Academics and Curriculum
Academic Standards
The staff at Glen Arden sets extremely high expectations for academic growth. Several tips will help students be successful and make the school year a happy and productive one.
- Be prepared. Always have the supplies you need to complete your work.
- Do your homework.
- Have assignments completed and turned in on time.
- Do your very best and try to be neat and accurate.
- Use your time wisely while at school and at home.
- Listen carefully to directions and class discussions.
- Organize your assignments at the end of the day so you won't forget to take work or books home.
Homework
Homework is assigned as a follow-up to classroom instruction to reinforce skills and concepts. Students can expect homework nightly, Monday through Thursday. In Kindergarten, the homework should take no longer than 15 minutes and is usually an assignment that the child will need to do with a parent. In first and second grades, students can expect about 30 minutes of homework. Third graders average about 30-40 minutes, fourth graders will have 45 minutes to one hour. Please notify your child’s teacher if homework consistently takes longer than the recommended time. Each student will have a daily homework log or assignment book. Parents are asked to check the homework log each night and sign the log to indicate that your child has completed their assignments.
Reporting to Parents
K-2 Assessments are reported using the following rubric or grading scale for academic progress:
4 = Exhibits outstanding performance consistently at grade level
3 = Exhibits consistent performance at grade level
2 = Exhibits some grade level competencies, but performance is inconsistent
1 = Exhibits minimal performance
X = Extra practice needed
# = Indicates special classes
N/A = Not Assessed
Work habits and personal development traits demonstrated in the classroom are assessed on the following scale:
E = Excellent
S = Satisfactory
I = Inconsistent
N = Needs Improvement
Report cards will be sent home every nine weeks. Mid-term reports will be sent home every 4 to 4 1/2 ½ weeks for students who have below a C average in grades 3 – 5. Students will be assessed on the basis of their performance on a variety of learning tasks. These may include: textbook assignments, oral and written assignments, class participation, research projects, or special assignments. Letter grades will be used to assess students in the areas of:
Reading
Communication Skills
Mathematics
Science/Health
Social Studies
Our students participate in art, music, physical education, and STEM. If a student is not meeting expectations in these areas, parents will be notified.
According to Buncombe County School Board Policy, the following marks will be used to evaluate students’ performance:
GRADES
A=Consistently meets grade level expectations at an outstanding level (90%-100%),
B=Frequently meets grade level expectations at a high level (80%-89%),
C=Meets grade level expectations at a satisfactory level (70%-79%)
D=Seldom meets grade level expectations (60%-69%),
F=Does not meet grade level expectations (below 0%-59%),
# = Indicates special classes with modifications
Work Habits are assessed as follows:
E = Excellent
S = Satisfactory
I = Inconsistent
N = Needs Improvement