Academic Communication

Assessments are a key component of home / school communication, McDowell utilizes a variety of assessments to ensure parents get an accurate and holistic picture of their child’s development. Other than regular classroom assessments we offer two formal structures.

  • 1

    Formal Report Cards

    Formal report cards are issued in grades Kindergarten through grade 6 on a trimester basis. Kindergarten’s report card focuses on the academic milestones; grades 1 and 2 are similarly developmental, with subject foci. From grade 3 we issue letter grades A - F and in grades 5 and 6 (and the third trimester of grade 4) we calculate an academic subject GPA for honor roll recognition.

  • 2

    External Assessments

    For external assessment we utilize the NNAT 3 test for giftedness in grade 5, and grades 2 - 6 take the ERB CTP (Educational Records Bureau, Comprehensive Testing Program) in May. This is the premier standardized testing instrument used by most high quality Private Schools in the USA.