Grading & Report Card Guide

Our approach:
We follow a trimester schedule and integrate the New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS) into all grading practices.

Grades K–2: Standards-Based Grading

• How it works:

  • Students are assessed directly on NJSLS skills.

  • Each standard covered in the trimester is evaluated with a numeric score:

    • 4 – Exceeds grade-level expectations

    • 3 – Meets grade-level expectations

    • 2 – Approaching grade-level expectations

    • 1 – Needs support to reach grade-level expectations

  • Report cards clearly show each standard and the student’s corresponding score.

• Why it matters for parents and students:
  
  “Standards-based grading helps you see exactly what your child understands and where they’re growing. Instead of just one overall grade, you get a clear picture of skills mastered and areas to work on — encouraging progress and confidence.”

Grades 3–6: Hybrid Model (Standards-Based + Traditional Grades)

• What you’ll see on the report card:

  • A traditional letter grade and percentage for each subject (e.g., ELA, Math, Science).

  • Under each subject, the specific standards covered during the trimester are listed.

  • Teachers indicate progress for each standard using one of three markers:

    • + – Consistently demonstrates mastery

    • ✓ – Progressing toward mastery

    • – – Needs more support

• Why this combination is helpful:
  
  “This format gives you both the big picture of overall performance and the details of how your child is doing on key skills. You’ll know not just the grade, but how they’re growing in each learning area.”