Lower School Grading

Student progress is reported by means of combined detailed checklists and written comments. Checklist items are evaluated as:

1 - Limited: Demonstrates little or no understanding of concept, idea or skill. Practice and support are required.
2 - Developing: Demonstrates partial understanding of concept, idea or skill. Practice and support are required.
3 - Proficient: Demonstrates understanding of concept, idea or skill.
4 - Exemplary: Applies concept, idea or skill to new contexts, makes connections, and extends thinking.

In addition, Grades 3 and 4 are given a grade for each academic subject area:

O - Consistently exceeds expectations
S - Meets grade level expectations
N - Below grade level expectations

Middle School

Student grades assess academic performance and the ability to manage time effectively, collaborate with others, complete homework accurately and responsibly, and participate in daily classroom activities. Grades are a measure of student learning, ability, and effort, and do not necessarily reflect potential. Students who do not receive a passing grade on an assessment may retake or do additional work, as determined by the teacher, to receive up to a C-.  

Throughout each quarter, parents/guardians and students have access to student progress through Schoology. At the end of each quarter, teachers prepare formal evaluations that include letter grades. Teachers also write narrative comments reflecting student growth and challenges twice each quarter. Parents are encouraged to discuss student progress with their child by focusing more on the learning process and teacher comments than on the letter grade.  

Fifth grade students continue to receive O-S-N grades like those earned in Lower School.  

In grades six through eight, the A-F grade system is used:  

A - Outstanding achievement; excellent performance
B - Achievement beyond the requirements of the class; commendable performance
C - Satisfactory achievement in meeting the requirements of the course; adequate performance
D - Unsatisfactory achievement; has not met all requirements of the class
F - Failed the course; credit may not be given

Grading Scales

All Middle School classes for grades 6 – 8, except for Art, use the following Common Grading Scale. Teachers do not give a grade of A+ because such a grade indicates complete mastery; we believe that students can always find ways to improve and continue their learning and understanding of a topic.  

• 94.0 and above A   
• 90.0 – 93.9% A-  
• 87.0 – 89.9% B+  
• 83.0 – 86.9% B  
• 80.0 – 82.9% B-  
• 77.0 – 79.9% C+   
• 73.0 – 76.9% C 
• 70.0 – 72.9% C- 
• 67.0 – 69.9% D+ 
• 67.0 – 69.9% D+ 
• 63.0 – 66.9% D 
• 60.0 – 62.9% D 
• 0.0 – 59.9% F  

Grade 5:  

• O (95 – 100%) = Consistently applies concept, idea or skill to new contexts, makes connections, and extends thinking.  

• S+ (87 – 94%) = Demonstrates understanding of concept, idea or skill and can apply it to new contexts.  
• S (75 – 86%) = Demonstrates basic understanding of concept, idea or skill.  
• S- (70 – 74%) = Demonstrates partial understand of concept, idea, or skill. Practice and support are required.  
• N (69% and Below) = Demonstrates limited or no understanding of concept, idea, or skill. Practice and support are required. 

Pass/Fail Option (Middle School) 

In certain circumstances, students may take a course Pass/Fail. This option is reserved for unique situations, and requires written approval within the first two weeks of the quarter by the Middle School Director, parent (s)/guardian(s), and teacher. A letter grade of " D- " or higher for a Pass/Fail course will be graded "Pass" and will earn one credit. A letter grade of "F" for a Pass / Fail course will be recorded as "F," with no credit awarded. 

Upper School

The Upper School maintains the following academic letter grade system:  

A = Outstanding achievement; excellent performance  
B = Achievement beyond the requirements of the class; commendable performance  
C = Satisfactory achievement in meeting the requirements of the course; adequate performance
D = Unsatisfactory achievement; has not met all of the requirements of the class  
F = Failed the course; credit is not given.   

Given the students attending Mounds Park Academy, it should be noted that a “C” grade is satisfactory and the requirements of the class have been met. A “D” grade may mean the student would not be able to use the class as a prerequisite. 

Policy for Dropping Classes (Upper School)  

Upper School students may drop a class within the first week of the class unless there are extenuating circumstances to warrant otherwise. Regardless of circumstance, if a student drops a class after the drop date the class will be listed as a withdrawal (W) on their transcript. This applies to quarter, semester, and full year courses. Seniors who drop a course after college applications are submitted are required to notify the colleges of this change.  

Pass/No Credit Grading (Upper School)

A grade of “P” indicates success at the level of C- or above as determined by the teacher. No academic credit is given for performance below a C-. Neither a grade of “Pass” nor “No Credit” is figured into a student’s grade point average (GPA). Pass/No Credit grading is considered on an individual basis only.    

Generally, students are discouraged from taking courses Pass/No Credit. However, under the following circumstances administrative approval may be granted:  

• Special circumstances including chronic illness with documentation provided by treating professional, physical handicap, prolonged absence due to family circumstances, etc.  
• Students wishing to broaden their educational background without the penalty of potentially lower grades or GPA.  

In order for students to take a course Pass/No Credit, they must apply for permission no later than two weeks into the course; under special circumstances, administrative discretion may apply. The Upper School Director along with the department offering the course and the instructor teaching it must grant approval. The instructor will prepare a contract describing course requirements and due dates. This will be kept on file in the Upper School office. Requests for Pass/No Credit are granted only when the course in question is not a departmental graduation requirement.  

Cumulative Grade Point Average (Upper School)

The cumulative GPA is based on semester grades only for all courses taken. It is calculated after each semester and is recorded on the transcript at the end of each semester. The cumulative grade point average only includes grades for classes taken at Mounds Park Academy and through the Malone Schools On-Line Network. 

Valedictorian (Upper School)

Annually one student in the Senior Class is recognized as the Valedictorian. This student has achieved the highest grade point average (GPA) over a minimum of five (5) academic semesters at Mounds Park Academy.

Salutatorian (Upper School)

Annually one student in the Senior Class is recognized as the Salutatorian. This student has achieved the second highest grade point average (GPA) over a minimum of five (5) academic semesters at Mounds Park Academy.

Cum Laude Society (Upper School)

The presence of a Cum Laude chapter at a secondary school is an indication that superior scholastic achievement is honored. Each Chapter may elect up to, and no more than, twenty percent (20%) of the members of the Senior Class to be inducted into the Society. Induction is based upon an achieved grade point average (GPA) over a minimum of four (4) academic semesters at Mounds Park Academy. The induction ceremony will take place annually in October.

Last Updated: August 26, 2019