Academics
At Marquez Charter School, our teachers use creative teaching strategies that engage students in learning important material.
We often enhance the state curriculum with enriched learning that includes the study of artists and musicians as well as grade level hands-on research projects. Each year in an effort to provide a cohesive, systematic academic curriculum for all students at Marquez, the Curriculum Committee publishes a set of expectations students are to achieve at each grade level. These Grade Level Expectations are discussed at Back to School Night and are available below. We have found that they assist parents, teachers and students in driving forward our academic program.
Reporting Practices
Report cards are an important communication vehicle between school and home. The teachers at Marquez have composed their own report card to reflect those skills they deem critical for student progress. Parents of students in kindergarten receive parent-teacher conference
forms twice a year at conferences with their child’s teacher. Students in grades 1-5 receive report cards three times per year. They are given marks for:
- achievement
- effort, the degree to which the student tries to improve
- ability to meet state standards
Parents are required to sign the progress report and return it to school after each reporting period. Parents are encouraged to attend parent conferences during the two regularly scheduled conference weeks or whenever necessary.
Homework
Homework provides children the opportunity to reinforce their skills, develop good work habits and gain responsibility for their work. Homework starts in Kindergarten and increases in difficulty and amount through the grade levels. Please make sure that your child has a regular time to study in a quiet place. Homework is not intended to be drudgery. If your child is frustrated with the amount of homework or it takes longer than the teacher indicates is appropriate, please let the teacher know. Your child will learn responsibility by accomplishing his/her homework independently and reinforcement concerning its importance through your checking the work and acknowledging his/her efforts.
Testing Programs
Students in grades 1-5 take district standardized tests called the CAT 6/California Standards. In the spring of each year students take physical performance tests.
Curriculum Enrichment Programs
Marquez Charter has many activities that enrich the basic instructional program. All students benefit from enrichment programs sponsored by Friends of Marquez, the parent booster organization, including computer, music, art, library and physical education. Programs begin in October of each year. Find out more about the enrichment programs available at Marquez.
