Principal details proposed grading overhaul at Somers High School

SOMERS, N.Y. - A planned shift in the way grades are reported at Somers High School was outlined in detail by Principal Peter Rodrigues during a recent presentation to the Board of Education.

According to the May 26 presentation, the move from the current numerical grading system to an A-F letter grade system is intended to create “clear, consistent language around grading that students, parents, colleges, and employers can easily understand.”

A second goal is to reduce student stress by shifting the focus away from numerical point differences and toward the learning process itself.

“Grade reporting methods can drive things districts do when establishing or adjusting grading practices,” Rodrigues said.

“We believe that as we transition, this will allow us to really open the doors about how we talk about grading and what it really means to get the grade that you got,” he added.

The district has been collecting feedback on the proposal from faculty, families, and students. The transition is expected to take place between August and September.

Before Rodrigues began discussing the details, Board of Education President Amanda Kandel addressed concerns that students would no longer receive zeros under the new system.

“There will absolutely still be zeros at SHS when that is the grade that the student has earned,” she said. “This work is not about making coursework easier or removing accountability for our students. Rather, it’s about examining how we can most accurately and fairly measure student learning.”

Rodrigues then fielded a variety of questions from Trustee Rosalind Gallino and the board’s two ex officio student members, SHS seniors Jimmy Gallivan and Allie Lusthaus.

No members of the public commented on the proposal during the meeting.

Lusthaus asked whether the proposal was a trial run or intended to be permanent.

Calling it “too big of a change to jump back and forth year to year,” Rodrigues said that, like any new initiative, it will require “implementation, evaluation, revision, and improvement.”

“That means still living the system but continuing to work on the practices that support it,” he said.

Gallino asked how the district would measure the success of the new grading system.

Rodrigues said one goal is to lower anxiety surrounding small point differences.

Under the current 100-point scale, an A ranges from 93 to 96, an A-minus from 90 to 92, and an A-plus from 97 to 100.

“When I met with students over the past few weeks, they talked about how different a 95 felt from a 94, but they couldn’t explain why,” Rodrigues said.

Both grades are still As, and students earning them are demonstrating “a lot of mastery in the topic,” he said.

The district will gauge success partly through student feedback.

“One way we’ll know if the system is working is in terms of students’ understanding of the system and their feelings inside the system about the grades they receive,” Rodrigues said. “If it continues to move our grading practices to a more standards- and skill-based system, that’s a sign of success.”

The district has also been working with technology staff to ensure educational platforms such as Infinite Campus and Schoology can support the transition.

“We cannot move forward until we know for sure. We think we’re close,” Rodrigues said.

Several questions remain under discussion, including how the new system could affect honor roll and high honor roll recognition, as well as the selection of valedictorian and salutatorian.

Administrators are also considering ways to support faculty and maintain consistency in grading practices across disciplines and courses.

Portrait of a Graduate

Schools Superintendent Dr. Adam Bronstein thanked Rodrigues and his team for their work developing the proposal.

“I can tell you firsthand the countless number of hours and conversations they’ve had to continuously tweak and refine this,” Bronstein said. “From the initial conversations we had about this to where it is now, they’ve already incorporated a lot of feedback from stakeholders to address concerns and ensure its viability when implemented at the high school.”

Bronstein also discussed the state Education Department’s “Portrait of a Graduate” initiative, adopted in 2025. The framework establishes a shared vision for high school graduates by identifying the skills, knowledge, and dispositions students should develop to succeed in college, careers, and civic life.

“The state as a whole is moving toward other ways of demonstrating proficiency and mastery to earn a diploma,” Bronstein said, noting a shift away from traditional Regents examinations.

He said districts have been tasked with developing “portfolio-based, evidence-based, criterion-driven outcomes” to better prepare students for life after high school.

“This type of shift at the high school that we’re discussing tonight is something of a microcosm of a much larger change that we are starting to see throughout the state,” he said. “It positions the district to better align with the state’s expectations.”

Bronstein predicted that many school districts will eventually move to letter-based grade reporting and said that a number already have.

Rodrigues closed by emphasizing that the district continues to welcome feedback from both board members and the community.

Frequently Asked Questions

The district recently posted a FAQ section on its website addressing common concerns about the proposed grading changes.

Will students still receive zeros?

Yes. According to the district, “An F is still a zero.” Accountability and consequences remain in place. Officials argue that the new scale addresses what they describe as a mathematical imbalance in the 100-point system, where failing grades occupy a much larger portion of the scale than passing grades.

The explanation mirrors a presentation slide titled, “Math vs. Myth: An F is Still a Zero.”

Don’t letter grades lack precision compared to a 100-point scale?

The district maintains that percentage grades do not provide a clearer picture of student learning than letter grades. Officials say letter grades encourage students to focus on mastering skills and content rather than accumulating points.

Will letter grades make students less competitive in college admissions?

According to the district, admissions offices have indicated that the change will not negatively affect applicants.

The district cited statements from admissions representatives at Auburn University and Cornell University, both of whom said the grading change would not impact their ability to evaluate applicants.

Will transcripts change while current juniors are applying to colleges?

No. After gathering feedback from students and parents, SHS adjusted the implementation timeline. Current numerical transcripts will be sent to colleges for members of the Class of 2027, while the A-F system will apply only to grades earned during the 2026-27 school year. An explanation of the grading change will accompany midyear and final transcripts.

Will students lose the advantage of weighted GPAs?

No. Weighted cumulative GPAs will remain in place. Honors, Advanced Placement, and International Baccalaureate courses will continue to carry additional weight.

Is this an unproven or confusing grading system?

The district argues that the A-F system is a longstanding and widely understood grading method. Officials say it will provide a common language across multiple grading systems currently used at SHS, including MYP, IB, AP, and proficiency-based assessments.

The presentation also includes charts comparing the various grading frameworks, explaining how numerical grades align with letter grades, and providing examples of what report cards would look like under the new system.