Breadcrumbs

Assessment and reporting

Monitoring and reporting student progress

The progress of lower school students is monitored continuously throughout the year. Teachers assess student progress regularly using a variety of methods, including observations, interviews, portfolios, discussions and specific tasks. In addition to these ongoing assessments, teachers in K2–Grade 4 give benchmark assessments in September, December and May in literacy and math. These assessments help teachers track students’ growth and progress and inform next steps in teaching. 

Parent conferences/report cards

Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled for all families in October and again in February. During these conferences, social-emotional development and academic progress are discussed, and goals are set together by teachers and families. Report cards are published in January and June. These report on the individual student’s social-emotional and academic progress over the course of each semester. Throughout the year, parents/guardians who would like to discuss their children's academic or social progress with any of their teachers are welcome to do so by making an appointment. When a specific need arises, teachers may request conferences with parents/guardians at other times during the school year.

Student-led conferences

In May, student-led conferences provide an opportunity for students to reflect on their learning across the course of the year with their families. Lower school students document their work in both physical and digital forms. Across the year, teachers help children select pieces that reflect significant learning moments, challenges and areas in which to improve, or learning of which they are proud. Often a small reflection is written or dictated by the student, indicating the reason for a selection. During student-led conferences, children share reflections of their growth for the school year. Students take a leadership role in this conference, which encourages increased responsibility and ownership for their learning.

External assessment

The purpose of external assessments at ASL is to:

  • Support individual student learning as one source of data within a larger collection of evidence of learning
  • Compare our school’s performance with other schools

Grade 4 students take MAP Growth (Measurement of Academic Progress) in reading and math in the fall and spring. Once results are returned, parents/guardians are welcome to meet with the teacher or office of teaching and learning if they have questions.
In February, the Lower School also administers the ISA (International Schools Assessment) in writing to Grade 4. Parents/guardians receive a summary of the test results and teachers review the results with the office of teaching and learning.