Personalized Learning

  • Mastery Based Learning
     
    How does it work?

    Instead of traditional letter grades, our students receive detailed reports about their progress on the content and skills addressed in their classes. Parents and students can access these reports on PowerSchool and receive regular overviews of student progress via progress reports and report cards. 

    Click below for the answers to frequently asked questions about mastery-based learning.
     
    Strategy

    Students must demonstrate mastery of content and skills before advancing in a course or moving to the next course.
     
    Objectives

    Students will …
    • Learn through multiple pathways: traditional classroom, online courses/resources, extra time in the afternoon, and out of school experiences
    • Build on prior knowledge to develop a comprehensive understanding of new content
    • Engage in active debate over legal and social justice issues related to course content
    • Develop independent course-specific skills
    • Evaluate data and evidence
    • Communicate clearly, concisely, and accurately
     
    Mastery Performance Levels
    4 – Exemplary
    Student has proven expertise in course material and is ahead of course pace. Student is on track to finish this course and might move on to the next course level before the academic year has ended.
    3.5 – Approaching Exemplary   
    Student has proven some expertise in course material and is ahead of course pace.
    3 – Competent 
    Student has proven mastery through demonstration of quality work and has maintained course pace.   Currently on pace to earn credit.    
    2.5 – Approaching Competency 
    Although completed work may show mastery of skills, student is currently not on pace to complete material by the end of this academic year.  Successful completion of all course material is required for advancement.
    2 – Emerging 
    Student has developed some understanding, but has not demonstrated mastery of course content and skills.  Without additional academic support student is unlikely to finish course material by the end of the academic year. 
    1.5—Beginning  
    Student has completed some work demonstrating a beginning understanding of course content.  Student is not on course pace, and will require substantial academic support in order to reach mastery and complete course work by the end of the academic year. 
    1 – Novice  
    Student has demonstrated little or no understanding of course content and skills.  At current pace, student will not complete the course by the end of the academic year.  
     

    Progress Towards Graduation:

    • Credits required to move forward: 9th grade = 6 credits; 10th grade = 12.5 credits; 11th grade = 19 credits; 12th grade = 27 credits
    • Students who do not earn credit for a class must demonstrate mastery within a contracted period of time (usually before the end of the next marking period or semester), or they will need to repeat the class or participate in a support program.

    Honor Roll, Honors, and Athletic Eligibility: 

    • Honors with Distinction = 3.5s and 4s in every class; Honors = 3s and higher in every class; Honorable Mention = 2.5s in no more than two classes and 3s and higher in the rest.
    • As a mastery-based learning school, we do not track by ability or offer extra credit; honors designations, however, may be possible in select situations and can be implemented by using best practices for gifted students (Renzulli). Students should see their teachers for further information.
    • To maintain athletic eligibility, students cannot have more than one grade below a 2.0.