Grading System

Cat Tales Wildlife Academy has established a grading system to ensure that the students graduated will have developed the skills needed to succeed in their chosen field. During the program, students are evaluated for vocational quality and efficiency. Grades are based on practical skills, teamwork, attendance, and assignments. Students must maintain at least a 75 percent average to advance to the next quarter. Students are evaluated daily, reviewed for practical skill advancement monthly, and graded quarterly on performance and attendance.

A test may be administered after each lesson to determine the amount of learning that has taken place. Test scores that are below 75 percent are an indication that the necessary skills for entry into employment were not acquired. Administration may provide progress reports at predetermined intervals in the program. Students should make arrangements for additional practice, independent study, or tutoring, if needed. Grades and/or assessments will be provided to the students on a weekly basis with a final report and transcript provided at the completion of the program if the student is in good status. Other methods of evaluation may include oral quizzes, skill development tests, hands-on skill evaluation, and individual and group projects.

A student who fails a course in the program will be allowed to repeat the portion(s) of their training one time at a reduced tuition rate of 50% off the original enrollment fee. Should they fail to achieve the required passing grades the second time, they will not be allowed to re-enroll in the program.

Conduct Requirements

As a student of the Cat Tales Wildlife Academy, you will be expected to meet the requirements of the program. These include professional conduct during all virtual and/or in-person.

instructional hours as well as Wildlife Center duties and Outreach involvement. The program is designed as an award system providing you with incentives to excel in your studies.

Because of the nature of the field of Zookeeping, there is a great deal of emphasis placed on
safety. All safety rules must be strictly observed. While the Wildlife Academy is home to some of the most beautiful creatures on earth, the animals at the Wildlife Center are also the most dangerous. A careless act could result in the serious injury or death to a human or an animal.

A student violating safety procedures and regulations, who fails to make satisfactory progress,
interferes with other students’ work, is insubordinate, boisterous, vulgar or obscene, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or does not make timely tuition payments is subject to immediate termination from the program.

Any student willfully causing harm to, or threatening to cause harm to any animal at the Wildlife Center will be immediately dismissed from the program and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Nothing in the policy prevents the student from contacting the Workforce Board at 360-709-4600 at any time with a concern or complaint.