Final Grade and Percentage Mark Rubric Guide

1. How the final percentage mark is determined

A student's final percentage mark in every credit course is composed of three parts. The proportions are set by Ontario's mandatory assessment and evaluation requirements for students in Grades 9 to 12, the September 2026 update to Growing Success, which replaces the evaluation policy for courses in Grades 9 to 12 set out in Chapter 5 of Growing Success (2010).

• Classroom work, 65 per cent. Evaluations conducted throughout the course. The mark reflects the student's most consistent level of achievement, with special consideration given to more recent evidence. It is determined by the professional judgement of the assigned Ontario Certified Teacher and is not produced by unweighted averaging. Within this component the four achievement chart categories are weighted equally, at 16.25 per cent of the final mark each.
• Final evaluation, 20 or 25 per cent. Administered in study week 6 of the session. Depending on the course this is a written examination, a culminating task, or both. The exact split for each course is stated in that course's Outline of Course of Study and in the student course outline issued at the start of the session.
• Attendance and participation, 15 or 10 per cent. This component is required under the September 2026 requirements. Because the school has no scheduled class times, it is based on completion of the four published weekly milestones and on the quality of the student's participation in the cohort discussion forum, assessed against the rubric in section D3 of the School Course Calendar. It is not a measure of presence at a live session. It is distinct from the learning skills and work habits, which are reported separately and are never included in the percentage mark.

A credit is granted at a final percentage mark of 50 per cent or higher. The final mark is rounded to the nearest whole number.

Full detail is in the School Course Calendar, sections D2, D3 and D4.

2. The Achievement Chart Categories

All grading is based on the provincial Achievement Chart, which standardizes how teachers assess student work across four specific categories of knowledge and skills. Every major assessment is graded based on a balance of these four areas:

• Knowledge and Understanding: Subject-specific content acquired in each course (knowledge), and the comprehension of its meaning and significance (understanding).
• Thinking: The use of critical and creative thinking skills and processes (such as planning, processing, and problem-solving).
• Communication: The conveying of meaning through various forms (oral, written, and visual) tailored to the intended audience and purpose.
• Application: The use of knowledge and skills to make connections within and between various contexts (such as real-world applications and cross-disciplinary transfers).

Within the classroom work component these four categories are weighted equally, at 16.25 per cent of the final mark each.

3. Provincial Percentage Mark and Achievement Level Rubric

When assigning grades, teachers evaluate student evidence against the provincial standards. The table below outlines how the Ministry defines each Level of Achievement and translates it into a final percentage mark for Grades 9 to 12.

4. Special Administrative Reporting Codes

In specific circumstances, percentage marks may be replaced or accompanied by standardized administrative codes on official school records.

• The "I" Indicator (Grades 9 and 10 Only): The code "I" may be used on a report card to indicate that insufficient evidence is available to determine a percentage mark. This is typically applied when a student has missed significant instructional time or failed to submit mandatory culminating assessments.
• The "W" Indicator (Grades 11 and 12 Only): Under the Ministry's Full Disclosure policy, if a student withdraws from a Grade 11 or 12 course more than five instructional days after the issuance of the mid-session report card, a "W" is entered in the credit column of the Ontario Student Transcript, and the percentage grade at the time of withdrawal is permanently recorded.