Understanding Your Transcript

What is a transcript, and why is it important? Your high school transcript is the official school record of your high school classes, grades, and attendance. It also includes your ACT scores, GPA, and Class Rank. Your high school transcript begins in the 9th grade, and is one of the most important personal documents of your life. It proves your education and graduation, and it provides future employers, colleges, scholarship committees, and various programs and agencies with a record of your course of study, academic performance, and attendance. It is a confidential document, and you must request for it to be sent to schools, agencies, etc.

Your high school transcript will follow you throughout your life! Each year, the CCHS Guidance Department fills hundreds of high school transcript requests for current and previous students, even some from the 1950’s and 1960’s, and even some for individuals with advanced degrees! While colleges and scholarship committees focus greatly on ACT scores, grades, and course of study, employers often request transcripts to verify your graduation and check your attendance. Your high school transcript will follow you throughout your life!

So, what will your high school transcript say about you? Will you decide to take a planned, challenging sequence of classes focused on your career goals? Will you take the easy road or use your energy to study and make good grades? How will your grades and attendance look to colleges or future employers?

Transcript Terms Cumulative GPA (Weighted) Your overall Grade Point Average for all semesters. It includes weighted AP courses, which are calculated on a 5-point scale instead of the 4-point scale. Class Rank A measure of how your Weighted GPA compares to the other students in your class. It is based on the weighted GPA. Cumulative GPA (Unweighted) Your overall GPA with all classes calculated on the 4-point scale. Some colleges and scholarships require the unweighted GPA. Term GPA At the bottom of each term is listed the “term GPA,” the GPA only for the classes you took that semester or trimester. Sample Transcript – No Grades

Class of 2014 Comprehensive Diploma – 27.5 credits One full year (two semesters) = 1 credit. One semester = ½ credit. Class of 2014 Comprehensive Diploma – 27.5 credits Standard Diploma – 25.5 credits Class of 2015 Comprehensive Diploma – 27.5 credits Class of 2016 Standard Diploma – 25 credits *In addition to total credits, students must pass ALL COURSES required by their diploma track to graduate. If you fail a required course, you must retake the class or complete credit recovery .

18 19 20 What does it mean to be College Ready? Your ACT score is a part of your transcript. Colleges use your ACT score for admissions decisions as well as placement into courses. Students who do not meet the Kentucky ACT benchmarks scores will be placed in developmental courses upon enrollment college. ENGLISH 18 MATH 19 READING 20 If you do not meet the ACT benchmark scores, you may also take the COMPASS test to meet the benchmarks. Which score above (on the ACT label) is not at benchmark?

CCHS offers a variety of opportunities for students to challenge themselves to improve their academic standing and College & Career Readiness: Credit Recovery Summer School Career & Technical Pathways AP Classes Clear Creek Academy Dual Credit Courses (Somerset Community College) Intervention Program Clinton County Area Technology Center And much more…

Upcoming Advisory Sessions… During the next Advisory Session, you will be completing a “Graduation Checklist.” A Graduation Checklist is a document where you use your transcript to plan and track your progress through the graduation requirements. You will determine which requirements you have met and which classes you still need to take. You will use your Graduation Checklist as well as your Career Pathways Materials to select your courses during Pre-Registration. Pre-Registration materials will be distributed during the Advisory Session on April 12th.