Grading
In Middle School, families receive regular feedback about the academic progress of their student. Teachers and advisors prepare multiple reports over the course of the year.
- Each teacher completes a course-specific checklist of objectives, marking an individual student’s progress for each objective at the end of every quarter.
- At the end of the first and third quarters, teachers write narrative comments to further describe a student's progress on the course objectives.
- Midway through each semester, advisors assist students in the process of reviewing and reflecting on the narrative comments on their progress reports in the prior quarter and setting goals for the next quarter, at student-led conferences attended by parents/guardians and advisors.
The following are guidelines used in assigning grades on 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 can 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 in simple concepts and skills; however, the student exhibits major errors or omissions in more complex ideas, concepts, and skills.
N = Does not meet expectations. Even with help, the student shows partial or no understanding of the simpler concepts and skills. The student is unable to understand more complex ideas, processes, and operations.