The Joe Ferrante Music Academy is committed to students’ continual progress in their chosen discipline.  We find that students are better motivated to improve when they have specific goals and levels of achievement to work toward.  Twice a year, at the end of each semester, students are formally evaluated for their progress via the STEP Report (Student Test & Evaluation of Progress).  Critical areas of technical and theoretical knowledge, as well as performance skills are evaluated in Music, Language Arts, and Math.  Teachers write a current critique of a student’s progress according to Joe Ferrante Music Academy standardized levels and descriptions.  Comments for improvement are made along with recommendations for recital and concert participation.  Joe Ferrante Music Academy levels of achievement are comparable to the National Arts Evaluation.   With formal reports on achievement, teachers, students and parents work together toward students’ advancement.