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Special EventsSpecial practices reinforce classroom instruction and offer the student anopportunity for individual exploration and expression of faith ChristmasNovena, Feast Days, Lenten practices, Special projectsReconciliation and First EucharistAs part of the Second Grade curriculum, Catholic children are prepared toreceive the sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist.ACADEMICSPhilosophyThe academic program at SHS places a strong emphasis on the fundamentalskills of reading, writing, and mathematics as a basis for all intellectualdevelopment. It provides a stimulating and challenging environment thatfosters a love of learning, curiosity, and development of higher order thinkingskills.Parents should contact the appropriate teacher whenever academic questionsarise. Questions regarding teaching & curriculum should be directed to theappropriate Dean of Studies. Questions regarding student life should bedirected to the Dean of Students.Books and SuppliesStudents in grades 6-8 buy designated books online through Varsity Books.Lists of additional materials required for each class are included in the Augustmailing. Textbooks in grades 1-5 are included as part of the tuition and are theproperty of SHS.Testing and AssessmentPeriodic testing, i.e., quizzes, tests, and chapter reviews, is a feature of theacademic program in all grades. However, teachers assess the students’ progressin a variety of other ways as well. Under most circumstances, students will haveno more than two tests or quizzes on the same day.Students in grades 7-8 take trimester exams. These exams may be cumulativein nature and may often weigh more than a test. The weight of the trimesterexams are determined by the individual teacher in conjunction with the Deanof Studies.Studies or the Principal.Mid-Trimester NoticesThe school year is divided into trimesters. Every Middle School student willreceive a Mid-Trimester report in all subjects. Conferences are scheduled at midtrimesterfor all students in grades 1-8. Mid-Trimester reports offer the studentthe opportunity for reflection and improvement before the end of the trimester.Report CardsReport cards are mailed at the end of each trimester to all students and theirfamilies. Trimester grades are entered into the student’s permanent file.GradingLetter grades are given for achievement in each subject for grades 4-8 and arebased on the system below. Also listed are the numerical equivalents on a 4.0scale used in computing Grade Point Average (GPA).Grade Percentage PointsA 100-93 4.00A- 92-90 3.65B+ 89-87 3.35B 86-83 3.00B- 82-80 2.65C+ 79-77 2.35C 76-73 2.00C- 72-70 1.65D+ 69-67 1.35D 66-63 1.00D- 62-60 0.65F 59 and below 0.00Grade Point Average (GPA)Each trimester, a Middle School student’s GPA is calculated. Each letter grade isgiven the corresponding numerical value detailed above. The Fine Arts grade iscounted one-half, and the subjects of English Literature, Mathematics, Religion,Social Studies, Foreign Language, and Science are each counted once. Thenumerical values of the grades are added up and divided by 6.5 to figure thefinal GPA. Middle School students who take Study Skills in place of a foreignlanguage will not have that grade factored into their GPA. PE, InstrumentalMusic and Chorus grades are not counted in the GPA.All students in grades 2-7 take standardized tests during the spring. Results ofthese tests will be provided by the school and can be discussed with the Dean of24 25