activities, receiving communications from the school, and visiting the child at school. Any custody-related court order binds the parties to the proceeding and not the school. However, the school recognizes that certain court orders impact the child’s educational experience For that reason, the school requires parents to notify the school of any applicable and relevant court orders that impact the child’s educational experience, and to provide copies of such court orders when requested by the school
When custody arrangements or disputes among the parents regarding the child’s educational experience impede the school’s ability to maintain a positive and constructive relationship with the parents, the school may terminate the student’s enrollment or ban one or both parents from entering school property or participating in school-sponsored events
The school is committed to working collaboratively with parents Consistent with the school’s philosophy, an appropriate learning environment is only possible when the school and parents act in partnership with one another. Open, candid communications between parents, faculty, and staff are simply essential.
As a result, the school will not become entangled in disputes between parents. Parents are not permitted to ask school employees for statements (such as a letter, declaration, or affidavit) in support, or in opposition to, divorce or custody proceedings, and school employees are not permitted to provide such statements
Chapter 7 - Counseling Services
The Counseling Services of OLP are an integral part of the caring, Catholic community Each student has an assigned counselor, but every member of the department is available for consultation.
Guidance And Counseling Department Assignments 2026-2027
Counselor Name Student Support Areas Specialization
Jamie Booker Grades 9-12, Students with Last Names: A-D
Jill Hicke Grades 9-12, Students with Last Names: E-K & International Students
Anita Heveron Grades 9-12, Students with Last Names: L-P
Elsi Hildebrand Grades 9-12, Students with Last Names: Q-Z
Arielle Lugn Grades 9-12, Counselor for Students in the Sisters and Scholars and St Joseph Scholars Programs
Academic, Social-Emotional, College & Career Counseling
Academic, Social-Emotional, College & Career Counseling
Academic, Social-Emotional, College & Career Counseling College Program Coordinator
Academic, Social-Emotional, College & Career Counseling
Academic, Social-Emotional, College & Career Counseling Department Chair for Counseling
The basis for counseling may be a self-referral, teacher-referral, parent-referral, administrator-referral or a request-referral on the basis of observation or testing The nature of the consultation may be due to personal problems, academic difficulties, vocational plans, and/or applications for college admissions and scholarships The follow-up of the consultation may be a consultation with teachers for a better understanding of relationships with students in/out of classrooms, a parental consultation, or referral to special agencies Counselors are available daily, when school is scheduled and in session, to address students’ needs.
7.1 General Counseling Services
1 Academic, College/Career, and Social/Emotional counseling services;
2 Library and resource materials including college catalogs, computer software, and career and college reference books and videos;
3 SCOIR provides the following: interest inventory, personal profile, career assessment and career profiles, college search tool, and an application tracker;
4 Scheduled visits by representatives from various colleges and universities every Fall;
5 College Fairs
6 Monthly information sessions to support students and parents with counselor engagement;
7 Academic Registration (scheduling);
8. Learning Support, Sisters and Scholars, & St. Joseph’s Program academic support programs
Ninth Grade
● Introduction to SCOIR
● Individual meeting with Freshmen and Counselor to develop a 4-year plan
● PSAT Test and interpretation
● Social Emotional Learning Lessons
● Interest Exploration workshop
● Study skills workshops
● Academic appointments as needed
● PSAT administration and interpretation
● Individual appointments as needed
● SCOIR resume building workshop
● Social/Emotional small groups
Tenth Grade
● Maximizing campus visits
● Recruited Athlete Workshop
● Career Assessment Program
● AP Exams
Eleventh Grade
● PSAT administration and interpretation
● Intro to College Process Meeting for all Junior families (January; required)
● Individual College Appointments (required)
● Family College Appointments (optional)
● Letter of Recommendation Workshop
● Individual College appointments
● Family College appointments
● Senior College Workshop
● College Fair
● Scholarship Coordination for Local & National Scholarships
● UC/Cal State Application Workshops
Tutorial Assistance
● Resume Workshop
● College Fair
● AP Exams
● Summer College Camp
● NCAA Workshop
● SCOIR
Twelfth Grade
● UC Essay Writing Workshops
● College Visits
● Financial Aid Night
● Common & Coalition Application Workshop
● Community College Planning
● AP Exams
Individual tutorial services are available to students who have need of special help for a particular subject
1 Subject teachers are available during stated office hours, lunch hours, and after school by appointment Access via zoom meeting is also available The school will also from time-to-time offer on-site professional subject specific tutoring in partnership with outside services Those will be communicated through the counseling offices, the weekly bulletin, and posted on the electronic student resource board through the Student Information System (SIS)
2 Peer tutoring may be available to students by request to the Learning Support Specialist or other community partners
3 Off-campus professional tutoring referrals are made available through the Counseling Department
7.2 Web-Based Counseling Services
SCOIR - College Network
The Counseling Department provides a college/career counseling web-based service called SCOIR. This program offers students and parents a comprehensive website for college and career decision making purposes. All students and parents are assigned a username and password in the freshman year in order to access this service from any device at any time
SCOIR College Network allows students to build a resume, manage timelines and deadlines for college admissions, research colleges, compare their academic profiles to past OLP students who have been admitted to that particular college, sign up for college visits to OLP, and track application details SCOIR is used during individual college counseling appointments with juniors in the spring and with seniors in the fall Freshmen are introduced to SCOIR during the fall A personality/career interest inventory can also be accessed through SCOIR and will be administered by the Counseling Department to all sophomores.
7.3 Child Abuse Reporting
OLP employees and other adults serving in a school capacity, including certain volunteers, contractors, and Board members, may be mandated reporters under California’s Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act, including California Penal Code §§ 11164–11174 3 Mandated reporters are required to report known
or reasonably suspected child abuse or neglect, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, or other conduct required to be reported by law.
When a mandated reporter has reasonable suspicion that a student has been abused or neglected, the reporter must make a report immediately, or as soon as practicably possible, to law enforcement, Child Protective Services, or another agency authorized to receive such reports A written follow-up report must be submitted within the timeframe required by law School employees and other mandated reporters do not investigate the allegation and do not notify families before a report is made.
In accordance with California law including SB 848, OLP provides required adult training and maintains policies and procedures related to mandated reporting, abuse prevention, grooming awareness, professional boundaries, appropriate supervision, and safe school environments OLP also provides student education and prevention programming, including workshops addressing topics such as consent, healthy relationships, personal boundaries, sexual assault awareness, and reporting or seeking assistance, in partnership with advance parent information and consent Student education and prevention programming also supports the expectations outlined in 8 3 Student Boundaries Policy This is alongside anonymous online reporting tools such as WeTip (see Section 8 2 Non-Violence Policy)
For step-by-step procedures, including student interviews with social workers or law enforcement, see Section 13.10 Child Abuse Reporting and Mental Health Referral
7.4 Suicide Prevention Policy
OLP prioritizes the safety, mental health, and well-being of every student. In accordance with best practices, our Suicide Prevention Policy supports students through early identification, mental health education, referral to professional resources, and coordinated family involvement.
Education & Awareness
Family Collaboration
Risk Response
Ongoing Support
Suicide-prevention lessons are woven into health, theology, advisory, and class-meeting curricula so students can recognize warning signs and build coping skills
Counselors and administrators partner with parents at the first indication of significant emotional distress
If a student appears at risk for self-harm, staff conduct an immediate safety assessment and, when necessary, call 9-1-1 or the Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT) Detailed response steps, clearance requirements, and re-entry protocols are in Section 13 10 Child Abuse Reporting & Mental-Health Referral
After clearance by a licensed mental-health professional, a re-entry meeting with the student and parent will be scheduled with a counselor and administrator to establish a personalized safety plan. A student will be required to attend a re-entry meeting prior to resuming in-person school attendance.
• The Trevor Project 1-866-488-7386 | thetrevorproject org
• Crisis Text Line text TALK to 741-741 | crisistextline.org
Guided by the CSJ charism of unifying love, all students and staff share responsibility for seeking help when someone is in distress. Confidentiality is respected, but safety always takes precedence
For immediate-risk procedures and post-crisis requirements, see Section 13 10 Child Abuse Reporting & Mental-Health Referral.
7.5 Sisters and Scholars: Identified Learning Differences & Accommodations
The Counseling Department provides coordination and support services for students with documented learning differences Launched in 2015, the OLP Sisters and Scholars Program (also referred to as the SAS program) seeks to support student development of necessary learning skills and compensatory strategies to succeed independently In order to promote student success, reasonable accommodations are provided based on the current impact of the disability on the student’s academic performance The Sisters and Scholars Program follows the guidelines prepared by the College Board regarding accommodations and documentation of disabilities.
Current students may be referred by parents, counselors or teachers. Please contact the Sisters and Scholars Coordinator, Arielle Lugn, for additional information regarding the referral process In order to receive accommodations, a student must have a psychoeducational report completed within the last three (3) years by a qualified psychologist The Sisters and Scholars Coordinator reserves the right to request an updated assessment. This confidential report will become part of the student’s file. The comprehensive evaluation must include:
● The specific disability or disorder which has been diagnosed;
● Relevant educational, developmental, and medical history;
● Test results and subtest scores;
● A description of the functional limitations resulting from the disability;
● A description of specific recommended accommodations and a rationale explaining the need for the accommodation;
● The professional credentials of the evaluator (license, certification, area of specialization)
Students who are eligible for the Sisters and Scholars Program may also qualify for accommodations on standardized exams, including extended time on the PSAT, ACT, SAT, and AP exams In order to request standardized testing accommodations, the above-mentioned documentation may be submitted to the College Board, ACT, or other applicable testing organization for independent review Therefore, it is crucial that documentation is current and comprehensive for present and future academic support
The Sisters and Scholars Program seeks to increase a student’s opportunity for success by providing appropriate accommodations in high school and supporting the continuation of accommodations in college when applicable When a student has a documented learning difference and is approved for reasonable accommodations, OLP faculty will be provided with a confidential Learning Support Plan.
OLP carefully reviews psychoeducational reports, evaluator recommendations, the current impact of the student’s documented learning difference, the scope of OLP’s learning support offerings, and input from the student and family when determining appropriate accommodations While outside recommendations are thoughtfully considered, OLP remains responsible for determining which accommodations can be reasonably provided within our school setting.
Once finalized and signed, the Learning Support Plan serves as the agreed-upon framework for approved accommodations. Any requested changes to the plan must be reviewed and approved by the Learning Support team When appropriate, the Learning Support team may require a family meeting, including at the start of a new semester, to review student needs and finalize any updates to the plan.
The plan is reviewed annually and includes information intended to help teachers work productively with the student Learning Support Plans with approved accommodations are distributed confidentially to teachers at the start of each semester The current original copy of the plan is maintained in the student’s file
The plans are a resource for teachers in making reasonable accommodations and may include:
● Preferential seating in the classroom;
● Allowing for the use of learning aids in the classroom including laptops equipped with text-to-speech and calculators;
● Providing an alternative separate space for quizzes and tests;
● Providing extended time on assessments (50%);
● Use of audiobooks
7.6 St. Joseph’s Scholars Program
Launched in 2024, the St Joseph’s Scholars Program at OLP is designed to provide an inclusive Catholic high school education for young women with moderate to severe cognitive learning disabilities that place students academically below grade level.
Young women with disabilities, such as Down syndrome, Autism, and other developmental, genetic, and learning differences are given the opportunity to partake in a Catholic educational setting While at OLP, the St. Joseph’s Scholars have the ability to engage in many academic and elective courses with their typically developing peers They also will have unique real-world courses developed and paired with their areas of passion and interest. The St. Joseph’s Scholars teachers work with the general education teachers to provide modifications, interventions, and accommodations to assist in the inclusion and education of the St. Joseph’s Scholars. The St. Joseph’s Scholars teachers instruct leveled sections of Theology, Core classes as appropriate for students' academic levels and interests, and Elective classes, along with providing one-on-one support to students during academic support periods.
The St. Joseph’s Scholars Program offers two graduation options. Students and their families may choose to earn (1) a certificate of completion or (2) a diploma Students who are part of the SJS program will work towards an Individualized Support Plan as determined by the SJS team, parents, student, SPED teacher, learning support staff as determined by the student’s individual goals and objectives
The St Joseph’s Scholars have access to participate in many extracurricular activities, clubs, and sports as a part of the OLP student community The student body has a strong support for partnership of the St Joseph’s Scholars including students in the Pilot Mentor Program Pilot Mentors are OLP students who have a passion and interest in serving as role models and supportive peers for the students identified to be a part of the Pilot Mentor Program
Eligibility Requirements
● Eighth grade student at current elementary/middle school (preferred attendance of Catholic elementary school for at least 7th and 8th grade);
● At least 14 years of age;
● Basic Math proficiency;
● Basic English proficiency;
● The ability to follow high behavioral expectations;
● The ability to appropriately interact with peers;
● The ability to participate in conversational exchanges;
● The ability to initiate written and verbal expression;
● The ability to participate in classroom and social activities without the assistance of an educational assistant;
● The ability to maintain self-care independently.
Acceptance Process
In addition to the regular OLP admission requirements, acceptance into the St Joseph’s Scholars program has the following added steps:
● Evaluation of current Individualized Education Plan (IEP);
● Evaluation of current psychoeducational evaluation;
● Required shadow day for prospective student at OLP;
● Observation of the prospective student in their current educational placement;
● Personal interview by a member of the OLP team with at least one current core 8th grade teacher;
● Interview with the prospective student, their family, the St Joseph’s Scholars team, the Assistant Head of School and the Director of Admissions
Graduation Options for St Joseph’s Scholars
For those students accepted into the St Joseph’s Scholars Program, there is the option of a Certificate of Completion or a California Diploma. Please note that the California Diploma is not UC/CSU A-G approved. The Certificate of Completion is designed and individualized for each student
St Joseph’s Scholars Program, California Diploma requires the following for graduation:
For all other students, not in the St Joseph’s Scholars Program, please refer to Section 3 3 Graduation Requirements
Chapter 8 - Discipline
At OLP, we believe that discipline is most effective when it is self-motivated It should be an unobtrusive system organized by the school community as a whole, and put into the hands of the students with the expectation that they will live up to the standard of behavior set forth If this does not happen, students will then accept the consequences of their own actions and decisions. Violation of the policies will be determined by the school’s Discipline Review Board and/or a school administrator, with the Assistant Head of School serving as the final arbitrator.
8.1 OLP Code of Conduct
Attending OLP is a privilege As part of our school’s commitment to guide students toward becoming young women of heart, faith, and courage we expect students to exemplify the principles reflected in the OLP mission and philosophy These expectations include respect for the dignity, privacy, personal space, and healthy boundaries of others
An OLP student is expected to behave, both on and off campus, in a manner consistent with OLP’s values and the charism of unifying love, of our Sisters of St Joseph of Carondelet Respect and love of others should be a pervasive theme guiding all student interactions Any conduct both in and out of school that reflects negatively upon the reputation of OLP, or is deemed harmful to others, may be subject to disciplinary action, including suspension from competitive and extra- curricular activities, school suspension and/or expulsion
Violation of the policies will be determined by the school’s Discipline Review Board and/or a school administrator, with the Assistant Head of School serving as the final arbitrator.
8.2 Non-Violence Policy
As a Catholic community dedicated to the cultivation of peace and meaningful human relationships, persons are expected to treat one another with respect and compassion at all times Any use of words, gestures or behaviors that diminish the human person in any way are, therefore, to be avoided. When such actions occur, intentionally or unintentionally, the values of compassion and reconciliation call members of the community to work together toward healing injuries and cultivating nonviolence. Such are the Gospel values of forgiveness to which we are called, and the CSJ values of peace and justice toward which we strive In the case of more serious injury, however, or when such injury is threatened, the response of the administration will be swift and serious
Verbal and Written Threats
“Defamation is that which tends to injure the reputation, or to diminish the esteem, respect, goodwill or confidence in which a person is held” (Black’s Law Dictionary, p 375) Actions that are defamatory in nature, such as participating in intense arguing; disregarding school policies and procedures; saying untrue things about another which injure that person’s reputation; writing derogatory information about another person; making fun of another person using gestures, pictures, or symbols; and communicating information about another person through electronic media like a website will result in school-issued consequences Even if the information communicated is true, when the purpose of sharing is to damage the character or emotional well-being of another, it is defamatory in nature and will not be tolerated
Physical Threats
Behaviors that threaten the safety of another person or of the school in general will not be tolerated at any time. Such actions include but are not limited to: vandalizing students’/teachers’/school property; stealing; getting involved in physical confrontations and altercations (no matter the intentions); bringing weapons to school; causing or threatening physical harm to oneself or another.
Hazing activities violate the OLP non-violence policy and are against the school’s mission. Hazing, which is defined as any method of initiation or preinitiation into a student organization or student body, whether or not the organization or body is officially recognized by the School, which is likely to cause serious bodily injury to any former, current, or prospective student of any School
Internet-Based Violation of Non-violence Policy
Cyber-bullying is of particular concern at OLP whenever a student’s use of Internet websites like Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and/or other social media platforms result in the posting of texts and/or images that are not in keeping with the OLP mission, its values, and its policies While the school cannot limit a student’s access to such sites from at-home or off-campus computers, the school will take disciplinary action whenever an OLP student is involved in posting information that is derogatory, racist, offensive or threatening with respect to another OLP student or to the school Such activity is damaging to the other’s reputation, and is in violation of the school’s faith-based stance on human respect and the cultivation of a Catholic community Students that indirectly participate in bullying and/or cyberbullying by giving the impression that they support or agree with the negative behavior may also face disciplinary consequences
Within the internet violation policy is any audio or video recording or still images within the campus of OLP without permission of the teacher, and/or taking electronically transmittable images of students without their knowledge and permission. Posting or sharing posts of videos and/ or media content contrary to the Mission of the school will result in disciplinary action
OLP calls upon all OLP parents/guardians to monitor their daughters’ at-home online activity, and to discuss with them the potential consequences and dangers associated with these activities. OLP will, in turn, make such education part of its orientation programs, counseling sessions, and disciplinary procedures for all students. These programs will include, when necessary, collaboration with educational psychologists, law enforcement officers, and families and students who believe themselves victims of such activity.
Online activity, both on-campus and off-campus, which will result in disciplinary action includes but is not limited to the following:
1 Making denigrating comments about another OLP student or about the Academy of Our Lady of Peace;
2 Creating videos or online posts that use derogatory language, or include racial slurs, contradictory to the values upheld by OLP;
3 Using vulgar language that shows disrespect for the Catholic values taught at OLP;
4 Posting images of oneself or of other students suggesting evidence of alcohol use, drug use (including vaping), or vulgar gestures;
5 Identifying oneself or another student as a member of the OLP community in the contexts of objectionable texts and/or images (e g posting images of oneself or others wearing the OLP uniform, or making references to persons or places associated with the OLP campus).
OLP recognizes that a person’s reputation and that of an institution is hurt by comments which ultimately cause emotional, social or physical harm It is equally important that students understand that such information, whether it is true or false, whether shared intentionally, inadvertently, or humorously is either a means of building community or a means of tearing the community apart OLP stands as an institution that aims to preserve relationships between persons at all times, and will not tolerate violation of this basic moral mission
Reporting Threats
OLP has established an online anonymous tip reporting form for students, parents and community members to report suspected criminal behavior, suicide ideation and signs, bullying and other seiours safety concerns through the OLP website, in partnership with WeTip WeTip is also SB 553 compliant, meeting Workplace Violence Prevention log and documentation practices The web-based WeTip forms are monitored 24/7 If a submission indicates an imminent threat, concern for individual or other bodily harm, suicidal ideation, arson or violence, the information will be immediately forwarded to
the police Training happens for students at class meetings at the start of the year, parents at back to school night, and ongoing throughout the year via school communication channels.
Procedures in Response to Student Threats
It is the policy of OLP to respond to any act which threatens another’s physical, mental or emotional well-being swiftly and seriously We cooperate with law enforcement, and we cannot guarantee an immediate phone call to a parent/guardian A school official will contact a parent as soon as it is possible
Procedures may include:
1 Immediate reporting of any and all student threats to self or others to the administration or via the anonymous online form through WeTip
2 Referral to appropriate law enforcement agency
3 Notification of the student’s parent
4 Suspension of the student who has made the threat pending full evaluation of the situation
5. Possible dismissal from OLP.
8.3 Student Boundaries Policy
In alignment with our mission and the CSJ charism of unifying love and service to the dear neighbor without distinction, OLP calls each student to honor the dignity of every person This commitment guides how students speak to, interact with, and care for one another, including the expectation that students respect healthy personal boundaries
The school has adopted this policy to promote student safety, well-being, and appropriate interactions within the school community and to establish clear expectations that support positive and appropriate relationships among students through healthy personal boundaries For students, maintaining appropriate personal boundaries means understanding and respecting limits in how they speak to, interact with, and treat others
Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that supports a respectful learning environment, in accordance with school policies, at all times, whether on or off campus and during or outside of the school day, when participating in school-related activities. Students are expected to:
● Respect one another with dignity and care, consistent with the OLP Code of Conduct (See 8 1 Code of Conduct).
● Respect personal space, privacy, and physical boundaries (See 8 2 Non-Violence Policy and 13 9 Safe School Environment).
● Understand that different students may have different comfort levels and physical boundaries (See 8.4 Harassment and Discrimination).
● Use electronic communication and social media responsibly and respectfully in accordance with school policies (See Student Guidelines for Acceptable Use of Technology, 8.5 Sexting, 8.6 Bullying, and 8 8 Cell Phone and Personal Electronic Device Policy)
● Seek adult assistance if they observe or experience conduct that makes them feel unsafe or uncomfortable (See 7 3 Child Abuse Reporting, 13 10 Child Abuse Reporting and Mental Health Referral, and 13.9 Safe School Environment).
The School will take appropriate action to address violations of this policy, consistent with the school’s discipline policies (See Section 8 9 Minor Infractions, Section 8 10 Major Infractions, 8 11 Discipline Committee, 8 12 Probation, and 8 13 Suspension, Expulsion and Recommended Transfers)
8.4 Harassment and Discrimination
The school is committed to maintaining a working and educational environment that is free of harassment, including sexual harassment, discrimination, and retaliation. This may include behavior that occurs off-campus or via social media, or other electronic communications, that impacts or affects the School community. Conduct involving inappropriate personal boundaries, personal space, physical contact, privacy, or communication is also addressed under 8 3 Student Boundaries Policy As a religious
organization, the School reserves the right to make decisions about students pursuant to our Catholic values.
A. Harassment
This Policy prohibits harassment based on actual or perceived sex, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, gender identity, gender expression, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law (“Protected Classifications”), as applicable, or association with an individual who has an actual or perceived protected classification This Policy prohibits both harassment by students and parents towards students and employees, and harassment by others in the community towards students and employees Harassing conduct by students and/or parents will result in appropriate corrective action, and corrective action includes discipline up to and including suspension or expulsion from school Harassment of students by employees will result in appropriate corrective action, up to and including termination of employment, and is addressed in a separate Policy in the Employee Handbook
Harassment can take many forms, and may include verbal, physical or visual conduct Examples include, but are not limited to:
● Verbal, written, and visual harassment includes: making disparaging statements, telling jokes, using epithets, slurs, stereotypes, insults, or labels based on an individual’s Protected Classification(s), threats of physical harm or statements designed to intimidate, abuse or humiliate another, whether communicated verbally, in writing, electronically or in posters, cartoons, drawings or gestures This may include comments on appearance including dress or physical features, or dress consistent with gender identification, or stories and jokes, focusing on race, national origin, religion or other Protected Classifications identified below in this Policy
● Physical harassment includes: intimidating conduct, such as touching of a person or a person’s property, hazing, assault, grabbing, stalking or blocking or impeding a person’s movement
Sexual Harassment
California Education Code section 212 5 defines sexual harassment as any unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature made by someone from or in the work or educational setting, under any of the following conditions:
● Submission to the conduct is explicitly or implicitly made a term or a condition of an individual’s employment, academic status, or progress
● Submission to, or rejection of, the conduct by the individual is used as the basis of employment or academic decisions affecting the individual
● The conduct has the purpose or effect of having a negative impact upon the individual’s work or academic performance, or of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or educational environment
● Submission to, or rejection of, the conduct by the individual is used as the basis for any decision affecting the individual regarding benefits and services, honors, programs, or activities available at or through the educational institution
● Sexually harassing conduct can occur between people of the same or different gender.
Sexual harassment may include, but is not limited to:
● Unwelcome verbal or written conduct, including by notes, letters, e-mails, text messages, social media postings, such as suggestive comments, derogatory comments, sexual innuendos, slurs, or unwanted sexual advances, invitations, or comments, pestering for dates, making threats, spreading rumors about or rating others as to sexual activity or performance.
● Unwelcome visual conduct such as displays of sexually suggestive objects, pictures, posters, written material, cartoons, or drawings, graffiti of a sexual nature, or use of obscene gestures or leering
● Unwelcome physical conduct such as unwanted touching, pinching, kissing, patting, hugging, blocking of normal movement, assault, or interference with work or study directed at an individual because of the individual's sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or gender expression.
● Threats and demands or pressure to submit to sexual requests in order to keep academic standing or to avoid other loss, and offers of benefits in return for sexual favors
B. Complaint Procedure
Students and parents who believe that they have experienced, witnessed, or have relevant information about harassment should immediately report the matter to the school, either orally or in writing Students and parents may report the matter to school administration Alternatively, students and parents may choose to report harassment or retaliation to any other employee of the school with whom they are comfortable, such as a counselor, or coach, all of whom must report the matter to the school administration under this Policy Reports may also be made on the OLP website, through the anonymous online web based forms in partnership with WeTip While the school does not limit the time frame for reporting, immediate reporting is important as the school may not be able to investigate as thoroughly or consider as wide-range of corrective actions the longer the time that has passed between the alleged misconduct and the report
C. Interim Measures
The school may provide appropriate interim support and reasonable protective measures, if and as needed based on the particular applicable circumstances, to protect against further acts of harassment or acts of retaliation, to provide a safe educational environment, and/or to protect the integrity of an investigation The school will, in its sole judgment and discretion, determine the necessity and scope of any interim measures.
D. Investigation
Process
Upon receipt of a report of alleged harassment and any related initial inquiries, the school may request clarification and/or conduct an initial inquiry, to determine whether the oral report or written complaint alleges a potential violation of this Policy To request clarification and/or conduct an initial inquiry, the Head of School, or his or her designee, may meet with the individual(s) who made the report and/or that was reportedly subjected to conduct that violates this Policy
If the School has determined that the report pertains to behavior that may be in violation of this Policy, the school will undertake an investigation related to the reported conduct Any investigation may be conducted by designated school personnel or by an outside investigator, in the school’s sole discretion Students and parents are expected to cooperate in any investigation as needed Any individual who is interviewed during the course of an investigation is prohibited from discussing the substance of the interview, except as otherwise directed by the investigator or the school administration, as necessary in relation to any administrative or legal proceedings or as otherwise required by law Any individual who discusses the content of an investigatory interview or who otherwise fails to cooperate with the investigation may be subject to corrective action
E Confidentiality
Reports of harassment will be kept confidential, except as needed to conduct an investigation, to take interim measures, to take corrective action, to conduct ongoing monitoring, or as necessary in relation to any administrative or legal proceedings or as otherwise required by law
F. Discrimination
Discrimination is treating an individual differently because of the individual’s actual or perceived membership in a Protected Classification as defined in this Policy, by taking an adverse action against or denying a benefit to that individual. Students or parents who believe they have experienced, witnessed, or are otherwise aware of discrimination by the school, should immediately report the matter using the same complaint procedure provided for in this Policy under the above section on harassment and the above sections on interim measures, investigation and confidentiality for harassment reports, will also apply to reports of discrimination.
G. No Retaliation
The school prohibits retaliatory behavior against anyone who complains in good faith or participates in the complaint and/or investigation process pursuant to this Policy, regardless of the outcome of the
investigation Retaliation constitutes a violation of this Policy and may result in disciplinary or other corrective action. Retaliation includes, but is not limited to, taking sides against an individual, spreading rumors about or shunning or avoiding an individual, or making real or implied threats of intimidation towards an individual, because that individual reported harassment or discrimination or participated in an investigation related to a report of harassment or discrimination
H Remedial and Disciplinary Action
The school will determine if the conduct violates school policy and if so, the appropriate corrective action Any student determined to have violated this policy will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion
8.5 Sexting
Sexting is the act of sending pictures or text of a sexual nature between cell phones, or via other electronic media such as the Internet. It is a violation of acceptable use of technology, as well as against the law Conduct involving requests for, sharing of, or distribution of private images or messages may also violate 8.3 Student Boundaries Policy. Students found to have been involved in sending or distributing photos or texts of a sexual nature will be dealt with severely It is the expectation that students who receive any texts or photos of this nature will report it to administration immediately. Students may also submit an online anonymous report through WeTip
8 6 Bullying
The School believes that all students should have a safe and inclusive school environment Bullying is inconsistent with the values and principles of the School This policy covers conduct that occurs both on and off of the school campus, and includes use of technology that is not owned by the school This policy applies to all students and prohibits other students, and any other member of the school community, including teachers, staff, parents, and volunteers from engaging in conduct towards students that is prohibited under this policy
Bullying is defined by this policy as:
Any severe or pervasive physical or verbal act or conduct, including communications made in writing or electronically (including, but not limited to, e-mail, instant messaging, text messages, blogs, mobile phones, online games, chat rooms, and posting on a social network), directed toward one or more students that has or can be reasonably predicted to have the effect of one or more of the following:
● Placing a student in reasonable fear of harm to that student’s person or property;
● Causing a reasonable student to experience a substantially detrimental effect on his or her physical or mental health;
● Causing a reasonable student to experience substantial interference with his or her academic performance; or
● Causing a reasonable student to experience substantial interference with his or her ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by the school; or
● Boundary violating conduct that is repeated, targeted, harmful, intimidating, or exclusionary and may also be a violation of the 8.3 Student Boundaries Policy.
Examples of bullying may include, but are not limited to:
● Social exclusion;
● Threats and intimidation;
● Stalking;
● Direct physical contact, such as hitting or shoving, or attempting to make physical contact or inflict physical injury;
● Theft;
● Public humiliation;
● Destruction of property
● Verbal or written insults, teasing, or name-calling;
● Creating a false profile on a social networking website, for the purpose of having one or more of the effects listed above
Students are encouraged to and should immediately report any incidents of bullying that they either observe or that are directed towards the student or others, to the Head of School, or to any teacher or administrator
After the school receives an oral report or written complaint, or otherwise learns of an alleged potential violation of this Policy, and also receives any clarification requested, the Head of School or designee, will determine the appropriate course of action, which may include initiation of an investigation If the school initiates an investigation, it will conduct the investigation, as it deems appropriate, in its sole discretion The school will make reasonable efforts to protect students’ privacy and confidentiality Information reported will be shared only on a need-to-know basis with school personnel directly involved in an investigation or to the extent necessary to conduct an investigation and/or to take effective corrective action and any appropriate remedial action including any interim support or protective measures
The school will provide appropriate interim support and reasonable protective measures, if and as needed based on the individual applicable circumstance during the pendency of any investigation. The school will determine the necessity and scope of any interim support or protective measures
Any student determined by the school, in its sole discretion, to have violated this Policy will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion. Any violation of this policy by a parent will be considered a violation of the school’s parent behavior expectations, and may be grounds for expulsion of the offending parent’s child(ren).
8.7 Substance Abuse Policy
The problem of alcohol and drug abuse/misuse is a serious one. We make every effort to assist students who are motivated and interested in working to solve this problem Strict confidentiality is observed in providing assistance, and every reasonable effort is made to enable students, who are actively seeking help for themselves or others, to continue their education at OLP To emphasize and uphold those beliefs, OLP adheres to a zero tolerance policy concerning the use of illegal substances
Illegal substances shall be defined, but not limited to, the following: Alcohol, narcotics, hallucinogens, depressants, stimulants, cannabis/marijuana, steroids or any other non-medically prescribed controlled substance Medical recommendations for the medical use of cannabis are not considered permissible Additionally, no drug paraphernalia is allowed on campus The school reserves the right to require testing for use of drugs or alcohol should a student be suspected of use of illegal substances
OLP is a “Tobacco Free” Campus Tobacco is not permitted on campus, in possession or use Additionally, electronic cigarettes or vaping devices are not permitted with any substance
The OLP Discipline Board or Administrative Review Board will convene within 24 hours or the closest school day of the alleged incident to meet with the student and her parents The Assistant Principal, Director of Student Support, will oversee the disciplinary consequences to follow.
Any student that shows evidence of having consumed, or is reasonably suspected to be in possession, involved in the sale or exchange, or under the influence of controlled or illegal substances, is subject to an investigation. Any student requiring possession of/use of a prescription medication during the school day should only have the required dosage for the day and must have a notice on file with the attendance office.
The school can only support the dissemination of medically prescribed drugs. The school does not recognize physician recommendations for the medicinal use of cannabis
● “Reasonable suspicion” is defined as sufficient reasons or basis in fact to give rise to a reasonable belief that a student has drugs and/or alcohol in her blood system and/or on her person
● “Showing evidence of” includes any behavior or conduct observed by an adult, which might be indicative of the use of alcohol and other drugs This may be based upon specific observations concerning behavior, speech, body odors, possession of drug-use devices including vaping
devices, or circumstances which indicate that a student at school or school event is not in a sober and reliable state, free from the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.
● “In possession” includes participation in the use of, being in the presence of drugs, or possession of drugs or drug paraphernalia (including vaping devices), while going to and from school, on campus, or at any school activity
● “Drugs” includes, but is not limited to, all that is commonly understood in the context of the problem, for example: narcotics, cocaine, hallucinogens, amphetamines, barbiturates, marijuana (including medicinal cannabis), and federally controlled substances including prescription medications
The investigation may require the student to submit to searches and/or testing for controlled substances and may also include the filing of a police report or a request for police investigation Refusal to submit to searches, testing, or assessment in a timely manner may result in a decision to expel the student The student will be suspended pending completion of the investigation by the administration The Disciplinary Board may be convened to consider the student’s return to OLP. Parents will be notified when students are required to undergo an alcohol/drug assessment Possible disciplinary consequences may include, but are not limited to, expulsion, disciplinary probation, and exclusion from school activities such as clubs, athletics, social events or graduation exercises for a specified period of time
Consequences of Violation:
● Students found to have sold or intending to sell controlled substances will be expelled.
● Students found to have possessed or to have used controlled or mind altering substances will be suspended.
● Upon return to school, the student will be required to submit to assessment by a school-approved community agency.
● The assessment results must be submitted in order for a student to continue her enrollment
● There must be communication between the agency and counselor that the student has fulfilled all recommendations of the assessment; continued enrollment at OLP is contingent upon the student’s completion of the recommendations
● Students will be removed from all co-curricular activities for the equivalent of one quarter Those co-curricular activities include, but are not limited to, the following: any elected student body office, any appointed student body office, Carondelet Circle, any OLP sports team, Cheerleaders, Thespians, OLP Choral Ensemble, and club activities
● Possible consequences of the assessment may include, but are not limited to, random drug/alcohol testing and assessment, education, counseling, inpatient or outpatient treatment
● The Assistant Principal will review the behavioral expectations with the student and parents
● A repeat offense will result in expulsion
● Failure to comply with the assessed consequences will result in expulsion
● Failure of parents to cooperate and support the conditions for their student’s continuing enrollment at OLP may result in the school’s request that the parents withdraw their student
● The school will dispose of or turn over to law enforcement any confiscated illegal substances and/or drug related paraphernalia, including vaping devices.
Athletics and Substance Abuse
As a condition of membership in the CIF, all member schools agree to abide by a policy prohibiting the use and abuse of androgenic/anabolic steroids (Performance Enhancement Steroids). As a student athlete at OLP, you and your parents agree that you will not use androgenic/anabolic steroids without the written prescription of a fully-licensed physician (MD/DO), to treat a medical condition. This must be submitted to the Athletic Director, and the Athletic Trainer, in advance of your season of sport Under CIF bylaw 202, the submission of false or fraudulent information could result in penalties. Any violation would also explicitly go against the OLP substance abuse policy and result in disciplinary action (See Section 8.12 Suspension, Expulsion and Recommended Transfers).
8.8 Cell Phone and Personal Electronic Device Policy
OLP recognizes technology as a tool to support student learning Students are expected to use technology responsibly, in a manner that supports the educational environment, protects student safety
and privacy, and reflects OLP standards for conduct (see also Student Guidelines for Acceptable Use of Technology).
To prevent disruptions in class, and to mitigate off-task behaviors, students may not use their cell phone within the school building When directed by a faculty member, students may be required to place cell phones in a designated classroom location, such as a phone cubby, during class time or assessments Unauthorized use of a cell phone or personal electronic device during class time, including during a test or assessment, may result in disciplinary action (see Section 3.12 Academic Integrity Policy, 8.8 Minor Infractions, 8 9 Major Infractions, and 8 12 Suspension ) OLP recognizes that a cell phone may be necessary for activities such as two-factor authentication or school purchases. In such instances, the cell phone should be used and then once again put away
Students are expected to use laptops or school-approved devices for academic work. If a student experiences difficulty with her primary device, a loaner laptop may be available in the Library Earbuds and headphones may be used only when specifically approved by a teacher For student safety, students may not wear or use earbuds or headphones during passing periods, breaks, or lunch unless specifically authorized (see Section 13 9 Safe School Environment)
Cell phones and other personal electronic devices may not be used in restrooms, locker rooms, changing areas, or any location where privacy is expected Recording, photographing, livestreaming, or sharing images, video, or audio of another person without permission is prohibited (see Section 8.4 Harassment and Discrimination, 8 4 Sexting, 8 5 Bullying, and 13 9 Safe School Environment)
Improper cell phone or personal electronic device use may also violate 8.3 Student Boundaries Policy, particularly when it involves privacy, personal images, recordings, social media, group messages, or conduct that makes another student feel unsafe or uncomfortable.
In an emergency, in response to a perceived threat of danger, or when required for a student’s health, safety, or approved accommodation, a student may use a personal electronic device with appropriate authorization
Any personal electronic device brought onto campus or used at a school-sponsored activity may be inspected or searched by a school administrator when there is a school-related reason to do so, consistent with school policy
8.9 Minor Infractions
Minor infractions are everyday conduct, attendance, or appearance violations that disrupt learning or disregard community expectations but may not, in themselves, warrant suspension Depending on the nature and circumstances of the conduct, this may include minor violations of personal boundaries OLP addresses these incidents through a progressive system of detentions, restorative conversations, and other appropriate interventions Repeated or uncorrected minor infractions, including ongoing dress-code violations, may escalate to a Major Infraction (See also section 8 1 Code of Conduct, 8 3 Student Boundaries Policy, and 8 10 Major Infractions)
A. Examples of a Minor Infraction
The following are examples of minor infractions of school rules when they occur on the school campus or at school-sponsored activities This list is illustrative and is not meant to be exhaustive Examples of minor infractions include, but are not limited to:
● Out of uniform/ dress-code violations (including non-uniform days)
● Rudeness or discourteous language
● Disruptive classroom or campus behavior
● Tardiness to class or school
● Chewing gum or eating in academic buildings (except rainy-day schedule or with faculty present)
● Profanity
● Improper cell-phone/device use (see Section 8 7 Cell Phone Policy)
● Playing amplified music or bringing speakers to campus Amplified music containing explicit, offensive, or otherwise inappropriate content may be treated as a Major Infraction (See 8.10 Major Infractions)
● Any other behavior unbecoming an OLP student
Dress-Code Clarification: Dress-code violations, including violations on non-uniform days, are recorded as minor infractions and addressed through the progressive consequence system outlined below Repeated or ongoing dress-code violations may result in additional interventions, including parent communication, restorative conversations, detention, or referral to the Discipline Committee Continued non-compliance may be reclassified as a Major Infraction (See 8 10 Major Infractions)
B. Progressive Consequences
Cumulative Infractions
Disciplinary Action Key Expectations
≥ 4 Infractions Lunch Detention
• Student notified of date/time (notification sent to parent)
• Must arrive on time and stay entire period
• One reschedule allowed without penalty
≥ 8 Infractions Saturday Detention
• Pre-scheduled Saturdays, 8:00 a m –12:00 p m
• Arrive in daily uniform (See 10 1 Daily Uniform Expectations), with academic work
• No phones or electronic devices
• Late arrival (after 8:00) = no entry/no credit
≥ 12 Infractions Meeting with Assistant Principal, 2nd Saturday Detention
≥ 15 Infractions Appearance before the Discipline Committee
Discussion of continued misconduct and next-level consequences; completion of a 2nd Saturday Detention
Committee may impose Activity Restriction Probation, additional detentions, suspension, or referral as a Major Infraction (See 8 10 Major Infractions)
Failure to attend any assigned detention without prior approval will result in automatic placement in the next higher consequence (e g , missed Lunch Detention → Saturday Detention; missed Saturday Detention → additional Saturday Detention and possible Activity Restriction Probation).
C Detention Procedures
Held weekly as scheduled by Administration Held on posted Saturdays, 8:00–12:00
Punctuality required; late arrival = no credit Late arrival (after 8:00 a m ) = no entry
Entire session must be served for credit Student must be in uniform and working on school assignments
One reschedule permitted via Administrator Failure to serve may trigger Activity Restriction Probation or suspension
Repeated minor infractions, chronic dress-code violations, or failure to serve assigned detentions may be reclassified as Major Infractions under Section 8 10 and result in more serious disciplinary measures, including but not limited to suspension or dismissal
8.10 Major Infractions
Major infractions are serious violations of the OLP Code of Conduct (see Section 8 1) or repeated misconduct that undermines the safety, integrity, or mission of the school These offenses may warrant suspension, probation, or dismissal and are addressed through administrative review or referral to the Discipline Committee (see Section 8 11)
A. Reporting & Documentation
● Staff Reporting: An OLP employee who observes a major infraction files a report in PowerSchool and notifies the student, parent, and the assigned Assistant Principal.
● Administrative Review: The Assistant Principal determines whether the matter will be handled administratively or referred to the Discipline Committee. The school retains sole discretion in this determination
B. Review Process and Outcomes
Upon receiving a major infraction report:
● The student’s disciplinary record is reviewed in full
● The student and parent may be asked to meet with the Assistant Principal and/or the Discipline Committee (Section 8 11)
● Appropriate consequences are determined in consultation with the Assistant Head of School, who serves as the final arbiter of all disciplinary decisions
Possible outcomes may include, but are not limited to:
● Restorative assignments or Saturday detention
● Suspension (in-school or out-of-school)
● Disciplinary probation or activity restriction
● Recommendation for dismissal or expulsion
A second major infraction, repeated minor infractions, or a serious pattern of behavior may trigger a review of the student’s continued enrollment
C. Appeal Process for a Major Infraction
● A student or parent may submit a written appeal to the assigned Assistant Principal within 24 hours of the disciplinary decision
● The appeal must include new, relevant information not available at the time of the original review.
● The Assistant Head of School will review and make a final decision
D. Examples of Major Infractions
The following are examples of major infractions of school rules when they occur on the school campus or at school-sponsored activities This list is illustrative and is not meant to be exhaustive Major infractions include, but are not limited to:
Major Infraction Examples
Academic Integrity - Forgery (creating/altering documents or signatures)
- Repeated incidents violating Academic Integrity, or egregious plagiarism or cheating (see Section 3 12)
- Use of unauthorized electronic or AI tools (see Section 3 12)
Behavioral Misconduct
- Defiance or willful disobedience
- Serious, repeated, targeted, physical, sexual, threatening, retaliatory, privacy or technology based boundary violations may be treated as Major Infractions (see 8 3 Student Boundaries Policy)
- Repeated minor infractions following disciplinary interventions (see Section 8 9)
- Conduct in public that discredits OLP, especially while in uniform
Privacy & Safety
- Taking photos or videos in restrooms or locker rooms
- Playing amplified music with offensive content
- Any act that endangers the safety or dignity of others (see Acceptable Use of Technology)
Major infractions may result in permanent documentation in the student’s disciplinary record and may affect eligibility for honors, leadership roles, and extracurricular participation
8.11 Discipline Committee
The Discipline Committee (also called “Discipline Board”) is a designated body composed of faculty members appointed by the administration and an Assistant Principal The committee meets regularly to support the consistent application of the OLP Code of Conduct (see Section 8 1), to review Major Infractions, and ensure disciplinary decisions are made with fairness, consistency, pastoral care, and in alignment with the OLP mission and CSJ charism in a spirit of unifying love
Purpose and Function
The Discipline Committee exists to:
● Review major infractions referred by an Assistant Principal (see Section 8 9)
● Examine patterns of repeated minor infractions that may warrant escalation (see Section 8 8)
● Matters involving serious or repeated violations the Student Boundaries Policy (see Section 8 3)
● Make determinations of student responsibility based on available evidence and testimony
● Ensure decisions are made with fairness, consistency, pastoral care and in alignment with the OLP Mission
Meetings and Process
When a student is referred to the Discipline Committee:
● The Committee reviews the infraction(s), relevant context, and the student’s disciplinary history
● A meeting is held with the student and parent
● The student is given the opportunity to share her perspective
● The Committee deliberates and issues a recommendation for appropriate disciplinary action which may include: impose warnings, detention hours, probation, to recommend suspension and/or separation of the student, or expulsion
All outcomes are determined in consultation with the Assistant Head of School, who serves as the final decision-maker in all disciplinary matters.
8 12 Probation
Probation is a formal warning period designed to help a student correct serious or repeated misconduct while maintaining her enrollment at OLP. Two levels are used:
Type of Probation
Activity Restriction Probation
Typical Length
Minimum 10 school days
Disciplinary Probation
Minimum 30 school days
Restrictions & Expectations
• Loss of all non-academic, co-curricular eligibility (athletics, clubs, drama, student gov’t, etc )
• Must leave campus by 3:00 p.m. unless doing pre-approved academic work
• Full compliance with all school rules
• May continue co-curriculars but behavior is closely monitored by the Assistant Principal
• Student may be assigned restorative work: community service, reflection essays, mediation, etc
Violation of Terms
Additional Saturday Detention, suspension, or escalation to Disciplinary Probation
Violation results in Activity Restriction, suspension, or referral to the Discipline Committee
Probation may be imposed directly by Administration or recommended by the Discipline Committee in consultation with the Assistant Head of School Failure to meet all conditions by the end of the probationary period, or subsequent disciplinary referral (s) may result in dismissal from OLP.
8.13 Suspension, Expulsion and Recommended Transfers
Suspension and expulsion are the most serious disciplinary sanctions and are reserved for grave offenses or persistent misconduct
A. Suspension
● May be imposed by the Administration or Discipline Committee
● The student remains at home and may not attend classes or school events until a re-entry meeting with administration and parent/guardian is held
● The suspended student may not be on campus or at any OLP-sponsored activity
B. Expulsion or Recommended Transfer
● Reserved for offenses that seriously violate school policy or contradict the OLP mission, or for failure to meet academic/financial obligations
● A parent may be offered the option to withdraw the student; refusal may result in expulsion.
● Expelled or withdrawn students with disciplinary record may not attend school events or visit campus.
C. Grounds for Immediate Expulsion
The following list is illustrative and is not meant to be exhaustive
Examples Resulting in Immediate Expulsion
Safety & Violence
Substance Abuse
Assault, battery, threats of force or violence, possession or use of a weapon (see also Sections 8 2 Non-Violence, 8 4 Harassment, 8 6 Bullying)
Possession, sale, distribution, or use of alcohol, narcotics, or drug paraphernalia; being under the influence at school or school events (see also Section 8 7 Substance Abuse Policy)
Integrity & Property
Extreme insubordination, theft, major vandalism or property damage (See also Section 8 2 Non-Violence)
Harassment & Hazing Acts of hazing likely to cause bodily injury; violation of the school’s policies against harassment and discrimination, or bullying (see also Sections 8 2 Non-Violence, 8 4 Harassment, 8 6 Bullying)
Technology Misuse
Extreme violation of the Student Acceptable-Use Policy (e g , distributing explicit material)
D Offenses Likely to Result in Suspension or Expulsion
The following list is illustrative and is not meant to be exhaustive
Examples Likely Resulting in Suspension or Expulsion
Attendance & Conduct Unexcused class cuts, persistent dress-code violations, continued willful disobedience, open defiance of authority
Harassment & Discrimination Acts of racism or bigotry, habitual profanity or vulgarity including slurs
Academic Integrity
Repeated or egregious violations of the Academic Integrity Policy
Technology Misuse of electronic resources; taking photos in restrooms/locker rooms (images subject to police review)
Other Forged notes, repeated probation violations, misuse of tobacco/e-cigarettes, violation of law off-campus that impacts OLP
E. Non-Disciplinary Reasons for Withdrawal or Expulsion
● Chronic academic non-performance or unmet academic requirements
● Severe psychological or emotional issues beyond the School’s support capacity
● Uncooperative or disruptive parent behavior
● Failure to meet tuition or fee obligations
● Failure to supply required health or emergency documentation
F Appeal Process for Suspension, Expulsion or Recommended Transfer
● A student or parent may submit a written appeal to the Assistant Head of School within 24 hours of the disciplinary decision
● The appeal must include new, relevant information not available at the time of the original review
● The Assistant Head of School will review and make a final decision
G Campus and Event Restrictions
Students who have been suspended, expelled, or transferred at the recommendation of the school are not permitted to attend any co-curricular events on campus or at off-site, school-sponsored activities. Additionally, these students may not visit campus at any time during or after the period of separation
Requests for exceptions must be submitted in writing to the Assistant Head of School for prior approval.
All suspension, expulsion, and transfer decisions consider the totality of circumstances and the student’s disciplinary history The Assistant Head of School is the final decision-maker in all cases
Chapter 9 - Attendance Rules and Procedures
Regular daily attendance is expected of students attending the Academy of Our Lady of Peace
9.1
Absence
An absence is considered to be missing more than 40 minutes of an 80-minute class, or 50% of time on a special schedule day. This would include time missed for non-school related activities at the start of a period or at the end of a period Extracurricular activities are part of the holistic OLP experience Student attendance is expected on special school activity days even when regular classes are not held. Students are expected to attend and participate in special school wide events such as St Joseph’s Day, Community Day, the Women’s Symposium, etc (See Section 4.2). These events are part of the holistic experience of the OLP Community in which we gather together to celebrate our mission and unite in fulfillment of the CSJ charisms. Active participation and presence are central to the OLP experience.
If a student is to be absent for any reason from in-person learning, a parent must submit an absence report prior to 7:45 am on the day of the absence They can do so in one of the following ways:
● For same day absences: Login in through the PowerSchool Parent Portal and complete the Absence Form, indicating the specific reason for the absence If multiple children in the school, the form must be completed for each child This form is not intended for use for Anticipated Absences (see Section 9 8 Anticipated Absence)
● Send an email to attendance@aolp org from your Parent email address as is registered in PowerSchool Include in the email the reason for the absence and the days the student is anticipated to be absent
● Call the main office at 619-297-2566 and speak with the attendance officer or receptionist Share with them the name of the student, grade, reason for the absence and anticipated days to be absent This form is not intended for use for Anticipated Absences (see 9 8 Anticipated Absence)
Students are expected to be present on all assessment days (quiz, test, presentation, essay, etc.) unless on a pre-approved school sanctioned trip or ill Upon return from an absence, students are responsible for checking with each teacher regarding make-up work and/or tests. Please refer to teacher policies on making-up missed assignments/tests
9.2 Excessive Absence - Loss of Course Credit
Attending class is essential for student success Making up assignments at home cannot replace the in-class experience of participating in discussion and other experiential learning activities. Students absent 16 or more days (or 16 or more of the same course/block) in the course of the school year fail to meet the attendance requirements of OLP, and may be required to repeat the school year or attend summer school
Absence of 8 days (or 8 or more of the same course/block) or more in a semester may result in a loss of an entire semester of credit Excessive absences include both excused and unexcused absences
Similarly, students who are absent for more than 8 days (or 8 or more of the same course/block) due to synchronous virtual viewing, in conjunction with 8 regular in-person absences, will similarly result in a loss of an entire semester credit
Appeal for Credit following an Excessive Absence
In instances that a student has exceeded the excessive absence policy, the parent/guardian and student will need to appeal credit in the course This form can be requested from the Assistant Principal, Director of Curriculum and Instruction. As part of the appeal process, and particularly in situations in which the Assistant Principal and Counselor were unaware of the reasons for the excessive absence, may require a Student Success Team meeting with parent/guardian, student, teacher and/or counselor.
A potential result of excessive absences is that the student may be placed on Activity Restriction Probation (see 8 12 Probation) to allow more time for the student to focus on academics and improve
their overall attendance This decision is made at the discretion of the Assistant Head of School and their administrative team.
9.3 Health Related Extended Absence
For situations that involve an Extended Absence due to serious illness or hospitalization, and are anticipated to extend beyond 5 or more days of the same course/block in a single semester, the parents/guardians are required to submit a doctor’s note and information to the student’s counselor and their Assistant Principal The student’s care team (Counselor and Assistant Principal), will meet with the parent/guardian to determine the best case forward These cases will then be evaluated on an individual basis on next steps, resources, and ways of supporting the student
In some cases, the student will be assigned to an alternative counselor to ensure consistent and ongoing follow-up throughout their anticipated extended absence The student’s team may determine that an (1) independent study plan may be best, (2) synchronous virtual viewing would meet the student’s needs, or (3) an alternative learning pathway
As much as possible, the school will work in partnership with the teachers, students, parents and health provider to coordinate an individualized learning plan, allowing the student to continue academic progress Failure to meet the terms of the individualized learning plan will result in incomplete credit
For more information on a Health Related Extended Absence (see 9 9, Leave of Absence)
9.4 Excused Absence
An absence is considered excused ONLY for the following reasons: medical or dental appointments, personal family matters, court appearance, illness of the student, serious illness of a family member, death in the family, or Department of Motor Vehicles license appointments Medical or dental appointments should be scheduled during vacations or after school whenever possible A doctor or dentist slip must be submitted when the student returns to school from a medical or dental appointment Absences extending beyond 5 days are considered an excessive absence, unless excused for extenuating circumstances by an Assistant Principal (See 9 2 Excessive Absence)
9.5
Truancy
Truancy or “cutting class” is defined as any absence from school, or a portion of an academic block, without the prior knowledge and consent of parents/guardians and/or the school for part or all of the day Truancy includes failure to attend any scheduled class without approval, or if the student is absent for greater than fifty percent of that class Truancy may result in no academic credit being given for work missed, plus appropriate disciplinary action. Truancy is subject to disciplinary action which may include Saturday detention, parent conference, probation, suspension and/or expulsion
9 6 Tardies
A tardy at the start of the school day is defined as arriving at the attendance office after the 8:00 am bell and before 8:30 AM. Absences are defined as arriving at the attendance office later than 8:30 AM on regular school days Further, a block absence will be counted for any tardy beyond 30 minutes of the start of the academic block
Late car pools, vehicle problems, traffic difficulties or other transportation problems will not be accepted as reasons for excused tardies
1 Students who are tardy to school must report to the attendance office to sign in for class If the tardy is due to a doctor’s appointment, the tardy may be excused with a written note from the doctor provided to the Attendance Office for records
2 If a student is tardy to a class during the school day, the student must report to the Attendance Office to obtain an admission to class form before reporting to class
3 Tardiness to a zero period class is subject to the same tardy policies outlined above
Tardiness is a violation of the Academy’s Code of Conduct and infractions are earned for noncompliance Infractions issued for tardies are reset at the semester. Tardiness infractions are tracked separate from behavior infractions
● At 7 tardies to school (excused or unexcused) a lunch detention will be issued
● At 10 tardies to school (excused or unexcused) a Saturday detention will be issued
● At 12 tardies to school (excused or unexcused) the student will be placed on Activity Restriction
● Any tardies beyond 12 tardies will result in Disciplinary Probation
9.7 Absence and Activities
A student who misses more than 2 blocks of in-person learning (greater than 50% of the school day), or whose absence(s) is unexcused, may not be allowed to participate in or attend co-curricular or athletic activities on that day. This includes an athletic competition or practice. Students who attend classes by way of synchronous virtual viewing for any portion of the school day are likewise not allowed to participate in or attend co-curricular activities, athletic practice, or athletic competitions on that day. In addition, if the absence or synchronous virtual viewing occurs on a Friday, the student may not attend or participate in weekend cocurricular activities, athletic practice, or athletic sporting competitions. It is the student’s responsibility to contact teachers about assignments and work missed due to absence, and to notify coaches. Exceptions to this will only be granted with the explicit permission from the Assistant Principal of Campus Life and in partnership with the Athletic Director
Athletic Absences
Once a student has committed to a season of sport, they are expected to be present for that season. A student athlete should not anticipate missing more than three excused practices during the season of the sport. Excused absences may include a prolonged illness, injury, or academic related meeting. After three absences, the player and their parent will need to meet with the coach, and/or the Athletic Director It is a player’s responsibility to communicate with the coach regarding illness, injury, or a situation keeping them from practice or a competition
9.8 Anticipated Absence
While not advised, there may be an occasion when a student will be absent for a reason planned in advance In such cases where a student will miss one or more days of classes, the parent should email to the student’s assigned Assistant Principal at least one week prior to the absence and obtain an Anticipated Absence Form Once approved, the form can be picked up from the Front Office The Anticipated Absence Form must be signed by the student’s parents, teachers, and Assistant Principal The form allows the student to obtain assignments and create plans for missed work/assignments/exams/etc., in line with both departmental policy.
If a student will be absent due to a school related activity (retreat, field trip, athletic competition, etc.), the student must complete a School Sponsored Activity Form This Form will be provided to the student by the faculty moderator of the Activity. This form should be completed in advance of the planned absence and returned to the sponsoring teacher/moderator and used to notify her teachers of the anticipated absence.
9.9 Leave of Absence
Families intending for their daughter to return to OLP may request a non-health-related Leave of Absence for a semester or full academic year To initiate the process, the parent or guardian must request a Leave of Absence form through the Office of Enrollment Management and schedule a meeting to review the school’s LOA protocols A formal request and completion of the required documentation are necessary to begin the process
To be eligible for a Leave of Absence, the student must be in good academic standing at the time of the request and must maintain good academic, behavioral, and financial standing throughout the leave Prior to departure, the student will meet with her school counselor and the Assistant Principal to review academic progress, confirm alignment with graduation requirements, and develop a reentry plan
Before re-enrollment, OLP must receive final, official transcripts from the school attended during the leave, as well as recommendations from the student’s current English and Math teachers and a school administrator OLP reserves the right to deny re-enrollment if the student does not meet the academic, behavioral, or administrative expectations outlined in this policy
For information about health-related extended absences, please refer to Section 9 3 Health Related Extended Absence
9.10 College Visitation Days
OLP supports students in the college discernment process and recognizes the value of campus visits in making informed decisions about their future
Juniors are permitted up to two (2) college visitation days per school year, and Seniors may take up to three (3) visitation days between the first and third quarters. These days must be used specifically for visiting colleges or universities and must be approved in advance
Parents must initiate an absence request using the Anticipated Absence process (See also 9 8 Anticipated Absence) at least one week in advance Once the absence is approved, the student must pick up an Anticipated Absence Form from the Front Office, obtain signatures from all classroom teachers, and submit the completed form to their assigned Assistant Principal
College visitation days are considered excused absences; however, they do count toward the total number of absences recorded If a student exceeds the allotted number of absences for the semester or school year, these days may contribute to what is classified as Excessive Absences under school policy
9.11 Illness or Injury at School
A student who is too ill to remain in class is to report to the attendance office and a call will be made to the parent/guardian to pick up the student. Students should not come to school ill to take a test and leave early especially if they have been vomiting or had a temperature over 100 degrees that morning, or are exhibiting any COVID related symptoms. .
If a student has a prolonged illness or injury (including concussion or surgery) that will affect their attendance or school work this must be reported to the Counseling Department with a note from a CA licensed physician. For more information about the school’s concussion protocol, (See 5.6 Concussion Protocol They will work to make the necessary accommodations and follow guidelines to assist the student.
9.12 Early Dismissal
A student who will be leaving in-person school early, must submit the information prior 8:00 am on the day of the early dismissal Parents can submit this information in one of the following ways:
● Login in through the PowerSchool Parent Portal and complete the Absence Form, indicating the specific reason for the early dismissal, and the time they will be leaving school If the early dismissal applies to multiple children in the school, the form must be completed for each child
● Send an email to attendance@aolp org from your Parent email address as is registered in PowerSchool Include in the email the reason for the early dismissal, the day the student is leaving early, and the reason for the early dismissal
● Call the attendance office at 619-297-2566 and speak with the attendance officer or office staff Share with them the name of the student, grade, reason for the early dismissal, the date and the time the student will need to leave early
○ If not completed prior to 8:00am on the day of the early dismissal, please call the office or email attendance@aolp org for a late submission
Prior to leaving campus, the student will need to check-out in the main office Leaving school grounds without informing the attendance office will result in a major infraction being issued.
9 13 Absences During Finals Week
Any student who is absent during final exams week must have their absence verified by a doctor's note This requirement extends to missed final exams as well as any major projects or assignments that serve as a culminating assessment for the course Students are not allowed to miss these final assessments for any reason other than a documented medical illness or an extreme extenuating circumstance reviewed by the Assistant Principal
For final exams, projects, or assignments missed due to medical reasons with a doctor's note, an opportunity for completing the assessment at an alternate time will be coordinated between the teacher and Assistant Principal, in advance of the scheduled finals week
Extenuating circumstances outside of medical reasons must also be discussed directly with the student's Assistant Principal Alternate arrangements for completing missed finals assessments will be determined and approved by the Assistant Principal in these cases
No student will be permitted to miss a final exam, project, or culminating course assignment without prior approval and documentation Unexcused absences during finals week will result in a score of 0 on the missed assessment per this policy.
9.14 Emergency Cards
In case of an accident or serious illness, the school is unable to get medical help for a student without the proper authorization signed by the parent or guardian Emergency contact information will be kept on file in the School SIS. Parents should inform the school if there is a change in telephone numbers where they can be reached in case of emergency
Chapter 10 - Appearance Code
As a Catholic, college-preparatory all girls’ high school, OLP expects students to reflect pride in themselves and in their school through dress and grooming that demonstrates modesty, respect, and appropriateness for an academic environment These appearance standards apply on campus, at school-sponsored events, and during remote learning. Students not in compliance may receive an infraction and/or be sent home to change
10.1 Daily Uniform Expectations
The daily school uniform reflects school unity and professionalism OLP requires all students to wear the complete, approved uniform from our designated provider, Colours Uniforms, and to follow all dress and grooming guidelines
Uniform Supplier & Legacy Allowance
● All new uniform items must be purchased from Colours Uniforms
● Uniforms from Dennis or Mills, or from official OLP Used Uniform Sales, may still be worn if they are in good condition and align with current color, fit, and length guidelines
Approved Uniform Items
Category Approved Options Requirements & Notes
Bottoms Plaid, grey, or navy pleated skirts; navy or khaki walking shorts; navy or khaki pants
Tops White, navy, or grey polo shirts or blouses with OLP logo
Sweaters/Vests Navy cardigan, pullover sweaters, or vest with OLP insignia
Shoes All-black shoes or sneakers (white soles/laces permitted); soft sole, back required
Socks/Tights Solid white, navy, grey, or black socks; navy/black tights or flared leggings. May not have logos, mesh or visible pattern.
Skirts/shorts must fall no higher than 3 inches above the knee. Skirts must sit on the waist and remain zipped and buttoned No rolling at the waist.
A matching turtleneck or long sleeve may be worn underneath Shirts must be tucked in on formal days An OLP polo must be worn under all sweatshirts or sweaters
A Navy sweater, cardigan, or blazer is required on Formal Uniform days The OLP Letterman Jacket may also be worn.
Sweatshirts not allowed on Formal Uniform days Must be worn over an OLP polo. Senior sweatshirts from previous years are not permitted
Additional layers (during cold weather) must be solid black, navy, or grey and worn over an approved OLP sweater or sweatshirt. No other logos or insignia
High-top sneakers are OK No boots, combat boots, or shoes with heels/soles over 1 inch. White sneakers are a senior-only privilege
No patterned socks, joggers, or sweatpants under skirts.
Rain Gear
Waterproof raincoats and rain boots (rubber-soled) in a solid white, navy, grey or black color without icons
10 2 Formal Uniform Requirements
Permitted only on days when rain is forecast No Uggs No flannel jackets, ponchos, or non-OLP outerwear in classrooms
On days with school liturgies or formal assemblies, students must wear the Formal Uniform for the entire school day. This demonstrates respect for the occasion and unity as a student body.
Formal Uniform Includes:
● Uniform Skirt or pants
● White blouse or white OLP polo (tucked in)
● Navy long-sleeve sweater/cardigan, navy vest with OLP logo, or navy Blazer with OLP logo
● No sweatshirts permitted
10.3 Spirit Wear, Senior Celebrations, and Add-On Days
OLP embraces school spirit, especially on Fridays, class celebration days, and other themed events
While creativity and enthusiasm are encouraged, all attire must still align with school values
Spirit Wear Fridays
● OLP-sponsored T-shirts (clubs, sports, teams) may be worn with uniform bottoms
● Jackets/sweatshirts from OLP contests or spirit programs are allowed
● Non-OLP items (e g , from other schools like Saints) are not permitted
Senior Celebration - Uniform Privileges
A school tradition, seniors are granted special uniform privileges in celebration of their final year of attendance at OLP. Beginning the first day of senior year, students in the senior class may wear the following on daily uniform days (this does not apply during Formal Uniform days):
● White tennis shoes
● Senior sweatshirt
● Fun socks (may not be worn on Formal Uniform occasions)
● Senior T-shirt on Fridays only
● College sweatshirts on Wednesdays only; if a Mass day or special assembly happens to fall on a Wednesday, college sweatshirts would be allowed on Thursday of the same week.
Add-On Days (Rallies/Themed Events)
● Accessories may be added over the uniform: jewelry, socks, class-color items, jackets/sweatshirts over OLP polos, hats/sunglasses (indoors must be removed)
● Sweatpants are not allowed.
10.4
Non-Uniform Dress Guidelines
On designated non-uniform days, spirit days, and the day designated to celebrate a student’s birthday, students may dress out of the daily uniform guidelines However, attire must still reflect the academic setting and Catholic values of OLP
Category
Cleanliness & Fit
Approved Standards
Clothing must be clean, modest, and free of rips, holes, or excessive wear
Restrictions / Notes
Clothing should reflect good taste and appropriate fit
Coverage Midriff, cleavage, and undergarments must be fully covered
Tops
Blouses, sweaters, T-shirts with school-appropriate graphics
Bottoms Jeans, khakis, joggers, leggings with long tops; uniform bottoms
Dresses & Rompers
Must meet all modesty and length guidelines
Shoes Closed-toe shoes, sandals with secure backs, athletic shoes
Outerwear Jackets, coats, and sweatshirts (including hoodies) that align with school values
Accessories School-appropriate jewelry and personal items
10.5 Grooming and Personal Appearance
See specifics below for tops and dresses
No crop tops, halter tops, spaghetti straps, strapless or tube tops unless layered with jacket/sweater or an appropriate top beneath
No shorts unless part of the Colours Uniform; no ripped or distressed styles
Must fall over 3 inches above the knee; sleeveless styles must be layered appropriately
No flip-flops, slides, or heels over 2 inches
May not display inappropriate logos or messages
Hats not permitted indoors; clothing/accessories may not display profanity, drug/alcohol references, or symbols contrary to the OLP mission
Personal grooming reflects respect for self and the school community As such, students are expected to uphold the following:
● Hair must be neat, clean, and in one natural-looking color; no shaved styles or patterns
● Makeup and jewelry must be moderate and in good taste
● Earrings allowed only in earlobes; no facial or visible body piercings
● Visible tattoos are not permitted
10.6 Virtual Learning Attire
For synchronous online classes (or remote learning), students must wear an OLP-branded top (polo, T-shirt, sweatshirt, or sweater) Inappropriate virtual attire includes pajamas, bathrobes, costumes, swimwear, or revealing clothing not in accordance with the daily uniform expectations (Section 10 1)
10.7 Uniform Enforcement and Consequences
OLP reserves the right to determine what constitutes appropriate dress and grooming. Violations may result in disciplinary action as outlined in Section 8 9 Minor Infractions, including being sent home to change or having parents bring an alternative outfit.
Chapter 11 - Student Services
11.1 Textbooks
Students have many options for purchasing textbooks We encourage families to be savvy shoppers and to search for the best options for them. For the 2026-2027 school year, students have the option of purchasing books through Amazon, another vendor, or through Follett, our approved textbook provider All students will be provided with a copy of their class schedule in June to facilitate the online purchase of required class resources
11 2 Cars and Parking
Students may not go to their cars, without checking-out with the Front Office when they leave and when they return. Failure to check-out will result in a truancy mark, and a major infraction. Additionally, any student car that is used for transportation to and from OLP is subject to search if deemed necessary by OLP administration This includes cars parked along streets within the neighborhood of OLP (Oregon Street, Copley Avenue, Uvada Place, Idaho Street, Utah Street, Arizona Street & Collier Avenue)
Please be mindful of parking legally and being considerate to our dear neighbors Students should be mindful of driveways, crosswalks, etc
The Front Office will facilitate a yearly collection of student vehicle information for safety records and communication purposes It is the responsibility of the students and families to update this information accordingly
11.3 Closed Campus Policy
OLP is a closed campus Any visitor to campus is required to check in with the Front Office, and to obtain a Visitor’s Pass indicating her/his destination on campus. To receive a Visitor’s Pass, the visitor must provide a current Driver’s License to be processed The pass must be worn at all times Passes are turned back into the Front Office following the visitor’s scheduled appointment.
Students of other schools are allowed on campus only to attend certain specific activities open to visitors. These events include: dramatic performances, special educational meetings, and athletic games
11.4 Finance Office
The Finance Office is available Monday to Friday, from 8 am - 3 pm Please contact the appropriate team member to schedule an appointment The office can assist with questions concerning tuition and tuition assistance
11.5 Personal Items & Lost and Found
Valuable articles and/or large sums of money should not be brought to school as the school cannot assume responsibility for missing articles Students are advised not to leave purses, wallets, personal electronic devices or books unattended at any time on campus. Students should not leave book bags or sports equipment unattended at lunch tables, in the Student Commons or in hallways Students may request a locker in the Event Center through the Athletic Director for use during your sport season. The loss of any valuable article should be reported to the Attendance Office Articles can be claimed in the Attendance Office.
Several Lost and Found locations are present on campus including the Front Office, Vill-Inn, and the Event Center In the event a student’s belongings are missing, an incident report can be filed in the Front Office or with the assigned Assistant Principal.
11.6 Flowers/Balloons/Food
Small floral bouquets and balloons will need to remain outside the classroom and consist of no more than three balloons Large/multiple bouquets of flowers and balloons hinder the learning process, as they obstruct the visual learning in a classroom and impede movement If a student has more than three balloons or large/multiple bouquets of flowers, we will hold the items for the student to pick up after
school Students will be able to pick up delivered bouquets of flowers/balloons during break or lunch as long as they meet the requirement. All others may be picked up in the school office after school. All items must be picked up on the same day as the office is not responsible for any items left overnight
Students may decorate outdoor or indoor areas of campus for individual birthdays or any other individual celebrations to include balloons, streamers, signs, etc This includes tables, chairs, trees, and walls on the property of OLP Students must clean up all decorations at the end of the school day
As the school provides a cafeteria service, students are not allowed to coordinate deliveries from outside vendors for food deliveries during school hours Food delivery drivers will be turned away If a student forgets her lunch at home, a parent can drop it off in the main office It is the parent’s responsibility to notify the student Outside food delivery will only be allowed with the prior permission of an Assistant Principal
11.7 Insurance
OLP participates in a Student Accident Plan. Students are covered while attending school, school-sponsored activities, or participating in athletics Claims are submitted first to the group insurance plan of the parent, then to the school’s insurance carrier. Injuries and accidents must be reported to the Finance Office immediately (within 24 hours) Claim forms are available in the Finance Office
11 8 Posters
Any poster for display on campus or handouts issued by the students to the student body (or to the public) must be approved and stamped by the Assistant Principal, Director of Campus Life
11.9 Water Bottles and Recycling
In support of the Catholic Social Teaching theme of care for God’s creation, OLP has installed a water purification system so that refillable water bottles may be used
11.10 Work Permits
Under the labor laws of both the nation and state, students under 18 years of age must possess legal working permits Students needing permits should request the necessary forms from the Front Office Receptionist. Permit forms must be signed by student and parent, and include all employer information in order to be processed Please allow 2-3 business days for processing and completion of the work permits. Placement on Academic Probation, or an academic record that indicates that insufficient time is being spent on one’s studies, could result in the revocation of the work permit
11 11 Library/Media Center
The Library is open Mondays through Thursdays 7:30 a m to 5:00 p m and on Fridays from 7:30 a m to 3:00 p.m. A student wishing to visit the Library during a class period must get permission from her classroom teacher Library books are available for a 3-week checkout period with the possibility of renewals Periodicals and reference materials are available for overnight checkout Chromebooks and other tech accessories may be checked out for the duration of the school day A student who borrows library materials assumes responsibility for their return on time and in good condition Students will be charged the replacement value for lost items Students who have not returned all their library materials will be ineligible to receive their yearbooks until their library account is cleared
Food and uncovered drinks are not allowed in the Library Students should remember that the Library is primarily a place for students to study and collaborate on school work Noise must remain at a reasonable level so that it does not disturb other people using the space
11.12 Student Fundraising
The school is committed to supporting an established list of charities each year with annual charitable drives. These non profits include Catholic Charities, Get on the Bus, CSJ Ministries and Catholic Relief Services Rather than fundraise on campus, students are encouraged and will be supported in their initiatives to educate the student body about the mission of their selected non profit(s).
As a non-profit institution, there are two designated opportunities for clubs to fundraise for causes that are important to the club: Clubs for a Cause in the Fall and in the Spring. Clubs may sell items, conduct collection drives (diapers, blankets, food, etc ), or encourage students to learn more about a cause The members of the club cannot be reimbursed for items that a club sells for fundraising efforts Asking for donations for free-dress, pj days, etc will not be supported during Clubs for a Cause These special dress days are only used for all-school special initiatives
There are times throughout the year that the entire school may participate in a special fundraiser to help people impacted by a natural disaster or other unique emergency situation These are supported by the entire school, and a particular club may be invited to help organize the event
11.13 Transportation
When the school is able to provide transportation, whether it be to and from school, to and from athletic fields or for special circumstances and events, it is expected that students abide by all rules and policies listed within the OLP Parent/Student Handbook Transportation surveys given each fall determine transportation routes to and from school. Transportation routes are determined by an annual needs assessment Questions related to transportation should be directed towards the Director of Facilities Due to limited parking on site and in the neighborhood around the school, carpooling is highly encouraged.
12.1 Campus Hours
Chapter 12 - Communication with the School
The campus will open at 7:00 AM for zero period classes General campus hours are 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM Monday through Thursday and 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM on Fridays. The school library is open Monday through Thursday 7:30 AM until 5:00 PM and on Fridays till 3:00 PM Before and after school supervision is offered in the library until closing time. These hours may change depending upon supervised school activities A student on campus (outside of the student library) outside of the school day hours must be part of an approved and supervised activity, or will be directly supervised by the Campus Supervisor until picked up
A regular school schedule begins with school starting at 8:00 am and ending Monday through Thursday at 2:30 pm, and Friday at 12:45 pm. Special schedule days with early dismissal at 12:45 pm will be listed on the school calendar
12.2 Dropping off Students
There are two designated drop off areas for students We encourage families to maximize Circle Drive in the mornings to alleviate traffic congestion Families are also allowed to drop off students at the corner of Oregon and Collier At all times, parents and students are expected to adhere to traffic support personnel
12.3 Picking up Students
There are two designated pickup areas for students. Circle Drive is available for afternoon pick-up along with the section in front of Collier Street and Oregon Street
12.4
Calling the School
When telephoning the school, please refer calls to the appropriate office and/or arrange an appointment through the appropriate secretary. Telephone messages for students can be accepted only on an emergency basis and only from a parent or other person listed on the student’s emergency contact list on Powerschool. During the school day students will not be allowed to contact parents via cell phone without adult supervision
12.5
Visitors
OLP is a closed campus All visitors, including alumnae, must obtain an approved visitor pass from the Main Office immediately upon entering the school or grounds In accordance with California Education Code, sec 32211, any person who is not a student at OLP, is not a parent or guardian of a student, or is not an employee will be asked to leave the school and is expected to do so promptly Failure to comply will result in police contact See Section 11 3 Closed Campus
Chapter 13 - Health and Safety
13.1 Accident/Incident Forms
Accident or incident report forms are available in the attendance and the Office of the Assistant Head of School. An incident must be reported to the Office of the Assistant Head of School and the report must be completed and filed in the Finance Office for every incident or accident that occurs on campus or during a school sponsored activity.
13.2 Emergencies and Disaster Preparedness
Emergency Cards must be filled out and returned to the Attendance Office prior to the first day of each school year In the event of an emergency (i e major earthquake) while students are under school supervision, students will be released ONLY to the persons designated on the Emergency Card. An alternate person must be designated on the form in the event you are unable to pick up your daughter Identification is required for picking up students The school maintains an emergency preparedness plan that includes procedures for earthquakes, fire, internal/external threats, lockdowns, etc
OLP is committed to a safe educational and work environment for all students and staff, as well as the community Timely communication in the event of an emergency is a priority The emergency communication response plan is comprised of the following communication components in which any or all may be utilized:
1 Telephone calls to home and cellular telephones
2 Text messaging to cellular telephones of parents and students
3 Email to all parents and employees
4 Message posting on school website and other social media sites
5. Classroom/campus PA announcements
6 Press releases
13.3 Immunization
In accordance with the California Health and Safety Code (Sections 120325–120375), all students must submit documentation of required immunizations prior to admission Records must be on file in the Attendance Office before a student may begin classes. Students without a current immunization record may be suspended until documentation is submitted
California schools are required to verify immunization records for all new student admissions in TK–12, and for all students advancing to 7th grade Parents/guardians must provide an official copy of their child’s Immunization Record to the Admissions Office at the time of enrollment.
Required Immunizations for Admission (TK/K–12):
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP, DTP, DT, Tdap, or Td)
Polio (OPV or IPV)
Hepatitis B
5 doses 4 doses OK if one given on/after 4th birthday; 3 doses OK if one on/after 7th birthday; for 7th-12th graders, at least 1 dose of pertussis-containing vaccine is required on or after 7th birthday
4 doses 3 doses OK if one given on/after 4th birthday Note: OPV doses given on or after April 1, 2016, do not count
3 doses Not required for 7th grade entry
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
Varicella (Chickenpox)
Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap)
2 doses Both must be given on or after 1st birthday
2 doses Required for all grades, including 7th
1 dose Required on or after the 7th birthday for entry to 7th–12th grade
Please Note: Beginning in 2016, personal belief exemptions for required vaccines are no longer accepted under California law For additional details, visit the CDPH Required Immunizations page Parents in California may also now access their child’s digital vaccine record online through MyDVR
13.4 Communicable Diseases
Reporting
OLP is required by law to report to the local Health Office the presence or suspected presence of any communicable disease, including but not limited to: measles, mumps, rubella, polio, whooping cough, or COVID-19. Reportable events or diseases may change from time to time and will depend on the laws, statutes, or orders from the California Department of Public Health and local public health departments in effect at that time.
Prevention and Exposure
OLP may exclude from school any individual affected with a disease that is presumably communicable until that individual’s doctor has given written permission for them to return to school or until the expiration of the prescribed period of isolation for that particular disease as dictated by a state or local health authority OLP may prohibit an individual who has been in a quarantine area from returning to school until the person has been cleared by the local health officer or physician This may include excluding someone who has been exposed to a communicable disease until such time as they are cleared and are no longer being exposed to said communicable disease
OLP will require that an individual who is suspected to have a communicable disease either leaves campus on their own or is immediately picked up by a parent, guardian, or other authorized individual and taken home OLP may need to inform the community that someone in the community, without disclosing that person’s identity, has been diagnosed with the communicable disease and recommend others in the community speak to their doctor if they have any concerns about exposure
In the event that there is an epidemic in the city or county of San Diego or the state of California, such as COVID-19 or any future epidemic, pandemic, or outbreak, that relates to a communicable disease, including but not limited to measles, mumps, rubella, polio or whooping cough, COVID-19 or other viruses, and the Department of Health requires an individual to remain away from the school or take certain precautions because either that person has contracted one of those conditions, or has not been immunized against them, or cannot provide a written record of immunization against them, then that person must adhere to the Department’s requirements.
Safety Protocols
From time to time, certain communicable diseases may require additional safety protocols They may also require distanced or online learning or small group cohort learning. OLP may be required to institute such protocols due to a public health order or as a best practice, and will require all employees, students, and families to comply with the requirements of such safety protocols.
13.5 Medication Protocols
OLP recognizes that parents/guardians, in conjunction with an authorized health care provider, have the primary responsibility for the health of their student An authorized healthcare provider is an individual
who is licensed by the State of California to prescribe medication
1. The parent/guardian is urged, with the help of the student's authorized health care provider, to work out a schedule of giving medication at home whenever possible If it is determined that the student must take the medication during the school day and during school-sponsored field trips, activities, athletics, and events, the parent/guardian and student are responsible for compliance with the medication regimen
2 A student may take medication during the school day and during school-sponsored field trips, activities, athletics, and events if the parents have provided the school with a Medication Authorization, Release, and Waiver Agreement signed by both the parent/guardian
3 The student’s authorized healthcare provider must also sign the Medication Authorization, Release, and Waiver Agreement if the student is required to carry and self-administer prescription auto-injectable epinephrine or inhaled asthma medication
4 OLP does not assume any responsibility or liability for medication taken independently by the student
5. OLP does NOT provide medications for student use and will not administer any medications to students
6. Parents/guardians are responsible for submitting a new Medication Authorization, Release, and Waiver Agreement at the start of the school year and each time there is a change to any information provided on the Medication Authorization, Release, and Waiver Agreement.
7 If there is not a completed Medication Authorization, Release, and Waiver Agreement returned to OLP, the student is not authorized to have any medication in her possession during the school day and during school-sponsored field trips, activities, athletics, and events The student may be subject to disciplinary action if the student is in possession of unauthorized medications.
Authorization to Self-Administer Medication
Parents must authorize their student to carry and self-administer the medication(s)/supplies by completing the Medication Authorization, Release & Waiver Agreement:
1 Parents agree that it is the parents’ responsibility to provide their student with unexpired, properly labeled doses/supplies and to train their student to administer/use the medication(s)/supplies without supervision by OLP personnel
2 In the event that the student is unable to administer the medication(s)/supplies without assistance, Parents agree and understand that the Parent will be required to make arrangements to administer the medication accordingly
3 Parents acknowledge that their student is prohibited from sharing the medication(s)/supplies with other students.
4 If Parents authorize student carry and self-administer prescription auto-injectable epinephrine or inhaled asthma medication during the school day and during school-sponsored field trips, activities, athletics, and events - the Medication, Authorization, Release & Waiver Agreement must be also be completed and executed by the student’s authorized healthcare provider.
5 Parents acknowledge and agree that Parents will immediately notify OLP in writing with information provided by Parents or the student’s physician on this Agreement changes.
6 Parents consent that the information in the Medication Authorization, Release & waiver Agreement become a part of their student’s educational record and give permission to OLP to share the student’s medical information with authorized OLP personnel, health care providers, or others who have legitimate educational and/or safety interests in this information.
Parents understand and acknowledge that certain risks are inherent in taking both over-the-counter and prescription medication(s), in self-administering medication(s), including, but not limited to, mild or severe adverse physical reaction to the over-the-counter or prescription medication (including emotional/psychological harm); paralysis and brain damage; temporary and permanent injury, temporary and permanent adverse reactions, and temporary and permanent disability; and death
Parents assume responsibility for all risks arising out of or relating to Student self-administering over-the-counter medication and prescription medication, whether described in this section and/or the Medication, Authorization Release & Waiver Agreement, known or unknown and inherent or otherwise Parents agree that the Student will also assume these risks and any other risks arising out of, or relating
to Student self-administering over-the-counter medication and prescription medication, whether described in this section and/or the Medication, Authorization Release & Waiver Agreement, known or unknown and inherent or otherwise
13.7 Physical Examination
All (freshman & transfer) students must file a current physical form verifying a recent physical examination completed and signed by a physician with a MD or DO license with the attendance office Physicals are valid for one year and must be good through the entire school year Students who participate in athletics must file with the Athletic Director a physical form each year to be eligible for participation Physicals for athletes are valid for only ONE calendar year and must cover through the remainder of the school year No facsimiles of physical exams will be accepted Students who do not have a physical on file with the attendance office will not be allowed to participate in their Physical Education class and may lose credit for the time they miss from class activities Students unable to participate in Physical Education classes due to chronic or congenital health problems need to have a physician’s note on file with their counselor and assistant principal
13.8 School Facilities
Each student is expected to assume responsibility, care and pride in the use of school facilities Eating, chewing, drinking or consuming food, mints, gum, and/or beverages is not allowed inside the school building except for the St Catherine’s Pilot Cafe, faculty areas and other areas designated for a particular curricular or co-curricular purpose. For legal reasons, individual students or groups of students may not use school facilities without prior approval or supervision All areas of the school are under the direct supervision of campus supervisors and faculty or staff members when such facilities are being used by students
13.9 Safe School Environment
In order to provide a safe school environment, the school will cooperate with the police in their efforts to deal with dangerous or violent incidents The following procedures should be observed:
1 The student reports the incident immediately to the Head of School, Assistant Head of School, Assistant Principal(s) or campus supervisors
2 The Assistant Principal of Campus Life, or designee in his/her absence, investigates to determine what happened and reports the incident to the appropriate authority If the situation warrants, students will be held on campus for parent pickup.
3 In the case of a student being involved in a police investigation, the school will cooperate with the police and follow their instructions.
Concerns involving student safety, personal boundaries, privacy, or conduct that makes a student feel unsafe or uncomfortable should be reported promptly to a school administrator, counselor, or trusted school employee (See 7 3 Child Abuse Reporting, 8 3 Student Boundaries Policy)
13.10 Child Abuse Reporting and Mental Health Referral
OLP is committed to fostering a safe and supportive environment for all students At times, students may disclose to a counselor, teacher, peer, or other community member information that requires immediate school action for their safety or well-being
Child Abuse Reporting
As mandated reporters, all OLP faculty and staff are required by California law to report suspected abuse or neglect to the Police Department or Child Protective Services (CPS) when there is reasonable suspicion that a student’s physical or mental health or welfare may be at risk This includes suspected physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, as well as neglect. It is not the role of the school employee to investigate or confirm the concern prior to reporting School personnel do not contact families before making a report, and parents/guardians may be informed only after a report has been made (See 7.3 Child Abuse Reporting)
Police officers or social workers may come to campus to speak with a student. Students will be offered the option of having a trusted adult such as a counselor or administrator present during the
conversation These interviews are confidential, and the school is required to cooperate fully with law enforcement. An immediate call to parents/guardians cannot be guaranteed.
Students at Risk of Self-Harm or Harm to Others
Students who express suicidal ideation, thoughts of self-harm, or serious mental health concerns including disordered eating or harm to others are considered at risk In accordance with OLP’s Suicide Prevention Policy (Section 7.4), the following steps will be taken:
1 Immediate Safety Assessment: School personnel will evaluate whether the student is in imminent danger. If so, 9-1-1 and/or the Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT) may be called
2. Parental Notification and Referral: Once immediate safety is addressed, parents will be contacted and provided with referrals to appropriate mental health professionals
3. Clearance Required: Before returning to school, students identified as at risk must be evaluated and cleared in writing by a licensed mental health professional (Therapist, Psychologist, or Psychiatrist).
4 Re-Entry Protocol: A re-entry meeting with the student, parent, counselor, and a school administrator is required to review the clearance documentation and confirm a safety plan prior to resuming classes or school activities
OLP prioritizes the health and safety of every student and strives to ensure that appropriate interventions and support systems are in place Students and families are encouraged to reach out to a member of the Counseling Department with any concerns regarding student well-being
In accordance with federal asbestos regulations, the School maintains a file with the results of asbestos surveys of the various building materials at our campus This file is available for review with a prior appointment.
A. Handbook Addendum: Guiding Framework for Synchronous Virtual Viewing
A.1 OLP Philosophy of Learning
OLP believes learning should be an active, contextualized, and constructive process for students that allows them to grow academically, socially, spiritually and emotionally We believe that our girls construct knowledge through experience and social mediation and that the essential purpose of school is to provide supportive learning environments that are rich in engagement, social interaction, and feedback Relationships play an essential role in every student’s school experience. Accordingly, OLP has seen throughout the pandemic repeatedly the necessity and unparalleled value of student’s learning in face-to-face environments whenever it is safe to do so.
OLP prioritizes face to face learning as the ideal model, and synchronous virtual viewing of the classroom as a short-term mediation to meet student needs as are necessary for temporary health situations Much like faculty have always worked with students when an absence either anticipated or unanticipated occurs, OLP believes that synchronous virtual viewing of the learning taking place in the classroom is considered a pathway only to be exercised when health and safety conditions leave no other option
A.2 Definition of Synchronous Virtual Viewing (SVV)
OLP defines Synchronous Virtual Viewing (SVV) meaning a student will be learning from a distance, virtually attending a class session, at the same time as your instructor is presenting the information along with your classmates. It requires the student to log in and participate in class at the same specific time as they would if they were in-person, face-to-face in the classroom Synchronous involves live instruction
Synchronous virtual classrooms require students participating virtually to be actively engaged, be self-disciplined, speak-up as they would in a regular classroom, ask questions, and engage in discussion. As noted below in student expectations, all students are expected to be in uniform, keep their camera on at all times, and be in a well lit area. Group work may also be a piece of a synchronous virtual experience, when possible Students who are synchronously virtual may find themselves projected on a television screen in the classroom so the teacher and fellow classmates are able to see them, and both the virtual student and those in the face-to-face classroom feel more engaged In order to ensure engagement, students without a camera on will be removed from the zoom room and marked absent for the class
Synchronous Virtual Viewing at OLP looks like:
● Students who are virtually viewing the real-time ‘live’ classroom will see teachers and students engaging in conversation and learning during the in-person lessons, group work, and teachers explaining concepts in ‘live’ situations The zoom camera will attempt to capture as much of the ‘live’ classroom experience as possible
● Teachers starting and ending lessons in ‘live’ format with their classes, including all students, no matter where they are physically located Therefore, it is imperative that Synchronous Virtual Viewing students are on time, have their cameras on and are viewable, and are prepared as necessary to be part of the learning [see expectations for students below]
A.3 Parents Reporting a Student Absence when Students are Not Attending In-Person Learning
In the event that a student will not be attending school in-person, please refer to the Student-Parent handbook for parent absence reporting instructions The school must always have a parent report an absence prior to 7:45 am if the student will not be learning in-person, on campus. This includes a student leaving school early, absence due to illness, including a situation in which the student would be synchronous virtual viewing. This can be found in Chapter 9: Attendance Rules and Procedures.
A 4 Student Expectations for Synchronous Virtual Viewing
Expectations for students when approved to participate in Synchronous Virtual Viewing:
● Be prepared to actively participate through Synchronous Virtual Viewing
● Demonstrate their active participation in “live” class during Synchronous Virtual Viewing by following classroom expectations, including
○ Being on time to the classroom Zoom room;
○ Enable the camera to be on at all times during the class, showing a view of waist up, unless instructed otherwise by the teacher;
○ Having a working computing device that includes a working camera and audio, headphones and a strong internet connection;
○ Identify a quiet professional learning space at a table/desk where they can work effectively as if they were at school free from distractions and with minimal interference;
○ Dress as if they were at school in their regular uniform;
● Complete work established by the teacher on time as you would regularly for in-person attendance
● Check online learning platforms, as directed by the teachers, for instructions and materials Submit homework assignments as required
● At all times, comply with the OLP Academic Integrity policy and Academic Honor Code;
● When appropriate, collaborate with their peers and participate in the “live” learning environment
● Students who are participating via Synchronous Virtual Viewing are responsible for taking ownership of their understanding of the content material being presented and checking in with the teacher regarding questions that may arise. This may be in the form of asking questions to teachers via the Zoom chat feature during the “live” class, unmuting yourself and asking questions, asking the teacher to check-in during a virtual office hours, or emailing the teacher independently with questions
● When participating in Synchronous Virtual Viewing, students are not allowed to attend co-curricular or athletic activities on campus in-person SVV attendance would render a student ineligible for participation in an athletic contest, spring sing rehearsal, practice, attendance at a dance, etc
A.5 Failure to Comply with Student Expectations during Synchronous Virtual Viewing
Students who are not compliant with the Synchronous Virtual Viewing expectations may at any point be removed from the zoom room by the teacher and marked absent If egregious, further disciplinary consequences may follow including school day detention, Saturday detention, suspension, or loss of the opportunity to further participate in synchronous virtual viewing This can include, but is not limited to, failure of a student to have their camera on, not in an appropriate private or professional viewing setting, not participating when asked to do so, not having a working microphone, unstable internet connection, or inappropriate chat posts
Should a faculty member find that a student is abusing the intent and purpose of Synchronous Virtual Viewing, and is not meeting course expectations, they may request a meeting with the student’s Assistant Principal, counselor, and parents to determine if that student should forfeit their access to virtual moving forward
A.6 Guidance for Parents in Choosing Synchronous Virtual Viewing
While technology has provided new frontiers in learning and access, OLP has carefully studied the plethora of research and case studies on the benefits, advantages and also challenges with the variety of tools and methodologies available today Formal research and our own independent evidence has shown that there is no substitute for the pervasive benefits of face-to-face, in person, interactive and engaged learning For intermittent and short periods of time when a student is suffering from an extreme health condition that precludes them from attending the ‘live’ classroom, we have collectively found that faculty and students are able to sustain and support synchronous virtual viewing for those at home
As partners in the education of your daughter, we cannot stress enough the importance of things like resilience, persistence, showing up, and presence As parents, we recognize the struggle to ensure that
your daughter is on campus to learn and experience community Presence in the classroom represents much more than just the academic skills necessary for school and life.
Choosing synchronous virtual viewing may be appropriate in the following situations (this is a sample of situations and not meant to be an exhaustive list):
● When a student is experiencing COVID symptoms;
● When the student is COVID positive or a member of the household is COVID positive and the student has been exposed;
● The student has an extended illness such as mononucleosis or strep throat, and is still contagious, but feels well enough to continue with their learning;
● There is an extenuating family circumstance allowing the student to continue learning, but possibly not in the local geographic area (this would be discussed in advance with the student’s Assistant Principal);
● Is recovering from surgery with limited mobility and has affirmed their need for SVV with their Assistant Principal;
It would be inappropriate to choose a day of synchronous virtual viewing in the following situations (this is a sample of situations and not meant to be an exhaustive list):
● Due to being tardy, oversleeping, an alarm not going off, a car problem, traffic, or failure of a car pool (that’s a tardy and/or an absence);
● Experiencing menstrual cramps to a degree that the student is unable to come to school (that’s an absence);
● Feeling overwhelmed by homework, or not feeling prepared to take a quiz/test (that’s a parent-student meeting with a counselor);
● Due to a pre-planned family vacation during the school year (that would be an anticipated absence - see section 9 8 in the student-parent handbook; we request that all trips be booked during our scheduled school vacation times).
● Due to being tired due to extracurricular activities both affiliated with and outside of OLP (that's an absence)
Guidance for Parents on supporting their daughter during Synchronous Virtual Viewing:
● Requests for your daughter’s absence from in-person schooling, must follow the usual procedure noted in the student-parent handbook;
● Synchronous virtual viewing should only be used for an illness, or extenuating circumstance, that would preclude your daughter from attending face-to-face classes, but is not at a severity level that she is unable to continue learning Synchronous virtual viewing never replaces the full engagement and benefits of in-person instruction and should be used on a limited basis for true health issues or extenuating circumstances
● When students will be utilizing Synchronous Virtual Viewing for several days, help them establish routines for daily work and learning;
● Help your daughter define a quiet, professional learning space for their studies (this is why vacation is inappropriate for synchronous virtual viewing);
● Encourage your daughter to check-in with her teachers and counselors on an ongoing basis or set-up virtual office hours;
● Outside of “live” synchronous class time, support your daughter in monitoring screen time and find ways to separate from digital devices when not learning;
● Be mindful of children's stress levels and mental state and alert teachers and school counselors to any concerns or problems;
● Should your daughter not be able to participate in Synchronous Virtual Learning as planned, the parent/guardian must contact the school notifying them of an absence.
A.7 It is okay to just be absent!
There will always be times when students may have unavoidable doctor’s appointments that may fall during the school day Those are reasons for an excused absence Furthermore, OLP acknowledges that there are days when students are sick, and their focus needs to be on their health, and restorative wellness On such days, students and parents should not choose the synchronous virtual viewing, but
rather allow their daughter to truly recuperate and recover Teachers will work with students upon their return to make-up learning, missing work, etc. Furthermore, we acknowledge that there will come days when students need a mental break - on a limited basis, these too may be appropriate to take as an absent day The research from Lisa Damour, and her book Under Pressure, point to the epidemic of stress and anxiety in adolescent girls, which has only been further exacerbated with the global COVID-19 pandemic
