Grading
In Middle School, parents receive regular feedback about the academic progress of their student. Teachers prepare multiple reports over the course of the year.
- Each teacher completes a course-specific checklist of learning (or rubric), with grades for each goal given at the end of every quarter.
- At the end of the first and third quarters, teachers write narrative comments to pair with the checklists.
- Midway through each semester, teachers help students assemble portfolios of their work that are reviewed, along with their report cards, at student-led conferences attended by parents and advisors.
All reports are available to families electronically through our Family Access Module. The registrar is responsible for transferring semester grades into each student’s course history to generate a transcript.
The following are guidelines used in assigning grades on the Middle School report cards at the end of the quarters and semesters:
Report Card Grade Guidelines
E = Exceeds expectations in this area. Student is able to go above and beyond what was taught, explaining patterns and ideas that are explicit and inferred. Student can make in-depth applications of what was taught, is able to think in the abstract, and to synthesize ideas.
M = Meets expectations in this area. Student is able to handle more complex ideas, concepts, and skills. Student makes no major errors or omissions in either simple or complex ideas or concepts. Student is able to work independently and apply basic ideas.
W = Working to meet expectations. Student is working at grade level with help, and understands some or most of the concepts, skills, and processes of the course. Student makes no major errors or omissions on simple concepts and skills; however, the student exhibits major errors or omissions on more complex ideas, concepts, and skills.
N = Does not meet expectations. Even with help, this student shows partial or no understanding of the simpler concepts and skills. The student is unable to understand more complex ideas, processes, and operations.