Understanding Grade Point Average (GPA) Definition: Grade Point Average (GPA) Numerical representation, weighted or unweighted, of a grade measuring a student's overall performance across courses taken for a specific period of time. There are three types of GPAs: 1. Marking Period GPA (weighted) 2. Cumulative GPA (weighted) 3. Cumulative GPA (unweighted) FAQ #1 Are marking period GPA and cumulative GPA different? Answer YES. The variable is time. Marking period GPA is based on number of class periods spent in a given class per cycle over the course of a specific 9-week marking period. Cumulative GPA is based on number of credits earned over the course of an entire high school career. FAQ #2 How are marking period GPAs and cumulative GPAs used? Answer Marking period GPAs are used to determine honor roll status. Cumulative GPAs are used to determine class rank, graduation honors, eligibility for honor societies, and by colleges as part of admission criteria. The cumulative GPA will be recorded on the report card at the end of each academic year and the high school transcript. FAQ #3 Are weighted and unweighted GPA different? Answer YES. Red Lion Area Senior High School assigns levels to courses based on difficulty represented by weights of 1.0, 1.05, 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3. A weighted GPA takes into account these levels. The unweighted GPA ignores course weights. Class rank, graduation honors, and eligibility for honor societies are determined by the ED cumulative GPA. Occasionally, colleges and scholarship foundations will request the student s unweighted GPA.
CALCULATING YOUR GPA (ED) - SAMPLE ED TIME VALUE BY MP TIME VALUE American History CP 1.1 90 4.4 0.25 1.1 Honors Biology 1.2 95 5.2 0.30 1.56 Honors Geometry 1.2 85 4 0.25 1 Health and Wellness 1 96 4.33 0.25 1.0825 Healthy Living 1 97 4.67 0.25 1.1675 English 1 CP 1.1 91 4.4 0.25 1.1 Phys Ed (fall) 1 98 4.67 0.075 0.35025 Phys Ed (spring) 1 98 4.67 0.075 0.35025 Latin 1 1.05 88 3.85 0.25 0.9625 Please reference Grading Scale in SUM OF SUM OF CALCUATIONS TIME VALUES 1.95 8.673 Marking Period Course Time Value 7 periods per cycle = 0.3 6 periods per cycle = 0.25 3 periods per cycle = 0.125 2 periods per cycle = 0.075 Divide SUM OF CALCULATIONS 8.673 SUM OF TIME VALUES 1.95 GPA 4.45
CALCULATING YOUR GPA (ED) ED TIME VALUE BY MP TIME VALUE Please reference Grading Scale in SUM OF TIME VALUES SUM OF CALCUATIONS Marking Period Course Time Value 7 periods per cycle = 0.3 6 periods per cycle = 0.25 3 periods per cycle = 0.125 2 periods per cycle = 0.075 Divide SUM OF CALCULATIONS SUM OF TIME VALUES GPA
CALCULATING YOUR CUMULATIVE GPA (ED) - SAMPLE YEAR FINAL ED CREDIT EARNED BY CREDIT EARNED 9 American History CP 1.1 90 4.4 1 4.4 9 Honors Biology 1.2 95 5.2 1.2 6.24 9 Honors Geometry 1.2 85 4 1 4 9 Health and Wellness 1 96 4.33 0.5 2.165 9 Healthy Living 1 97 4.67 0.5 2.335 9 English 1 CP 1.1 91 4.4 1 4.4 9 Phys Ed (fall) 1 98 4.67 0.15 0.7005 9 Phys Ed (spring) 1 98 4.67 0.15 0.7005 9 Latin 1 1.05 88 3.85 1 3.85 10 Am Gov and Econ CP 1.1 91 4.4 1 4.4 10 Introduction to Art 1 98 4.67 0.5 2.335 10 Honors Chemistry 1.2 88 4.4 1.2 5.28 10 Honors Algebra 2 1.2 90 4.8 1 4.8 10 English 2 CP 1.1 92 4.4 1 4.4 10 Personal Law 1.05 94 4.55 0.5 2.275 10 Phys Ed (fall) 1 98 4.67 0.15 0.7005 10 Phys Ed (spring) 1 98 4.67 0.15 0.7005 10 Latin 2 1.1 92 4.4 1 4.4 11 Physics College Prep 1.1 87 4.04 1.2 4.848
11 English 3 CP 1.1 93 4.76 1 4.76 11 Personal Fitness 1 90 4 0.5 2 11 Phys Ed (fall) 1 99 4.67 0.15 0.7005 11 Phys Ed (spring) 1 99 4.67 0.15 0.7005 11 Military History 1 93 4.33 0.5 2.165 11 Latin 3 1.1 89 4.04 1 4.04 11 Trig/Pre-Calc 1.2 86 4 1 4 11 World History CP 1.1 90 4.4 1 4.4 12 AP Chemistry 1.3 92 5.2 1.2 6.24 12 British Literature CP 1.1 94 4.76 0.5 2.38 12 African-American Literature 1.1 95 4.76 0.5 2.38 12 AP Calculus 1.3 81 3.9 1 3.9 12 AP US History 1.3 93 5.63 1 5.63 12 Phys Ed (fall) 1 99 4.67 0.15 0.7005 12 Phys Ed (spring) 1 99 4.67 0.15 0.7005 12 Presidential History 1 97 4.67 0.5 2.335 Please reference Grading Scale in SUM OF SUM OF CALCUATIONS CREDITS 24.5 109.962 Divide SUM OF CALCULATIONS 109.962 SUM OF CREDITS 24.5 Cumulative GPA 4.4882
CALCULATING YOUR CUMULATIVE GPA (ED) YEAR FINAL ED CREDIT EARNED BY CREDIT EARNED
Please reference Grading Scale in SUM OF CREDITS SUM OF CALCUATIONS Divide SUM OF CALCULATIONS ------------- SUM OF CREDITS Cumulative GPA