The following guidelines will be observed:
The District will utilize a differentiated grading system. Classroom teachers will evaluate students and assign grades according to the established system in each school and/or grade level.
Grades will reflect a student's academic progress and achievement. Students will know clearly what is expected of them and they will be helped and evaluated along the way. Academic achievement is defined as an index of the mastery of skills, concepts and content in a particular subject.
Students and their parents will be provided with information regarding classroom attendance/participation and course credit policies upon their admission to school and at the beginning of the school year.
Parents are to be informed of their child’s progress on a regular basis; at least four (4) times a year at the secondary level, and three (3) times a year at the elementary level.
The use of marks and symbols will be appropriately explained.
Grading will not be used for disciplinary purposes, i.e., giving lower grades for unexcused absences, as opposed to giving lower grades for failure to complete assigned work or for lack of class participation. However, a student's misconduct that is directly related to his/her academic performance (e.g., plagiarism, cheating on a test, avoiding an exam to secure more time to study), will be reflected in the student's grade.
Grading may be based, in part, upon student improvement, achievement, and participation in classroom discussion and activities.
A grade for classroom participation may be used for a portion of the student's overall grade in each class. Classroom work missed due to absences from class and the failure to make up the work missed, will be factored into the participation grade in accordance with this policy. In consultation with Principals, teachers will develop procedures for the make up of work missed due to any excused absences from class and will communicate them to the students at the beginning of each course.
All students are expected to complete the assigned class work and homework as directed. Students are also expected to participate meaningfully in class discussions and activities in order to receive course credit. If work is missed due to absence, the student is expected to make up the work. The student and/or the student's parent(s) or guardian(s) should discuss with the student's teacher an appropriate means of making up the missed work. With the possible exception of absences intended by the students as a means of gaining an unfair academic advantage (e.g., to secure more time to study for a test), every effort will be made to provide students with the opportunity and assistance to make up all work missed as a result of an excused absence from class.
HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL
Grade Calculation
Quarter courses require both a marking period grade and a final grade.
For half-year courses: Each quarter will have a value of 42.5% in the final course grade and the final exam or regents exam will have a value of 15% in the final course grade.
For full year courses: Each quarter will have a value of 21.25% in the final course grade and the final exam or regents exam will have a value of 15% in the final course grade.
The student's final average representing the total year's work will determine the passing or failing of that subject.
Incompletes
A two-week period after the end of the marking period may be provided for make-up work. Requests for an incomplete will be made through the subject teacher. At the end of the two-week period a grade is given and recorded, unless, for extenuating circumstances, administrative approval has been granted for a longer period. If the necessary work is not completed within the period agreed upon, a grade of F will be recorded.
Table Conversion
Numeric Grades G.P.E. Conversion
G.P.E. Avg. to Alpha
97-100 A+ 4.3 4.2-4.3 A+
93-96 A 4.0 3.9-4.1 A
90-92 A- 3.7 3.5-3.8 A-
87-89 B+ 3.3 3.2-3.4 B+
83-86 B 3.0 2.9-3.1 B
80-82 B- 2.7 2.5-2.8 B-
77-79 C+ 2.3 2.2-2.4 C+
73-76 C 2.0 1.9-2.1 C
70-72 C- 1.7 1.4-1.8 C-
65-69 D 1.0 1.0-1.3 D
Below 65 F 0 Less than 1.0 F
All grade calculations must conform to the Conversion Table. Requests for variation in the final average must be submitted in writing, with rationale, to the Principal's Office. Written approval must be received before a teacher may change the grade.
Position of Regents Examinations in Awarding Credit
The successful passing of a Regents examination does not automatically grant a student credit in that subject towards graduation at Yorktown High School. The school considers the Regents examination to be a minimum requirement of the course.
Class assignments, laboratory experiments, school test results, and student contributions in class activity represent additional course requirements students are expected to meet.
Weighting of Grading
A weighting plan will be used in computing class rank. Under this weighting system, the student's actual grade will not change on the report card or transcript. At the end of junior year, when class rank is determined, the grade in each course will be weighted according to the system indicated below:
All Honors and Advanced Placement classes will have a weighting of 5 points for class rank purposes only;
All other courses will not hold an additional weighting.
Computation of Class Rank
The student with the highest grade point average will be named valedictorian; the student with the second highest grade point average will be named salutatorian. If there is a tie in either of these places, co-valedictorians or co-salutatorians will be named. This will be determined at the end of the junior year. Class ranks beyond the valedictorian and salutatorian will not be computed.
MIDDLE SCHOOL LEVEL
Grade Calculation
At the Middle School level, grades 6 through 8, academic and special areas are assessed on the following grading key:
GRADE EQUIVALENTS
Grade Numeric
A+ 97 - 100
A 93 - 96
A- 90 - 92
B+ 87 - 89
B 83 - 86
B- 80 - 82
C+ 77 - 79
C 73 - 76
C- 70 - 72
D 65 - 69
F Below 64
When determining grades, averages should be calculated to the hundredths place and then rounded to the nearest tenth.
HONOR ROLL RECOGNITION
High Honor Roll 92.5-100 3.9 – 4.3
Honor Roll 89.5-92.4
Students who are medically excused or graded on a pass/fail basis in any course may not qualify for Honor Roll or High Honor Roll.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LEVEL
Standards-based report cards for elementary school students will be used using a scale of 1-4.
Cross ref: 4712, Student Progress Reports to Parents
4731, Return of Student Work
5100, Comprehensive Attendance
Adoption date: June 22, 2002
Amended date: October 24, 2005
Amended date: September 21, 2009
Amended date: January 12, 2010 (clerical correction)
Amended date: January 25, 2011
Amended date: August 25, 2014
Amended date: January 13, 2025