Well, I'd rather intervene *before* they fail. In high school (at least mine) many courses are pre-reqs for the next.

I agree. What about holding them back a full year? Should someone have to repeat Grade 9 if they fail a certain number of classes?

Ah, we don't do that. They repeat the course(s) that they failed and advance in the courses they passed. And we are trying to catch them

before they fail. We report weekly D/F grades, counselors get lists, meet with students, we offer tutoring, meet w/ parents...

See, all that I agree with. I think failing a kid for a whole year could start a downward spiral.

I agree. Sadly, there are too many that are "multiple failures" (failing all core classes) Those are the ones that stump us.

What do you do in those instances? Is there a summer school option?

Students can only take two classes in summer school (1 each term). We try to catch them early in the year. Sadly, there are usually other

issues that there is only so much we can do to try to help fix. If the parents/family don't want help/get involved... it makes it tough.