I get asked this question periodically and so I thought I’d share my thoughts. Feel free to post comments or questions! Why are grades given in the first place? They are a communication tool — a short-hand way of letting others know how well a student is doing at mastering the content of a given course.  One of the main interested parties is the student himself! Whether in a classroom or homeschooling, most students want objective...

What percentage should be the cut-off for an A? What constitutes a failing grade? There’s no “universal definition” but the following scale is the one we have used in our school for many years. I publish here for your consideration, but am not implying that you must adopt it. A (93-100) B (85-92) C (77-84) D (69-76) F (68 and below)