GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING GPA FOR CLASS OF 2021

GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING GPA FOR CLASS OF 2021

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN UNWEIGHTED AND WEIGHTED GPA? • Unweighted takes ALL your classes and converts it into a 4. 0 scale. • Grades of 90 -100 = 4. 0 • Grades of 80 - 89 = 3. 0 • Grades of 70 -79 = 2. 0 • Anything below a 70 = 0. 0

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN UNWEIGHTED AND WEIGHTED GPA? • Weighted GPA uses classes that fall under the categories of Math, English, Social Studies, Science and Foreign Language (plus electives that fall under these categories). • They are then converted based on both the semester grade and level.

THE CHART BELOW COMES FROM THE DISTRICT POLICY. THE CHART CONTINUES IN THE SAME PATTERN TO A 70%. WEIGHTED GPA IS THEN USED TO DETERMINE A STUDENT’S RANK.

THE CLASSES LISTED BELOW ARE THE CLASSES THAT FALL INTO ONE OF THE CATEGORIES THAT COUNT IN WEIGHTED GPA • English 1, English 2, English 3, English 4 (regular, Pre/AP, Dual Credit, On. Ramps) • English Electives: Creative Writing, Literary Genres, Communication Applications, Public Speaking, Oral Interpretation (1, 2, 3), Debate (1, 2, 3) Journalism, Newspaper(1, 2, 3), Yearbook (1, 2, 3), Photojournalism

THE CLASSES LISTED BELOW ARE THE CLASSES THAT FALL INTO ONE OF THE CATEGORIES THAT COUNT IN WEIGHTED GPA • • All Math Classes (Regular, Pre/AP, AP) All Science Classes (Regular, Pre/AP, AP) All History Classes (Regular, Pre/AP, AP) History Electives: Psychology (regular, AP), Sociology, Human Geography, European History, Personal Financial Literacy • All Foreign Language Classes • Dual Credit classes count toward your weighted GPA. It is calculated as a Pre-AP level course.

LET’S DO SOME MATH! UNWEIGHTED GPA: 45 TOTAL POINTS/14 = 3. 2 GPA WEIGHTED GPA: 40. 1 TOTAL POINTS/10 = 4. 01 WEIGHTED GPA (Use the gpa chart. Remember this is on a 7. 0 scale and is used only for determining class rank. )

WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR GPA • Step #1: EVALUATE YOUR COURSE SELECTION. Take AP and Pre. AP courses in your strong areas. • If you just fell a little behind during your first semester, you still have plenty of time to hit the books and earn better grades.

WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR GPA • Step #2: TALK TO YOUR COUNSELOR. The best asset in your evaluation process is your guidance counselor. We can help you review your transcript and plot a course of action. In February, we will be visiting with you about classes you can take to help improve your GPA and/or class rank. • Step #3: UTILIZE TUTORIALS. Teachers are available to tutor you if you need extra help grasping a concept. Check with your teacher about when they are available. Most teachers will help you before school, after school, and during Primetime.

IN A NUT SHELL. . v. If your GPA is low, know what went wrong and work to improve it. If your GPA is high, keep up the good work! v. Use Primetime wisely and attend tutorials. v. Develop good study habits. v. Minimize distractions. Freshman Year Matters!

~YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS~ • With hard work, good study habits, and dedication YOU WILL SUCCEED! GPA and rank are important, but these are not the most important things in life! Colleges look for students involved in extracurricular activities, school clubs and organizations, community service, jobs held, and much more! Be well-rounded!