School Policies

Grading Policy 2023-2024

Overview

At Bronx Envision, there are two marking periods each semester. The final grade includes final assessments and exams. Students’ final grade for the semester will be cumulative, utilizing a decaying average (where early assignments are weighted less than later assignments) with up to 10% of the final semester grade based on final assessments and/or exams. Credits are awarded each semester and in the summer term. A typical student course load is 7.5 credits per semester.

Outcomes-Based Grading

Bronx Envision Academy utilizes outcomes-based grading. These school-wide outcomes are aligned to our Instructional Core Values of Project-Based Learning, Connections, and Reflection & Critique.

BEA School-Wide Outcomes

Project-Based Learning

Connections

Reflection & Critique

P1 SUPPORT

I can support my ideas with evidence

P2 INVESTIGATE

I can persevere in solving problems

P3 CREATE

I can communicate my unique point of view

C1 ANALYZE

I can explain and analyze in writing

C2 DISCERN

I can determine the meaning of unfamiliar words and phrases and focus on what’s most important

C3 COLLABORATE

I can work collaboratively to achieve goals

RC1 DISCUSS

I can participate in discussions, expressing my ideas clearly and building on others’ ideas

RC2 REFLECT

I can reflect and revise so I can continuously learn

Individual academic departments have established additional outcomes that are essential to the academic discipline.

With outcomes-based grading, students will have multiple opportunities to demonstrate mastery of important skills with clear and frequent feedback from their teachers. Student mastery of the learning outcomes will be determined through a combination of ongoing formative assessments as well as at least one culminating summative assessment per unit. Students will have the opportunity to revise assessments to improve their grade.

Students can track their progress using JumpRope and their grades are based on the following scale:

1	N	Not Yet
2	A	Approaching Expectations
3	M	Meeting Expectations
4	E	Exceeding Expectations

There are two marking periods in each semester and a student’s final grade will be based on their progress made throughout the semester.

iLearn Blended Learning Grades

Bronx Envision Academy utilizes an online platform for a limited number of courses. Courses are offered via the Apex and Edmentum on the iLearn platform. To be eligible for iLearn credit, students must earn a passing overall grade for the course content.

Final grades for iLearn courses are based on mastery of content in the course. Grading for iLearn courses does not follow the guidelines for regular courses. The final grade is a cumulative grade earned based on scores earned on all material in the course.

Grade Changes

In instances where grades are inaccurate, teachers must submit signed grade change forms or digital grade change forms to the guidance office for approval, indicating the incorrect grade, the correct grade, rationale, and documentation. This documentation will remain in the guidance file.

Grade Point Average & Class Rank

Grade Weights (Weighted GPA)

Advanced Placement courses are demanding college-level courses. Advanced Placement courses will be weighted 1.05. This means that a 90 in an AP level course is the equivalent of a 94.5 in a regular course. A weighted 80 would be 84.

Courses included in GPA

To be well prepared for success in college, Bronx Envision Academy students have access to a variety of courses, including the arts and elective courses. All credit-bearing courses are included in a student’s GPA, including physical education and elective credits, reflecting our school’s instructional core values.

Eligibility for Valedictorian and Salutatorian

To be eligible for the honor of valedictorian or salutatorian, students must attend Bronx Envision Academy for at least three years. Weighted average following first semester senior year will be utilized to determine class rank for valedictorian (#1) and salutatorian (#2). Due to COVID-19 remote learning, grades earned in the spring semester of the 2019-2020 school year are not utilized when determining the weighted average for valedictorian/salutatorian eligibility.

Habits of Work and Learning (HOWLs):

While academic outcomes make up 90% of students' grades, Habits of Work and Learning (HOWLs) account for 90% of students' grades. At Bronx Envision Academy, we believe that successful students are prepared, engaged citizens who persevere.

Preparedness: Punctuality, organization, assignment completion
Engagement: Participation, collaboration, responsiveness to teacher outreach
Perseverance: Revises as needed to achieve mastery, uses teacher feedback to improve work
Citizenship: Respect for others, contribution to the success of the group

	Not Yet Criterion	Approaching Criterion	Meeting Criterion	Exceeding Criterion
Preparedness	-Late for most classes. - Meets deadlines on less than 50% of assignments.	- On time or close to time for most classes. - Inconsistently meets deadlines 50 > < 90%	-On or close to time for all classes. - Almost always meets deadlines (90% of assignments are on time)	-On time for all classes. - Always meets deadlines
Engagement	- Rarely participates in class even when prompted to do so. -Rarely responds to teacher outreach.	-Sometimes actively participates in class when prompted to do so. - Needs prompting to respond to teacher outreach.	-Actively participates in class when prompted to do so. - Always responds to teacher outreach in class but may not be prompt.	-Actively participates in class verbally, in the chat, or in the learning platform. - Always responds promptly to teacher outreach in class.
Perseverance	-Few assignments show clear evidence of using teacher feedback to improve work. - Rarely revises assignments.	- Some assignments show clear evidence of using teacher feedback to improve work. - Revises assignments but may stop short of achieving mastery.	- Most assignments show clear evidence of using teacher feedback to improve work. - Revises assignments to achieve or come close to achieving mastery.	- Assignments show clear evidence of using teacher feedback to improve work. - Revises assignments to achieve mastery.
Citizenship	- Rarely demonstrates respect for peers and staff. - Rarely collaborates effectively with peers and demonstrates leadership.	- Sometimes demonstrates respect for peers and staff. - Sometimes collaborates effectively with peers and infrequently demonstrates leadership.	- Usually demonstrates respect for peers and staff. - Usually collaborates effectively with peers and sometimes demonstrates leadership.	- Always demonstrates respect for peers and staff. - Always collaborates effectively with peers and frequently demonstrates leadership.

2022-2023 Policy for Cell Phones & Other Electronic Devices

Rationale

Bronx Envision Academy is committed to providing a safe and supportive educational environment. The University of Chicago Press notes a study in which “Results from two experiments indicate that even when people are successful at maintaining sustained attention—as when avoiding the temptation to check their phones—the mere presence of these devices reduces available cognitive capacity.” Cell phones and other electronic devices have become major sources of distraction and have been substantially disruptive to the educational process within our school community. In addition, the use of these items both in school and outside of school have led to unhealthy and unproductive conversations and physical altercations.

Policy

Students may bring small electronic devices, including cell phones to school. Students may not use cell phones or other electronic devices during the school day. To best support our students in complying with this policy, Bronx Envision Academy is partnering with a company called YONDR to provide secure storage pouches for student devices. Students must store all devices in Yondr pouches upon entering the building.

What communication devices are permitted (stored in Yondr pouch) in the building?

Students are permitted to bring the following communication/electronic devices, provided they fit in the Yondr pouches: cell phones, ipods or music players, smart watches, headphones.

How will Yondr work with phones and other permitted devices?

Students will be assigned a Yondr pouch (effective January 26, 2022). Before entering the building, students will turn off their phones and other electronic devices. Before leaving, staff will unlock the Yondr pouch, students will retrieve their devices, and students will store the pouch and bring it to school daily. (Note: The example refers to the phone, however, all permitted devices must fit in the Yondr pouch, otherwise they CANNOT be brought to school.)

How will families contact a BEA student?

Parents and guardians noted on the New York City Department of Education Emergency Contact Card will call the main office at (718) 589-1590 to reach their child for emergency purposes. We ask that families not disrupt the instructional day for non-emergency concerns. Please alert guidance staff of any emergencies (such as a death in the family or an accident) so we can effectively support your child. Changes in travel and pickup plans can be communicated directly to your children as they will be able to turn on devices and access messages upon dismissal from school. If you require your child to contact you via the school phone upon arrival or dismissal, they will need to request to use the courtesy phone. To encourage your child’s compliance, please remember to call or send your child messages outside of the school day as this has been a common excuse for failing to follow the cell phone policy.

What will happen in the event of an emergency and evacuation to another building?

In the event of an emergency, to ensure the safety of all in the Bronx Envision Academy community, students must follow all directions provided by administrators, faculty, staff, and Building Response Team (BRT) members. If necessary, students will proceed to an evacuation site and the school will contact all families. In addition, school staff will transport an unlocking device to the evacuation site where students will be able to unlock their devices and make contact with a parent or guardian.

What happens if a student vandalizes or damages a Yondr pouch?

Yondr pouches are school property. We expect that students will safeguard the pouches as they do their electronic devices within them. Any vandalism or damage to the Yondr pouch will result in a $20 fee to replace the pouch.

What will happen if a student forgets the pouch or willfully withholds electronic devices and is found with the device in his or her possession?

The device will be confiscated and a parent or guardian will need to pick up the device from the dean or other school personnel between the hours of 9am and 2pm. Additional disciplinary action can and will be taken for repeat offenders.