Grading Information for Elementary, Middle, and High Schools

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Information about assessments and grading periods is available on the district website. Information on grading periods is summarized below:

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GRADING PERIODS

Reporting periods:

  • Trimester 1: Aug. 17 to Oct. 30, 2020
  • Trimester 2: Nov. 2, 2020 to Feb. 11, 2021
  • Trimester 3: Feb. 16 to May 21, 2021

We are nearing the end of the trimester for elementary schools! As such, students and guardians will soon be receiving grade reports. The list above highlights elementary school reporting cycles for the fall. Here are a few things to know about elementary school grading:

  • There are three reporting periods throughout the school year, each lasting approximately 12 weeks.  TK-5 report cards are shared with families during parent-teacher conferences:  
    • Trimester 1:  Week of Nov. 16, 2020
    • Trimester 2:  Week of March 8, 2021
  • All students in grades TK-5 receive a standards-based report card (SBRC), which serves as a tool to support two-way communication with families and teachers about a student’s progress towards mastery of standards. 

Families can visit sfusd.edu/ReportCards for more information about the TK-5 report cards, including sample report cards and family guides in multiple languages. 

MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADING PERIODS

Reporting cycles consist of progress periods (9-week cycles):

  • Period 1: Oct. 16, 2020
  • Period 2: Dec. 18, 2020
  • Fall semester ends Dec. 18, 2020

We are nearing the end of Period 1 for middle schools! As such, students and guardians will soon be receiving grade reports. The list above highlights middle school reporting cycles for the fall. Here are a few things to know about middle school grading:

  • Middle schools grade on a semester schedule (except for Presidio MS, which is on a trimester schedule)
  • Before the semester ends, students get a progress report at the end of 9 weeks
    • Exceptions are Willie Brown and Rooftop K-8, which do progress reports at the end of every six weeks. See high school reporting cycles, below.
  • At the end of each semester, student-led conferences happen the week of Nov. 16 - 20. This is a time for you to hear about the progress of your child and their reflections on their strengths and growth areas.

What is the difference between Period Grade and Semester Grade?
The grade report at the end of this nine-week progress period is a progress grade and not a final grade that is posted on the student transcript. It is a sort of progress report to note how students are doing in the class thus far. 

Will the Period 1/Progress grades go on to the transcript?
Transcripts are informed by the grade reports at the end of the semester. 

What do I do if I have a question or issue with a grade?
If you as a parent have a concern about a grade on the progress report, you should first reach out to the teacher of the course and/or your student’s counselor to understand that grade and share your questions or concerns.

HIGH SCHOOL GRADING PERIODS

Reporting cycles consist of progress periods (6-week cycles):

  • Period 1: Sept. 25, 2020
  • Period 2: Nov. 6, 2020
  • Period 3: Dec. 18, 2020
  • Fall semester ends Dec. 18, 2020

We have come to the end of Period 1 for high schools! As such, students and guardians will be receiving grade reports. The list above highlights high school reporting cycles for the fall. Here are a few things to know about high school grading:

  • High schools grade on a semester schedule
    • Exceptions: alternative/continuation schools and Independence High School, which use a trimester system
  • Before the semester ends, students get a progress report at the end of nine weeks
    • Exceptions: alternative/continuation high schools and Independence High School, which use a nine-week progress reporting period

What is the difference between periods and trimesters?
The grade report at the end of this six-week grading period is a progress grade and not a final grade that is posted on the student transcript. It is a sort of progress report to note how students are doing in the class thus far. 

Will the Period 1/Progress grades go on to the transcript?
Transcripts and Final Grades are informed by the grade reports at the end of the Semester. 

What do I do if I have a question or issue with a grade?
If you as a parent have a concern about a grade on the progress report, you should first reach out to the teacher of the course and/or your student’s counselor to understand that grade and share your questions or concerns.