Grading System
The following numerical equivalents will be used when determining values for letter grades:
Letter
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F
Numerical Range
97-100
93-96
90-92
87-89
83-86
80-82
77-79
73-76
70-72
67-69
63-66
60-62
Below 60
Description
Superior
Outstanding
Excellent
Very Good
Good
Above Average
Average
Average
Fair
Below Average
Weak
Passing
Failing
Assessment and Testing
Students at AYA are assessed in various areas, which include, but are not limited to, classwork, homework, quizzes, tests, exams, projects, reports, oral checks for understanding, etc. Tests on which students score less than 70% must be signed and returned.
Students through grade 5 will take chapter and unit tests throughout the year to assess their grasp of the subject matter. Students in grades 6 - 8, in addition to chapter and unit tests, will take a Quarter Exam at the end of Quarters 1 & 3 and a Semester Exam at the end of Quarters 2 & 4. 70% of the questions on each Semester Exam will come from material covered during the 2nd quarter in that semester, and 30% of the questions will come from material covered during the 1st quarter of that semester. The Semester Exam will count as 40% of the Semester Average. Students in grades 9 - 12 will not take Quarter 1 & Quarter 3 Exams; they will only take Semester 1 and Semester 2 Exams.
Academic Dishonesty/Cheating is any communication during a test/exam that will result in a grade of 0% in addition to a Discipline Referral.
NWEA MAP Growth
MAP Growth is an adaptable test that adjusts to the student's responses. It provides information on what students know and what they are ready to learn next. MAP Growth is given three times per year, during the Fall, Winter and Spring. At AYA, students in kindergarten - 2nd grade are tested in Reading and Mathematics. Students in 3rd - 8th grade are tested in Reading, Mathematics, Language Usage, and Science. Students in 9th - 11th grade are tested in Reading, Mathematics, and Language Usage.
For more information on NWEA MAP Growth: https://www.nwea.org/map-growth/
PSAT Testing
Students in grades 9 - 11 take the PSAT in October, and their scores are reviewed with them in December. PSAT scores count as 15% of the Semester II grade for students in grades 11 & 12 unless their SAT scores are higher. If that is the case, the SAT scores will be used. The cost of testing is included in the activity fees.
Students in grades 7 & 8 wishing to participate in the Duke TIP program will be allowed to take the PSAT. However, each student in grades 7 & 8 wishing to take the PSAT will be required to pay for testing.
Testing Accommodations For Students With Disabilities/Special Needs
Any students with disabilities who require special testing accommodations must submit documentation from the public school, a physician, or a licensed psychologist. Such documentation must include a full report describing how the evaluation was conducted and what special accommodations are required. A doctor's note on an Rx pad is NOT considered adequate documentation.