Academic Evaluation
and Communication

Grading Scale

Middle School students are given letter grades based on the following percentage scale:

A 93–100      B-    80–82          D+   67–69

A- 90–92       C+   77–79          D 63–66

B+    87–89        C 73–76          D-    60–62

B 83–86        C-    70–72          F ≤ 59

In order to be considered in good academic standing, a Middle School student must achieve and maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average (C) in core subjects. A student falling below this benchmark will be placed on academic probation and may be required to repeat a course or grade level.

Academic Support and Probation

Students who have habitual absences, missed assignments, and/or a drop in the quality of their work may be referred to the Head of Middle School, and the Learning Services staff will come alongside students to assess issues and obstacles and potentially develop a personalized plan for improvement. Students, parents, teachers, and learning specialists may all be involved to help ensure that each student has a clear path to success.

Any student who earns two or more semester grades in the D range or one or more Fs may be placed on academic probation for the next semester. Each student on academic probation may have a meeting within two weeks of the release of grades with their parents, any relevant teachers, and the Head of Middle School to discuss specific actions to help the student improve his or her academic performance (unless a parent/teacher conference was previously held). These actions may include, but are not restricted to extra help, tutoring, and mandatory study hall attendance. A letter will be sent home informing the student and his or her parent(s) of the student’s probationary status. The student’s progress will be monitored closely by the Head of Middle School and the relevant teachers, and these will meet periodically with the student.

Students on academic probation who earn improved grades (with no more than one D) for the next semester will be removed from academic probation. Any student remaining on probation for the next semester may be required to repeat a course or grade level or possibly be subject to separation from the school.

Report Cards

Grade reports are an important part of Trinity’s partnership with families as we work together to develop not just our students’ academic gifts and proficiencies, but also the personal qualities God desires them to possess. We encourage parents to use these reports at home as an opportunity for reflective conversations about how their son or daughter’s studies are going and what specific academic goals might be set for the following grading period.      

All Middle School students receive grade reports quarterly. In addition, core academic faculty include comments on the grade reports in the first and third quarters. Middle School specials teachers write comments only if concerned about student progress. Report card comments focus on the student’s strengths and areas for improvement. If a student is struggling academically (i.e., experiencing difficulty with comprehending and/or demonstrating proficiency skills) at any point during the marking period, the parents will be notified. All report cards will be distributed electronically. Report cards may be withheld by the school office at the end of the year if there are any outstanding fees, fines, or tuition due to the school by the family.

Communication about Academics

Classroom teachers communicate with students and parents when students perform consistently and significantly below their academic potential; when a grade on any major assessment (e.g., a unit test) is a score of C- or lower; when a concerning pattern is identified (for instance, frequently forgotten or undone homework); or when students are at risk of earning a C- or lower for a quarter or semester average. Parents with concerns about their student’s academic performance are encouraged to contact the teacher to schedule a conference at any point during the year.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parents are encouraged to contact teachers by email at any time to ask questions or arrange a conference. Conferences are an important part of the communication between home and school, and both parents are encouraged to attend. During a conference there is an exchange of information about the student, including what the parents see as the student’s needs and how school and home can work together to meet those needs to allow for the student to succeed and grow both personally and academically.

Additional conferences can be scheduled with the homeroom teacher, classroom teachers, School Counselor, Middle School Learning Specialist, or Head of Middle School at any other time during the school year if the teacher or parent considers it desirable. However, please note that teachers are not available to confer with parents during morning drop-off, during class time, or at dismissal.