Effective student assessment is outcome-based. CORTEZ HILL ACADEMY complies with all state assessment requirements for charter schools, (Education Code section 47605(c)(1)), and participates in the state accountability system. It has adopted the District’s assessment system. All assessments used at CORTEZ HILL ACADEMY are aligned to the school's mission, student exit outcomes and our California state standards based curriculum. Pupil performance standards of achievement are regularly assessed by reliable and valid multiple measures of both an innovative and traditional nature including standardized tests required by the state, such as the STAR's annual CAT/6 and the CAHSEE. Frequent assessments will include writing on demand, essay exams, exhibitions, oral presentations, writing prompts and projects which apply what is learned.

CORTEZ HILL ACADEMY will measure progress on an ongoing basis so parents and educators know how well students are performing. Every quarter a Progress Report is sent home to keep parents informed of their student’s standing in each course. A grade of ‘C’ or better is required to receive credit in a course. Semester work that does not merit at least a ‘C’ will receive a No Mark (NM) which means no credit has been earned. A student may be required to attend Saturday School to bring the NM to a ‘C’ or better otherwise he/she will receive an ‘F’ and repeat the course in summer school or the following term.

In order to advance each year, students will demonstrate their knowledge through successful completion and satisfactory assessment of their portfolios and learning projects. In keeping with our outcome expectation of personal responsibility, each student will make a formal presentation, (a "performance demonstrating understanding”), of his or her work to teachers and parents/guardians. Each participant will have a standard guideline for assessment (rubric) and the opportunity to evaluate the student's performance. All assessors may question the student and points are given for the quality of the presentation.

In order to graduate from CORTEZ HILL ACADEMY all requirements of the SDUSD and CORTEZ HILL ACADEMY must be met. A Senior Portfolio and Exhibition must be presented successfully to a committee of judges composed from our community of mentors, parents, educators from other schools. All State mandated tests must be passed and standards requirements met.

Reporting Pupil Progress: Each pupil will be evaluated at the end of each semester and a report will be mailed to the parents or guardians.

Transcript/Permanent Record: All pupils will be assured of a transcript of their performance that will be acceptable and appropriate for admission to higher educational institutions, post secondary training, and/or transfer to another school.