Skip To Main Content
Academics

It is our mission to ensure that all students are supported to reach academic success and are actively engaged in challenging curriculum. To this end we promote high expectations and rigorous academic standards based on the Common Core State Standards and Vermont Content Area Graduation Proficiencies & Performance Indicators.

Standards-Based Grading

  • A standards-based grading system is used to identify what a student knows, or is able to do, in relation to pre-established learning targets. A standards-based environment provides an accurate reporting of a student’s learning achievement and progression.Throughout the year, parents and guardians will receive information about student academic performance. 


BFMS Grading Rubric

Grade Level & Description
4 - Consistently exceeds the standard of grade expectations
3 - Consistently meets the standard of grade expectations
2 - Approaching the standard of grade expectations, or inconsistently meeting the standard
1 - Does not meet the standard of grade expectations
0 - Not assessed

 

Learner Characteristics are foundational for learning and practicing:

Completes Assignments

4: 
  • Consistently completes work as assigned.
  • Consistently submits work on time.
  • Consistently takes advantage of retake opportunities and support.

3:

  • Usually completes work as assigned.
  • Usually submits work on time.
  • Usually takes advantage of retake opportunities and support.

2:

  • Inconsistently completes work as assigned.
  • Inconsistently submits work on time.
  • Inconsistently takes advantage of retake opportunities and support.

1:

  • Rarely completes work as assigned.
  • Rarely submits work on time.
  • Rarely takes advantage of retake opportunities and support.
Follows Directions

4:

  • Consistently does what’s expected and helps others do the same.
  • Consistently listens and follows suggestions given by adults.

3:

  • Usually does what’s expected and helps others do the same.
  • Usually listens and follows suggestions given by adults.

2:

  • Inconsistently does what’s expected and helps others do the same.
  • Inconsistently listens and follows suggestions given by adults

1:

  • Rarely does what’s expected and does not follow redirection to change actions.
  • Rarely listens and follows suggestions given by adults.
Puts Forth the Effort
4:
  • Consistently arrives on time and prepared for class. 
  • Consistently participates in class and actions drive instruction forward.
  • Consistently perseveres with assignments

3:

  • Usually arrives on time and prepared for class.
  • Usually participates in class and actions benefit instruction.
  • Usually perseveres with assignments

2:

  • Inconsistently arrives on time and prepared for class.
  • Inconsistently participates in class and actions at times distract from instruction.
  • Inconsistently perseveres with assignments

1:

  • Rarely arrives on time and prepared for class.
  • Rarely participates in class and comments often distract from instruction.
  • Rarely perseveres with assignments
Respects the School Community
4:
  • Consistently demonstrates effective communication skills and a willingness to work with adults.
  • Consistently resolves conflicts.
  • Consistently willing to work with all classmates.
3:
  • Usually demonstrates effective communication skills and a willingness to work with adults.
  • Usually resolves conflicts.
  • Usually willing to work with all classmates.
2:
  • Inconsistently demonstrates effective communication skills and a willingness to work with adults.
  • Inconsistently resolves conflicts.
  • Inconsistently willing to work with all classmates.
1:
  • Rarely demonstrates effective communication skills and a willingness to work with adults.
  • Rarely resolves conflicts.
  • Rarely willing to work with all classmates.
Works Cooperatively

4:

  • Consistently uses teamwork and cooperation to help and encourage others.
  • Consistently seeks out different points of view.

3:

  • Usually uses teamwork and cooperation to help and encourage others.
  • Usually accepts different points of view.

2:

  • Inconsistently uses teamwork and cooperation to help and encourage others.
  • Inconsistently accepts different points of view.

1:

  • Rarely uses teamwork and cooperation to help and encourage others.
  • Rarely accepts different points of view.

Progress Reports/ Grade Reports/ Honor Roll/ Awards

  • Progress reports are issued (electronically) every quarter to give families updates of student performance.  
  • Report cards are issued at the end of each semester. This allows parents/guardians several opportunities to get feedback and to monitor student progress.  
  • Students receiving all 3s and 4s on their semester report cards will be on the honor roll.

Skill Acquisition / Grade Promotion

  • BFMS has a Skills Acquisition Procedure, which is in line with School Board policy G9 that states the district’s commitment to “assure all students are progressing in their educational program and have reached a standard of achievement necessary for satisfactory progress in the next grade.” What this means at BFMS is that we will provide clear guidelines, intervention strategies and support services to a student who may be at risk. At-risk students may be those who demonstrate low standardized test scores in Measures of Academic Progress (MAP), VTCAP, high rates of absenteeism or failure to demonstrate appropriate academic performance in a standards-based environment. In compliance with State and Federal regulations BFMS administers standardized tests to students in the fall, winter and spring. As a school community, we also administer assessments periodically which help guide us in implementing effective instructional strategies designed to meet the needs of each student.

Academic Honesty and Integrity

  • Students are held to the highest standards of honesty and integrity in their academic work and in the dealings with teachers and fellow students. Cheating, lying, forgery and plagiarism will be dealt with on a case by case basis and may result in disciplinary action.
  • Cheating, lying, forgery, and plagiarism are forms of misrepresentation that will not be tolerated at BFMS.  
  • Forgery is signing someone else’s name to anything.  
  • Plagiarism is using someone else’s ideas or work and calling it your own. 

Consequences for Violations to the Academic Integrity Code

1st Offense -Academic re-do of the assignment and conversation with teacher about expectations. 

2nd Offense - Repeat previous steps, contact administration, reflective lunch, parent/guardian contact. 

3rd Offense -Repeat previous steps, team meeting with family, implementation of accountability plan, potential suspension or loss of privilege.

 

Academic Monitoring / Parent Portal

  • As all students benefit from supportive parental involvement and academic monitoring we strongly recommend that families use the parent portal on our school’s web-based information system to monitor their child’s academic performance. With your username and password you will be able to log on to the Powerschool Portal and see specific information about your child’s progress. Regularly reviewing and discussing academic assignments and promoting consistent school work habits with your child will support his or her school success.

All progress reports and report cards will be viewed electronically this year. No hard copies will be sent home with students.

Conferences

  • Conferences are another effective vehicle for communication concerning a child’s life at school, and one can be scheduled at the request of either parent or teacher.  
  • Parent/guardian conferences will be scheduled in November and March, please keep an eye on communication from the school on how to sign up as we approach those dates.

 

SUGGESTED QUESTIONS FOR PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES

  • Is my child working up to his/her potential? 
  • Is he/she performing at, above or below his/her grade level?
  • Does he/she complete all assignments and practices?
  • Does he or she use class time wisely?
  • Does my child participate in class and in activities?
  • How are his/her work habits, attitude, and sense of self-discipline?
  • What role do you expect parents to play in homework?
  • Can you tell me about your grading system and explain some of the written comments on my child’s work?
  • How do you keep parents informed about students’ progress over the course of the year?

 

Homework

  • Homework is designed and assigned on a class by class basis by the teacher to reinforce and extend learning initiated in the classroom. It serves as a tool for teachers to assess student understanding of classroom instruction, also known as formative assessment. 
  • We acknowledge individual student differences in ability, achievement levels, and needs, and that some students may take more or less than the recommended time to complete assignments. Students may also have different homework assignments depending on their learning goals.

 

8th grade Moving-Up Ceremony and Awards Night:  

  • At the end of the school year BFMS will hold a special Moving-Up Ceremony and Awards Night for all 8th grade students. The date will be officially announced by April break.