Beginning in the 2025–2026 school year, MCPS is making revisions to grading and reporting at the secondary level. This will include an update to the calculation of final grades for students in grades 6 through 12. These changes are designed to increase consistency and strengthen expectations for student learning and accountability across schools.

 

IMPORTANT UPDATES: Final grades will be based on the average of marking period grades for all secondary students. Additionally, required summative districtwide assessments will be implemented during the second and fourth marking periods for select courses. MCPS Grading and Reporting Changes "One Pager" MCPS Grading and Reporting Webpage

 

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to sign up for ParentVUE to stay updated on your child’s grades throughout the school year. Students should use Canvas to stay updated on academic progress.

 

WCHS Grading and Reporting Updates for 2025-26

Based on the MCPS Regulation and policy changes, Winston Churchill HS has revised our school Grading and Reporting Policies. These additional policies (along with the new semester calculation) will have important ramifications for students and will be reviewed and explained in multiple formats in the coming weeks:

 

  • Canvas will remain the grading application: All assignments will be graded in Canvas - supporting students by having school and department wide consistency. This will also allow for more effective use of the "Upcoming Assignments" calendar in Canvas, and the "Missing Assignment" indicator.
  • Due Dates and Deadlines: There will be NO automatic deadline length for "All Task" assignments. Depending on the course and the specific assignment, the deadline will adjust from one(1) to five (5) school days after the assignment is due.
  • Late Work Penalties: In some classes and for some assignments, students will be penalized 10% off their grade for turning in work past the due date and before the deadline.
  • Zeros and 50% rule: In accordance with MCPS policy, students that do NOT turn in any work, or engage in academic dishonesty will receive zero's. Students must demonstrate progress on the mastery of the content in order to receive 50%.
  • Attendance and Make-up Work: Being in school, and in class, every day is important for academic success. When a student does have to miss class, they will have the number of days they were absent (plus 1 day) to submit work up to a maximum of five (5) school days.
  • Skipping Class - Skipping class in order to avoid tests or assignment due dates WILL be considered Academic Dishonesty, and may result in being assigned a zero for the assignment.
 

Accessing Canvas and Monitoring Grades and Missing Assignments

Parents and Families that want to see the MOST CURRENT and ACCURATE grades for their student should be using Canvas/myMCPS Classroom! The teachers and staff at Winston Churchill HS have moved all grading to the myMCPS Classroom application so that parents can have one location for the most current and up to date grades, Missing Assignment indicators, and an accurate and complete upcoming assignments list. All parents have access through ParentVUE.

 

Remember - the grades from myMCPS Classroom are synced to Synergy, but there can be a delay, and the most current information (especially about Missing work) will be in Canvas/myMCPS Classroom! Once a "Missing" grade has synced to Synergy it cannot be removed until the actual grade is entered - which can take 1-2 weeks. The missing grade will be updated in Canvas/myMCPS Classroom to give you the updated information.

 

Here are some helpful links to access myMCPS Classroom: