Academics

The academic curriculum at SCPA features rigorous training in English/ language arts, mathematics, world language, science and social studies. Each academic class in grades 4-12 is designed to ensure that students are fully prepared for college study. Our curriculum is based on content standards adopted by the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) and in use at all Cincinnati Public Schools. Complete college preparatory academic curriculum and pre-professional arts training in creative writing, dance, drama, instrumental music, vocal music, music theater, visual art and technical theater.

Academic Grading Policies

The CPS grading policy is 90-100 A, 80-89 B, 70-79 C, 60-69 D, below 60 F. Each individual teacher may vary their own grading policy based on their own classroom expectations. For more information, check the teacher's course syllabus.  

Academic Assessment Testing

Each teacher develops instructional strategies formulated from the CPS district pacing guides and the ODE standards to develop their own assessments. The district also requires benchmark assessments for the elementary students and semester exams for students in core academic classes. The state requires OAA assessments for elementary and OGT for 10th grade students. 

Arts Assessment and Testing

Arts Board Proficiency Exams

All SCPA students in grades 4-12 are required to take the Arts Board Proficiency Exams each semester. The exams occur in January for Semester 1 and in late April/May for Semester 2. The instructors in your child’s department review your child's work (performance, portfolio or presentation). The instructors then assign scores based on a set of rubrics developed by each arts department to determine your child's success in meeting the established exam standards. All 4th-12th grade students must meet or exceed the standards established by their department in order to remain in their current arts department and to be promoted to the next level of arts study. Students are informed of their exam score by their arts teacher.

The four evaluation grades are:

Excellent is the rating given to a performance, portfolio or presentation that clearly exceeds all of the standards criteria for the arts proficiency review. 

Passed is the rating given to a performance, portfolio or presentation that clearly meets the standards criteria for the arts proficiency review. 

Warning is the rating given to a performance, portfolio or presentation that is inconsistent in meeting all the standards for the arts proficiency review. 

Failure is the rating given to a performance, portfolio or presentation that either (1) does not meet the standards for the boards/ proficiency review or (2) is the result of the student not attending their assigned arts examination time.

All student board portfolios, presentations and performances that meet Excellent and Passed criteria are promoted to the next level of arts study. All Warning and Failure portfolios, presentations and performances will result in a departmental probation or dismissal from the Arts Department. As the student handbook indicates, any student in grades 7-12 that receives a rating of warning or failure in two of three consecutive semesters will be removed from that arts major. If this major is the only major that your child is carrying, he/she will be required to successfully audition into another major in order to remain at SCPA.   

SCPA Graduation Requirements, per State of Ohio Department of Education, from 2014 and beyond:

  • 4 units (years) of English
  • 1/2 units (1/2 year) of Health
  • 4 units (years) of Math
  • 1/2 unit (1/2 year) Physical Education or 1 semester of Dance
  • 3 units (years) of Science
  • 3 units (years) of Social Studies
  • 8 units (years) Artistic Coursework
  • 2 units (years) of World Language

SCPA Graduation Requirements for Honors Diploma, per State of Ohio Department of Education, from 2014 and beyond:

  • 4 units (years) of English
  • 1/2 units (1/2 year) of Health
  • 4 units (years) of Math — including Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and another higher level course
  • 1/2 unit (1/2 year) Physical Education or 1 semester of Dance
  • 4 units (years) of Science — including Physics and Chemistry
  • 4 units (years) of Social Studies
  • 8 units (years) Artistic Coursework
  • 3 units (years) of World Language — 3 (years) units of 1 language, or 2 units (years) each of 2 units (years) each of languages
  • Grade Point Average: At least a 3.5 on a 4.0 scale

ACT/SAT Scores: Minimum of 27 ACT and/or 1210 SAT