Grading and Reporting

The SLCS Board of Education requires a grading system for use in the elementary and secondary grades that accurately reflects student achievement relative to the district’s curriculum. The progress of each pupil shall be measured periodically and reports of such progress shall be communicated to the parents or guardian at regular intervals. The report shall reflect the quality of a pupil's performance, relative to the grade level or course standards. Credits earned and course grade shall be based on the student’s demonstration of achievement.

Parents will be apprised of the student’s progress in the following ways:
  • At the elementary level, report cards are provided at the end of each nine week marking period but parents will be notified at the mid-marking period when a student is not making progress.
  • At the secondary level, the district's online grade book system provides realtime reports regarding the progress of a student. Parents who do not have access to the online grade book are able to request paper copies of progress reports, which are then shared every two weeks. Report cards are provided for all secondary students at the end of each semester.
  • Parents who have concerns about their student’s progress are encouraged to contact the teacher directly.

STANDARDS BASED GRADING
In 2002, the district began shifting to standards based grading.  Standards based grading means that a student’s grade in a course or subject should directly reflect his or her level of mastery of the content, not the compliance level of the student to classroom rules, his or her participation, completion of incorrect work, or extra credit. 

To help with this shift, the district separately reports to parents and guardians on the student’s Habits of Mind mastery. 

GRADING AT THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
At the elementary level, the key standards and concepts in reading, writing, mathematics, science and social studies are reported individually for parents.  Mastery is not reported as letter grades but on a 3 category rubric:
  • 3- Meets level of mastery for the standard
  • 2- Approaching mastery of the standard
  • 1- Area of concern
Levels of content mastery are reported four times a year for elementary students.

GRADING AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOLS
Grades at the secondary schools are calculated using percentages; a student's GPA is calculated using a four (4.0) point scale.  Information about the 4-point grading system can be found in the student handbook or by contacting one of the middle or high schools.  

Overview of Grading and Reporting

Overview of How Grades are Communicated
Overview of How Semester Grades are Calculated
Overview of Semester and Cumulative GPA
Overview of How AP Grades are Weighted
NEW - Grading and Reporting Update for 2018-2019