Grading
Select each tab below for information.
Point System
The Finest way of tracking progress towards graduation is the Point.
Points are “pieces” of credits as 150 points is equal to 1 high school credit. Students count down points on their way to graduation. A true freshman with no high school credit needs 3450 points to graduate.
A point is earned when a student attends a class and performs the work assigned. Unfortunately, a student may not receive points in a class they attend if they off task or do not complete the work assigned. Not gaining a point is the same as adding an hour to their high school career; a point is either earned now or still needed later. This system allows student ownership of their effort and progress.
Students have the opportunity to also earn points by completing independent assignments, credit recovery, going above and beyond on an assignment, etc.
Ways we describe a point with students. A point is.....
- equal to an hour of work.
- one hour closer to graduation.
- 1/150th of a credit.
- acknowledgement of work completed.
- a signature on the card.
This chart is used to determine a student's grade level based on the amount of points they have earned.
The Card
Upon arrival at school each day, students pick up their Card from their Family room and take it with them to each of their classes.
Teachers use the card to hold provide student with immediate feedback. The card has a line for each class period. The top line is used for attendance. A teacher will initial the top line to indicate the student was present in class. REMINDER: Attendance DOES NOT equal points.
The bottom line is used to provide feedback on completion of work and effort. A signature on the bottom line by a teacher indicates the student has earned their point in the class. A teacher may make a marking other than their signature to indicate to students there is additional work needed before the point can be earned (see the Points tab for more information).
The card Is used for ongoing feedback throughout the session and for awarding total points in Infinite Campus at the end of the session.
It is recommended that cards are returned to the Family room at end of day and not taken home, where the chance of loss or damage is increased.
The color of the card changes each session. A "Purple" card is awarded to students who have received 100% points possible in all classes for three sessions. Purple card holders receive special privileges such as the ability to register for classes first, special lunches, Purple Cords at graduation, etc.
Arrows
There are two classifications of Arrows: Non-Disciplinary and Disciplinary.
Non Disciplinary Arrows
Since Finest does not assign homework as part of daily schoolwork, some points for projects and and assignments cannot be awarded until the completion or a teacher has an opportunity to grade them. These arrows are placeholders used until completion. It is assumed the student will complete the work receive the full credit.
- Project (P): given when assigned projects take longer than one class period to complete.
- Quiz (Q): returned once a quiz is completed satisfactorily.
Disciplinary Arrows
A discipline arrow is given to a student if for some reason they did not fulfill the expectations of the teacher for that specific class period. Examples would include poor behavior, profanity, sleeping, wandering, not completing work, or not actively listening or participating.
- Wandering (W): being gone from the class for too long without permission.
- Talking (T): talking excessively in class instead of working on the assignment.
- Cell Phone (CP): using cell phone during class without permission.
- Late (L): student was late for class and must make up the time before receiving credit.
- No Work (NW): present in class but off-task or not actively working on the assignment.
- X: student is disrupting class or preventing others from learning. Loss of point for class and must go home.
Transfer Credit
When students transfer to Finest from another high school we review their transcripts for Transferable Credit.
Students receive credit in our system using the attached chart. 3450 total points are required to graduate from our system and students receive 150 points for each credit transferred. Students receive no credit for a grade of "F," withdrawal, or no grade/credit.
Transfer credits are placed in appropriate categories using the Finest system when applicable. If a course doe not meet any of our required categories, we will assign Elective Credit.
