The use of academic standards enables parents, teachers, schools and school districts to monitor and measure a student’s progress. The standards – or academic goals – define what each student should know and be able to do in particular subject areas following the completion of specific grade levels.

Chapter 4 of the Pennsylvania Curriculum Regulations requires schools to implement planned instruction for each subject area for which standards have been established. Therefore, planned instruction has been developed in the following:

• Math (K-12)
• English Language Arts (K-12)
• Science (K-12)
• Social Studies (K-12)
• Special subject areas (K-12)
  

Student achievement in Mathematics and English Language Arts is evaluated at grades 3-8 and science in grades 4 and 8 through the use of the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) – a standardized test. Additionally, students take Keystone Exams as end of course exams in biology, algebra I, and literature (in English 10).

The planned instruction may be accessed through the North Hills School District teacher's website. The information contains the standards, objectives, types of activities provided, activities for students who need additional time and support to reach a proficient level and additional activities for students who reach proficiency at an earlier date to enrich and take learning to a new level.  

Should you have any questions or concerns about planned instruction, please contact the principal of your child's school directly.

North Hills School District utilizes a quarterly grading system with four marking periods.

At the secondary level, year-long course letter grades of A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D and F will be issued at each of the four (4) marking period intervals and at the end of the course for a final grade.

For semester courses, letter grades of A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D and F will be issued at two marking period intervals and at the end of the course for a final grade.

For trimester or quarter courses, letter grades of A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D and F will be issued at the end of the course only. This will be the student’s final grade.

Only final grades earned in grades 9-12 will be reported on a student's official transcript.

For semester courses, a student's final grade shall be determined by the percent average of the two (2) marking periods of the semester. For year-long courses, a student's final grade shall be determined by the percent average of the four (4) marking periods of the school year.

Teachers shall administer mid-term exams, final exams or final projects in the second and fourth marking periods. Student grades on mid-term exams, final exams or final projects shall be calculated into the student’s grade for that marking period and shall not be greater than 10 percent of the student’s marking period grade.

Elementary Standards Performance Levels will be issued in four (4) marking period intervals.