Grades and Comments in The Middle School

In the Middle School, assessment serves to measure student achievement and to guide instruction.  Assessment is an ongoing and daily part of school life. It provides the feedback necessary for students and teachers to promote both the individual’s and the group’s learning processes.  In the various subject areas, assessment can take the form of feedback on daily and long-term assignments and activities, peer evaluations, conversations with students, test and quiz scores, or any other means by which students demonstrate their understanding of instructional material. 

Teachers communicate with families about student achievement via progress reports. In sixth through eighth grades, shorter interim reports are also available mid-semester.  In all grades a comprehensive picture of student progress in each subject area is given through evaluation of specific skills and through narrative comments.  Starting in the sixth grade, the progress report for each subject area also includes an evaluation of overall performance. 

Students at all grade levels are encouraged to reflect on their learning and to set personal academic goals. This is formalized in the conferences that take place. In the seventh and eighth grades, students take the lead in conducting these conferences, sharing both self-assessments as well as strategies for strengthening themselves as learners.

Because school is a place of community as well as intellectual growth, Middle School teachers give feedback to students and their families about the students’ behavior and social/emotional development.  Observations and concerns are reflected in the comments on progress reports.  In addition, teachers communicate as needed with the families of students about areas of concern, as a means to support students both in their individual development and in their growth as members of the school community. 

Progress Reports

Detailed progress reports in narrative form are prepared and made available in PowerSchool twice a year at the conclusion of each semester for students in 6 ^th through 8 ^th Grades. Families receive an e-mail indicating that the grades and comments are available for review. The reports will remain available for two weeks after the end of the grading period. Reports are taken off-line to prepare for the next grading period.

Beginning in 6 ^th Grade, the final semester reports will also include a letter grade representing the cumulative performance and effort in the class on a continuum.  

The letter grades below represent the following:

E = Excellent S+ = High SatisfactoryU = Unsatisfactory

S = SatisfactoryS- = Low Satisfactory

If a student experiences difficulty in school, the administration and faculty of The Middle School work with the student and his or her family to develop appropriate plans for academic and emotional support. Students in 6 ^th , 7 ^th and 8 ^th Grades take a series of three courses called “rotation," one each quarter.  Since The Middle School is on a semester system, final progress reports are made available twice a year.  Therefore, you will receive your child’s first rotation progress report at the conclusion of the first semester, and you will receive your child’s second and third rotation progress report at the conclusion of the second semester.

Letter of Commendation

6 ^th , 7 ^th and 8 ^th Grade students whose progress reports include the grade of “excellent” in four or more of their subjects will receive a letter of commendation from the principal acknowledging their academic success. At least three of the “excellent” grades must come from the core academic subjects of mathematics, science, world language, and/or humanities.  The letter will be placed in the student’s permanent file as a part of their academic record.

Probationary Status

6 ^th , 7 ^th , and 8 ^th Grade students whose progress reports indicate low satisfactory performance in three or more courses will be placed on academic probation. Academic probation is a warning that is intended to alert a student that a change in effort and/or performance is necessary. It should be noted that for the purposes of academic probation, the Humanities course is weighted as two courses and an unsatisfactory grade is the equivalent of two low-satisfactory grades. 

The families of a student placed on probation will receive a letter from the Principal indicating what steps should be taken to help the student improve.  Students who remain on probation may be asked to meet with their counselor, seek tutoring or outside testing, enroll in a summer program, pass an academic assessment test, or in some cases withdraw from a particular class or The Laboratory Schools.  Students who leave 8th grade on probation will be asked to meet with the high school principal or may not be recommended for entry into University High School.

Interim Reports

6 ^th , 7 ^th , and 8 ^th Grade students also receive interim progress reports at the midpoint of each semester. The interim reports are a way for families to know if their child is on track at the mid-point in the semester.  It is not a time for formal grading, but rather an alert system for families to know if their child’s effort and achievement are appropriate.  Grades are given at the end of each semester.  

Interim reports focus on a student’s level of achievement and his/her level of effort.  In addition to the brief narrative comment, a student’s progress is gauged as “satisfactory or better”, “low satisfactory”, or “unsatisfactory.” The information is intended to convey that the student’s progress is fine or that a problem exists that needs to be addressed before the semester ends.

Our rotation classes (art, drama, computers, home economics, and photography) meet for one quarter and then end.  Interim reports for rotation classes are not given.