Credit Recovery
For a passing grade in the PASS/FAIL system, students must earn a grade of 70% or higher and complete all unit tests.
Honors, AP, and Regular Courses
Students may choose to take courses on a PASS/FAIL basis or for a letter grade.
PASS/FAIL Grading
For a passing grade in the PASS/FAIL system, students must earn 60% or higher (excludes Credit Recovery which is 70% or higher) on their coursework. Must be declared in writing within 10 business days of starting the class.
Letter Grade Scale
Letter grades will be assigned according to the following scale:
| Percentage | Grade |
| 93.0 – 100 | A |
| 90.0 – 92.9 | A- |
| 87.0 – 89.9 | B+ |
| 83.0 – 86.9 | B |
| 80.0 – 82.9 | B- |
| 77.0 – 79.9 | C+ |
| 73.0 – 76.9 | C |
| 70.0 – 72.9 | C- |
| 67.0 – 69.9 | D+ |
| 60.0 – 66.9 | D |
| Below 60 | F |
Market Square Education does not round grades.
Grade Descriptions
Letter grades indicate the quality and effort students demonstrate in a course:
- A – Indicates consistent quality work and excellent effort.
- B – Indicates good quality work and good effort.
- C – Indicates inconsistent work and inconsistent effort.
- D – Indicates minimal quality work and limited effort.
Participation
Participation is required in all classes, including participation in online discussions and other assigned course activities. Participation may be factored into a student’s final grade.
Extra Credit
Extra credit is determined on a case-by-case basis. Students who are within 15 points of moving up a letter grade may be offered an extra credit assignment at the teacher’s discretion. If 15 points will not impact the student’s overall grade, extra credit will not be offered.
ALE Final Grades and Transcript Designations
The provisions outlined in this section apply only to students enrolled in the Market Square Education Alternative Learning Experience (ALE) program.
At the conclusion of each school year, a final grade or transcript designation will be recorded for each ALE course in which a student is enrolled.
Final Letter Grades
Students who complete course requirements will receive a final letter grade based on the grading scale outlined in this policy. Credit will be awarded upon successful completion of the course.
Incomplete (I)
An Incomplete (I) may be assigned when a student has not completed all course requirements by the end of the school year but is expected to continue enrollment with Market Square Education ALE and resume the course during a subsequent enrollment period.
An Incomplete indicates that the course remains in progress and that additional time has been granted for the student to complete remaining coursework. No credit is awarded while an Incomplete designation is recorded.
Upon completion of the course, the Incomplete (I) will be replaced with the final letter grade and credit earned.
No Credit (NC)
A No Credit (NC) designation may be assigned when a student has not completed course requirements and is not expected to return to Market Square Education ALE to complete the course.
An NC indicates that no credit was earned through Market Square Education for the course.
If Market Square Education receives an official transcript demonstrating successful completion of an equivalent course at another accredited educational institution, the NC may be replaced in accordance with current OSPI transcript guidance.
Withdrawal (W)
A Withdrawal (W) designation may be assigned when a student withdraws from a course or from Market Square Education in accordance with the school’s withdrawal policy.
A W indicates that the student withdrew prior to course completion and did not earn credit through Market Square Education.
If Market Square Education receives an official transcript demonstrating successful completion of an equivalent course at another accredited educational institution, the W may be replaced in accordance with current OSPI transcript guidance.
Partial Credit for Students Not Returning
Market Square Education may award partial credit when a student has successfully completed a portion of the course aligned to course objectives and credit requirements. Partial credit shall be awarded in increments of 20% of the total course credit based upon the percentage of course requirements successfully completed and demonstrated mastery of the completed coursework.
The final grade recorded shall reflect the student’s academic performance on completed coursework, and the transcript shall reflect the amount of credit earned.
Students who have not completed sufficient coursework to justify the award of partial credit may receive a No Credit (NC) designation.
Transfer Coursework
Market Square Education will accept transfer credits and grades from accredited educational institutions in accordance with state law and school procedures. Transfer coursework will be recorded on the student’s transcript based on official documentation received from the sending institution.
Students Transferring to MSE Private School
When a student transfers to the Market Square Education Private School program with a Withdrawal (W) designation on their transcript, the Withdrawal may be replaced with a final grade if the student enrolls in and successfully completes the equivalent course through Market Square Education Private School.
The final grade and credit awarded shall reflect the student’s performance and successful completion of the course. If the student does not complete the equivalent course, the original Withdrawal (W) designation shall remain on the transcript.
This provision shall be implemented in accordance with current OSPI transcript guidance.
Compliance with State Requirements
This policy was developed in accordance with applicable Washington Administrative Code (WAC), Revised Code of Washington (RCW), current Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) guidance, and accepted educational recordkeeping and transcript practices. Market Square Education reserves the right to revise administrative procedures as necessary to maintain compliance with state law, regulatory requirements, accreditation standards, and OSPI guidance.