Our Montessori Grading scale...
So what does it all mean?
We use the Montessori Grading Scale in the lower elementary grades. Details about each grade assigned can be found below, but first a word of advice... when looking at your child's grades try not to think about it in a traditional grading scale with As and Bs etc. It does not translate into that very well. Also, please disregard the percentages assigned as those tend to only add to the confusion. That being said, here is what each of our grades means:
M4- ABOVE GRADE LEVEL EXPECTATIONS
Please note: Receiving an M4 in a core academic area is difficult to do. It means that your child is working above grade level. While you may see it on certain assignments from time to time, to see it on a report card is a rare event. Those who do receive an M4 on report cards have certainly worked hard to earn it. It is more common for an M4 to show up in specials' classes from time to time. If you have questions about a specific specials' class, or grade, please see the "Specials' schedule" section of the website to contact each teacher directly.
M3- MEETING GRADE LEVEL EXPECTATIONS
The M3 is the goal of the classroom. It is indicative that your child is working at grade level, and progressing as expected.
M2- PROGRESSING TOWARDS GRADE LEVEL EXPECTATIONS
When you see an M2 it means your child is not quite there on an assignment, or a content area, but is making progress towards the goal. An M2, along with an M3 are what we hope to see on report cards.
M1- LIMITED PROGRESS TOWARDS GRADE LEVEL EXPECTATIONS
This grade denotes an area of concern. These would be the areas with which your child is struggling. It could also mean that an assignment was not turned in (as there is no zero). If this is the case you will see a small "m" indicating a missing assignment. In some cases a student may receive an M1 if an assignment is really late and was a struggle to finish, or they simply refused to finish. In this case you will see a small "l" for late.
M4- ABOVE GRADE LEVEL EXPECTATIONS
Please note: Receiving an M4 in a core academic area is difficult to do. It means that your child is working above grade level. While you may see it on certain assignments from time to time, to see it on a report card is a rare event. Those who do receive an M4 on report cards have certainly worked hard to earn it. It is more common for an M4 to show up in specials' classes from time to time. If you have questions about a specific specials' class, or grade, please see the "Specials' schedule" section of the website to contact each teacher directly.
M3- MEETING GRADE LEVEL EXPECTATIONS
The M3 is the goal of the classroom. It is indicative that your child is working at grade level, and progressing as expected.
M2- PROGRESSING TOWARDS GRADE LEVEL EXPECTATIONS
When you see an M2 it means your child is not quite there on an assignment, or a content area, but is making progress towards the goal. An M2, along with an M3 are what we hope to see on report cards.
M1- LIMITED PROGRESS TOWARDS GRADE LEVEL EXPECTATIONS
This grade denotes an area of concern. These would be the areas with which your child is struggling. It could also mean that an assignment was not turned in (as there is no zero). If this is the case you will see a small "m" indicating a missing assignment. In some cases a student may receive an M1 if an assignment is really late and was a struggle to finish, or they simply refused to finish. In this case you will see a small "l" for late.