Curriculum and Standards Referenced Grading

The hallmark of a Catholic education is academic excellence. Our core curriculum includes religion, english language arts, math, science, social studies, physical education. Held to rigorous Diocesan standards, each subject meets or exceeds the standards required of California state public schools. Students also enjoy music, art, art history, Spanish, and elective classes. We encourage students to think critically, apply knowledge creatively, and strive for their personal best.

We develop the whole child academically, physically, emotionally and spiritually through a variety of educational activities that are accompanied by opportunities for recreational and spiritual enrichment.

At Holy Trinity, we cherish the involvement of our families as we work together to facilitate a well-rounded Catholic education that elevates excellence in academics and strength of character.

Acknowledging the uniqueness of each student, our dedicated faculty helps children develop a positive self-image and a sense of self-discipline. We are a community who empowers students with the belief that — through the example and teachings of Christ — we are all capable of shaping our futures and transforming the world.

Standards Referenced Grading for students in grades K-4 at Holy Trinity

Standards-based grading report cards are what students should know and be able to do within each content area at each grade level. The real-time monitoring of student performance reflects a more accurate picture of student achievement. Additional reasons for standards-based grading include:

• Other methods of grading do not accurately indicate what a student knows and is able to do.
• Students will be able to explain what they learned or did not learn, rather than recite a percentage.
• It can benefit all learners - students who struggle and students whose learning is accelerated.
• Students’ progress towards standards can assist staff in determining intervention or enrichment opportunities.
• Parents are provided information on specific standards while receiving meaningful feedback.

The number of categories on a standards-based report card can make your head spin. If you’re confused by what the levels mean, you’re not alone. Keep in mind that a 3 or “proficient” isn’t the same as a B. It means your child has met state standards, and that’s good.

Also, even top students can earn a 2 or “approaching proficiency” grade, which can be a shock for some families. But it’s more important to know if your child is struggling with a concept than to see a slew of top grades because of stellar work habits. On the upside, early low scores aren’t averaged into the final grade—so once your child masters the concept, his/her final grade shows that.

Level 4, or the top level, may be the trickiest to understand. If your child earned A’s on traditional report cards, he/she may have received them for meeting the teacher’s requirements, not necessarily for excelling at or going beyond grade level according to state standard. In the new system, 4’s may be harder to come by (and 3’s should be celebrated).

As the grading system becomes familiar, you’ll get more comfortable. The important thing is that your child is learning and making progress. Celebrate learning, and the grades will follow.

Please see a detailed breakdown of what each score represents: SRG Score Definitions