(as of 9.10.15)
With the transition to the +/- grading scale this year, it is easy to confuse the terminology and application to grading and transcripts. The following are a few clarifying definitions to help understand the transition:
1.
11-Point Grading Scale: Starting this year, the School Board adopted a new 11-point grading scale that incorporates (+) and (-) letter grades. This went into effect the first day of school and applies to every class. Grades earned prior to this year on the 5-point grading scale will remain unchanged on student transcripts.
11-Point Grading Scale - Effective 8/31/15
Percentage Letter Grade Grade Point
93-100%
90-92%
A
A-
4.0
3.7
87-89%
83-86%
80-82%
B+
B
B-
3.3
3.0
2.7
5-Point Grading Scale - Prior Grading Scale
Percentage Letter Grade Grade Point
90-100%
80-89%
A
B
4.0
3.0
70-79%
60-69%
0-59%
C
D
F
2.0
1.0
0.0
77-79%
73-76%
70-72%
67-69%
60-66%
Below 60%
C+
C
C-
D+
D
F
2.3
2.0
1.7
1.3
1.0
0
2.
Valedictorian: Graduating seniors who have the highest non-weighted GPA are designated as valedictorian(s). In order to maintain the status of valedictorian, students must continue to maintain a 4.0 GPA using the new 11-point grading scale. An A(-) will not allow a student to maintain a 4.0 GPA.
3.
Honors Graduate: Graduating seniors who maintain a non-weighted 3.5 GPA or higher. These students are acknowledged at graduation and wear designated honor cords.
____________________________________________________________Weighted Transcripts____________________________________________________________
4.
Weighted Transcripts/Weighted Grades: Washington State law requires all schools to use a standardized transcript that does not allow weighted grades to be included as part of the official transcript. State law does however permit schools to attach supplemental information to the transcript. o A weighted transcript is typically requested in the senior year for the purpose of college admissions to specific universities and some scholarships. Not all colleges and universities ask for a weighted transcript. o Students who chose to challenge themselves academically in Honors and AP courses are making a commitment to work harder. A weighted transcript encourages and rewards students with additional grade points for taking challenging course work as opposed to taking less rigorous coursework. o Weighted grades conversion table: Honors courses are weighted with a maximum of 4.5 points for an A, while AP courses are weighted with a maximum of 5.0 points for an A. To calculate a student's cumulative weighted GPA, all points earned for all courses attempted are totaled and then divided by the number of courses attempted.
Percentage Letter Grade Grade Point Honors Rank Weighting AP Rank Weighting
93-100% A 4 4.5 5
90-92%
87-89%
83-86%
80-82%
77-79%
73-76%
70-72%
67-69%
60-66%
C+
C
C-
D+
D
A-
B+
B
B-
2.3
2
1.7
1.3
1
3.7
3.3
3
2.7
2.8
2.5
2.2
1.8
1.5
4.2
3.8
3.5
3.2
3.3
3
2.7
2.3
2
4.7
4.3
4
3.7
Below 60% F 0 0 0
5.
Class Rank: Many colleges, universities, and scholarships ask for class rank on applications. Class rank is determined by weighted grades and is a mathematical summary of a student’s academic record compared to those of other students in the class.
6.
Distinguished Scholar Graduate: Graduating seniors who take five or more Advanced Placement courses and maintain a weighted of 4.1 GPA or higher. These students are acknowledged at graduation and wear designated medallions.
7.
Changes for the Class of 2020 and Beyond: For current 8 th graders and younger, valedictorians will be determined using the weighted class rank.