Mid-Year Assessment Schedule Info

To all WRHS Parents and Guardians:

Prior to last school year, Wahconah students took one final exam for each of their full year courses at the end of the school year.  These exams consisted of information learned and skills acquired between September and June.  In essence, students were assessed on 180 days of learning.  Last year we made the decision to offer an exam schedule that is more consistent with what students would experience in college, where they are traditionally assessed at the end of each semester.  Last year marked the first year we attempted this approach (which the majority of high schools in Massachusetts practice as well). 

After last year’s mid-year exams, a committee of teachers met to discuss how our inaugural mid-year exams went.  Based on the feedback we received, it was clear that running classes in the afternoon after students studied for and took up to two exams in the morning was not productive.  Based on that feedback, we have altered our mid-year assessment schedule for this school year.  Starting January 15^th, two mid-year exams will be administered each morning and will conclude at 11am.  There will be no classes in the afternoon.  After that time, students will be free to leave school if they so choose.  Lunch will then be served from 11-11:30 for those who wish to remain in school and buses will still run at 2:21.  This new exam schedule will feel more like a final exam schedule we typically have in June.  On the final day of 2^nd quarter (end of 1^st semester) students will meet all of their classes during a special 7 period day schedule so they may receive the appropriate closure they need before moving on to 3^rd quarter (2^nd semester).

Please go to the Wahconah website to access a Mid-Year Assessment schedule that can be printed out for your use. After vacation, teachers will be engaging students in more detailed conversation about all of this.  Thank you and Happy Holidays.