Grading Policies

GRADING POLICY / REPORT CARDS
The primary purpose of assessment is to determine the extent to which a student has achieved mastery of course content. The school has a policy of assigning letter grades in six marking periods each year. The grades of the first, second, fourth and fifth marking periods are progress reports and are not part of the student's permanent record. The grades of the third and sixth marking periods represent the official semester grades in each course and are recorded on the student's official transcript. A failing grade for the semester can be assigned without further notice when a student has received a D or an F in the second or fifth marking periods.

OUTSTANDING STUDENT OF THE SEMESTER

One male and one female for each graduating class for each semester will receive the Outstanding Student of the Semester Award. A student will be considered based on teacher nominations or by meeting these criteria:

• Receives three department awards for the semester;
• Is listed on the Principal’s Honor Roll;
  -or-
• Has a GPA of 4.5 or greater

The Administrative Council, according to these criteria will make final selection:

• A high GPA in a strong academic program
• Number of honors and AP classes
• Activity and citizenship records

In the case of a tie, the following will be considered:

• Number of teacher nominations
• Number of department awards received

GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA)
There are two types of GPA calculations: weighted and unweighted.

Unweighted GPAs are calculated as follows:

1. Assign a numerical value to each letter grade: A = 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1, F = 0 (A plus or minus after a grade letter does not affect the numerical value).

2. Total the points for all courses.

3. Divide by the number of units in which grades were received.

Weighted GPAs are calculated as follows:

1. Award an extra point for all honors and Advanced Placement courses.

2. Assign a numerical value to each honor and AP course letter grade: A = 5, B = 4, C=3,D = 2, F = 0 (A plus or minus after a grade letter does not affect the numerical value).

3. Assign a numerical value to all other letter grades: A = 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1, F = 0 ( a plus or minus after a grade letter does not affect the numerical value).

4. Total the points for all courses.

5. Divide by the number of courses in which grades were received.

Weighted GPAs are used in the selection process of valedictorian and salutatorian, undergraduate awards, honor rolls, and class rank.

CREDIT AND GRADING FOR RELIGION COURSES

Class time, assignments and accountability for religious studies must be comparable to that of other academic areas. Specifically, religion is to be taught each semester of the secondary school program for a total of 250 minutes per week, in conformity with the norms governing the weekly instructional time for courses earning one full unit of credit.

Religion courses are to be graded and to receive full academic credit. However, students are to be graded on academic achievement in religion and not on their religious affiliation, personal belief or the practice of their faith. Students and parents need to understand that the religion grade indicates comprehension of subject matter and is not an evaluation of personal holiness or the practice of one's religion.