In determining whether we promote each student to the next grade level, Maryvale Prep weighs multiple factors including academic performance and social and developmental progress of the student. Foremost in this decision process is the well-being of each child and their ability to continue to thrive and access the rich curriculum found at Maryvale Prep.

The determination of promotion or retention is made by the headmaster in conjunction with the classroom teachers. In some cases, students may be required to complete a summer school course in order to be promoted to the next grade level.

Factors which inform the promotion or retention of each student include, but are not limited to:

  • Age, social maturity and academic and task independence of the student relative to grade level peers
  • Level of effort across the curriculum in all academic exercises
  • Performance in Language Arts and Mathematics which support success in all academic disciplines
  • Performance on standardized tests and recognized assessments (AIMS, Stanford 10, BRI)
  • Quality, quantity and completion of assignments across the curriculum including in-class assignments, homework and projects
  • Reading achievement and the ability of the student to access the rich and rigorous literature
  • Student engagement and participation in a variety of subjects, lessons and assignments
  • Behavior as it impacts the students ability to access the curriculum
  • Attendance (please refer to the Attendance Policies)
  • AIMS Reading Score (3rd to 4th Grade promotion only)*

*Arizona Revised Statue (ARS) §15-701 states that a student shall not be promoted from the third grade if the student obtains a score on the AIMS reading test (or a successor test) that demonstrates he or she is reading far below the third grade level.

Beginning in 2013-14 school year, there are two exemptions from this statue:

In accordance with the new law, a school district or governing board or the governing body of a charter school may be allowed to promote a pupil who earns an AIMS score that falls far below the third grade level for any of the following reasons:

  1. English Language Learners or Limited English Proficient that have received less than two years of English instructions; and
  2. Students with disabilities provided that the pupil’s individualized education program (IEP) team and the pupil’s parent or guardian agree that promotion is appropriate based on the pupil’s IEP.