Academic Information
In this section:
Grades can be viewed on the PowerSchool regularly and a report card will be issued at the end of each nine weeks.
Parents and students are encouraged to regularly check student grades in Parent Portal. Progress reports and report cards will be made available in Parent Portal on the following dates:
| 1st Quarter | 2nd Quarter | 3rd Quarter | 4th Quarter | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progress Reports: | September 2, 2025 | November 11, 2025 | February 10, 2026 | April 21, 2026 |
| Report Cards: | October 21, 2025 | January 13, 2026 | March 24, 2026 | June 2, 2026 |
- OSMS
Grades for courses at OSMS will be determined through a common formula for all classes. The grading formula will be as follows:
Minor Grades: 45%
Teachers will assign and grade a minimum of 10 minor grades per quarter. Minor grades include but are not limited to a variety of gradable items such as quizzes, daily grades, participation, and homework. Teachers set a defined weight to each category to construct the total weight of the minor grades. Teachers will define what constitutes their “minor grades” in the course syllabus which is given to students on the first day of the class.
Major Grades: 45%
Teachers will give a minimum of 4 Major Grades per quarter. Major grades will include teacher-generated tests, major projects, essays, or other assignments defined as a “major grade” in the course syllabus.
Comprehensive Exam: 10%
At the end of every quarter, students will take a comprehensive exam. For a ½ credit, quarter course, the final quarter grade will stand as the final grade. For a one-credit course taught over a semester, the final grade will be determined by averaging the two quarter grades for the course. For a one-credit course taught over the entire school year, the final grade shall be determined by averaging the two semester grades for the course. No quarter grades are given for one-credit courses that meet for the entire school year.
Major or long-term projects should be closely monitored and assigned two or three formative grades at set intervals prior to the summative grade. If a project or assignment merits more than one summative grade (multiple grades), each grade should represent a different component of the project. Example: Grade 1 Content, Grade 2 Format, Grade 3 Organization.
Teachers will update grades a minimum of once per week unless specifically approved by building administration. Unless there is a major class project, no five-day period should pass without every student having received his paperwork with a grade. A student will be provided the opportunity to retake one minor grade each term (maximum point value will be 70%).
- OSMS
The OSSD instructional program has sequential planned instructions for all subject/grade levels. Minimum proficiency requirements are necessary for students to progress to the next higher level/grade. See OSSD BOT Policy IHE - Promotion and Retention. Considerations for promotion are:
- Minimum numeric average of 60 in current subject/grade level.
- Potential for doing work in the next higher grade level.
- Attendance.
- Willingness to complete work.
- Promotion to grades 8 and 9 requires passing grades in three major academic subjects, Mathematics, English, and Science, with mastery of skills as prescribed by the standards and frameworks adopted by the Mississippi Department of Education, and mastery of grade-level objectives as established by OSSD.
The final decision to promote or retain a student will be a joint decision made by the teacher and principal based on the considerations listed above and mastery of minimum academic skills as measured by assessments developed and administered by the SBE and/or other options as adopted by SBE. See OSSD BOT Policy IHE - Promotion and Retention.
Students’ academic progress will be communicated throughout the school year. Parents of students who are at risk of being retained will be notified in writing in March. The final decision to promote or retain a student will be a joint decision made by the teacher and principal based on the considerations listed above.
- OSMS
At the end of each grading period, students having earned a “B” average or above in every subject in which they are enrolled as having attained the Honor Roll. Students having earned an “A” average in every subject in which they are enrolled as having attained the Principal’s List, as outlined in OSSD BOT Policy IHD - Honor Roll.
- AEC
- K-3
- OSHS
- OSMS
- OSUE
Homework is an extension of the student’s school activities. Recognizing the value of homework assignments that are purposeful, well-planned, well-motivated, and age-appropriate, the OSSD BOT encourages the assignment of independent activities for students to complete at home. The type and the amount of time necessary to complete assignments will vary from kindergarten through twelfth grade; however, there will not necessarily be an assignment every night. Homework assignments should have the following purposes:
- To reinforce classroom instruction;
- To complete unfinished classroom assignments;
- To promote independent work;
- To promote growth and responsibility in meeting curriculum requirements; and,
- To accommodate the student’s individual achievement level and ability.
See OSSD BOT Policy IHB - Homework.
- AEC
- K-3
- OSHS
- OSMS
- OSUE
Parent-teacher conferences are encouraged. At various times during the school year and for various reasons, teachers and parents/guardians should confer concerning students. If the teacher feels a conference is necessary, the teacher will contact the parent. If for any reason a parent wishes to have a conference with the teacher, the parent should contact the teacher. When parents have concerns or issues to discuss, they are encouraged to discuss the issue with the classroom teacher first. If the situation is not resolved, parents may address the issue with the elementary administration.
Teachers, administrators, and parents share the common goal of creating the best learning experiences for students. Conferences may be scheduled before or after school or during a teacher's planning period and must be scheduled at least one day in advance.
- AEC
- K-3
- OSHS
- OSMS
- OSUE
Permanent Records
A permanent record is set up for each student in the school system. This record begins when the student starts school and is kept current on the student until he/she finishes school. The permanent record follows the student wherever he/she goes. Permanent records are available for review by parents upon request. A student's educational record will be forwarded to a requesting school in which the student enrolls upon the school's request for the record. Permanent and cumulative records for individual students are collected, maintained, and disseminated in compliance with MS Codes § 37-3-49, § 37-15-1 through 37-15-3, and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. See OSSD BOT Policy JR - Student Records.
Transfer of Records
A student's educational record will be forwarded to a requesting school in which the student enrolls upon the school's request for the record. Permanent and cumulative records for individual students contain academic achievement and other required data and are collected, maintained, and disseminated in compliance with Mississippi laws and FERPA.
- AEC
- K-3
- OSHS
- OSMS
- OSUE