Grades
Standards-Based (Skill-Based) Grading
At Highland Primary School, students are assessed using Arizona State Standards rather than traditional letter grades. Each standard is evaluated on a 4-point scale that shows a student's current level of understanding and progress toward mastery.
1 – Beginning
A score of 1 indicates that the student is beginning to develop the skill and is currently performing below grade-level expectations. Additional instruction, guided practice, and reteaching will be provided to help the student build a stronger understanding.
2 – Developing
A score of 2 indicates that the student is making progress and is beginning to understand the skill but still needs additional practice and support to apply it consistently. Reteaching and targeted practice will continue to help the student reach proficiency.
3 – Proficient (Grade-Level Expectation)
A score of 3 indicates that the student consistently demonstrates the skill at grade-level expectations. They can successfully apply the skill independently in most situations (approximately 6–9 times out of 10). This is considered successful performance for the grade level. Students may occasionally receive additional practice or reteaching as they continue working toward mastery.
4 – Mastery
A score of 4 indicates that the student has mastered the skill and can apply it independently and consistently. They demonstrate a deep understanding of the standard and are ready to extend their learning through enrichment activities while continuing to practice and maintain the skill throughout the year.
Our goal is for every student to master the essential third-grade standards by the end of the school year. As students master skills, they continue to practice them while also engaging in enrichment opportunities. This allows teachers to provide additional support to students who are still developing their understanding, ensuring every child continues to grow and succeed.