Guidelines for Grading and Homework

Arts Department: Assessment & Grading Guidelines

Earned Credits: Students earn points daily or weekly for demonstrating professional habits: punctuality, readiness, safety, and active collaboration.
Industry Standards: Participation is treated as a "professionalism grade," mirroring expectations in the arts and culinary industries.

Student-Centered Pace: In studio-based courses (such as Drawing), the number of assignments may be adjusted based on the specific needs and progress of the student cohort.
Quality over Quantity: Many Visual Arts teachers fold progress and participation directly into project rubrics to ensure that the grade reflects the holistic quality of the work and the effort invested.

Includes: Band, Orchestra, Chorus, Guitar, Keyboarding, and Music Production.
Major Projects/Tests: 2–3 per semester (typically concert performances or unit exams).
Assignments: 17–36 per semester (varies by instrument; Keyboarding/Guitar represent the higher end).
Focus: Performance proficiency, technical skill development, and concert preparation.

Includes: Painting, Drawing, Graphic Arts, Photography, Jewelry, Ceramics, Sculpture, and AP Art.
Major Projects: 3–6 per semester. Exceptions: Photography averages 10 (one per week); Graphic Arts averages 6.
Assignments: 8–23 per semester. High-Volume: Photography (23); Standard: Drawing/Painting/Ceramics (~12–15); Studio-Focused: Sculpture (8).
Focus: Portfolio development, technical mastery of mediums, and rubric-based progress assessments.

Includes: Foundations, Intermediate, and Honors Culinary, and Wood Arts.
Major Projects/Tests: 4–5 per semester (practical lab exams, workshop builds, and unit tests).
Assignments: 15 per semester.
Focus: Food and workshop safety, recipe execution & material formulation, and kitchen/shop management.

Major Projects/Units: 3–4 units per semester.
Assignments: 10–20 per semester.
Focus: Industry-standard professionalism, collaborative production, creative refinement, and analytical studies.

Posting to Genesis: Homework, classwork, quizzes, tests, projects, and assessments will be updated in a timely manner.
Open Communication: We welcome conversations about your grades. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to the teacher directly. Open communication is key to a successful learning experience, and we are always here to help.
Teacher Discretion: These guidelines provide general department-wide frameworks. Students should refer to their individual teachers for specific project and assignment requirements.

Daily Homework & Classwork: All daily assignments are posted on Google Classroom.
- If a student is in class on the day an assignment is due but does not hand it in, they can submit it the next calendar day for 50% credit. After one day late, the grade becomes a zero.
- If homework is reviewed in class on its due date, it cannot be accepted late for credit.
Major Projects & Assessments: All late major projects, writing assignments, and authentic assessments will receive a 10% grade deduction per calendar day that the assignment is late.
Absences: In the event of an absence, the due date for assignments is automatically extended to the next scheduled class meeting.
Genesis Grade Entry: The teacher will enter a temporary zero in Genesis for any assignment not completed or handed in until it is made up in accordance with the guidelines above.