Skip navigation
Open Menu
School Calendar

Calendar

Upper & Lower Schools

Grading Policy

Northwood Academy Charter School uses an integrated, technology-supported, standards-based curriculum. It is our expectation that children will put forth their best effort while being supported both in school and at home. Report card grades are calculated based on various measures which include, but are not limited to, formal and informal assessments, classroom work, homework and class participation. This grade or code, as indicated below, quantifies the student’s progress toward meeting both academic and social grade-level expectations.


Kindergarten-1st Grade
  • (*) Exceeding Expectations= Child can demonstrate the skill or concept correctly and independently. 
  • (+) Meeting Expectations= Child shows understanding and ability.  Instruction and practice are needed to progress towards independence.     
  • (+/-) Progressing= Child is showing some understanding and ability.  Teacher assistance is needed to progress.
  • (-) Below Expectations= Child is unable to demonstrate the skill or concept. 
  • (N) Not Yet Assessed= Skill or concept has not yet been assessed during this marking period.
2nd-8th Grade
  • 90-100= A
  • 80-89= B
  • 70-79= C
  • 65-69= D
  • Below 65= F
Kindergarten-8th Grade
Behaviors and Skills That Promote Learning
  • S= Satisfactory 
  • P= Progressing
  • U= Unsatisfactory

When applicable, students receiving special education support will be graded according to their IEPs.

Homework Policy

It is recognized that all learning cannot be accomplished within the limited amount of time allotted for classroom instruction. Therefore, homework is routinely assigned to students. As the word implies, homework is to be completed outside the regular class period.

The Role of the Student

The student has the responsibility to:

  • Be responsible for having a copy of the assignments and making sure assignments are clearly understood
  • Take home necessary texts and materials
  • Complete assignments neatly and on time
  • Note any questions about homework to be asked in the next class
  • Return assignments and books to school when due

.

The Role of the Parent

The school encourages the parent to

  • Provide a quiet place for the student to complete assignments
  • Encourage the student to study at a regular time in the afternoon and/or evening
  • Check the student’s assignments each evening and sign them, if required
  • Encourage independence in completion of the assignments
  • Review and sign tests, when applicable

Students are required and expected to make up assignments, assessments and projects missed when absent or otherwise not in school. Students have a number of days equal to the number of days absent to complete the missed assignments, assessments and/or projects. If a student has been absent for an extended period, they should request the assistance of their teacher in creating a schedule to complete the missed work.

Northwood Norms

Northwood family members are responsible,

Always have a “take pride” attitude,

Care for their environment,

Show respect.

Work hard. Be nice.

Merit / Demerit System

Upper School (Grades 5-8) only

When a staff member notices a student excelling in or improving a certain behavior, they will distribute merits to that student. Merits are tickets that students can redeem for raffles, rewards and other privileges. If a student does not put forth adequate effort in a particular area or refuses to comply with any school rule or expectation, they will receive a demerit. Students are given opportunities to improve their behavior as appropriate prior to receiving demerits. Students may receive multiple demerits for continuous non-compliant behaviors that are a detriment to themselves or the learning community at large.

Merits and demerits can be earned any time students are under Northwood supervision including during arrival, after school, on the bus and during off-site school sponsored events. Consequences for accumulated demerits include, but are not limited to, loss of privileges, lunch detention, suspension, community service within the school and Saturday detention. A student's performance ratings for Skills and Behaviors that Promote Learning on the report card can be affected by the number of merits and demerits accumulated throughout a marking period.

The following 19 criteria, Skills and Behaviors that Promote Learning, are those for which your child receives grades on the right side of their report cards:

  1. Attends school daily and on time
  2. Accepts responsibility for choices and actions
  3. Wears appropriate uniform
  4. Works independently
  5. Completes schoolwork on time
  6. Completes homework and returns regularly
  7. Follows school norms in all settings
  8. Handles conflict appropriately
  9. Listens to and follows directions
  10. Makes appropriate transition between activities
  11. Organizes self, materials, belongings
  12. Participates in group activities
  13. Respects rights, feelings, and property of others
  14. Cares for school environment and materials
  15. Shows positive attitude towards work
  16. Strives for quality work
  17. Works and plays cooperatively with others
  18. Has necessary supplies for school use
  19. Appropriate behavior across all environments