FAQS

When do classes begin and end?
Our classes begin at 8:00 each day and end at 3:05 p.m. every day except Wednesday. 
Wednesday schedule is early release, with classes completed at 1:10 p.m.

Where do I drop off and pick up?
Drop-off is in front of the gym. Please do not drop off or pick up in front of the school. 
 

Do you have a bus service? 
We have a bus service that runs to the west side in the morning and afternoon. The city Sun Tran bus also picks up a route at the corner of Camino Seco and 22nd street. Check the Sun Tran bus schedule for more information. 

How and when do we sign up for the buses?
Emails are sent  inviting parents to sign up to use the bus service. If for whatever reason you didn’t sign up with that email, please call the school office (751-8300).

What is the typical academic path a student will follow as well as with honors classes?
Please refer to the St. Augustine Course Catalog for an explanation of different course tracks.

When is the best time to contact a teacher on homework issues?
Anytime a parent or student has a question on homework they should email the teacher. Emails are responded to within one business day.

Is there any way to track if students submit something through Google Classroom so both teachers and students can confirm when online submissions took place?
Yes, all assignments using Google Classroom are time stamped and have a revision history. The revision history would include when it was assigned, turned in and returned.

Are grades updated automatically or will it take a day or two to post?
Per school policy, teachers have one week to grade and update assignments into RenWeb.

How do honors, AP, and DE classes work with weighting?
Advanced Placement  and Dual Enrollment Courses are weighted +.5 (an A=4.5) and Honors Courses are weighted +.25 (A=4.25). All other courses are un-weighted (A=4.0). 

Are AP classes the same as honor classes?
No. Advanced Placement (AP) classes are more rigorous than an honors class, and can count for college credit depending in the grade received on the AP Test (taken in May) and the college the student is entering.

At what point are students allowed to take classes for college credit?
Generally students may begin taking Advanced Placement classes beginning in their sophomore year. Dual Enrollment classes are offered to all students who qualify beginning their junior year.
 

Do you have a specific student uniform?
Students do wear a uniform. Please check our Parent/Student Handbook for the full uniform policy. St. A's uses Screen Craze for uniforms. They can be purchased here.

Do students get electronic devices at the school?
Students are assigned an electronic device to use for the school year. They must bring their fully-charged devices to class daily. Devices, chargers and cases must be returned in good repair at the end of the school year. 
 

What if the school’s electronic device gets broken or lost?
Families will be charge for repairs or the school's lost device through their FACTS account. 
 

How do we get textbooks for our child?
Most textbooks are loaded onto the student devices and are included in the annual technology fee. Some classes use hard-copy textbooks. Those are provided to the student and must be returned at the end of the year. 
 

Can my child bring a device from home?
No home devices are allowed on campus.
 

What about cell phones?
Although students may bring cell phones to school, they may not use them during school hours. 
 

How are communication and grades handled?
Each student will be assigned a Gmail account during the first day of school. We use Renweb to post grades and the students will set up an account, as well as the parents. 
 

What are the policies for early release or appointments such as dental?
Parents should call the office (520-751-8300) for the absence to be considered excused. Students are encouraged to email their teachers to see what they will miss but parents must call in order for the absence to be marked as excused.
 

In RenWeb’s attendance records, what is the difference between AE, AU, TE, and TU?
If a student is not present for a class, they are either marked AU (Absent Unexcused) or AE (Absent Excused). The designation AE is only used when a parent notifies the front office of an impending absence. 

If a student is tardy to class, they will be marked TU (Tardy Unexcused) if they show up within 5 minutes of the start of class. If they are more than 5 minutes late, they will be marked AU.  A student may be marked TE (Tardy Excused) if they are late for class, but have a note from an administrator.

What is the policy for missing class that day? And if there is a quiz/test, etc? 
If the absence is excused, the teacher will allow the student to make up the quiz in a subsequent class period.

How do students pay for their lunches? 
Students can show their ID in the cafeteria. Parents are billed bi-weekly through their FACTS account. Lunch questions should be directed to Teresa Gonzales at tgonzales@staugustinehigh.com. 

How much advance notice does my child need to notify their teacher in order to schedule tutoring? 
Students should notify their teachers immediately when they feel they need tutoring. Teachers will make every attempt to schedule the tutoring at their earliest convenience. Teachers are available during their scheduled Wednesday office hours without an appointment.

Is there a cost for tutoring?
There is no charge for tutoring.
 

Do all teachers offer tutoring?
Yes, all full time teachers offer tutoring.
 

Is there communication with parents when your child doesn’t recognize that tutoring or extra support is needed?
Yes. teachers will include parents on emails concerning missing work and failing grades. The front office will contact families on absences and unexcused tardies.

What is the process or timeline with working with college/career counselor and how does that process work - what grade do they start? Do the kids have to seek her out? 
 

The college and career counseling program at St. A’s spans all four years.  Click here for the College and Career counseling webpage. 

During freshman year, students are guided in looking at graduation requirements and planning their four years to meet them.  We also work with student interests to begin learning about potential careers.  

As sophomores, discussion focuses on the benefits of postsecondary education, as well as how students’ personal interests and academic strengths impact their options for continuing their education.  We continue to explore career options with these things in mind.  

The focus of junior year is on laying the groundwork for making decisions about postsecondary plans.  We discuss the role of admissions tests, begin to work on personal essays, and create a college list.  

Finally, senior year is devoted to completing college applications, financial aid (FAFSA and scholarships), and making decisions about next steps in the students’ education process.

Students interact with the college counselor all four years in class lessons and small group activities.  Underclassmen are encouraged to schedule individual meetings with the counselor to ask questions about the college-going process and discuss their postsecondary options.  Juniors and seniors are required to attend some individual meetings for guidance and support in the tasks leading to postsecondary education, and to share updates on their progress through the process.