Academics

Grades

Academic Grades

Four times a year students receive quarter grades, and their parents receive reports on their academic progress. Only semester grades are reported to colleges and universities. These grades are used in the computation of official grade-point averages. Teachers grade students in each course with letters A through F, including plus and minus signs. Students receive a Pass-Fail grade for Field Trips and Project Periods.

Since standards at Verde Valley School are high, VVS gives public recognition to particularly distinguished records of academic achievement. At the end of each semester the School publishes a list of students who have earned GPAs of 3.5 or better in that semester. The School also elects deserving students to the National Honor Society, makes an award to the student with the highest year-end GPA in each class, and identifies the top scholar, regardless of class, for the overall academic year. In addition, the various academic disciplines also recognize outstanding performance by making departmental awards.

Effort Grades

In addition to academic grades, students receive effort grades. These measure the extent to which, in the judgment of their teachers, students have exerted themselves in their classes. Effort grades are not reported to colleges and universities, but considered in conjunction with academic grades, provide a useful instrument for assessing student performance. Effort grades are awarded on a 5-point scale as follows:

    Exceptional effort             5

    Above average effort       4

    Average effort                   3

    Below average effort       2

    Inadequate effort              1