Promotion Policy
Pre-Requisites
In order to be promoted, a studend must fulfill the following pre-requisites:
- Not be on Academic Referral as of June 3.[1] (See Academic Referral Policy)
- Meet Attendance Policy requirements. (See Attendance Policy)
Academic Success[2]
Students must demonstrate academic competence in their core subjects and world language in order to be promoted to the next grade level. Each discipline has specified its own portfolio and report card requirements.
Overall, students who...
- Pass the requirements for all of their core academic subjects and world language will be promoted to the next grade/graduate (assuming they complete character development requirements, as well.)
- Fail to pass the course requirements for one and only one academic course must pass before the beginning of the next school year an alternative requirement set by that department in order to be promoted.
- Fail to pass the course requirements for two or more academic subjects will repeat the grade.
Families who appeal promotion decisions due to unusual circumstances must make their appeal to the Principal in writing by July 15. The Principal will render a final decision by August 1.
Character Development
Students must demonstrate character growth. As a way to document this growth, students must complete the following:
- Meet the service requirement by the end of eighth grade. (See Service Requirements)
- Receive an appropriate letter of reference by the end of eighth grade.
- Complete a Reflection on Design Principles each year that reflects progress on goals set in Crew.
- Write a paragraph explaining the growth he or she made in each specials class, including music, which they have taken that year.
Academic Portfolio Requirements
Academic promotion requirements ensure that students advance to the following grade level with the skills and knowledge they will need to succeed.[3] (See Policies, Procedures, and Community Agreements, Part I, for an overview of the promotion requirements and for more detail regarding the character requirements.) Late transfers (after November) have some modifications in expectations.
English/Language Arts
Writing
- Six pieces of writing that meet writing standards for topic development, organization, and grammar, usage and mechanics.
- Grade 6, minimum of three paragraphs per piece; Grade 7, four paragraph minimum; Grade 8, five paragraph minimum.
Reading
- Minimum of four pieces that meet standards demonstrating comprehension of reading.
- At least one piece must be an analytical essay.
- Students in grade six read 7 books; Students in grade seven read 8 books; Students in grade 8 read 9 books.
Mathematics
- Two mathematical investigations.
- Minimum of at least one Approaching in Knowledge on report cards.
Social Studies
- Grade 6, world map keyed to particular topic; Grade 7, creation of fictional civilization based on ancient civilization; Grade 8, historical fiction, position paper or historical essay.
Science
- Grade 6, one science lab to standards
- Grade 7 one science lab and an additional lab or research project to standards
- Grade 8, two science labs to standards.
World Language
- One major project.
- Two essays in English on culture.
- Quizzes that meet standards (grade 6, four quizzes; grade 7, five quizzes; grade 8, six quizzes.)
- Assessments of oral work that meet standards.
- Compositions in target language (grades 6, two; grades 7 & 8, three.)
1 Beginning 2005-2006 academic year.
2 Students who have disabilities and are on a plan (e.g. have an IEP/504) will receive modifications in accordance with their IEP/504.
3 Modifications allow students with Individualized Education Plans to meet the requirements based on their making effective progress toward goals that factor in their disabilities.