Grading Scale

All of the middle school core classes at Merritt Academy follow the same grading scale. The grading scale is as follows:

100-93               A
92-90                A-
89-87                B+
86-83                B
82-80                B-
79-77                C+
76-73                C
72-70                C-
69-67                D+
66-63                D
62-60                D-
59-0                  E

Weighted grading system

50% = assessments
40% = assignments
10% = participation
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Participation Points
1 point = brought planner 
1 point = brought class materials
1 point = did not receive RTC questions
1 point = did not get sent to RTC

Absent work policy

If a student is absent, it is the student's responsibility to make up the work missed. The student must collect any assignments or handouts from the absent work file. The student must ask other students in the class for any notes missed during the absence. If the student missed a test or quiz during the absence, the student must arrange a time with Mrs. T to take the missing assessment.

Responsible Thinking Classroom

The purpose of having a Responsible Thinking Classroom (RTC) is to ensure that all students have the right to learn in a safe and orderly environment! If a student chooses not to follow classroom rules, the consequences below will apply.

RTC Consequences
1st RTC: Verbal warning
2nd RTC: Teacher contacts home
3rd RTC: Administrator contacts home
4th RTC: Intervention meeting with parents and 2 day suspension
5th RTC: 5 day suspension

Classroom Rules

1. Be Respectful
2. Be Responsible
3. Be Ready
4. Be Reliable
5. Be a Role Model

9th hour Schedule

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9th Hour is held after school daily until 4:00 in the assigned teacher’s classroom. Students may attend 9th hour to acquire extra help from their teachers.

Monday              Mrs. D’Angelo – Science
                              Mr. Viviano – Math

Tuesday             Mrs. Palmer – Social Studies

Wednesday      Mr. Jurczak – Writing

Thursday           Mrs. Tinker - Reading

Friday                 Mrs. Witkowski – Math

Middle School Mustang Rewards

You can earn the incentives below by making good choices. To do so you must:
  • Not be sent to RTC
  • Not have any suspensions
  • Not earn any Community Service Tickets
  • Have no more than 3 detentions
  • Have no more than 8 absences*
  • Earn a “C” or higher in all classes

Incentives
Semester 1 - Sky Zone Trip
Semester 2 - Beach Day

*Administrative discretion may apply.

Teach Like A Champion Strategies

Merritt Academy utilizes strategies for best practice that can be found in Teach Like a Champion by Doug Lemov. Students are expected to follow these best practices in every class.
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  • Threshold sets the tone and expectations as students enter the classroom. They will be greeted with eye contact and provided with directions before each class begins.
  • Do Now makes use of all academic time to increase productivity. Students will know what is expected of them as soon as they walk in the classroom.
  • Tight Transitions allow students to have more time to focus on the things that matter most.
  • ​SLANT helps students concentrate and focus by ensuring students are sitting up, listening, asking and answering questions, nodding their heads, and tracking the speaker.
  • Tracking ensures that students’ attention is on the speaker or learning material in order to stay focused throughout the day.
  • 100 Percent accepts no less than 100% of the students are following a direction from the teacher.
  • Cold Call monitors understanding. The teacher will call on students regardless of whether they have raised their hand to respond to a question.
  • No Opt Out encourages students to answer questions, even when they are unsure, with support from students or the teacher when necessary.
  • Right Is Right sets and defends a high standard of correctness in the classroom.
  • Stretch It challenges students to explain more or respond to additional problems that require higher order thinking.
  • Call and Response engages students and helps them achieve. Once a question is posed, all students will respond in unison.
  • Check for Understanding provides the opportunity for teachers to assess and react to guide instruction.
  • Format Matters requires students to use the language of success in all academic settings, including grammatical, audible, and complete sentence format.
  • Positive Framing involves correcting and guiding behavior in a positive and constructive way.
  • Control the Game manages student reading.
  • Embedding Nonfiction feeds students important information to improve comprehension.