Photo by: Circe Marez

Finals. The most intense week of the semester that affects and joins together every student. It comes with stress, all-nighters, and the saving grace—exemption cards.

Freshmen will receive one exemption. Sophomores will receive two, juniors three, and seniors four for the first semester. Exemption cards will be available during lunches Dec. 8 through Dec. 10 and are due Dec. 11 to the attendance office at 2:45 P.M. exactly. The finals schedule is as follows: (PDF)

In order to exempt a specific class, you must have three or less unexcused absences for the period. College days, doctor return days, and field trips will not count against you. If you have a total of three absences, you cannot skip the final. By not signing in in the commons during the exempted final, you will take a fourth absence, which will negate your privilege of the exemption, and earn you a 0 for the final’s grade.

Kristopher Blackmon, senior math teacher, regards absences as the most common reason a student cannot exempt.

“It’s usually attendance. Sometimes a suspension, but usually attendance. Because if you miss four or more days, you can’t exempt,” Blackmon said.

If a student has received a suspension or ALC placement this year, they cannot exempt any classes. If you served time this year for an infraction a previous year, you should be able to exempt. Students are advised to contact an AP secretary with questions regarding as much.

A student cannot have a “U” in the conduct section for the class in order to exempt it. Exemptions are only granted to students with an “E”, “S”, or “N” in the class period.

You must have an 80 or higher in the class for the semester. It would be an average of each six weeks grade. To determine this, add up the grades you received for each six weeks and divide them all by three; if the resulting number is an 80 or higher, you are good to go. If not, try putting in some extra credit, or face the final.

Grades and GPA is a big factor in picking which final to exempt, according to senior Savannah Burr.

“If I’ve tried really hard to maintain an A in that class I definitely want to exempt it, but if I’ve tried really hard just to make it through, I don’t want to skip out on my chances of making that B,” Burr said.

If a student has any fees or fines they will also be unable to exempt any classes.