1. Introduction and Overview

Calvary Preparatory Academy — Holistic Grading Model — Summary Guide

CPA Holistic Grading Model

A complete summary of how student grades are calculated, what each category means, and how the model reflects CPA’s founding values.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”

Colossians 3:23

Why CPA changed its grading model

CPA designed the holistic grading model to address a fundamental problem: AI tools now allow students to submit polished work without doing any genuine learning. Rather than playing an endless game of trying to catch cheaters, CPA shifted the question from did the work get submitted to can the student actually defend what they learned in their scheduled teacher meeting.

The model is also a return to CPA’s founding beliefs. The ESLRs describe students who are faith-filled, self-directed, thoughtful, tech-savvy, strong communicators, and academically prepared. The new grading model recognizes all six qualities, not just the last one.

The two-tier structure

Every student’s overall grade is built from two tiers. The holistic tier applies equally to every course a student is enrolled in. The class-specific tier is calculated separately for each course.

Tier 1 — Holistic (same score applies to all enrolled courses)

Meeting Attendance

Attendance, punctuality, and preparation for each scheduled teacher meeting.

10%

Regular Engagement

Consistent daily presence via the Daily Discussion Forum (primary measure) and digital textbook activity. In summer school, DDF is 100% required.

5%

Faith-based Community Values in Action (Faith-in-Action)

Weekly reflection demonstrating faith-based community values in practice. This is the applied expression of CPA’s ESLRs. All students eligible.

5%
Tier 2 — Class-specific (calculated independently per course)

Curriculum Grade

The grade displayed in the digital textbook (Edmentum/Apex curriculum). The largest single category. Missing or late work entered as zeros directly, which naturally lowers this grade.

40%

Assigned Work Completion

Simple 0–10 score per section: Complete=10, Mostly Complete=7–9, Mostly Incomplete=4–6, Missing=0–3.

10%

Meeting Content — Learning Verification

Live defense of learning in the scheduled teacher meeting. Scored across 4 components out of 20. The most AI-proof category in the model.

30%

Grade weights at a glance

Curriculum
40%
Learning Verif.
30%
Mtg Attend.
10%
Assigned Work
10%
Engage -ment
5%
Values
5%
Category Tier Weight
Curriculum Grade Class 40%
Meeting Content — Learning Verification Class 30%
Assigned Work Completion Class 10%
Meeting Attendance Holistic 10%
Regular Engagement Holistic 5%
Faith-Based Community Values in Action (Faith-in-Action) Holistic 5%
Total   100%

The grading scale

Percentage Letter Meaning
99–100% A+ Exceptional in every category
91–98% A Outstanding achievement
90% A− Just above excellent
89% B+ Strong performance
81–88% B Good effort and demonstrated learning
80% B− Solid, above average
79% C+ Above minimum requirements
71–78% C Met basic requirements
70% C− Barely meeting requirements
61–69% D Below average
0–59% F Failing