Johnston County Public Schools updates elementary grading for 2025–26

Johnston County Public Schools announced changes to elementary grading that will take effect in the 2025–26 school year, district officials said. Paige Barnes, executive director of elementary education for Johnston County Public Schools, outlined the changes in a recorded message to families.

Barnes said the district is “making updates to ensure that grades are clear, fair, and meaningful so everyone understands how our students are learning and growing.” She added, “Grades should be like mile markers along the journey of learning, not just a final score.”

Under the new system, kindergarten through second grade will continue to use standards-based grading but students will receive a numerical indicator from 1 to 4. Barnes said the district defines those points as: 1 = little to no mastery; 2 = partial mastery; 3 = meeting expectations or mastery; and 4 = advanced understanding. The district said a level 3 indicates students have met grade-level expectations.

For grades three through five, the district will transition to a 10-point A–F scale. According to Barnes, the breakpoints will be: A = 90–100, B = 80–89, C = 70–79, D = 60–69 and F = below 60. The district said the shift aims to give families a clearer picture of academic performance while preserving alignment with grade-level standards.

Barnes described how teachers will determine indicators in K–2, saying they will use classroom observations, student work and short assessments and that student progress will be measured against end-of-year expectations. She also noted that it is possible for students to earn a 3 or 4 in early quarters if enrichment or evidence addresses the full standard.

The district provided proficiency-scale examples (Barnes cited a second-grade math cluster) and said comments in Infinite Campus will note when a standard has not yet been fully taught. A district staff member also provided a separate district message that said Johnston County Public Schools serves more than 37,000 students and is investing in new and modernized facilities as enrollment grows.

Barnes said enhancements such as art, music, physical education and STEM will use a three-level scale focused on mastery of standards rather than participation, effort or behavior. She said families will receive information through Infinite Campus, student folders, progress reports and report cards. During the first quarter, the district will provide assessment data in place of a typical progress report to give an early snapshot of student learning.

District officials said teachers and principals are receiving ongoing training to promote consistent application of the new grading practices. Barnes also referenced a living frequently asked questions document the district will maintain online and encouraged families to contact their school with questions.

“Grades should support learning, not limit it,” Barnes said. The district directed families to the elementary curriculum page on the district website for proficiency scales and other resources.