Assessment and Grading

Assessment and Grading

Your work is measured using the International Baccalaureate (IB)1 – 7 grading scale. Each number grade represents a standard of work which is described in words called criteria. For example, if a piece of work is awarded a 7 it means that it is “outstanding” whether the work was done by a 6th grade student or a 12th grade student. The table below describes the standard of work for each grade.

Grade

Criteria

7

Outstanding work, in which you apply relevant skills, knowledge and concepts almost faultlessly, with sophistication. Your work shows exceptional judgement, maturity, insight and analysis; it also shows marked independence, originality and flair.

6

A very thorough application of relevant skills, knowledge and concepts. Your work shows very sound judgement, maturity, insight and analysis with independence and originality.

5

A thorough application of relevant skills, knowledge and concepts. Your work, on the whole, shows sound judgement, insight and analysis with some independence and originality.

4

An adequate application of the main relevant skills, knowledge and concepts. Your work shows some evidence of reasonable judgement, insight and analysis.

3

A partly successful application of the main relevant skills, knowledge and concepts. There has been little evidence of reasonable judgement, insight or analysis. Your work may show clear difficulties in some areas and you may need extra support.

2

A very limited application of the main relevant skills, knowledge and concepts. Your work has not shown evidence of judgement, insight or analysis. Your work shows marked difficulties in several areas, even with extra support.

1

Little or no evidence of any ability to understand or apply the basic skills, knowledge and concepts, even with extra support. Your work has not shown evidence of judgement, insight or analysis.

Teachers decide which grade to award a piece of work by taking into account the criteria that match the grade. It is not a simple mathematical calculation. The grade is determined by the best fit. The teacher makes the final judgement based on the grade criteria that applies to all of your work throughout the semester.

Student responsibility:

  • For every graded assignment you receive back from a teacher make sure you understand why it was awarded the grade given.

  • Know exactly what you must do to improve the grade next time.

  • If you don’t know why or what to do, ask your teacher to explain more clearly.


Acceptable and unacceptable grades

  • In Grades 6-8, in order to prepare for the following year we expect students to achieve a minimum grade of 4 by the end of each semester.

  • When a student has a grade of 3, the Student Support Team works with the student to make improvements. (cause for concern, not a failing grade)

  • A grade of 2 is considered a failing grade, and if the student ends the year with a grade of 2 in a subject, arrangements may be required for the student to make up the gaps in their learning to continue at the next level the following year.

  • A grade of 7 indicates that the student can apply what they have learned demonstrating analytical skills. Repeating memorized information is typically not enough to earn a 7.

  • It is important that you and your parents focus on making progress, rather than grades. In grades 6-8 we do not report a Grade Point Average or rank students.

Semester Grades

  • If you receive two grades of 3 or one grade of 2, you will be placed on academic monitoring. The Student Support Team will develop a plan with you to make progress.

  • If the grades do not improve in the subsequent semester, you will be placed on the Level Two Academic Monitoring, with more learning interventions.

  • If you do not make sufficient progress after this, we will meet to discuss further options.

  • If you have a grade of two in a course that is mandatory for the following year at the end of semester two, you will need to pass a summer course to prepare for the next year.


Our academic program is designed to prepare students to successfully complete the FIS High School Diploma, and if they choose, the International Baccalaureate Diploma.