Grading & Assessments

Testing Balance

Outside of our regular assessment (examination) periods, Deerfield limits the number of tests and papers students can have due on Mondays and Fridays.   We accomplish this by prohibiting departments from assessing on one or the other of those days.*

  • English, Visual and Performing Arts, Philosophy and Religious Studies, and Science may not have major work due (or hold tests) on Fridays.
  • History, Language, Mathematics, and Computer Science may not have major work due (or hold tests) on Mondays.

*Exception: On the last Friday class day of each term, any subject not giving an assessment during Assessment Week may test or require submission of a major piece of work.

Academic work at Deerfield is graded on a numerical scale where the minimum passing grade is 60 and the median grades are generally between 85 and 90. Grades are reported to students and their parents at the mid-terms and ends of term.  At the end of each term, grades are accompanied by course medians (i.e., the median of all grades earned in English 200) and evaluative written comments.  In addition, at the mid-point of the fall term, written comments are posted for new seniors/PGs.

Advisor reports, which review a student’s progress and performance in the dormitory and in co-curricular activities, are available online for parents at mid-year (January) and at year’s end (June).

Honor Roll

An Academic Honor Roll is determined at the conclusion of each term. Eligibility is based on the following criteria:

  • Qualifying cumulative grade averages for the term of 93.0 or above garner High Honors distinction.
  • Qualifying cumulative grade averages for the term of 90.0 or above garner Honors distinction.
  • The student must be enrolled in at least four courses for which a numerical grade is recorded.
  • The student must be passing all courses.

Cum Laude

Cum Laude is a national honor society. Students who have compiled a grade point average of 92.0 or higher for each of the six terms of sophomore and junior year are eligible for election to Cum Laude in the summer before senior year. An additional group of seniors who are in the top ten percent of their class is elected just before graduation. Cum Laude scholars typically excel in a wide variety of disciplines, are outstanding citizens, and possess the organization’s core qualities of excellence, justice, and honor.






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