Requirements & Evaluations
Academic Requirements and Educational Evaluations
As one of the best private schools in San Diego County, we understand educational ability and intelligence are not constants. Rather, both grow in a stimulating, relentlessly encouraging, and deeply trusting environment. In a world where mainstream educational institutions reduce students to over simplistic GPAs and class ranks, The Grauer School’s academic requirements and educational evaluations measure a wide range of student qualities and abilities, including the tangible development of our Core Values.
In fact, the academic requirements and educational evaluations we apply to our student body also frame how our school evaluates its own organizational performance, as well as that of our faculty (link to Faculty page here). Just as our school sets goals for itself, our students routinely set their own evaluative goals. To these ends, The Grauer School uses a wide variety of testing and performance evaluations, both qualitative and quantitative, to adequately monitor student growth and engagement, and to holistically define “success."
Please read through the information below detailing our academic requirements and educational evaluations. As you do, you will find out how our multifaceted, individualized method of evaluating student progress and achievement keeps raising the bar for the best private schools in San Diego County, year after year!
"What if the whole world could uphold these basic principles for respect, responsibility and peace? And isn't it amazing that is such a rarity to find a campus to send our children to that truly does that. Many talk the talk but it is the rare exception that walks the walk like The Grauer School.”
—Carolyn Z., Parent
Quarterly Grades
Grades and qualitative evaluations are also given at the midway point in each semester to monitor student achievement.
Semester Testing
Students earn grades on an A through F scale for each course following semester final exams. Comments from each teacher are included. Grades are recorded on a four point scale, with A representing four points. Advanced course offerings are recorded on a five- point scale to reflect additional work and mastery of the subject.
Marking Practices (GPA)
The Grauer School uses the traditional letter grading system of A through F. No units are awarded for Ds or Fs. The Grauer School employs Mastery Learning. Student grades are accurate, uninflated representations of their mastery of material.
| GRADE | Regular Course | Honors Course |
| A | 4 points | 5 points |
| B | 3 points | 4 points |
| C | 2 points | 3 points |
| D | 0 points | 0 points |
| F | 0 points | 0 points |
Standardized Testing
Students take standardized tests in each discipline they study. These tests are used in the Grauer School’s ongoing evaluation of each student, and are plotted annually. Achievement test results inform the school and student of areas of needed student growth. The school will recommend a course of self-paced summer study for students who show needed development in a particular area.
Student Self-Evaluations
Students will also receive qualitative evaluations for resourcefulness each semester, which will include a self-evaluation. Self-evaluations enable teachers and students to dialog more fully about student resourcefulness as they learn from a wide variety of methodologies.
Interim Reports
Interim Reports are given to students to acknowledge good performance and/or identify areas needing improvement. Reports include descriptions of student behavior and performance with teacher commentary.
Daily Evaluation and Online Gradebook Reporting
Daily evaluation is a unique feature of The Grauer School. Every teacher provides daily qualitative and quantitative evaluation of student behavior and achievement; students also provide a self-evaluation after each class. Evaluations are made available to parents via the parent portal on our website so that parents can track their student’s work, and see upcoming assignments. The Administration uses daily evaluation scores to spot trends in student learning and evaluate progress.
Portfolio Development
Students develop portfolios in each academic subject to track their own growth and development. Portfolios provide the school with an important qualitative measure of its own as well as student achievement. More importantly, these portfolios enable students to achieve an extraordinary level of organization, which pays off in college and throughout life. Students write papers or create projects quarterly, and evaluate and critique their own portfolios.
Graduation Portfolios
The senior graduation portfolio is the capstone to this highly refined program, enabling students to achieve “Graduation with Distinction” in a chosen area. Students defend their graduation portfolios before a panel. The defense is a significant time for our students, as it prepares them to take that confident first step out of high school and into college.
Graduation Requirements
- 8 semesters/4 units of English (including 2 semesters of U.S. literature)
- 6 semesters/3 units of Mathematics, although 8 semesters/4 units are recommended (including Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2)
- 6 semesters/3 units of Lab Science, although 8 semesters/4 units are recommended and our norm (including Biology, Physical Science and Chemistry)
- 2 semesters/1 unit total of Health (1/2 unit) and World Religion (1/2 unit)
- 4 semesters/2 units of Foreign Language
- 2 semesters/1 unit of Visual/Performing Arts
- 2 semesters/1 unit of College prep “G” electives
- 2 semesters/1 unit U.S. History and Geography
- 2 semesters/1 unit total of Economics (1/2 unit) and U.S. Government (1/2 unit)
- 6 semesters/3 units of PE (or 4 semesters beyond 9th grade, which is one year more than the state norm)
- 50 hours of documented Community Service (students normally exceed)
- 8 weeks of Expeditionary Learning
- 8 semesters/21 units total
Best Private Schools in San Diego County
Since 1991, our ability to blend rigorous academic requirements and evaluations with a small school design favoring student centered education and personalized human expression has made us one of the best private schools in San Diego County.
Every day, more and more people worldwide witness our success helping learners transform themselves into outstanding students and responsible community leaders.