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| The Academic Merit System |
The Academic Merit system is an evaluation and feedback system, in addition to grades, that is designed to give students a sense of how they are faring in the classroom in the areas of:
This system rests on the belief that character in the realm of academic and intellectual pursuits rests heavily on the areas mentioned above, and that it takes more than ability to become a well-educated human being of strong character who is disposed towards acting on core convictions.
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| Rewards and Obligations of Academic Merit Status |
At each midterm classroom teachers submit an Academic Merit evaluation on each student. In each of the four areas a student is deemed to be at one of four possible levels: ‘lacking’, ‘developing’, ‘developed’ or ‘outstanding’.
Any student who is considered to be ‘lacking’ in a given area will receive a written explanation from the teacher about why this is and what they can do to improve. These ratings are done online and available to students on their GunnNet homepage.
Students who reach a certain level of Academic Merit (no rankings of ‘lacking’ in effort and showing mostly ‘developed’ levels of other elements) will be granted the privilege of studying in their dorm for the midterm. The assumption is that students making a consistent, quality effort, working to better understand themselves as learners, displaying intellectually productive attitudes and dispositions and being collaborative have earned this right.
Students granted the privilege of dorm study will be held to the highest expectations regarding cooperative, focused, serious study during study hall hours. Students deemed by dorm parents to be falling short of these expectations will lose dorm study privileges for the remainder of the midterm.
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| Cooperation/Collaboration |
Working interdependently and interacting with others in the service of learning.
GOAL: To establish/maintain positive interdependency with fellow learners and teachers.
An Academic Merit student:
- listens and acts with understanding, empathy
- is willing to take his/her turn in leading joint enterprises
- thinks interdependently
- cares for and respects others
- appreciates diversity
- communicates effectively
- builds relationships
- negotiates fairly
- is tolerant of the tolerable
- follows others reasoning and examines it carefully
- does his/her share in joint enterprises
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Engaging in many kinds of thinking, as needed, spanning creative, reflective and critical thinking and developing the dispositions that form the basis of this range of thinking.
GOAL: To think soundly and act as intelligently as possible.
An Academic Merit student:
- is open-minded
- displays curiosity
- monitors, reflects on and critiques own thinking
- is an active, critical, discerning consumer of new ideas and information
- is healthily skeptical (digs beneath the surface, looks for proof and evidence)
- seeks truth and understanding
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| Self-Awareness and Self-Management |
Being in tune with emotions and controlling them in the service of learning.
GOAL: To know yourself and be in control of your learning.
An Academic Merit student:
- identifies and manages emotions connected to learning
- is comfortable seeking help
- acts ethically
- manages impulsivity
- sets goals and plans
- defines strengths without running from weaknesses
- deals effectively with failure and mistakes
- defines what he/she controls and focuses energy there
- is careful, anticipatory, methodical in his/her thinking
- devises plans of approach for challenges
- considers different options and chooses well-suited tactics
- moves towards ever greater efficiency
- Looks for connection between efforts and his/her level of academic success
- cultivates an “I can” attitude
- believes him/herself capable of solving problems and making decisions
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Working independently and actively developing academic behaviors and
habits which contribute to his/her learning.
GOAL: To actively and willingly engage in your own education.
An Academic Merit student:
- is regularly prepared for class
- participates in a positive, productive way
- misses class only for illness or pre-approved off-campus events
- does best work in time allotted – doesn’t just ‘get it done’
- strives for accuracy, precision
- strives for consistency
- strives to be and stay organized
- is willing to seek help
- perseveres in face of challenges
- is never ‘finished’ with work: always aspires to learn more
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F.W. Gunn and Gunnery Mission
Curriculum Committee members
Ritchhart, Intellectual Character
Marzano, Dimensions of Learning
Costa and Kallick, Habits of Mind
The Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning
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