NCS Reception

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:If you work hard, study and complete the material, A's are obtainable at NCS also (they don't give A+'s). That said, there are not many,if any, who graduate with a 4.0, because it is hard to be that dedicated to every subject, all the time. Same is true for any rigorous school. I have never heard stories of teachers refusing to give anyone in the class an A, but they do expect you to work for it.

They should give A+ grades - why not? STA does and they are equally rigorous.

It is a school policy, not up to the discretion of individual teachers. I don't know why -- maybe they figure the kids would compete too much to convert As to A pluses? It wouldn't be my policy but I don't know their past experiences. There's periodic talk of harmonizing the grading scales of NCS and STA because the students cross-register in many courses, but I guess both schools like their current approaches and they are still fully separate schools in terms of administration.

A score is a score and should not be lowered so a school can say they don't give A pluses. If this is true, then his may not be a good school fit for us after all.

Please tell me which schools you are considering that give A+. I do not know of one.

I don't understand what you mean. Isn't a 98 and above average an A+? What do you mean you don't know of any schools that give A+ grades? I know students at all of these schools that receive 98 and above grades and therefore A+ grades. Are you saying you do not?

I will add that maybe I just know the small minority that really excel in their studies. Are you saying that if your child has a 98, 99, or 100 average in a class, you would not want them to receive the proper credit? I am confused in what you are saying. If a kid really excels in a class such as math or science and their grades reflect that - then they should receive the proper grade. A 99 average is an A+ and is not an A or A minus.

No, an A+ is considered a weighted grade on transcripts (above a 4.0, like used in public schools). STA does not give weighted grades. STA does give a superb education.

Absolutely! We love STA. I think the confusion began when a pp said NCS does not give A+ grades and I was confused by that. Now I understand.

[Anonymous]

Perhaps the confusion is that, certainly, kids at any school can receive a 98, 99, or 100 on a test or other assignment, and some can even maintain that average for an entire quarter or semester. But when report cards/transcripts are generated, it will be listed as an "A" at 99% of the high schools out there, because that is the highest possible grade that can be given. Is that any less fair than saying a 89.5 average will be given the same A minus grade as the 92.4 average? That's life. You don't hear people complaining that the school treated them unfairly by giving them an A minus for their 92.4.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you work hard, study and complete the material, A's are obtainable at NCS also (they don't give A+'s). That said, there are not many,if any, who graduate with a 4.0, because it is hard to be that dedicated to every subject, all the time. Same is true for any rigorous school. I have never heard stories of teachers refusing to give anyone in the class an A, but they do expect you to work for it.

They should give A+ grades - why not? STA does and they are equally rigorous.

It is a school policy, not up to the discretion of individual teachers. I don't know why -- maybe they figure the kids would compete too much to convert As to A pluses? It wouldn't be my policy but I don't know their past experiences. There's periodic talk of harmonizing the grading scales of NCS and STA because the students cross-register in many courses, but I guess both schools like their current approaches and they are still fully separate schools in terms of administration.

A score is a score and should not be lowered so a school can say they don't give A pluses. If this is true, then his may not be a good school fit for us after all.

Please tell me which schools you are considering that give A+. I do not know of one.

I don't understand what you mean. Isn't a 98 and above average an A+? What do you mean you don't know of any schools that give A+ grades? I know students at all of these schools that receive 98 and above grades and therefore A+ grades. Are you saying you do not?

I will add that maybe I just know the small minority that really excel in their studies. Are you saying that if your child has a 98, 99, or 100 average in a class, you would not want them to receive the proper credit? I am confused in what you are saying. If a kid really excels in a class such as math or science and their grades reflect that - then they should receive the proper grade. A 99 average is an A+ and is not an A or A minus.

No, an A+ is considered a weighted grade on transcripts (above a 4.0, like used in public schools). STA does not give weighted grades. STA does give a superb education.

I thought I was following this, but PP (quoted above) thoroughly confused me. Someone from NCS please confirm: 1) NCS does not give A+ 2) NCS and St. Albans do weight grades 3) PP in labelling an A+ as a weighted grade is referring to other schools NOT NCS.

TIA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you work hard, study and complete the material, A's are obtainable at NCS also (they don't give A+'s). That said, there are not many,if any, who graduate with a 4.0, because it is hard to be that dedicated to every subject, all the time. Same is true for any rigorous school. I have never heard stories of teachers refusing to give anyone in the class an A, but they do expect you to work for it.

They should give A+ grades - why not? STA does and they are equally rigorous.

It is a school policy, not up to the discretion of individual teachers. I don't know why -- maybe they figure the kids would compete too much to convert As to A pluses? It wouldn't be my policy but I don't know their past experiences. There's periodic talk of harmonizing the grading scales of NCS and STA because the students cross-register in many courses, but I guess both schools like their current approaches and they are still fully separate schools in terms of administration.

A score is a score and should not be lowered so a school can say they don't give A pluses. If this is true, then his may not be a good school fit for us after all.

Please tell me which schools you are considering that give A+. I do not know of one.

I don't understand what you mean. Isn't a 98 and above average an A+? What do you mean you don't know of any schools that give A+ grades? I know students at all of these schools that receive 98 and above grades and therefore A+ grades. Are you saying you do not?

I will add that maybe I just know the small minority that really excel in their studies. Are you saying that if your child has a 98, 99, or 100 average in a class, you would not want them to receive the proper credit? I am confused in what you are saying. If a kid really excels in a class such as math or science and their grades reflect that - then they should receive the proper grade. A 99 average is an A+ and is not an A or A minus.

No, an A+ is considered a weighted grade on transcripts (above a 4.0, like used in public schools). STA does not give weighted grades. STA does give a superb education.

I thought I was following this, but PP (quoted above) thoroughly confused me. Someone from NCS please confirm: 1) NCS does not give A+ 2) NCS and St. Albans do weight grades 3) PP in labelling an A+ as a weighted grade is referring to other schools NOT NCS.

TIA.

We are not at NCS but at STA and I can vouch that they do not weight grades at STA. It is a numerical system so if you get a 98 it is just that - a 98. I like this system best of all the systems we have experienced. It seems most fair.

[Anonymous]

AnonymousWe are not at NCS but at STA and I can vouch that they do not weight grades at STA. It is a numerical system so if you get a 98 it is just that - a 98. I like this system best of all the systems we have experienced. It seems most fair. [/quote wrote:

Probably, although it tends to introduce a veneer of precision on assessments that are typically not that precise, especially outside math and science (i.e., is there a meaningful difference between a 95 and a 96 on a history essay?)

[Anonymous]

1) STA gives A+ but NOT A-. 2) Neither school does weighted grades (i.e. extra credit for an AP class) 3)No idea what PP was talking about.

On transcripts, STA shows letter grades for quarters but for a final semester also shows the underlying number. In other words, if a student got a 92 for Q1, a 90 for Q2, his report card would look like this: A, A, 91. At NCS it is just letter grades, the same students transcript would looks like this:

A-, A-, A-
There are advantages and disadvantages to each approach. Does not really matter all that much as long as all peers (i.e. students in same school) are on same system. Colleges can adjust to different systems

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1) STA gives A+ but NOT A-. 2) Neither school does weighted grades (i.e. extra credit for an AP class) 3)No idea what PP was talking about.

On transcripts, STA shows letter grades for quarters but for a final semester also shows the underlying number. In other words, if a student got a 92 for Q1, a 90 for Q2, his report card would look like this: A, A, 91. At NCS it is just letter grades, the same students transcript would looks like this:

A-, A-, A-
There are advantages and disadvantages to each approach. Does not really matter all that much as long as all peers (i.e. students in same school) are on same system. Colleges can adjust to different systems

Actually lower school at STA does give A- and I know for sure because my son received one this year.

[Anonymous]

Sorry. I was just talking about upper school, +'s but no -'s

[Anonymous]

The nice thing is, these kids tend to do really well in college. The writing and analysis skills are way above their classmates, and the ability to focus on areas of real aptitude and interest are great. Don't be surprised if your kids graduate magna from college. It's just so tough ego wise to be in the DC private achievement oriented environment (maybe more for parents than kids?) and not have the best colleges as options.

[Anonymous]

I can't believe people are actually debating the merits of As, vs A-'s, vs A+'s??. Seriously, aren't there more important things to worry about/discuss in this world???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The nice thing is, these kids tend to do really well in college. The writing and analysis skills are way above their classmates, and the ability to focus on areas of real aptitude and interest are great. Don't be surprised if your kids graduate magna from college. It's just so tough ego wise to be in the DC private achievement oriented environment (maybe more for parents than kids?) and not have the best colleges as options.

Pretty tough for the kids as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't believe people are actually debating the merits of As, vs A-'s, vs A+'s??. Seriously, aren't there more important things to worry about/discuss in this world???

Well considering the Long Island young woman that just got accepted to all 8 Ivy Leagues with a gap of 101.6 0 GPA's apparently do matter. Second student from that school to be accepted to all 8 Ivies in the past two years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't believe people are actually debating the merits of As, vs A-'s, vs A+'s??. Seriously, aren't there more important things to worry about/discuss in this world???

I think people are worried that the playing field may not be fair for these girls with students from other schools that grade more easily such as the Long Island school that has the valedictorian with the 101.6 GPA. I am sure she deserves it but I am sure many of the NCS girls would be capable of that as well if they were at the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't believe people are actually debating the merits of As, vs A-'s, vs A+'s??. Seriously, aren't there more important things to worry about/discuss in this world???

I think people are worried that the playing field may not be fair for these girls with students from other schools that grade more easily such as the Long Island school that has the valedictorian with the 101.6 GPA. I am sure she deserves it but I am sure many of the NCS girls would be capable of that as well if they were at the school.

I will follow up that I don't think this just applies to NCS but several rigorous schools in the area. The students are apparently competing with schools that are giving out 100 plus averages. Many kids from DC would like to attend Ivies so if you have a school with two years in a row having students be accepted to all ivies, it does make you wonder because I know there are kids here for sure that could have that average easily if at that school. This is a more general thought about the DC area and other rigorous schools - not just a thought about NCS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: The admissions officers at these colleges know the policies of the schools, especially the ones from which they get a lot of applications. There really isn't an impact to the students of these policies as long as they are known. I suppose it could be an issue at colleges that don't know NCS?

NCS girls do very well in college placement so I don't think their grading policies hurt the students. They've been around over 100 years so I think they would have corrected any grading issues by now.

I agree that NCS is a great school, but I take issue with this. They must do well with college placements, but there is no way to know. My DD applied for 7th this year and we couldn't find a college list anywhere. All of the other schools seemed to make them public. Seemed odd, unless this past year's list was uncharacteristically bad?