April 30, 2026

Dear 6th Grade Families,

Aristoi scholars begin taking semester exams in the 6th grade.  Logic & Rhetoric School is holding final exams on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, May 19th - 22nd, 2026. These exams account for one-seventh of the spring semester grade for each course.  Please note that scholars are responsible for scheduling make-up exams with their teacher for any excused absences during exam week.  Exam make-ups are only allowed for excused absences as per the family handbook.   

Scholars may feel excited or nervous about beginning to take final exams. The 6th grade teachers will help scholars prepare for these cumulative exams by giving detailed study guides that help them review the knowledge they have gained.  These guides will be given in the first week of May to help scholars prepare for their exams, and they will be graded assignments.  The 6th grade teachers will utilize these guides in class review sessions and help scholars learn how to prepare for a semester exam.  Scholars will also have guided study time to prepare.  To support your scholar during exam review, please check in with them on their study guide progress throughout the week leading up to exams.  Scholars who review well are more successful on the semester exams.   Please see the following page for answers to frequently asked questions. 

Please note the following changes to our schedule during exam week: 

• The school day begins as normal, at 7:55 AM.
• Students stay with their homeroom teacher all morning. Students may bring a snack to school each day.  It is recommended that they bring a book to read when they are finished testing.
• After the second exam of the day, students will eat lunch and then have a guided study proctored by Aristoi staff until 3:20. Friday, May 22 is an early dismissal day, and carpool will begin at 12:20.  

*STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SCHEDULING MAKE-UP EXAM APPOINTMENTS WITH THEIR TEACHERS. MAKE-UP EXAMS ARE ONLY OFFERED FOR EXCUSED ABSENCES AS PER THE ARISTOI FAMILY HANDBOOK.

Please contact Mrs. McGaugh at kmcgaugh@aristoiclassical.org with questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Dr. Claudiu Cimpean

Head of Logic & Rhetoric Schools

Kelly Garrison

Assistant Head of Logic School

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SEMESTER EXAMS:

Does my scholar need to complete the whole study guide for homework?  

No, scholars will review with the study guides in class and have time to work in guided study.  The study guides may need to be completed at home, depending on the pace your scholar works at.  It’s best to wait until the week before the exams to expect scholars to finish up the study guides at home if needed. Study guides are graded assignments.  

Is the final exam part of Quarter 3 or Quarter 4?  

The final exam is a separate grade category that counts for one-seventh of the semester two grade.  

(3/7 x Q3) + (3/7 x Q4) + (1/7 x Final Exam grade) = Second Semester grade 

Year-end grades are determined by finding the average of the two semester grades. 

Does the final exam cover the entire second semester? 

Yes, the final exam is cumulative and will include material from the entire semester.  The study guide will review material that will be on the exam.  

How should my scholar prepare for the exam?

The study guides will assist scholars in knowing what content to review.  Good study habits for exam preparation, in addition to the study guide, include practicing terms or vocabulary with flashcards,  retelling verbally or explaining a concept, drawing maps or diagrams, and verbally quizzing with a partner.  

What will exam day be like?   

Scholars will take their first exam for two hours and then have a leisure break.  After leisure, the second exam will begin.  After the second exam, scholars will have lunch and then spend the rest of the day in silent, individual study.  Some scholars prefer to study at home with their parents or arrange for study groups outside of school.  Parents may opt to pick up their scholar after the day’s exams if they prefer not to have silent guided study at school.