2. CPA Holistic Grading Model — The Six Categories

Calvary Preparatory Academy — Holistic Grading Model — The Six Categories in Detail

Category 1 — Class-Specific Tier40% of overall grade

Curriculum Grade

The grade displayed in the digital textbook (Edmentum/Apex curriculum). This is the largest single category. No sub-components — the teacher enters one number. Missing or late work is enforced by entering zeros directly in the digital textbook, which naturally lowers this grade.

Key point: The curriculum grade is significant at 40%, but it is no longer the whole story. A student with a high curriculum grade who cannot explain the material in their scheduled teacher meeting will have that reflected in the Learning Verification score. The two categories are designed to be read together.

Category 2 — Class-Specific Tier10% of overall grade

Assigned Work Completion

A single score of 0–10 per section based on completion status only. Quality is verified in the scheduled teacher meeting through the Learning Verification category, not here.

Score Status Description
10 Complete All assigned work submitted and ready to present at meeting time
7–9 Mostly complete Most work submitted; one or two items outstanding
4–6 Mostly incomplete Meaningful portion of work not submitted
0–3 Missing Little to no work submitted by appointment time
Category 3 — Class-Specific Tier30% of overall grade

Meeting Content — Learning Verification

The most important category in Tier 2 and the one that cannot be faked. Scored across four components totaling 20 points per section during the scheduled teacher meeting. The teacher averages scored sections across the semester.

Component Max pts Weight What the teacher asks
Depth of Understanding 10 50% Can you explain this in your own words and connect it to something real?
Responsiveness to Questioning 4 20% Can you think on your feet when I ask something you did not prepare for?
Growth & Ownership 4 20% Do you know where you stand and what you need to improve?
Teacher Conviction 2 10% Does your meeting performance match your digital textbook scores?
Total 20 100%  

Discontinuity flag: If a student scores well in the digital textbook but cannot explain the material in their scheduled meeting, the teacher documents a discontinuity flag and follows up through normal administrative channels. Teacher Conviction score = 0.

Category 4 — Holistic Tier — applies to all courses10% of overall grade

Meeting Attendance

Scored per section across the semester. The same score applies to every course the student is enrolled in. Three components total 10 points per section.

Component Max pts Key thresholds
Attendance 4 Present=4 • First reschedule this semester=4 • Second+ reschedule=0 • Absent=0
Punctuality 2 0–2 min late=2 • 2–5 min=1.5 • 5–15 min=0.5 • 15+ min=0 (teacher discretion)
Preparation 4 Fully prepared=4 • Mostly=3 • Partially=2 • Minimally=1 • Unprepared=0
Total 10 One free reschedule per semester; teacher discretion on makeup points

Preparation means: All work completed, all courses open to the assigned section in the digital textbook, end-of-section reflection open in a separate tab, assignments organized and ready to present.

Category 5 — Holistic Tier — applies to all courses5% of overall grade

Regular Engagement

Scored 0–5 per section. Measures consistent distributed presence throughout the week. The Daily Discussion Forum (DDF) is the primary measure, especially in summer school.

Score Full-time students (regular semester) Summer school students
5/5 Strong DDF participation and consistent digital textbook logins across multiple days. DDF required daily — missing posts may reduce this score at teacher discretion even with strong textbook activity. DDF is 100% required and the primary measure. Strong daily posts = 5/5. Teacher may reduce score if textbook engagement is weak despite good DDF.
3–4/5 Moderate engagement. Present most days but not fully consistent in one or both venues. Moderate DDF participation. Some days missed.
1–2/5 Minimal engagement. Work concentrated in one or two sessions. Sparse DDF. Little evidence of daily presence.
0/5 No digital textbook or DDF activity recorded for the week. No DDF posts for the week.

Summer school policy — separate from the rubric: After 2 DDF absences, a direct grade deduction applies per school policy: 1-course: −3% per additional absence • 2-course: −2% per course • 3-course: −1% per course. This administrative deduction is separate from and does not overlap with the rubric score.

Category 6 — Holistic Tier — applies to all courses5% of overall grade

Faith-Based Community Values in Practice (faith-in-action)

Each week students identify one of ten standards from CPA’s ESLRs and describe how they put it into practice — this is the applied expression of faith-based community values in action. The reflection is submitted as part of the pre-meeting self-assessment. All students, including non-Christian students, are eligible for full credit through genuine character and community values in action.

Credit level What it looks like
Full credit Specific genuine description of faith-in-action + one concrete growth step for the following week. Qualifying venues: DDF engagement, prayer forum, club participation, service activities, acts of encouragement.
Partial (50%) Reflection submitted but vague or incomplete. Teacher discretion applies.
No credit Not submitted or clearly hollow. Repeated hollow submissions trigger a parent notification.

The ten ESLRs standards: Scripture & obedience • Prayer • Compassionate service • Evangelism • Integrity in academics • Building community • Stewardship of time • Critical biblical thinking • Tech & outreach • Holy living & discipleship