Seabury Hall Middle School

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GRADING AND ASSESSMENT

Grading Policy

Teachers maintain their own systems for calculating students grades which are presented to students in written and verbal forms at the beginning of each school year.  Letter grades are issues for all academic core courses. In general, letter grades have the following meanings:

            A range            =          Excellent

            B range            =          Good

            C range            =          Average, Satisfactory

            D range            =          Passing but with some deficiencies

            F                       =          Failing, no credit

I                         =          Incomplete, Grade pending completion

The following grading and grade point system is in effect:

A         =          4.0                  C         =          2.0

A-        =          3.7                   C-        =          1.7

B+       =          3.3                   D+       =          1.3

B          =          3.0                   D         =          1.0

B-        =          2.7                   D-        =          0.7

C+       =          2.3                   F          =          0.0

Grading Period and Grading Reports

Grade Reports with full comments from teachers are issues at the end of every quarter; in October, December, March, and June.  The only exception to this practice is first quarter sixth graders whose parents will be scheduled for parent conferences in lieu of first quarter grades.  Grade point averages for determining probation are computed on the basis of semester grades.  Grade point averages for Honor Roll and the Middle School Scholars’ Ceremony are determined on the basis of the first through third quarter grades.

Deficiency Reports will be issues in the middle of every quarter for all students earning a grade of C- or below, or for students whose performance has shown marked or dramatic decline within that quarter.  Deficiency grades are not recorded as part of the permanent academic record.

Parent notices will be sent home at the discretion of the teacher to inform parents of significant progress as well as academic or behavioral problems.  Weekly progress report forms can be initiated by parents or teachers when closer attention to student progress is indicated.

All  new students receive a grade report at the mid-point of the first quarter.

Honor Roll

The middle school recognizes both effort and achievement.  There are two tiers to our honor roll:

(2)   Students with a quarterly grade point average of 3.7 or above receive Headmaster’s List status.

Students who receive below a “C” in P.E or a “U” in exploratories or electives are not eligible for Honor Roll status.

Students who attain any Honor Roll status for each of the first three quarters of the school year will be invited to the Scholars’ Ceremony in recognition of their efforts.  Those who attain the Headmaster’s List for the first three quarters of the school year will receive special awards and recognition at the Scholars’ Ceremony.  In addition, those students who have shown the most effort and improvement academically although not on the Honor Roll will be awarded special certificates during the school year at school assemblies and programs.

Academic Probation

A student will be placed on academic probation at the end of the first semester of the seventh and/or eighth grade year if that student receives one D or F as final semester grades.  In either case the student would have until the end of the second semester to obtain a semester-long average of C or better in all coursework with no D’s or F’s.  Failure to meet the provisions of this academic probation contract will result in dismissal from Seabury Hall

From time to time a student’s behavior, either academic or social, may be beyond the scope of Seabury Hall and its faculty to accommodate.  In these instances, after numerous meetings between parents, faculty, and the student in question, the Middle School Head may recommend that the student not be issued a re-enrollment form for the following academic year.

Special Help-Middle school teachers are generally available each day for special help after school.  If tutorial assistance is needed beyond the special help period, the Middle School Head can make special recommendations.  Peer tutors are available through the Learning Hui and can also be secured through the Middle School Head.

Standardized Testing –Once a year, usually in April, all middle school students are given several mornings of standardized testing.  These achievement tests can identify certain academic strengths and/or weaknesses in a particular student or class.  When the test results are available in May parents who wish to know the results can make an appointment with the Middle School Head.  In addition, where the school suspects unusual language or math problems, a more thorough battery of tests may be recommended.

Final Exams for Eighth Graders-The second semester of eighth grade will conclude with an examination period extending over a period of two or three weeks with five exams of two hours each.  These exams, while not as rigorous as the upper school finals, are part of the transition program to upper school for the eighth grade. Exam schedules will be sent home well in advance of exam periods.

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