GPA Task Force

The district is reviewing the GPA and class rank system to ensure it reflects the needs of all students and aligns with best practices for academic achievement. We aim to improve transparency, fairness, and how we recognize student success, particularly for those in advanced courses.

A task force is reviewing the following areas:

• Weighted GPA: How advanced courses (AP, Honors, Dual Credit, OnRamps) are factored into GPA calculations.
• Course Exclusions: Determining which courses (such as junior high or online courses) should be included or excluded from GPA calculations.
• Class Rank: Whether or not to rank students outside the top 10% for the purposes of recognition and college admissions.

The difference between weighted and unweighted GPA lies in how grades are calculated and how different courses are valued based on their difficulty.

Unweighted GPA

An unweighted GPA is calculated on a standard 4.0 scale, where all courses are treated equally regardless of their difficulty level. This type of GPA does not give extra points for advanced or honors courses. Here’s how it works:

• Grade Scale:
  • A (90-100) = 4.0 points
  • B (80-89) = 3.0 points
  • C (70-79) = 2.0 points
  • F (Below 70) = 0 points

An unweighted GPA is more commonly used for general comparison across different schools and districts, as it simplifies the evaluation process.

Weighted GPA

A weighted GPA takes the level of difficulty of a student’s courses into account. More challenging courses, such as Advanced Placement (AP), Honors, or Dual Credit courses, are given additional weight. For example, an A in an AP class might be worth 5.0 points, while an A in a regular class would be worth 4.0 points.

• Grade Scale:
  • Tier V (Advanced Placement, OnRamps, Practicum, etc.): A = 5.0 points
  • Tier IV (Pre-AP, Dual Credit, Honors): A = 4.5 points
  • Tier I–III (On-level, standard courses): A = 4.0 points

The weighted GPA is especially important for determining class rank, Valedictorian/Salutatorian honors, and eligibility for academic distinctions. It allows students taking more rigorous courses to boost their GPA and rank relative to their peers.

Summary:

• Unweighted GPA: A 4.0 scale where all classes are valued equally.
• Weighted GPA: A GPA scale that adds extra points for more challenging courses, such as AP and Honors courses, to reflect their increased difficulty.

In summary, the weighted GPA provides a more nuanced measure of academic performance, while the unweighted GPA offers a simpler comparison across schools.

 

How does the district calculate GPA and class rank?

• The district uses a tiered weighted grade system to assess student performance and determine class rank. This system considers the academic rigor of different courses, with higher-weighted courses contributing more significantly to a student’s GPA.

 

Weighted Grade System Categories

The district categorizes courses into tiers, with each tier receiving a different weight based on the course's level of difficulty.

Tier V:

• Eligible Advanced Placement (AP) courses, OnRamps, Practicum courses, and other courses locally designated as Tier V are the most challenging courses and are weighted the highest.

Tier IV:

• Eligible Pre-AP courses, Dual Credit courses, Honors courses, and other courses designated as Tier IV are weighted less than Tier V but still recognize academic rigor.

Tier I – Tier III:

• All other eligible courses, such as On-Level courses, are categorized into Tier I, Tier II, and Tier III.

 

Weighted GPA Calculation

• The district converts semester grades earned in eligible courses to grade points according to the following weighted GPA scale:

 

Key Points About the Weighted GPA System

• Tier V Courses (AP, OnRamps, Practicum, and other advanced courses) receive the highest weighting, and grades in these courses significantly contribute to a student’s GPA.
• Tier IV Courses ( Dual Credit, Honors) have slightly lower weights than Tier V but still reflect the higher level of academic rigor.
• Tiers I–III Courses (On-Level and other courses) are weighted the least but still contribute to the overall GPA.

 

Class Rank Determination

The weighted GPA is used to determine:

• Class Rank for students in the top 10%
• Quartile placement (1st, 2nd, or 3rd)
• Valedictorian and Salutatorian honors
• Honor Graduate status

 

For more details on the weighted GPA calculation and course designations, parents and students should refer to the KHS Academic Planning and Course Catalog and stay updated on any policy changes during the ongoing GPA and Class Rank review process.

 

The district uses a tiered weighted grade system to assess student performance and determine class rank. This system considers the academic rigor of different courses, with higher-weighted courses contributing more significantly to a student’s GPA.

Weighted Grade System Categories

The district categorizes courses into tiers, with each tier receiving a different weight based on the course's level of difficulty.

Tier V:

• Eligible Advanced Placement (AP) courses, OnRamps, Practicum courses, and other courses locally designated as Tier V are the most challenging courses and are weighted the highest.

Tier IV:

• Eligible Pre-AP courses, Dual Credit courses, Honors courses, and other courses designated as Tier IV are weighted less than Tier V but still recognize academic rigor.

Tier I – Tier III:

• All other eligible courses, such as On-Level courses, are categorized into Tier I, Tier II, and Tier III.

 

Weighted GPA Calculation

• The district converts semester grades earned in eligible courses to grade points according to the following weighted GPA scale:

 

Key Points About the Weighted GPA System

• Tier V Courses (AP, OnRamps, Practicum, and other advanced courses) receive the highest weighting, and grades in these courses significantly contribute to a student’s GPA.
• Tier IV Courses ( Dual Credit, Honors) have slightly lower weights than Tier V but still reflect the higher level of academic rigor.
• Tiers I–III Courses (On-Level and other courses) are weighted the least but still contribute to the overall GPA.

 

Class Rank Determination

The weighted GPA is used to determine:

• Class Rank for students in the top 10%
• Quartile placement (1st, 2nd, or 3rd)
• Valedictorian and Salutatorian honors
• Honor Graduate status

 

For more details on the weighted GPA calculation and course designations, parents and students should refer to the KHS Academic Planning and Course Catalog and stay updated on any policy changes during the ongoing GPA and Class Rank review process.

 

Class rank is an important factor in college admissions, scholarship opportunities, and graduation honors. However, our review will look at how class rank is calculated, especially for students who take advanced coursework or have other academic strengths. The task force will consider if class rank should be adjusted or excluded for certain students, especially those outside the top 10%.

Parents are encouraged to participate in the review process by attending informational meetings, providing feedback through surveys, and discussing the importance of understanding GPA with their students. Your input is essential in shaping the final decisions on GPA and class rank changes.

The district will provide regular updates through the district website, email newsletters, and public meetings. You can also contact the school for more information about the timeline and opportunities for involvement.

Any proposed changes will be carefully considered before being finalized. If approved, changes will be implemented by cohort, meaning they could take effect for the upcoming school year or for future academic years, depending on the nature of the changes.

 

Additional Information:

• Implementation Timeline: Changes may be phased in over time, starting with incoming students or a specific grade level, while current students may follow the existing system until they graduate.
• Notification: Parents and students will be notified well in advance of any changes to ensure a smooth transition. Clear guidelines and explanations will be provided about how the new system will work.
• Future Cohorts: New policies could affect students entering high school in the next academic year, with future cohorts potentially benefiting from the changes as well.

The review process will not affect your child’s GPA or class rank retroactively. Any changes to the system will apply to students moving forward. 

 

The task force is committed to ensuring the new system is fair and transparent. We will consider the needs of all students, including those in advanced courses and those who may not have access to such courses, to ensure that academic achievement is recognized fairly across all student groups.