Reading Counts is a vital part of the English curriculum at the Diagonal School. Our belief is that students MUST be proficient readers to perform at their absolute best not only here at our school, but also in any post-secondary training they may pursue or at their place of employment. The faculty would like to use this as an explanation as to how the program works.

*Reading Counts is required of all students grades 6-12

*Reading Counts is included in either their language arts grade for middle school or their English grade for high school

*Students are allowed to choose their own books from the approved master list

*Each book is worth a fixed amount of points as determined by the length of the book and the reading level

*Students must earn the following points per quarter for each grade: Sixth - 15 points, Seventh - 18 points, Eighth - 21 points, High School - 25 points

*Typically this would equate to approximately two - three books per quarter

*Students can also earn up to 10 of their points by reading magazine articles and then discussing the article with the teacher

*Upon completion of the book, the student takes a 20 point quiz and must score at least 16 points. *The quiz may be retaken one time should the student not pass the quiz. (Each quiz is unique and may contain different questions)

*New this year is that students may earn their entire year’s points at their own pace.

*Some class time is devoted to Reading Counts; however, most of the reading must be done on their own.

*Students will only receive credit for the book and quiz one time. They may not get credit for re-reading the book at a later year.

Feel free to come and see the collection of Reading Counts books we have. At present, we have over 500 books and quizzes available, with more being added every year.