How to Get A's in NCS English in 9th Grade?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s very unlikely that your child will get an A in 9th grade English just coming into NCS. Regardless of where she attended school previously, the transition is likely to be VERY challenging. Let her focus on actually learning how to write without you pressuring her about grades.

BTW, not even the valedictorians at NCS have 4.0 GPA’s and everyone gets into a good school.

Chill out…it’s parents like you who give NCS its bad rap.

For existing students would an A be possible then? Given the transition should be relatively easier. Or it does not matter - HS is just more challenging for all.

It’s possible for both existing and new students. It just depends on what kind of writing skills they’re coming in with. As NCS parents have already the standards are exceedingly high. Think of writing at the level of an Ivy League college senior.

Is it possible? Yes, for example, if you are brilliant and maybe have had a private writing tutor since you were in second grade. Having older sisters who attended NCS recently helps too because you have a better sense of what specific teachers are looking for.

Some of it also luck of the draw. Some English teachers at NCS just refuse to give As on principle. It has nothing to do with the girls’ skills and everything to do with the teachers’ egos.

The administration would never allow a teacher to do this, but please don't let that stop you from weaving your paranoid fantasies.

Do stay in your delusional world. The administration has no power to control how a teacher grades. You obviously do not have a child in the Upper School else you’d know.

Every teacher as under a yearly contract that the admin offers. If a teacher ever refused to give students an A for work that legitimately earned that grade, then that teacher would be shown the door. Any teacher whose grades deviate from tje rest of the department are required to justify them and explain why they are different. What most parents don't know is that teachers who teach the same grade meet to discuss the grade distribution and ensure it is consistent across the board. Again, don't let these facts interrupt the narrative you're so eager to establish about independent school teachers.

Are you talking about private schools in general, or NCS in particular? It doesn’t sound like NCS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s very unlikely that your child will get an A in 9th grade English just coming into NCS. Regardless of where she attended school previously, the transition is likely to be VERY challenging. Let her focus on actually learning how to write without you pressuring her about grades.

BTW, not even the valedictorians at NCS have 4.0 GPA’s and everyone gets into a good school.

Chill out…it’s parents like you who give NCS its bad rap.

For existing students would an A be possible then? Given the transition should be relatively easier. Or it does not matter - HS is just more challenging for all.

It’s possible for both existing and new students. It just depends on what kind of writing skills they’re coming in with. As NCS parents have already the standards are exceedingly high. Think of writing at the level of an Ivy League college senior.

Is it possible? Yes, for example, if you are brilliant and maybe have had a private writing tutor since you were in second grade. Having older sisters who attended NCS recently helps too because you have a better sense of what specific teachers are looking for.

Some of it also luck of the draw. Some English teachers at NCS just refuse to give As on principle. It has nothing to do with the girls’ skills and everything to do with the teachers’ egos.

The administration would never allow a teacher to do this, but please don't let that stop you from weaving your paranoid fantasies.

Do stay in your delusional world. The administration has no power to control how a teacher grades. You obviously do not have a child in the Upper School else you’d know.

Every teacher as under a yearly contract that the admin offers. If a teacher ever refused to give students an A for work that legitimately earned that grade, then that teacher would be shown the door. Any teacher whose grades deviate from tje rest of the department are required to justify them and explain why they are different. What most parents don't know is that teachers who teach the same grade meet to discuss the grade distribution and ensure it is consistent across the board. Again, don't let these facts interrupt the narrative you're so eager to establish about independent school teachers.

Are you talking about private schools in general, or NCS in particular? It doesn’t sound like NCS.

PP’s fantasy description would be great if it were reality. Sadly, it is not true for the most elite privates and certainly not true for NCS. The stupidity of the phrase “legitimately earned that grade” says it all. In subjects such as English and history what constitutes legitimately earned is highly subjective.

While not all schools have formal tenure teacher autonomy in the classroom is deeply rooted in most private schools cultures. It’s cited as one of the factors that helps them retain teachers despite offering a lower salary than public schools.

Failure to renew a teacher‘s contract over grading would lead to the mass exodus of the best teachers. Private school administrators are keenly aware of the teacher shortage and the inability to recruit decent teachers. Short of major wrongdoing no private school is going to dismiss a teacher because they refuse to give A grades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC is targeting HYP. It is of paramount importance that she get 4.0!!!

GL with that. Let us know how it goes.

Then genuinely maybe don’t go to NCS, or Sidwell, GDS, etc. Typically, the kids who are getting into HYP from these schools from the elite DC private are either 1) alumni kid 2) recruited athlete 3) URM AND are highly qualified academically (3.75+ UW high rigor). An unhooked kids from NCS needs like a 3.9+ to be seriously considered at HYP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC is targeting HYP. It is of paramount importance that she get 4.0!!!

GL with that. Let us know how it goes.

Then genuinely maybe don’t go to NCS, or Sidwell, GDS, etc. Typically, the kids who are getting into HYP from these schools from the elite DC private are either 1) alumni kid 2) recruited athlete 3) URM AND are highly qualified academically (3.75+ UW high rigor). An unhooked kids from NCS needs like a 3.9+ to be seriously considered at HYP.

Yeah. That is why we need 4.0.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC is targeting HYP. It is of paramount importance that she get 4.0!!!

GL with that. Let us know how it goes.

Then genuinely maybe don’t go to NCS, or Sidwell, GDS, etc. Typically, the kids who are getting into HYP from these schools from the elite DC private are either 1) alumni kid 2) recruited athlete 3) URM AND are highly qualified academically (3.75+ UW high rigor). An unhooked kids from NCS needs like a 3.9+ to be seriously considered at HYP.

Yeah. That is why we need 4.0.

All the best to both of you in your endeavors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC is targeting HYP. It is of paramount importance that she get 4.0!!!

GL with that. Let us know how it goes.

Then genuinely maybe don’t go to NCS, or Sidwell, GDS, etc. Typically, the kids who are getting into HYP from these schools from the elite DC private are either 1) alumni kid 2) recruited athlete 3) URM AND are highly qualified academically (3.75+ UW high rigor). An unhooked kids from NCS needs like a 3.9+ to be seriously considered at HYP.

Yeah. That is why we need 4.0.

Of paramount importance lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC is targeting HYP. It is of paramount importance that she get 4.0!!!

GL with that. Let us know how it goes.

Then genuinely maybe don’t go to NCS, or Sidwell, GDS, etc. Typically, the kids who are getting into HYP from these schools from the elite DC private are either 1) alumni kid 2) recruited athlete 3) URM AND are highly qualified academically (3.75+ UW high rigor). An unhooked kids from NCS needs like a 3.9+ to be seriously considered at HYP.

Yeah. That is why we need 4.0.

Of paramount importance lol

OF. PARAMOUNT. IMPORTANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s very unlikely that your child will get an A in 9th grade English just coming into NCS. Regardless of where she attended school previously, the transition is likely to be VERY challenging. Let her focus on actually learning how to write without you pressuring her about grades.

BTW, not even the valedictorians at NCS have 4.0 GPA’s and everyone gets into a good school.

Chill out…it’s parents like you who give NCS its bad rap.

For existing students would an A be possible then? Given the transition should be relatively easier. Or it does not matter - HS is just more challenging for all.

It’s possible for both existing and new students. It just depends on what kind of writing skills they’re coming in with. As NCS parents have already the standards are exceedingly high. Think of writing at the level of an Ivy League college senior.

Is it possible? Yes, for example, if you are brilliant and maybe have had a private writing tutor since you were in second grade. Having older sisters who attended NCS recently helps too because you have a better sense of what specific teachers are looking for.

Some of it also luck of the draw. Some English teachers at NCS just refuse to give As on principle. It has nothing to do with the girls’ skills and everything to do with the teachers’ egos.

The administration would never allow a teacher to do this, but please don't let that stop you from weaving your paranoid fantasies.

Do stay in your delusional world. The administration has no power to control how a teacher grades. You obviously do not have a child in the Upper School else you’d know.

Every teacher as under a yearly contract that the admin offers. If a teacher ever refused to give students an A for work that legitimately earned that grade, then that teacher would be shown the door. Any teacher whose grades deviate from tje rest of the department are required to justify them and explain why they are different. What most parents don't know is that teachers who teach the same grade meet to discuss the grade distribution and ensure it is consistent across the board. Again, don't let these facts interrupt the narrative you're so eager to establish about independent school teachers.

Are you talking about private schools in general, or NCS in particular? It doesn’t sound like NCS.

PP’s fantasy description would be great if it were reality. Sadly, it is not true for the most elite privates and certainly not true for NCS. The stupidity of the phrase “legitimately earned that grade” says it all. In subjects such as English and history what constitutes legitimately earned is highly subjective.

While not all schools have formal tenure teacher autonomy in the classroom is deeply rooted in most private schools cultures. It’s cited as one of the factors that helps them retain teachers despite offering a lower salary than public schools.

Failure to renew a teacher‘s contract over grading would lead to the mass exodus of the best teachers. Private school administrators are keenly aware of the teacher shortage and the inability to recruit decent teachers. Short of major wrongdoing no private school is going to dismiss a teacher because they refuse to give A grades.

I had a history professor in college who regarded 2.7 as a decent grade and 3.0 as a very good grade. Unfortunately I found out about this too late to drop the class from my schedule and switch to another class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s very unlikely that your child will get an A in 9th grade English just coming into NCS. Regardless of where she attended school previously, the transition is likely to be VERY challenging. Let her focus on actually learning how to write without you pressuring her about grades.

BTW, not even the valedictorians at NCS have 4.0 GPA’s and everyone gets into a good school.

Chill out…it’s parents like you who give NCS its bad rap.

For existing students would an A be possible then? Given the transition should be relatively easier. Or it does not matter - HS is just more challenging for all.

It’s possible for both existing and new students. It just depends on what kind of writing skills they’re coming in with. As NCS parents have already the standards are exceedingly high. Think of writing at the level of an Ivy League college senior.

Is it possible? Yes, for example, if you are brilliant and maybe have had a private writing tutor since you were in second grade. Having older sisters who attended NCS recently helps too because you have a better sense of what specific teachers are looking for.

Some of it also luck of the draw. Some English teachers at NCS just refuse to give As on principle. It has nothing to do with the girls’ skills and everything to do with the teachers’ egos.

The administration would never allow a teacher to do this, but please don't let that stop you from weaving your paranoid fantasies.

Do stay in your delusional world. The administration has no power to control how a teacher grades. You obviously do not have a child in the Upper School else you’d know.

Every teacher as under a yearly contract that the admin offers. If a teacher ever refused to give students an A for work that legitimately earned that grade, then that teacher would be shown the door. Any teacher whose grades deviate from tje rest of the department are required to justify them and explain why they are different. What most parents don't know is that teachers who teach the same grade meet to discuss the grade distribution and ensure it is consistent across the board. Again, don't let these facts interrupt the narrative you're so eager to establish about independent school teachers.

Are you talking about private schools in general, or NCS in particular? It doesn’t sound like NCS.

PP’s fantasy description would be great if it were reality. Sadly, it is not true for the most elite privates and certainly not true for NCS. The stupidity of the phrase “legitimately earned that grade” says it all. In subjects such as English and history what constitutes legitimately earned is highly subjective.

While not all schools have formal tenure teacher autonomy in the classroom is deeply rooted in most private schools cultures. It’s cited as one of the factors that helps them retain teachers despite offering a lower salary than public schools.

Failure to renew a teacher‘s contract over grading would lead to the mass exodus of the best teachers. Private school administrators are keenly aware of the teacher shortage and the inability to recruit decent teachers. Short of major wrongdoing no private school is going to dismiss a teacher because they refuse to give A grades.

I had a history professor in college who regarded 2.7 as a decent grade and 3.0 as a very good grade. Unfortunately I found out about this too late to drop the class from my schedule and switch to another class.

Your professor is right. A 2.7 is a B- and and a 3.0 is a B. They are considered to be in the “very good/good” category. This is real grading.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s very unlikely that your child will get an A in 9th grade English just coming into NCS. Regardless of where she attended school previously, the transition is likely to be VERY challenging. Let her focus on actually learning how to write without you pressuring her about grades.

BTW, not even the valedictorians at NCS have 4.0 GPA’s and everyone gets into a good school.

Chill out…it’s parents like you who give NCS its bad rap.

For existing students would an A be possible then? Given the transition should be relatively easier. Or it does not matter - HS is just more challenging for all.

It’s possible for both existing and new students. It just depends on what kind of writing skills they’re coming in with. As NCS parents have already the standards are exceedingly high. Think of writing at the level of an Ivy League college senior.

Is it possible? Yes, for example, if you are brilliant and maybe have had a private writing tutor since you were in second grade. Having older sisters who attended NCS recently helps too because you have a better sense of what specific teachers are looking for.

Some of it also luck of the draw. Some English teachers at NCS just refuse to give As on principle. It has nothing to do with the girls’ skills and everything to do with the teachers’ egos.

The administration would never allow a teacher to do this, but please don't let that stop you from weaving your paranoid fantasies.

Do stay in your delusional world. The administration has no power to control how a teacher grades. You obviously do not have a child in the Upper School else you’d know.

Every teacher as under a yearly contract that the admin offers. If a teacher ever refused to give students an A for work that legitimately earned that grade, then that teacher would be shown the door. Any teacher whose grades deviate from tje rest of the department are required to justify them and explain why they are different. What most parents don't know is that teachers who teach the same grade meet to discuss the grade distribution and ensure it is consistent across the board. Again, don't let these facts interrupt the narrative you're so eager to establish about independent school teachers.

Are you talking about private schools in general, or NCS in particular? It doesn’t sound like NCS.

PP’s fantasy description would be great if it were reality. Sadly, it is not true for the most elite privates and certainly not true for NCS. The stupidity of the phrase “legitimately earned that grade” says it all. In subjects such as English and history what constitutes legitimately earned is highly subjective.

While not all schools have formal tenure teacher autonomy in the classroom is deeply rooted in most private schools cultures. It’s cited as one of the factors that helps them retain teachers despite offering a lower salary than public schools.

Failure to renew a teacher‘s contract over grading would lead to the mass exodus of the best teachers. Private school administrators are keenly aware of the teacher shortage and the inability to recruit decent teachers. Short of major wrongdoing no private school is going to dismiss a teacher because they refuse to give A grades.

I had a history professor in college who regarded 2.7 as a decent grade and 3.0 as a very good grade. Unfortunately I found out about this too late to drop the class from my schedule and switch to another class.

Your professor is right. A 2.7 is a B- and and a 3.0 is a B. They are considered to be in the “very good/good” category. This is real grading.

Maybe once upon a time in the age of dinaosaurs. Not in the age of rampant grade inflation.

Publics inflate grades to the point where the mean is a 3.7 UW and the top 25% have 3.9+ averages UW.

It takes blood, sweat, and tears to earn a 3.9 at NCS. That’s the tippy-top caliber student. Do colleges and universities truly compensate for the grade deflation at NCS? Some do like the SLACs but the big universities don’t.

NCS continues to disadvantage its students by allowing the harsh grading to continue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s very unlikely that your child will get an A in 9th grade English just coming into NCS. Regardless of where she attended school previously, the transition is likely to be VERY challenging. Let her focus on actually learning how to write without you pressuring her about grades.

BTW, not even the valedictorians at NCS have 4.0 GPA’s and everyone gets into a good school.

Chill out…it’s parents like you who give NCS its bad rap.

For existing students would an A be possible then? Given the transition should be relatively easier. Or it does not matter - HS is just more challenging for all.

It’s possible for both existing and new students. It just depends on what kind of writing skills they’re coming in with. As NCS parents have already the standards are exceedingly high. Think of writing at the level of an Ivy League college senior.

Is it possible? Yes, for example, if you are brilliant and maybe have had a private writing tutor since you were in second grade. Having older sisters who attended NCS recently helps too because you have a better sense of what specific teachers are looking for.

Some of it also luck of the draw. Some English teachers at NCS just refuse to give As on principle. It has nothing to do with the girls’ skills and everything to do with the teachers’ egos.

The administration would never allow a teacher to do this, but please don't let that stop you from weaving your paranoid fantasies.

Do stay in your delusional world. The administration has no power to control how a teacher grades. You obviously do not have a child in the Upper School else you’d know.

Every teacher as under a yearly contract that the admin offers. If a teacher ever refused to give students an A for work that legitimately earned that grade, then that teacher would be shown the door. Any teacher whose grades deviate from tje rest of the department are required to justify them and explain why they are different. What most parents don't know is that teachers who teach the same grade meet to discuss the grade distribution and ensure it is consistent across the board. Again, don't let these facts interrupt the narrative you're so eager to establish about independent school teachers.

Are you talking about private schools in general, or NCS in particular? It doesn’t sound like NCS.

PP’s fantasy description would be great if it were reality. Sadly, it is not true for the most elite privates and certainly not true for NCS. The stupidity of the phrase “legitimately earned that grade” says it all. In subjects such as English and history what constitutes legitimately earned is highly subjective.

While not all schools have formal tenure teacher autonomy in the classroom is deeply rooted in most private schools cultures. It’s cited as one of the factors that helps them retain teachers despite offering a lower salary than public schools.

Failure to renew a teacher‘s contract over grading would lead to the mass exodus of the best teachers. Private school administrators are keenly aware of the teacher shortage and the inability to recruit decent teachers. Short of major wrongdoing no private school is going to dismiss a teacher because they refuse to give A grades.

I had a history professor in college who regarded 2.7 as a decent grade and 3.0 as a very good grade. Unfortunately I found out about this too late to drop the class from my schedule and switch to another class.

Your professor is right. A 2.7 is a B- and and a 3.0 is a B. They are considered to be in the “very good/good” category. This is real grading.

Maybe once upon a time in the age of dinaosaurs. Not in the age of rampant grade inflation.

Publics inflate grades to the point where the mean is a 3.7 UW and the top 25% have 3.9+ averages UW.

It takes blood, sweat, and tears to earn a 3.9 at NCS. That’s the tippy-top caliber student. Do colleges and universities truly compensate for the grade deflation at NCS? Some do like the SLACs but the big universities don’t.

NCS continues to disadvantage its students by allowing the harsh grading to continue.

You contradict yourself in your own post. First you assert that publics are inflating grades so they are meaningless, but then you criticize a school such as NCS for not inflating grades, which you then characterize as "harsh."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s very unlikely that your child will get an A in 9th grade English just coming into NCS. Regardless of where she attended school previously, the transition is likely to be VERY challenging. Let her focus on actually learning how to write without you pressuring her about grades.

BTW, not even the valedictorians at NCS have 4.0 GPA’s and everyone gets into a good school.

Chill out…it’s parents like you who give NCS its bad rap.

For existing students would an A be possible then? Given the transition should be relatively easier. Or it does not matter - HS is just more challenging for all.

It’s possible for both existing and new students. It just depends on what kind of writing skills they’re coming in with. As NCS parents have already the standards are exceedingly high. Think of writing at the level of an Ivy League college senior.

Is it possible? Yes, for example, if you are brilliant and maybe have had a private writing tutor since you were in second grade. Having older sisters who attended NCS recently helps too because you have a better sense of what specific teachers are looking for.

Some of it also luck of the draw. Some English teachers at NCS just refuse to give As on principle. It has nothing to do with the girls’ skills and everything to do with the teachers’ egos.

The administration would never allow a teacher to do this, but please don't let that stop you from weaving your paranoid fantasies.

Do stay in your delusional world. The administration has no power to control how a teacher grades. You obviously do not have a child in the Upper School else you’d know.

Every teacher as under a yearly contract that the admin offers. If a teacher ever refused to give students an A for work that legitimately earned that grade, then that teacher would be shown the door. Any teacher whose grades deviate from tje rest of the department are required to justify them and explain why they are different. What most parents don't know is that teachers who teach the same grade meet to discuss the grade distribution and ensure it is consistent across the board. Again, don't let these facts interrupt the narrative you're so eager to establish about independent school teachers.

Are you talking about private schools in general, or NCS in particular? It doesn’t sound like NCS.

PP’s fantasy description would be great if it were reality. Sadly, it is not true for the most elite privates and certainly not true for NCS. The stupidity of the phrase “legitimately earned that grade” says it all. In subjects such as English and history what constitutes legitimately earned is highly subjective.

While not all schools have formal tenure teacher autonomy in the classroom is deeply rooted in most private schools cultures. It’s cited as one of the factors that helps them retain teachers despite offering a lower salary than public schools.

Failure to renew a teacher‘s contract over grading would lead to the mass exodus of the best teachers. Private school administrators are keenly aware of the teacher shortage and the inability to recruit decent teachers. Short of major wrongdoing no private school is going to dismiss a teacher because they refuse to give A grades.

I had a history professor in college who regarded 2.7 as a decent grade and 3.0 as a very good grade. Unfortunately I found out about this too late to drop the class from my schedule and switch to another class.

Your professor is right. A 2.7 is a B- and and a 3.0 is a B. They are considered to be in the “very good/good” category. This is real grading.

Maybe once upon a time in the age of dinaosaurs. Not in the age of rampant grade inflation.

Publics inflate grades to the point where the mean is a 3.7 UW and the top 25% have 3.9+ averages UW.

It takes blood, sweat, and tears to earn a 3.9 at NCS. That’s the tippy-top caliber student. Do colleges and universities truly compensate for the grade deflation at NCS? Some do like the SLACs but the big universities don’t.

NCS continues to disadvantage its students by allowing the harsh grading to continue.

You contradict yourself in your own post. First you assert that publics are inflating grades so they are meaningless, but then you criticize a school such as NCS for not inflating grades, which you then characterize as "harsh."

No, you are inferring something not stated. I simply said there is significant grade inflation. I did not assert that the grades became meaningless as a result.

I argued that NCS hurts its girls by deflating grades. Work that would be a 4.0 in most other high school environments are often awarded 3.0 or 3.3 at NCS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s very unlikely that your child will get an A in 9th grade English just coming into NCS. Regardless of where she attended school previously, the transition is likely to be VERY challenging. Let her focus on actually learning how to write without you pressuring her about grades.

BTW, not even the valedictorians at NCS have 4.0 GPA’s and everyone gets into a good school.

Chill out…it’s parents like you who give NCS its bad rap.

For existing students would an A be possible then? Given the transition should be relatively easier. Or it does not matter - HS is just more challenging for all.

It’s possible for both existing and new students. It just depends on what kind of writing skills they’re coming in with. As NCS parents have already the standards are exceedingly high. Think of writing at the level of an Ivy League college senior.

Is it possible? Yes, for example, if you are brilliant and maybe have had a private writing tutor since you were in second grade. Having older sisters who attended NCS recently helps too because you have a better sense of what specific teachers are looking for.

Some of it also luck of the draw. Some English teachers at NCS just refuse to give As on principle. It has nothing to do with the girls’ skills and everything to do with the teachers’ egos.

The administration would never allow a teacher to do this, but please don't let that stop you from weaving your paranoid fantasies.

Do stay in your delusional world. The administration has no power to control how a teacher grades. You obviously do not have a child in the Upper School else you’d know.

Every teacher as under a yearly contract that the admin offers. If a teacher ever refused to give students an A for work that legitimately earned that grade, then that teacher would be shown the door. Any teacher whose grades deviate from tje rest of the department are required to justify them and explain why they are different. What most parents don't know is that teachers who teach the same grade meet to discuss the grade distribution and ensure it is consistent across the board. Again, don't let these facts interrupt the narrative you're so eager to establish about independent school teachers.

Are you talking about private schools in general, or NCS in particular? It doesn’t sound like NCS.

PP’s fantasy description would be great if it were reality. Sadly, it is not true for the most elite privates and certainly not true for NCS. The stupidity of the phrase “legitimately earned that grade” says it all. In subjects such as English and history what constitutes legitimately earned is highly subjective.

While not all schools have formal tenure teacher autonomy in the classroom is deeply rooted in most private schools cultures. It’s cited as one of the factors that helps them retain teachers despite offering a lower salary than public schools.

Failure to renew a teacher‘s contract over grading would lead to the mass exodus of the best teachers. Private school administrators are keenly aware of the teacher shortage and the inability to recruit decent teachers. Short of major wrongdoing no private school is going to dismiss a teacher because they refuse to give A grades.

I had a history professor in college who regarded 2.7 as a decent grade and 3.0 as a very good grade. Unfortunately I found out about this too late to drop the class from my schedule and switch to another class.

Your professor is right. A 2.7 is a B- and and a 3.0 is a B. They are considered to be in the “very good/good” category. This is real grading.

Maybe once upon a time in the age of dinaosaurs. Not in the age of rampant grade inflation.

Publics inflate grades to the point where the mean is a 3.7 UW and the top 25% have 3.9+ averages UW.

It takes blood, sweat, and tears to earn a 3.9 at NCS. That’s the tippy-top caliber student. Do colleges and universities truly compensate for the grade deflation at NCS? Some do like the SLACs but the big universities don’t.

NCS continues to disadvantage its students by allowing the harsh grading to continue.

You contradict yourself in your own post. First you assert that publics are inflating grades so they are meaningless, but then you criticize a school such as NCS for not inflating grades, which you then characterize as "harsh."

No, you are inferring something not stated. I simply said there is significant grade inflation. I did not assert that the grades became meaningless as a result.

I argued that NCS hurts its girls by deflating grades. Work that would be a 4.0 in most other high school environments are often awarded 3.0 or 3.3 at NCS.

LOL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s very unlikely that your child will get an A in 9th grade English just coming into NCS. Regardless of where she attended school previously, the transition is likely to be VERY challenging. Let her focus on actually learning how to write without you pressuring her about grades.

BTW, not even the valedictorians at NCS have 4.0 GPA’s and everyone gets into a good school.

Chill out…it’s parents like you who give NCS its bad rap.

For existing students would an A be possible then? Given the transition should be relatively easier. Or it does not matter - HS is just more challenging for all.

It’s possible for both existing and new students. It just depends on what kind of writing skills they’re coming in with. As NCS parents have already the standards are exceedingly high. Think of writing at the level of an Ivy League college senior.

Is it possible? Yes, for example, if you are brilliant and maybe have had a private writing tutor since you were in second grade. Having older sisters who attended NCS recently helps too because you have a better sense of what specific teachers are looking for.

Some of it also luck of the draw. Some English teachers at NCS just refuse to give As on principle. It has nothing to do with the girls’ skills and everything to do with the teachers’ egos.

The administration would never allow a teacher to do this, but please don't let that stop you from weaving your paranoid fantasies.

Do stay in your delusional world. The administration has no power to control how a teacher grades. You obviously do not have a child in the Upper School else you’d know.

Every teacher as under a yearly contract that the admin offers. If a teacher ever refused to give students an A for work that legitimately earned that grade, then that teacher would be shown the door. Any teacher whose grades deviate from tje rest of the department are required to justify them and explain why they are different. What most parents don't know is that teachers who teach the same grade meet to discuss the grade distribution and ensure it is consistent across the board. Again, don't let these facts interrupt the narrative you're so eager to establish about independent school teachers.

Are you talking about private schools in general, or NCS in particular? It doesn’t sound like NCS.

PP’s fantasy description would be great if it were reality. Sadly, it is not true for the most elite privates and certainly not true for NCS. The stupidity of the phrase “legitimately earned that grade” says it all. In subjects such as English and history what constitutes legitimately earned is highly subjective.

While not all schools have formal tenure teacher autonomy in the classroom is deeply rooted in most private schools cultures. It’s cited as one of the factors that helps them retain teachers despite offering a lower salary than public schools.

Failure to renew a teacher‘s contract over grading would lead to the mass exodus of the best teachers. Private school administrators are keenly aware of the teacher shortage and the inability to recruit decent teachers. Short of major wrongdoing no private school is going to dismiss a teacher because they refuse to give A grades.

I had a history professor in college who regarded 2.7 as a decent grade and 3.0 as a very good grade. Unfortunately I found out about this too late to drop the class from my schedule and switch to another class.

Your professor is right. A 2.7 is a B- and and a 3.0 is a B. They are considered to be in the “very good/good” category. This is real grading.

Maybe once upon a time in the age of dinaosaurs. Not in the age of rampant grade inflation.

Publics inflate grades to the point where the mean is a 3.7 UW and the top 25% have 3.9+ averages UW.

It takes blood, sweat, and tears to earn a 3.9 at NCS. That’s the tippy-top caliber student. Do colleges and universities truly compensate for the grade deflation at NCS? Some do like the SLACs but the big universities don’t.

NCS continues to disadvantage its students by allowing the harsh grading to continue.

Were you in college in the age of the dinosaurs?

Kudos to professors and teachers who hold the fort and give authentic grades. You are looking for a transaction, not a grade. I hope your kid's experience at NCS is more than a transcript.

[Anonymous]

AS someone who had kids go through HS without grade inflation in private...I am so happy that they had to work hard for their grades because it did prepare them for the work in college and they did not struggle their freshman year.