Investigative series: Arpita Das – Grades and the significance behind them

AP US History teacher Steve Labenz has had students with parent's expectations set so high he thought they had to be joking. Because Labenz teaches one of the most difficult AP classes at FHC, he understands that everyone’s effort looks different when it comes to academics. At the end of the day, all he hopes for is a student’s best efforts. “I had a [parent from] a couple years ago with a st...

Name: Ava Redmond Grade: 12 What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the word 'grades'? “Hard work, studying, and tests.” What advice you would give to someone who stresses about grades for grade levels below you?  “Work your hardest, [because] at the end of the day, if you don’t get the grades you want, let it go. Your work ethic and commitment to success show ...

Name: Ian Mahoney Grade: 12 What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the word "grades"? "The thing that comes to my mind when I think of grades is spending nights studying for tests and practicing presentations." What advice you would give to someone who stresses about grades for levels below you?  "[The] advice I would give to others in grades below me in terms of stressi...

I know that feeling.  That angst-ridden feeling you get when you're just aching to know what score you got on an assessment seconds after turning it in.  The lump sensation you get in your throat when you watch your grade drop to a percentage you are no longer satisfied with.  That feeling of logging into PowerSchool, just waiting to see if the grades are updated in order to match my preconceived ...