Academic Expectations

Sacred Heart of Jesus School expects students to perform to the best of their ability. Teachers are expected to evaluate student progress on a regular basis.

Students will be given quizzes or tests regularly. After the test is graded, it will be sent home for the parent to review and sign. Parent signature indicates that the parent is aware of the student’s progress. If a parent does not receive quizzes or tests to sign, the parent should contact the teacher.

Homework

Homework is an essential part of the instructional program and reinforces learning. It serves as a means for clarifying and reviewing material learned in class, for providing motivation and opportunity for individual growth, and for creating experiences of in-depth study and supplementary reading. Students are required to complete all homework and it is expected that parents or guardians sign the completed homework. The time allotments for homework (written and study) are as follows:

Grades Pre K & K	approximately 15 minutes
Grades 1 & 2	approximately 30 minutes
Grades 3 & 4	approximately 45 minutes
Grades 5 & 6	approximately 90 minutes
Grades 7 & 8	approximately 120 minutes

Grades and Grading

Report cards are distributed four times a year for Grades 1 to 8. Pre-K and Kindergarten report cards are distributed twice a year. The report card is a link between the school and the home.

Academic Achievement

The first part of the Archdiocesan Report Card is used to mark the student’s achievement in academic subjects. The achievement mark is based upon the demonstration of mastery of material covered in class such as:

• class work & participation
• homework
• daily quizzes & unit tests
• comprehensive examinations
• special projects

The June grade on the report card is an average of the four previous record card grades. This grade will be recorded on the student’s permanent record card.

Numerical marks are recorded on report cards for Grades 4 - 8; letter or number grades are recorded on report cards for Grades 1 - 3.

Passing is any mark 70% or above for Grades 4 - 8; and passing for Grades 1 - 3 is a letter mark of A, B, C, or D.

Character Development

The conduct/effort mark is placed under Character Development as a “Conduct Grade”. This mark indicates that the student 1) follows class and school rules, 2) shows care in the use of personal property, 3) treats teachers with respect, 4) treats other students with respect, 5) exercises self-control, 6) listens attentively, and 7) uses technology appropriately.

Honor Roll – for Grades 1 to 8

First Honors 90% average; no mark less than 85%, conduct no lower than A.

Second Honors 85% average; no mark less than 80%, conduct no lower than B.

Good conduct is a requirement to receive First or Second Honors. Therefore, a student must receive an A (excellent) or B (good) in conduct to be eligible for honors. A student who does not receive an A or B in Conduct will not receive First or Second Honors even though marks might warrant it. In addition, students absent and/or tardy more than 3 times are not eligible for honors.

Report Card Distribution

Report cards are distributed in November, January, April, and June. Report cards will be withheld if financial obligations have not been met and fees are outstanding. No student will be allowed to take mid-term or final exams and will receive a zero grade for any test that is missed. Also, students will not be allowed to participate in any of the graduation activities unless all financial obligations to the school have been satisfied. Financial obligation to the school includes not only tuition and fees, but also fundraising fees, after-school and volunteer hours or payment of $10.00 per hour for each of the five hours not completed. Report cards may not be given before the assigned date. In the event that a student will leave school prior to the last day in June and all financial obligations have been met, the student may give the teacher a self-addressed stamped envelope and the report card can be mailed the last day of school.

Promotion/Retention

Very few decisions we make about children are more important than recommendations to promote or to retain a student. Most students will be able to follow the school’s regular program of sequential learning objectives. If the student successfully achieves the year’s objectives, the student progresses to the next grade. Testing, diagnosis, and actual performance, however, may indicate that some students cannot follow the school’s complete course of study. Therefore, the decision to retain a student indicates that although the school has done everything to help the student achieve success, the student has not made satisfactory progress.

Assessment

In addition to class and school exams your child will also take part in the Archdiocesan testing program which includes the Archdiocesan religion test, annual standardized tests, and New York State Education Department assessments. These tests measure academic growth over a period of time. The dates for these exams will be announced throughout the school year. The faculty of Sacred Heart of Jesus School reviews these test results regularly for the purpose of promotion or retention in conjunction with classroom performance and grouping for reading and math.