2025-2026 Final Exam Exemption Criteria
Semester Exams & Exemption Policy
Each year, Santa Fe High School’s exam and exemption process is designed to encourage hard work, mastery of content, and reward academic excellence. These opportunities recognize students who demonstrate our TRIBE values - Trust, Respect, Integrity, Belonging, and Effort - through consistent attendance, commitment, and achievement.
- Mrs. Loop will be signing for the bookkeeper signature (in the front office)
- Ms. Nikravan will be signing for librarian & AP
- Both will be in the front office each lunch period for students to get signatures
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No exams may be taken early for any reason.
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Attendance matters every day. To qualify for an exemption, students must be present through the end of the semester.
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Plan all vacations and holiday travel accordingly to ensure eligibility.
We appreciate your continued partnership in helping our students finish the semester strong and live out the spirit of our TRIBE.
All students must comply with the following general exemption criteria in the table below:
| Grade Level |
Fall Semester
*Excludes dual credit classes
*See AP course exemptions below
|
Spring Semester
*Excludes dual credit classes
*See AP course exemptions below
|
| 12th |
4 |
All |
| 11th |
3 |
3 |
| 10th |
2 |
2 |
| 9th |
1 |
1 |
- The number of exemptions is dependent on grade level (as noted in Skyward). See chart above.
- No assigned ISS, out-of- school suspension, or DAEP during the semester.
- No more than 3 absences and/or 3 tardies in the semester for which the exemption is earned.
- Must be clear of all fines and fees.
- Students must not have Academic Dishonesty for the semester.
- Students must meet grading requirements listed below.
FALL SEMESTER:
Students may exempt an exam if they meet the following criteria:
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Students meet the above general exemption criteria.
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A student’s semester grade average is 80 or above.
*Students may not be exempt from a STAAR tested or full year- AP class this semester.
**If enrolled in a one semester AP course, students may exempt the exam if they plan to take the correlating AP exam in the Spring Semester. However, if they do not to take the AP test in May (for any reason), they will be subject to taking a make-up semester exam in the Spring or receive a 0 on the final exam. Refunds will not be given for students who register and do not take the AP tests.
SPRING SEMESTER:
Students may exempt an exam if they meet the following criteria:
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Students meet the above general exemption criteria.
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A student’s semester grade average is 80 or above.
Students enrolled in an AP course may exempt an exam with option 1 or option 2:
Option 1:
1. Students meet the above general exemption criteria.
2. A student’s semester grade average is 80 or above.
Option 2:
1. Students meet the above general exemption criteria.
2. A student’s semester grade average is 70 or above.
3. Students take the corresponding AP exam.
Students enrolled in an EOC/STAAR tested course (Algebra 1, Biology, English 1, English 2, US History):
Students that are enrolled in an EOC/STAAR tested course and take their corresponding EOC will be exempt from their EOC Spring Final. However, if the student is absent the day of their STAAR test, they will be required to take a Spring final for that course.
**Students will lose their exam exemption if they are absent on the day of their semester exam(s). All students must be present on campus, even if they are exempt.
Per the 2025 – 2026 SFHS Grading Guidelines:
1. In addition to the student’s attendance the following will also be factors:
a. Attendance exceptions may be made for approved college visits, religious holidays, extra-curricular activities, and co-curricular activities. (Refer to Section 3.6.3 TEA Student Attendance Accounting Handbook). *Students with medical or court-ordered documentation, with specific dates for their absences, may have additional absence allotments. In addition, bereavement excuses will be accepted for immediate family members, including parents, grandparents, and siblings. Parent notes do not count as attendance excuses for exemption purposes.
2. Attendance and Exemptions:
a. Students will lose their exam exemptions if they obtain an unexcused absence after submitting their exam exemption form. This includes being absent on the day of the semester exam(s) in which you have earned an exemption, regardless of if you have less than 3 absences. Students must be present on campus, even if they are exempt. b. Students who fail to maintain their attendance record and lose their exam exemption will have ten business days to make up their semester exam(s). ***Seniors must make up their exams before graduation.
It is the student's responsibility to complete the designated process for choosing their exemptions, as designated by the campus, within the timelines given, or take all exams.
Download General Exemption Criteria
