Not all courses are offered at every high school. A student’s unweighted GPA is calculated using two factors: credits earned and the “grade points” that are awarded to letter grades (A = 4 points, B = 3 points, C = 2 points, D = 1 point).
Weighted grades add a “bonus” to the regular letter grade points. Only Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses will be weighted. Grades A, B, and C earned in these classes will receive an extra grade point, which will increase the GPA that students earn in these courses: an “A” that is earned in a weighted class will yield 5 grade points (4 points for the “A” and 1 additional point as a weighted bonus), a “B” will yield 4 grade points, and a “C” will yield 3 grade points.
Examples:
Unweighted GPA Calculation
| Factors | Class 1 | Class 2 | Class 3 | Class 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Letter Grade | A | B | A | C |
| AP or IB Class? | y | n | n | y |
| Grade Points | 4 | 3 | 4 | 2 |
unweighted GPA = (4 + 3 + 4 + 2) / number of classes = 13 / 4 = 3.25
Weighted GPA Calculation
| Factors | Class 1 | Class 2 | Class 3 | Class 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Letter Grade | A | B | A | C |
| AP or IB Class? | y | n | n | y |
| Grade Points | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
weighted GPA = (5 + 3 + 4 + 3) / number of classes = 15 / 4 = 3.75
The transcripts of students who graduate from Hillsboro School District will include both a unweighted GPA and class rank, and a weighted GPA and class rank.
A student’s class rank is based on their GPA. A student with a class rank of 43, for example, has the 43rd-highest GPA in their graduating class. Providing both the unweighted and weighted GPA and class rank information will benefit students whose applications are reviewed by college entrance and scholarship committees that make use of either system. This dual reporting system benefits students by providing additional information about their academic records.