Grading Policy

In middle school and high school, each student’s grade point average shall be the sum of the point values, as defined below, of all the grades received for all courses attempted, divided by the sum of the credits for all courses attempted. All grades for all courses taken shall be included in the calculation of grade point averages; the ‘P’ grade shall not be computed.

During the 2022-23 school year, we will continue to utilize the grading practices we developed in response to our educational landscape, and continue our study and discussions around grading practices. The following grading guidelines will be used in Northshore for all classes in grades 6-12:

  • Five grade bands (A, B, C, D, and NC), with A representing 100%-90%, B representing 89%-80%, C representing 79%-70%, D representing 69%-60% and NC representing 59%-40%.
  • Elimination of the zero grading floor, replaced with a floor of forty (40%) percent. This includes missing assignments. Teachers may increase this floor from 40% if so desired.
  • NCs are given for students who have not yet achieved (sixty) 60%.

Assessment of student learning will separate student behaviors from grades given for assignments. This means:

  • Student behavior should not contribute to academic grades (e.g., no penalties for missing class, no penalties for lack of participation, etc.).
    • Student participation should not be used as a factor in a student’s grade if it penalizes a student’s grade. Participation in class is an important factor in many courses, especially in classes where world languages must be practiced orally so that students develop fluency in the language. Incentives for participation that are not connected to a grade are acceptable.
  • With specific classroom, content, and/or SDLT approved qualifiers, students will be allowed to retake tests or quizzes, and revise their work in an effort to improve below-standard grades.
  • Contracts and/or “two for ones” should be used for students who need accommodations to improve their grades to the communicated standard.
    • Contracts for students who receive NCs is any agreement made between the teacher and student that helps remedy the NC. Examples of contracts include:
      • Asking students to demonstrate mastery of a particular concept in some manner by a specific date.
      • Allowing students to use their second quarter grade as their grade to replace the first quarter NC.
      • “Two for ones” refers to one particular type of contract, specifically to the practice of allowing a student to complete a different assignment in lieu of completing one that was not turned in or that did not meet standard.
  • Extra credit should be provided only for activities based on identified academic standards.
  • Academic dishonesty should be remedied through behavioral interventions (e.g., being taught about plagiarism and having to redo an assignment) rather than through interventions that impact grades.
  • At a minimum, students must have the ability to turn work in at least one week late for full credit; teachers may add additional time to accept late work for full credit.

Percentage Scale
(District Directed)

 Alpha Mark
Scale 

 GPA Scale
(State Required
11-point System)
93 - 100%   A      4.0 
  90 - 92.9%    A-   

3.7
 87 - 89.9% B+  3.3
 83 - 86.9%    B       3.0 
80 - 82.9%  B-    2.7
77 - 79.9%  C+    2.3
73 - 76.9% C     2.0
70 - 72.9%  C-     1.7
67 - 69.9%  D+    1.3
60 - 66.9%  D      1.0
  40 - 59.9% NC  

Pass/fail, credit/no credit, and satisfactory/unsatisfactory marks may also be used. These non-numerical marks/grades shall be clearly identified and excluded from the calculation of grade point average.

Marks/grades for all courses taken shall be included in the calculation of grade point averages. Grade point averages shall be calculated to two decimal places and reported for each semester or other term and for the cumulative credits earned for all courses attempted in high school.

The grading system includes pluses for every grade except A and NC, and minuses for every grade except D and NC. Letter grades or numerical marks will be used as allowed under WAC 392-415-050.

Course Communication

At the beginning of each term, secondary teachers will provide students with current information and requirements for their respective courses. This information shall include but is not limited to the following:

  • State standards and/or learning targets for the course
  • Materials needed for the course
  • Textbook, novels, anthologies and/or other materials taught/used in class
  • Additional fees
  • Components of grading system and percentages to calculate grades;
    • Class work, quizzes, tests, projects and other assignments pertinent to course
    • Participation (individual and group)
    • Attendance (excused/unexcused, including tardies)
  • Procedure to make up missing assignments, quizzes, tests, etc. due to absences
  • Cheating/plagiarism and its impact on grades as well as disciplinary actions

Progress Communication

Timely and accurate reporting of student progress is important to student, parents and staff. The following are specific communication means to report student progress throughout each term:

  • Posting On-line Progress: Secondary teachers will post assignments and test results on the district’s online, reporting system on a timely basis. Timely basis means as soon as reasonably possible but in no event more than three weeks after the assignment or test was turned in.
  • Midterm Progress reports will be issued to every secondary student at the conclusion of the ninth week of each semester. These reports will be mailed to parents and available on-line through the current student information system.
  • Report Cards will be issued to every secondary student at the end of the semester. These reports will be mailed home and available to parents/guardians on-line through the current student information system.
  • Additional communication with parents/guardians shall occur for any student earning a D or NC during the current term. Notification may be via phone, email or conference. Phone messages may be automated calls from the school or individualized calls from specific teachers.
  • Students with IEPs: The special education staff will provide periodic reports to parents on the progress special needs students are making toward meeting their annual goals at the same time progress is reported to all students (mid-term progress reports, trimesters, or other periodic reports concurrent with the issuance of report cards).

Withheld Grades

A student’s grades, diploma, and transcript may be withheld until such time the student pays for any school property that has been lost or willfully damaged. Upon payment for damages or the equivalency through voluntary work, the grades, diploma, and transcript will be released. The student or his/her parents may request review of the imposition of a charge for damages to the appropriate administrator.