ACADEMIC HONORS
Academic Honors are acknowledged at the end of each trimester and at the end of the school year for students in grades 4-8. Distinguished Honors are awarded to those students who have received a final grade of 95 or above in all major subject areas, with no grade lower than a “VG” in all enrichment areas. Academic Honors are awarded to those students in each homeroom who have received a final grade of 90 or above in all major subject areas, with no grade lower than a “G” in all enrichment areas.
ACADEMIC REPORTS
All children need to develop confidence in their abilities and a positive attitude toward learning. Children are graded according to their achievement levels. Report cards are issued three times a year and posted in RenWeb, our school information system. Students in K-3 receive Progress Reports midway through each trimester. Grades for students in 4-8 are accessible in real-time throughout the school year through Schoology, Gwynedd-Mercy Academy’s learning management system. Parent-teacher-student conferences are scheduled midway through the first and second trimesters to discuss academic progress. At all levels, when a faculty member or parent feels it advisable, a conference can be arranged to discuss the progress of a student.
ASSESSMENT AND TESTING
Assessment and testing are means to determine the progress of each student as well as the effectiveness of the academic program. Varying forms of student assessment, such as observation, subject matter tests, homework assignments and research projects, in conjunction with the results of the TerraNova standardized testing for grades 2-7, provide a valid assessment of each child’s ability and progress. TerraNova tests are given during one week in the spring on dates specified by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Assessment and testing results are utilized extensively by our faculty and Dean of Academic Affairs to enhance the student learning process.
BOOKS AND MATERIALS
Gwynedd-Mercy Academy issues books and supplemental materials are distributed on Book Day and the first days of school. Some supplied books and materials are the property of the school. Books must be covered and carried to and from school in a book bag. Books lost or destroyed must be paid for by the student. Book bags on wheels are discouraged.
CONCERNED STATUS AND ACADEMIC PROBATION (GRADES 4-8)
Students who experience academic difficulties will be closely monitored. When the level of difficulty appears to place a student in jeopardy of falling below acceptable standards, they will be placed either on Concerned Status, or if the situation is more serious, Academic Probation. Any exceptions must be approved by the Dean of Academic Affairs, and these exceptions will be documented. However, neither Concerned Status nor Academic Probation will appear on a student’s official transcript.
Guidelines for Concerned Status:
A student may be placed on Concerned Status when their cumulative average for any class falls below a 70 at any time during an individual grading period.
When a student is placed on Concerned Status:
- Parents will be notified by the subject area teacher.
- The School Counselor and/or Learning Support Teacher will identify supports to assist the student if requested.
Guidelines for Academic Probation:
A student may be placed on Academic Probation when their cumulative average for any class that the student has been placed on Concerned Status has not been raised to a 70 or above by progress report conferencing or when marks close for the trimester (whichever comes first).
When a student is placed on Academic Probation:
- Parents will receive written notification from the school.
- The student will schedule regular meeting times with the School Counselor and/or Learning Support teacher to develop a plan, receive support, and monitor progress.
- Students on Academic Probation will be removed from all school activities and school sports for a period of 2 weeks. After this time, if the student’s grades have improved, they will be permitted to resume all school activities and school sports.
- Academic Probation lasts until the next reporting period.
CURRICULUM
Gwynedd-Mercy Academy provides a quality education through a comprehensive and integrated curriculum that is aligned with National Standards in all core-curricular areas. Individual student learning styles are recognized and addressed in a multi-sensory environment. Students are actively engaged in the learning process and are challenged to apply higher-order thinking skills as they compose, create, experiment, and discover. Gwynedd-Mercy Academy fosters a learning environment that supports all learners. Diversity in learning is supported by differentiated instruction, small group support, and a partnership with school and home.
HOMEWORK
Gwynedd-Mercy Academy believes in the value of independent study, good study skills, self-discipline, and the reinforcement of material introduced in class. Homework is considered an important part of Gwynedd-Mercy Academy’s academics. Students are expected to complete their assignments in a timely fashion. Parents may check homework assignments through Schoology. Concerns regarding homework should be directed to the teacher.
Scheduling time wisely and purposeful planning are very important skills. Students are encouraged to use their daily assignment books. If a student is involved in extracurricular activities, including but not limited to evening practices or games that runs late, they are still expected to keep up with assignments.
LEARNING DIFFERENCES POLICY
Some students have diagnosed learning differences that necessitate accommodations to the regular academic program. Our intent is to have an accurate assessment of strengths, to understand areas of weakness, and to discover each student’s individual student’s ability. With this critical information, a helpful accommodation plan can be established that will potentially enhance the student’s learning process.
It is the expectation of Gwynedd-Mercy Academy that parents/guardians are forthcoming with an identified learning difference diagnosis of their child.
PARENT-TEACHER-STUDENT CONFERENCE
Conferences are scheduled twice a year in the middle of the first and second trimester for parents/guardians and students to review progress and discuss concerns. Pre-K and kindergarten students do not accompany parents for the first scheduled conferences. Other than the first Pre-K and kindergarten conferences, all students are required to attend. Third trimester conferences are planned upon teacher or parent request.
PLAGIARISM
Plagiarism is strictly prohibited. To avoid plagiarism, a student must credit the sources used when writing an essay, research paper, or other assignment in accordance with the appropriate style manual or format required by the teacher. Students are urged to seek out any faculty member for help with questions about plagiarism.
Examples of Plagiarism
- Word-for-Word Plagiarism
- While a writer may add some words of their own, the original words are copied directly without credit
- Plagiarism by Paraphrase
- The writer takes the original ideas, puts them in their own words, but does not credit the source of the ideas
- Mosaic Plagiarism
- The writer embeds words or phrases of someone else within their own wording
SPARKNOTES OR CLIFF NOTES
The use of SparkNotes, Cliff Notes, or other study guides of similar intent, instead of reading the assigned text, is prohibited unless authorized by the teacher assigning the work.
RENWEB
RenWeb (www.renweb.com) is our online school information database software system. In addition to containing important student and family database information, RenWeb hosts report cards, important school forms, and an archive of the year’s Mercy Memos. Registration for first time users is required. The school access code is: GMAE-PA.
SCHOOLOGY
Schoology (www.gmaelem.schoology.com) is our learning management system to facilitate instruction. Homework, lesson plans, assessments, projects, and grades are updated by each teachers. Each parent is expected to visit this site for student assignments and classroom announcements as needed. Students will access Schoology using their GMA Google credentials.