Student Recognition & Rewards Policy

digiTIES / The Islamic Education School District

Student Recognition & Rewards Policy

STU-001 · Student · Policy & Procedure

Policy Number	STU-001
Category	Student
Effective Date	2026–2027 School Year
Last Reviewed	March 2026
Next Review Due	December 2026
Approved By	Principal, digiTIES
Standards	WASC C1, C3 · NSQ C4, E1 · digiTIES Core Values
Policy Contact	Principal – principal@digities.org
Scope	All enrolled students, Grades 1–12, all learning modalities
Replaces	DigiTIES Student Recognition and Accountability Policy V1 & V2 (Recognition section)

Policy Overview

Purpose & Statement

digiTIES / The Islamic Education School Online believes that recognizing and celebrating student achievement is essential to building a motivated, confident, and values-driven learning community. This policy establishes a structured, consistent, and Islamic values-centered approach to recognizing students for academic growth, strong character, and exemplary Islamic practice. Recognition is not a reward for perfection – it is an acknowledgment of effort, growth, and commitment to becoming a better Muslim and learner.

Scope & Who This Applies To

This policy applies to all students enrolled in Grades 1–12 across all learning modalities (live, asynchronous, and hybrid). All teachers and staff are responsible for implementing recognition practices within their classrooms. Administration is responsible for school-wide and community-level recognition.

Key Definitions

Academic Improvement: Measurable growth in classwork, assessments, or overall grade performance compared to prior performance.

Good Character: Consistent demonstration of the core ethical values of respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, and care for others – rooted in Islamic moral principles.

Good Islamic Practice: Active application of Islamic teachings in daily conduct, participation in Islamic school events, and embodiment of Islamic values in interactions with peers and staff.

Honor List: Students who achieve a qualifying GPA threshold (set annually by administration) and demonstrate consistent character and Islamic practice.

What We Recognize

digiTIES recognizes students in three core categories:

Academic Improvement – Significant, documented growth in classwork, assignments, and assessments.
Good Character – Consistent demonstration of respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, care for others, and adherence to the moral principles taught by the Prophet ï·º.
Good Islamic Practice – Consistent application of Islamic teachings in daily life; active participation in school’s Islamic events; leadership in Islamic ceremonies or sharing beneficial reminders during class.

How We Recognize Students

Recognition is structured across three levels: classroom, administration, and community. All three levels work together to ensure every student’s achievements are acknowledged in meaningful, consistent ways.

Classroom-Level Recognition

Teachers are encouraged to build recognition into daily and weekly instruction. Classroom-level recognition methods include:

Point-Based Incentives – students earn digital points for positive actions (helping peers, demonstrating focus, exemplifying Islamic values). Points may be exchanged for rewards or privileges agreed upon with students.
Grade Improvement Opportunities – students may raise grades by actively participating, demonstrating growth, or completing higher-order thinking tasks assigned by the teacher.
Teacher for the Day – students lead part of a lesson to foster leadership, responsibility, and mastery demonstration.
Core Ethical Value Meter – teachers publicly acknowledge students who consistently demonstrate ethical values through verbal recognition, certificates, or class awards.
Positive Reinforcement Toolbox – early dismissal pass, extra credit, no-homework pass, student choice rewards, suggestion box, class games/competitions, student show and tell. Teachers should allow students to have input on reward preferences.

Teachers document recognition notes in digiTIES SIS participation comments to build a consistent record of student achievements.

Administration-Level Recognition

Tangible Rewards – students who meet specific academic or behavioral criteria receive meaningful rewards such as books, educational tools, or Islamic gifts.
Parental Acknowledgment Letters – formal letters sent to parents recognizing their child’s achievements. Sent at least once per semester for qualifying students.
Honor List – students who achieve the qualifying GPA threshold and demonstrate consistent character are placed on the Honor List and recognized on the school website and in family communications.
Advanced Course Recommendations – Honor List students with strong academic performance may be nominated for advanced academic programs.
Homeroom/Advisory Recognition – students are celebrated within their homeroom advisory group; teachers coordinate with homeroom advisors to surface recognition across subjects.
Invitation to Participate in Dawrah/Camp – high-performing students with strong character records may be invited to participate in school-affiliated Islamic enrichment programs.

Community-Level Recognition

Annual Recognition Ceremony – a formal school event where students are publicly recognized for significant academic improvement, ranking first in academics, and outstanding character.
Student of the Quarter Awards – top academic performers are recognized every quarter using report card data and celebrated during family conferences.
Weekly Announcements / Community Assembly – individual and group achievements acknowledged in front of the school community.
Recitation Competitions – school-hosted competitions with awards for outstanding Qur’anic recitation.
Certificates for Qur’an Memorization – formal certificates awarded upon completion of each Juz’.
Grade 5 Graduation Ceremony – a formal ceremony celebrating Grade 5 students’ accomplishments and transition to middle school (to be implemented per digiTIES 1–3 Year Plan).

Implementation Guidelines

To ensure recognition is meaningful, equitable, and consistent:

Teachers must document all classroom-level recognition in digiTIES SIS participation comments.
Administration will review student recognition records quarterly when preparing Honor List and Student of the Quarter selections.
Parental acknowledgment letters must be reviewed and signed by the Principal before distribution.
All community-level recognition events must be scheduled and communicated to families at least 2 weeks in advance.
Recognition criteria must be communicated to students and families at the start of each school year.
Recognition systems must be culturally and Islamically appropriate – rewards must not include anything that contradicts Islamic values.

Standards & Legal Alignment

Standard / Law	Reference	How This Policy Addresses It
ACS WASC 2026	Standards C1, C3	School culture fosters collaborative, safe environment; community partnerships and engagement opportunities support student success.
NSQ Online Programs 2025	Standards C4, E1	Policies reviewed annually; learner support and engagement systems documented and implemented consistently.
digiTIES Core Values	Islamic Excellence	Recognition rooted in academic achievement, good character, and consistent application of Islamic teachings in daily life.
digiTIES 1–3 Year Plan	Student Success	Recognition systems support mastery-based learning culture and student motivation across all grade levels.

Related Policies & Documents

STU-002 – Student Behavior & Discipline Policy
STU-003 – Student Participation & Engagement Standards
STU-004 – Core Ethical Values Policy
ADM-002 – Attendance Policy
ADM-004 – Communication & Family Engagement Policy

Annual Policy Review Log

Per NSQ Standard C4 and ACS WASC Standard A6, all policies must be reviewed annually with documented stakeholder input and governing body approval.

Date	Revised By	Approved By	Summary of Changes
[Date]	[Name]	Principal / Board	Initial adoption

digiTIES Vision, Mission & Values – Policy Alignment Reference

VISION

By 2030, digiTIES will stand among the world’s most respected virtual schools – a premier destination for Muslim youth seeking rigorous academics, global opportunity, and a community rooted in faith and integrity.

MISSION

digiTIES delivers a rigorous, WASC-accredited virtual education that prepares Muslim youth for competitive university pathways and meaningful futures. We combine academic excellence, innovative digital learning, and a values-driven community rooted in the Islamic tradition to develop confident, ethical, and future-ready leaders.

CORE VALUES ALIGNMENT

Before adoption, confirm this policy supports: Academic excellence · Islamic values · Digital innovation · Student agency · Community partnership · Continuous improvement

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