“When it comes to my future, I’m really positive. My family is working very hard so I can have more opportunities and be the first in my family to go to college.”
— Frank, student

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Curriculum

Cristo Rey Jesuit High School embraces a curriculum focused on college preparatory coursework, with the goal of students becoming “college ready” rather than just “college eligible.”

Curriculum requirements include:

  • 4.5 years of English
  • 4.5 years of Math
  • 4 years of Religion
  • 3 years of Social Science
  • 4 years of Science and Health
  • 2 years of Spanish (3rd year is available)
  • 4 years of Hire4Ed
  • 1 year of Physical Education and Art
 

Cristo Rey Jesuit High School -- A Standards Focused School

What is the purpose of standards based grading. The purpose of standards-based grading is to report what students know and are able to do. Passing a class is not tied to the completion of homework. It is based on the demonstration of knowledge and understanding of the standards.

Why aren't grades just "averaged?" The traditional system of averaging grades does not necessarily present an accurate picture of where a student is in his/her learning.

What does a 4, 3, 2, or 1 mean?

4. Exceeds the standard

3. Meets the standard

2. Partially meets the standard

1. Does not meet the standard

What does an 'I' mean?
"Insufficient evidence." When a student receives an 'I' in a class, the teacher is essentially saying that the student has not provided enough evidence, to allow the them to be able to make an informed decision about how the student is performing. If the work is not completed or sufficient learning has not been demonstrated, then the grade remains an 'I' and the student must attend credit recovery.

Why does a student receive one grade for content knowledge and one grade for academic behavior? The standards based system is different because it is based upon criteria aligned to a standard and seeks to clearly separate what a student knows and is able to do from the contributing work habits that we call academic behaviors. The academic behaviors identified by the Cristo Rey Network as most critical for college success are persistence with new tasks and teaming and collaboration.

How does this system prepare students for college?
Preparation for high school and college is built upon knowledge, skills and work habits. The standards based grading system clearly communicates to students and parents what specific knowledge, skills and work habits are expected.

How would colleges respond if a high school student did not have a traditional GPA? More and more states, districts and schools are becoming interested in standards-based grading and report cards. Oregon, Illinois, Alaska, and Colorado are currently communicating with college admissions officers to determine student admission with standards-based reporting. The University of California system is looking more closely at standards-based narrative reports as the basis for admissions decisions for their schools.