ACADEMIC LIFE

CONFERENCES
Parent–Teacher conferences are held following the first and second academic quarters.  Notices are sent to parents in advance of the conference.  The first conference is mandatory for parents; the second conference is for parents who wish to meet with specific teachers.  Additional conferences may be scheduled according to need.  Special conferences are necessary when a student's work and/or behavior deteriorate to the extent that his/her welfare and that of his/her classmates suffer.

CURRICULUM
The development of a child is multifaceted; the intellectual, emotional, physical, and spiritual areas all require care and nurturing for the formation of a healthy child of God.  We, at Christ the King School, recognize this process by utilizing appropriate teaching practices designed to address the age group served, with attention to the Diocesan Curriculum Guide containing the State of Texas "TEKS."  Basic to the curriculum is the study of religion, language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, computer science, fine arts, physical education, sensory–motor skills, and Spanish.  Subjects considered in the "core curriculum" are religion, mathematics, reading/literature, English/language arts, science, and social studies.

MID — TERM/FINAL EXAMS
Students in grades 4 through 8 will take mid — term and final exams.  Tests will be administered for academic and preparation purposes.  Exams help students to recall curriculum and skills previously taught and to prepare students for taking exams when on a high school level.

GUIDELINES FOR HOMEWORK

• Kindergarten Assignments lasting 15 to 20 minutes, that require parental involvement such as book reading, review of letters, sounds, or numbers.
• Grade 1      30 minutes
• Grade 2      40 minutes
• Grade 3      45 minutes
• Grade 4      1 hour
• Grade 5      1 1/2 hours
• Grade 6,7,8      2 + hours

Remember that these are approximate times.  Occasionally, the assignments will take longer due to the level of difficulty of the topic, etc.  At various times teachers give special projects that extend over several days or weeks.  Homework will also take longer to finish if students do not begin long — term projects as soon as they are assigned.  Homework left until the last minute tends to "pile up" and requires more time to finish by the due date.

In the event that your child's homework regularly exceeds the amount listed above and you are concerned, a note to the teacher or a conference might help identify the cause.

HOME ASSIGNMENTS
A reasonable amount of homework will be assigned daily.  Homework time will vary in length and intensity depending on the student and the grade level.  Students are expected to complete all homework assignments.  Academic and/or behavioral consequences are applied when homework is not completed.  Homework is a necessary part of serious academic study and should be completed on time every day.  Parents should supervise the completion, but should not do the assignments.  Students are allowed extended time to complete assignments only when given an excused absence.  Participation in extracurricular activities is not a valid excuse for incomplete or late homework assignments.

ACADEMIC RESPONSIBILITY
As parents and educators, we are dedicated to helping children to become responsible citizens.  Students must learn not only responsible conduct behavior but also responsible academic behavior.  To this end, students, especially Upper School students, are ultimately responsible for completing their own assignments and homework and for remembering to bring their own books, homework, assignments, and materials to class.  Students are discouraged from calling home for forgotten books, homework, or materials. 

Although teachers try their best to notify parents if students have lost books or materials or have received zeroes for missing assignments, it is the ultimate responsibility of the student to keep track of school assignments, grades, and materials and to relay this information to his or her parent.  Students should make arrangements with teachers or outside tutors for extra help if further academic assistance is needed.  At the beginning of the year, teachers will send home the times they are available to give students extra help.

GRADES ON–LINE
Christ the King School posts on — line the grades of students in grades 3 through 8.  At Great Expectations Night, September 5th & 6th, parents will be given the website address, ID and password that will allow them to check the grades of their children.

PROGRESS REPORTS
Teachers continually monitor each student's progress.  Cooperation between school and home is essential to the development of each student.  Therefore, a progress report is sent home each mid — quarter to students in grades1 — 8 in all core subjects.  Students in kindergarten do not receive progress reports at all.
 
REPORT CARDS
Report cards inform parents of a student's progress in academics and the development of Christian values and character, and grades are the result of the student's cumulative markings in any subject during that quarter.  Report cards are issued at the end of each quarter.  Students in kindergarten do not receive a report card until the second quarter of the school year.  A copy of the student's report card remains in the student's permanent file until graduation or transfer.

Parents are asked to review the report card with their child.  Discussion of strengths, weaknesses, and goal — setting motivates the student.  Talking with a child about the report card also demonstrates parental interest and support.  Report cards must be signed and returned in the report card envelope as soon as possible.  Parents may keep the final report card.