Academic Policies: K-12 Overview

Determining Grades

Throughout your scholar’s K-12 education, their academic progress will be evaluated in four critical areas: classwork, participation, homework, and assessments.

Classwork

Scholars earn classwork grades in all subjects. An average of their graded classwork assignments over the course of the quarter will be reflected on their report card in elementary and middle school, and on PupilPath in high school.

Participation 

In elementary school, scholars earn a weekly participation grade in literacy, math and science; in middle school and high school, scholars receive weekly grades in all academic and elective subjects. Participation grades are calculated based on how consistently scholars display attributes and behaviors in the following two categories:   

• Effort: Effort is applying oneself with all one’s might. Stellar effort is required for a student to maximize the power of their intellect. Students who demonstrate sky high effort: 

  • Conceptualize the question or problem, assuming that questions require understanding BEFORE answering. 

  • Determine the right answer, and ALSO use logic to prove why other answers are wrong. 

  • Check their work by rereading the question and the answer. Consider whether their answer is reasonable. Solve the problem another way. 

  • Have self-awareness and take note of problems or questions that they are unsure of and may need to revisit. 

• Sophisticated Thinking: Sophisticated thinking is the holy grail of learning. Sophisticated thinkers: 

  • Pay attention to specific language and information 

  • Use knowledge, logic, and reasoning to develop ideas 

  • Take intellectual risks and say what they really think 

  • Communicate clearly and precisely, orally, and in writing

  • Listen actively and intently to others, and consider how new information and ideas develop their thinking 

  • Push the conversation forward by contributing additional knowledge, reasoning, or perspectives. Offer challenges and counterarguments. Don’t simply repeat what others have said.

K-12 Participation Rubric

Homework

Scholars earn a homework grade each week (with the exception of elementary school science). Additional homework assignments are assigned over breaks. An average of their graded homework assignments over the course of the quarter will be reflected on their report card in elementary and middle school, and on PupilPath in high school. As noted in the Family Handbook, parents are responsible for ensuring their child completes all homework assignments on time. We evaluate homework completion as one component of a scholar’s performance and readiness for grade promotion.

Assessments

Assessments are a critical component of our approach: well-designed tests measure real learning and, along with regular reviews of student work, provide educators with important insights into the quality of their teaching and scholar learning. All internal and external assessments, including New York State exams, are mandatory. Scholars who miss an assessment due to an excused absence with a doctor’s note, or due to bereavement, can make it up upon their return to school within a maximum time frame of two weeks. External assessment makeups may be limited due to New York State and College Board-established scheduling and policies.

Grading vs. Reviewing Assignments

All scholar work is essential to monitoring and helping improve academic performance. While scholars will typically receive a grade for one assignment per category per week, teachers must review all scholar assignments and provide feedback to assignments that are not graded.