HOWLS Grading System

Grading at Polaris

Students at Polaris are graded for both academic grades and Habits and Work and Learning (HOWLs). We intentionally separate the two measures so that students and families can have an accurate assessment of their learning.

HOWLS

HOWL grades do not affect a student’s academic grades and they will not have any influence on a student’s GPA. They will get a report on Pinnacle Internet Viewer so that you may see how work habits may be affecting on academic grade in particular class. Student will be assessed on their HOWLs using the following scale: Leader, Consistently, Inconsistently, and Rarely. These are three HOWL learning targets that students will be assessed on:

I can produce quality work on time
    I complete work on time
    I strive for neatness and accuracy
    I revise and improve my improve

I participate
    I make positive contributions
    I stay on task
    I seek help when necessary

I am prepared
    I use system to keep my work and materials organized
    I bring what I need to class
    I am mentally present

Academic Grades

Learning is assessed in a variety of ways throughout Polaris.  In order to assess student learning, in relation to the state standards, teachers first identify the Long-Term learning  targets they want students to achieve. Next, the teachers identify short-term Supporting Targets that will help the students achieve the long-term targets. Finally, student assessments are created so teachers may gauge how a student is progressing towards the learning targets. Some assessments may encompass more multiple learning targets at a time.

The grading of assessments is also consistent within Polaris. The following chart explains how a student’s grade on any given assessment leads to a grade within a class, and finally how that grade appears on their transcripts. It is important to remember that grades at Polaris are NOT an average of student’s body work on assessments, rather, it’s the highest level of proficiency reliably demonstrated that determines a students grade.

What people say:

"I am writing this letter to share with you what has been one of the most delightful and amazing classroom experiences in over 20 years of professional education.  I would like you to pass on these thoughts to your amazing faculty and staff members, who, along with you are doing something special there.

Over the years, I occasionally have encountered in my teaching /learning environment of the college classroom, capable, respectful and responsible “learners”. At Polaris this semester, I have an entire classroom full of them! Your student population possesses the requisite creative and critical thinking skills, the communication (both speaking and writing) skills, the citizenship skills, and also a palatable and amazing thirst and passion for “learning” that is laudable.  Please replicate the formation and transformation process you are building on there and share it with the whole Poudre School District system."

Mark B. Doty

Adjunct Professor of Philosophy

Front Range Community College (Larimer Campus)

Designation within Pinnacle and on Report Cards	Scale used to Determine Designation	Correlation with Letter Grades on Student Transcripts	Credit Earned
Exemplary	3.5-4	A	Yes
Accomplished	3.0-3.4	B	Yes
Developing/Accomplished	2.5-2.9	C	Yes
Developing	2.0-2.4	F	No
Beginning	1.9 and below	F	No