March 23, 2023
The pressure to end the quarter on the “right note” is frequently a focus for students and their families. Next week most third quarter non-elective classes will be offering final exams to 9-11 grade students; seniors do not take final exams. For the most part, these assessments are not the old blue book cumulative exams that many of us experienced when we were in high school. Instead, teachers do a wonderful job of asking students essential questions based on the material and discussions had throughout the quarter. Certainly, math and World Language courses have more cumulative assessments as those courses are based upon a sequential curriculum. According to the Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning at Harvard University, “final exams remain one of the most common genres of cumulative assignments, set at the end of courses in order to give students (and instructors) the opportunity to synthesize and reflect on the full arc of the grading period.”
The schedule next week will provide students the opportunity to review the material on which they will be assessed and focus only on their exams on Thursday and Friday. Final exams are allotted 90 minutes of time and students take specific exams at scheduled times. The content covered on final exams is cumulative for the entire year, but the exam is worth up to 20% of the second semester grade. There is no averaging of the first semester and second semester grades as each grade earned goes into the GPA calculation separately. The first term grades are already finalized and have been entered into each student’s permanent record, so performance on the final exam has no bearing on the first semester grade and only affects the second semester.
The Schedule for Finals Week
Monday, March 27, through Wednesday, March 29, are “normal” school days. Students in Quarter 3 World Language classes will take their final exams on either (or both) Monday or Tuesday, March 27 and 28, during their regular class meeting time.
On Thursday, March 30, and Friday, March 31, there are no regular upper school classes – there are only final exams these two days. Upper school students may be on campus before and after their final exams and lunch will be available for those students on the MPA lunch plan 11:20-11:45 AM. Light breakfast and snack items will be available throughout the day to all upper school students outside of the upper school office. Please note that Middle and Lower School students will follow their regular class schedule all week and only Upper School has a modified schedule for final exams.
Thursday, March 30
8:45 to 10:15 AM – Upper School Science Final Exams
12:00 to 1:30 PM – Upper School English Final Exams
Friday, March 31
8:45 to 10:15 AM – Upper School Math Final Exams
12:00 to 1:30 PM – Upper School Social Studies Final Exams
Students are not required to be on campus on Thursday or Friday when they do not have a final exam scheduled.
Those students who are allotted extended time for exams will work directly with their teacher or Ms. Schwalen. She will communicate directly with students and their families.
MPA will not be in session on Monday, April 3 for a professional development day for the staff. Quarter 4 begins on Tuesday, April 4.
I hope this helps provide a guideline for Quarter 3 final exams, and know that a similar pattern will be in place for Quarter 4 exams in early June. Good luck to one and all and may your hard work and preparation pay off!
I look forward to seeing you on campus soon,
Mark
Important Information
If your student will be absent, late, or needs to be excused early from school, please reach out to upper school administrative assistant Chanda Williams at cwilliams@moundsparkacademy.org.
The upper school is participating in the fourth grade food drive supporting Neighborhood House. This wonderful local organization has been and continues to be a welcoming presence for thousands of refugees, immigrants, and others in transition or crisis. Should your family wish to participate, non-perishable food items are being collected through March 31 in the Upper School Commons.
Looking Ahead
Saturday 3/25: Grades 7-12 PlayMo Diorama Competition, 12- 2:30 PM, Makerspace
Tuesday 3/28: World Language Final Exams, during World Language classes
Wednesday 3/29: World Language Final Exams, during World Language classes
Thursday 3/30: Science Final Exams, 8:45-10:15 AM, Various Locations on Campus, English Final Exams, 12-1:30 PM, Various Locations on Campus
Friday 3/31: Math Final Exams, 8:45-10:15 AM, Various Locations on Campus, Social Studies Final Exams, 12-1:30 PM, Various Locations on Campus
Monday 4/3: No Classes, Professional Development Day
Tuesday 4/4: Quarter 4 Begins
Friday 4/14: Upper School Parent’s Association Meeting, 8-9:30 AM, Porter Conference Room (PCR)
Thursday 4/20: 8-9:15 AM, Senior Performances, Nicholson Center
Friday 4/21: A Night of Pure Imagination, 6:30 PM, Intercontinental Hotel–St. Paul Riverfront
