In grading their learning process teachers will use a balanced approach to assessment, with grades divided into two categories: formative and summative assignments.

• Formative Assignments (40%): These assignments are graded throughout the learning process and are designed to support and enhance student understanding.

• Summative Assignments (60%): These assignments evaluate students' comprehension and mastery of concepts after instruction is complete.

Classes offered at ACS fall under one of two classifications: Core or Enrichment. 

Core Classes
Core courses are designed to foster deep understanding and proficiency within a rigorous, college-aligned curriculum. Subjects include Bible, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and English Language Arts. Each course challenge students to think critically, communicate effectively, and apply knowledge across disciplines. Homework is assigned to extend learning and reinforce key concepts.

• Formative Assessments: 16 assignments

• Summative Assessments: 4 assignments

Enrichment Classes
Enrichment courses provide opportunities for students to explore specific interests and develop new skills beyond the core curriculum. These classes encourage creativity, critical thinking, and personal growth through hands-on projects and collaborative activities in areas such as the arts, sciences, technology, and humanities. Homework is not assigned in enrichment courses.

• Formative Assessments: 5 assignments

• Summative Assessments: 2 assignments

 The grading scale is as follows:

90 – 100 = A

80 – 89 = B

70 – 79 = C

60 – 69 = D

59 & Below = F

Assignments in Gradelink are designated with specific codes to provide clear information to parents and students:

Excused (EX): These assignments have been excused by the teacher based on their professional judgment. An excused assignment will not impact the student’s grade.

Absent (AB): If a student’s work is marked as Absent, it is the student’s responsibility to initiate and complete the missing assignment. Students are given the same number of days they were absent to submit the work. Failure to complete and turn in the within that window will result in a grade of 0%.

Incomplete (IC): Assignments are marked as Incomplete if the student did not turn in the work properly, submitted poorly attempted work, or failed to include their name. In such cases, the student should collaborate with their teacher to resubmit the work. Late points will be deducted for each day the work is not submitted. Incomplete work will result in 0.5 demerit point. Please refer to the Late Work Policy below.

Teachers may not accept work submitted more than one week past the due date unless extenuating circumstances are communicated in advance. Work is considered late if not submitted when the teacher collects it. A "day" late refers to the next instructional period, not a 24-hour period.

Late Work Penalty Scale

• 1 Day Late: 11% deduction

• 2 Days Late: 22% deduction

• 3 Days Late: 33% deduction

• 4 Days Late: 44% deduction

• 5 Days Late: 55% deduction

• 6 or More Days Late: No credit (0%)

Absences 

If a student is absent, they must first check Google Classroom for any missed assignments or instructions. If the necessary work is not available online, it is the responsibility of the student and their parent/guardian to contact the teacher directly for missed assignments. Please allow up to 48 hours for the teacher to prepare and provide the missing materials. All work missed is expected to be completed regardless of days missed. 

Any assignments submitted late, whether due to an excused or unexcused absence, will be graded at the teacher’s discretion and as time allows, rather than immediately upon submission.

Make-up work, including tests or quizzes, must be completed during a time designated by the teacher   once the student has returned to school.

Extra credit opportunities are only available to students who have no incomplete assignments in the class. Teachers are not required to offer extra credit assignments.

Regular attendance is essential to academic success and spiritual growth at Arundel Christian School. Students who accumulate more than 10 absences—whether excused or unexcused—in any given school year place themselves at risk of falling behind in critical learning and classroom engagement.

In such cases, students with more than 12 total absences will be required to participate in a summer school program to recover missed learning and demonstrate readiness for the next grade level. Summer school participation will be determined by the school administration in consultation with teachers and parents and may include core academic content, enrichment modules, or a combination of both, depending on the student's needs.

Students who score below 60% on a summative assessment may request a retake, provided they demonstrate genuine effort to improve through independent study of teacher-recommended material. Retakes must be initiated by the student as part of a second-chance learning opportunity. The final test grade will be calculated as the average of the original and retake scores. It is up to the teachers discretion if the retake will be given. 

Formative assessments are not eligible for retakes; however, at the discretion of the teacher, students may be given the opportunity to reattempt certain assignments for the purpose of growth and mastery.

Academic Probation is a support-focused intervention assigned to 6-12th grade students whose performance falls below 70 percent in any core subject (Bible, ELA, Math, Science, or Social Studies). This status is designed to provide students with structure and accountability as they work toward academic recovery. 

Students placed on Academic Probation will report to the Reflection Room during lunch under the supervision of the Reflection Teacher, who also oversees lunch detention. During this time, students will eat quietly and work independently on relevant course material to address areas of concern. 

A written notice will be sent home bi-weekly informing families of probationary status. This notice must be acknowledged with a parent signature or confirmation via email. While on Academic Probation, the student must raise all core subject grades to 70.00% percent or higher for the probation flag to be removed from their academic record.

Once all core grades meet or exceed 70 percent, the Reflection Monitor will send home a release notice confirming the student’s return to good academic standing. At that time, the student may resume participation in normal school activities.

While on Academic Probation, students are not permitted to participate in athletic programs, clubs, or hold leadership positions. This ensures that academic progress remains the priority until the student has demonstrated sufficient improvement.

To help ensure student success, parents of students placed on Academic Probation are asked to complete a Plan of Action (on the reverse side of the probation slip). This plan should outline how they will support their child’s academic progress. Possible strategies may include setting up a structured homework routine, arranging tutoring support, limiting extracurricular activities, and maintaining regular communication with teachers.

Academic Probation is not a disciplinary action. It is a purposeful partnership between school and home to help students realign with academic expectations and grow in responsibility.

Academic integrity lies at the heart of our mission to educate students in both character and academics. It is a standard we uphold with intention, reflecting our unwavering commitment to honesty, accountability, and personal growth. Every student is expected to embrace and demonstrate this principle in all aspects of their academic journey.

Student Expectations

To maintain academic integrity, students must:

• Complete their own work at all times

• Use only materials, tools, or assistance permitted by the teacher

• Acknowledge and properly cite sources when referencing others’ ideas or words

• Use artificial intelligence (AI) or digital tools only with teacher approval or as described in school policy

Violations of Academic Integrity

The following actions are considered violations of ACS’s academic integrity policy but not limited to:

• Copying another student’s work or allowing someone to copy yours

• Using unauthorized materials, notes, devices, or websites

• Sharing or receiving answers from previous and current assignments or assessments (example: Google Docs)

• Collaborating on assignments meant to be completed individually

• Paraphrasing or quoting without proper citation

• Falsifying data, research, or sources

• Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to generate, summarize, or edit academic work. 

Arundel Christian School (ACS) utilizes TurnItIn, a leading academic integrity platform, to support our commitment to honest and original student work. This software allows us to detect instances of plagiarism by comparing submitted assignments against an extensive database of academic publications, internet sources, and previously submitted student papers. In addition, TurnItIn includes advanced tools that help identify the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in student writing, ensuring that all work reflects the student's own understanding and effort. This enables ACS to uphold high standards of academic integrity and foster a culture of trust and accountability in the learning environment.

When a student is found to have engaged in academic dishonesty:

1. Automatic Zero - The student will receive a zero (0%) on the assignment, test, or project in question.

2. After-School Detention - The student will serve an after-school detention on the next available school day.

3. Redo Policy 

   • Summative Assignments

     • Summative assessments (such as tests, projects, or major essays) may be redone for partial credit.

     • The redo must be submitted within five (5) school days of the confirmed violation.

     • The maximum possible grade on a redone summative assignment is 50%.

     • The same rubric or grading criteria will apply to the redone work.

     • Late submissions beyond the five-day window will not be accepted, and the original zero will remain.

   • Formative Assignments

     • Formative assignments (classwork, practice work, or homework meant for skill development) cannot be made up if academic dishonesty occurs. These grades will remain as a zero.

4. Academic Integrity Council (AIC) Review

   • All confirmed cases of academic dishonesty will be referred to the Academic Integrity Council for review. Parents/guardians will be notified. Repeat or severe offenses may result in further disciplinary action, including suspension or expulsion.

Academic Integrity Council Procedure

• Teacher submits an incident report with supporting evidence to AIC.

• Teacher contacts the student and family. Inputs the violation as a 0% in the gradebook.

• After-school detention is assigned by Department Director.

• A timeline for redoing the assignment is issued (for summative assessments).

• AIC meets to review the case and determine any additional consequences.

• The outcome is recorded in the student’s LiveSchool account.