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Grading Scale, Associated Grade Point Averages and Academic Distinction
Upper School Student Voices Program
In alignment with our commitment to social justice and equity, Tower Hill will offer intentional programming for students to complete throughout their four years in Upper School. This program is designed to give students historical, social, and cultural perspectives in the following areas: ● African American History ● Systems of Oppression ● Expression of Identity
Students will have the opportunity to learn, dialogue, question, and listen. These courses will increase student understanding, connection, healing, and commitment to building an engaged and diverse community. This is a graduation requirement for all students.
Drop/Add
During the first three weeks of each semester, students may drop or add courses. Schedule changes will typically not be made after the drop/add period unless they are initiated by the School for unique reasons. Moving between levels of a course (i.e., from an honors section to a college preparatory section) may happen outside of the drop/add period with the approval of the Head of Upper School.
Students wishing to drop or add a course pick up a drop/add form from the Director of Scheduling and return the form after appropriate signatures have been obtained. Official registration occurs through the Director of Scheduling, and a completed drop/add form is necessary to receive credit for a course. Any junior or senior dropping or adding a course must receive approval from the Director of College Counseling and the Head of Upper School.
Report Cards
Report cards note a numerical mark for each course and are sent at the end of each quarter. A narrative comment for each course is given on the first and third quarter report cards. A narrative from the student’s advisor is given on the second and fourth quarter report cards. Only the final, yearlong grade is noted on the student’s official transcript.
Grading Scale, Associated Grade Point Averages, and Academic Distinction
Letter Grade Equivalents and Grade Point Averages for Standard Courses Tower Hill uses numerical grading on a 100-point scale for report cards and transcript marks. Only major courses are calculated into the GPA. Major courses are two-credit semester courses and four-credit year-long courses, including English, History, Language, Math, Science, and Advanced Studio Art.
Numeric Grades Letter Grades
100-97 96-93 92-90 89-87 86-83 82-80 79-77 A+ A AB+ B BC+ 76-73 72-70 69-67 66-63
C CD+ D 62-60 DBelow 60 F
Weighting
While our GPAs are based on a 100-point scale, honors and advanced course receive additional weighting toward the GPA in the following manner:
1. Grades earned in Honors Advanced courses receive additional weighting of 5 points, e.g., a grade of 84 would be calculated as an 89 (84 + 5) in the GPA. 2. Advanced English Seminar and Advanced Studio Art courses do not receive additional weighting.
Grading
Grades are calculated in the following way:
First Semester Grade Second Semester Grade Final Grade
First Semester Final Assessment (20%) Second Semester Final Assessment (20%)
A GPA is calculated by multiplying each final mark by the number of credits for the course. The A GPA is calculated by multiplying each final mark by the number of credits for the course. The GPA is the sum of these values divided by the total number of credits taken.
Academic Distinction - “Scholar” Recognition
Scholars are recognized for outstanding achievement at the end of each semester.
Scholar with Honors Weighted GPA: 90-94.9
Scholar with Distinction
Weighted GPA: 95 and above
Global Scholar Certificate Program
The Global Scholar Certificate Program is a way of systematically guiding and recognizing students that go above and beyond in the realm of global studies. By offering our student’s cross-cultural experiences and opportunities, they are given the necessary tools to engage in mutually beneficial interactions with people from around the world.
The National Education Association defines global competency as “the acquisition of in-depth knowledge and understanding of international issues, an appreciation of and ability to learn and work with people from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds, proficiency in a foreign language, and skills to function productively in an interdependent world community.” As we
move forward in our global efforts, the certificate program promotes global awareness, language proficiency, and exposure to cultural diversity. Through carefully selected academic courses, active club participation, service with global inquiry, travel, and a senior culmination portfolio, students are encouraged to reach beyond their comfort zones and explore different perspectives.
Upon completion of the requirements, students will be recognized as official Tower Hill School Global Scholars, receive a certificate at Senior Awards night, and have the distinction marked on their transcripts. A byproduct of this program will include the exploration of varied themes such as business, economic and entrepreneurial literacy, environmental awareness, and civic literacy.
For more information, please contact the Director of Global Initiatives, Maurice Rapp, or visit the Global Initiatives page on the school’s website.
Extra Help
A formal extra help period is available once per 10-day cycle, but students are encouraged to plan ahead to schedule extra help appointments with their teachers at other mutually available times, including shared free periods or at 8 a.m. before morning meeting. Any student having difficulty may be assigned to extra help sessions. Each school day concludes with a period of Office Hours from 3:15 p.m. until 3:45 p.m. when students may find teachers in their classrooms or offices for extra help either by appointment or without one.
Study Hall
Freshmen will begin the year enrolled in a study hall proctored by a faculty member. At the conclusion of the first quarter, the faculty and administration will determine which students’ academic performance suggests that they may leave study hall. Throughout the year, students’ academic performance will be evaluated to ensure that they have the appropriate support from proctored environments as necessary.
Homework
Especially given the additional responsibilities of athletics and other extracurricular activities, it is the philosophy of the Upper School that homework should not be so laborious or time consuming that it creates an overwhelming or unhealthy burden on a student’s education. Rather, it should be a productive tool in advancing learning and should contribute to academic rigor and foster time management skills that are necessary for college and beyond.
Assigning homework is in itself an inexact science. The same assignment that takes one student 30 minutes might take another closer to an hour depending on learning style, level of exactitude or focus. (Any student, irrespective of learning style, is served by removing distractions like cell phones, iMessage, YouTube, gaming, or other technological interruptions from the work space entirely. Struggling students are often served by working in communal, though quiet, spaces in the home as they cultivate these habits with support.) Each day students should expect approximately 40 minutes of homework per class day per subject in regular courses, and up to an hour in accelerated or advanced courses.
While long-term assignments are common and should be factored into the daily load, students should only be assigned homework on days when class meets. Homework should not be assigned on days when a class drops from the schedule. We acknowledge that in the basic cyclical nature of school, the homework load can vary–some nights are lighter, while other nights (perhaps before tests or larger assignments are due) can be heavier. But if a student is consistently spending beyond 3-3 1/2 hours per day (including homework completed in school), the student should consult his/her/their advisor to investigate.
Tests and Test Calendar
Test content and frequency are determined by departments and individual teachers. There may be no more than three total assessments per day, which includes two announced tests (or major papers or projects) and one announced quiz. Teachers must place all tests, quizzes, and major assignments on the test calendar through the Upper School Office.
Semester Final Assessments
Students will have semester final assessments in both semester- and year-long courses that cover material studied during the previous semester. All examinations are up to two hours in length. Teachers will notify families directly in the event of a final assessment failure. If a student fails a midterm or final assessment, he/she/they may be asked to take a second examination after recommended tutoring or to attend summer school. More detail is available in the Tutoring section of this document. Re-examination scores of 50 or higher are averaged with the original exam in calculating the final average.
Incomplete Work
All major assignments must typically be complete to receive credit for the course. Unfinished or unsatisfactory work will be recorded as incomplete until the work is satisfactorily completed, at which time a mark and full credit will be given. Failure to complete incomplete work may result in student dismissal and non-matriculation to the next grade.
Course Failures
In June, the Upper School Class Deans and Dean of Students review the performance of any student who has failed two or more courses. The Deans and Dean of Students will make a recommendation to the Upper School Head and Head of School, who will in turn determine whether the student will return to Tower Hill.
Seniors
Seniors must pass all courses to graduate. In the event of course failure or incomplete, the diploma will be withheld until the failure has been resolved.
Underclassmen
Department chairs will collaborate with the Head of Upper School to determine a course of action when an underclassman fails a class. Actions may include repeating the course the following year or passing an exam prepared by the department. Re-examination may be offered in conjunction with the attendance of summer school, individual review, or private tutoring. All action must be taken prior to the beginning of the next school year.
