GPA Grade Point Average

What is GPA? A grade point average, or GPA, is the system many schools use to rank student academic performance. Each grade a student earns is weighted according to a uniform scale so that a single number can be used to express grades earned over a semester, year, or even entire academic career. (A 4.0, A- 3.67, B+ 3.33, B 3.0, B- 2.67, C+ 2.33, C 2.0, C- 1.67, D+ 1.33, D 1.0, D- 0.67, F 0) A GPA is usually regarded as a rough indication of a student’s abilities, and often serves as a way of ranking and distinguishing people for purposes of university admissions, scholarship awards, and job interviews.

Why is GPA important? In order to get into schools after PHS, having a high GPA is helpful to get in. Honor Roll is decided based on GPA. Scholarships/awards committees, and employers look at GPA. In order to participate in extra-curriculars, students need to be passing his/her classes. Passing classes will help in maintaining a good GPA.

GPA Tips Put a lot of effort into getting a good GPA your Freshman and Sophomore years because it will set the pace for your four years. Students apply for schools early in their senior year so your 4th year GPA isn’t what will be seen. Also, freshman and sophomore classes tend to be easier than junior and senior year classes so the higher you can get your GPA in your first few years, the better off you’ll be!

What are Credits? Credits are given to classes and PHS students are required to take 26 credits by the end of their 4 years at PHS. Students are required to take a certain number of credits in different curricular areas over their 4 years (English 4 cr., Social Studies 3 cr., Math 3 cr. (0.5 cr. of geometry), Science 3 cr. (1cr. of biology and 1 cr. physical science or chemistry), Physical Education 1.5 (over 3 yrs.), Health/First Aid/CPR 0.5 cr., Personal Finance 0.5 cr.). The rest of the 26 credits are obtained by choosing classes of interest called electives. One credit represents a year long class, 0.5 credits represents a semester (half year) class. Four credits means that you’ve taken 8 semesters or 4 years worth or a curricular area.

Why are credits important? Students need 26 credits to graduate! If a student fails a class he/she does not get the credit. If a student fails a required class, he/she needs to retake that class. If a student fails an elective class, he/she does not get that credit and needs to “make it up.” The student doesn’t have to take that class again, but he/she has to take another class to get the credits. If a student fails a class, it sets he/she behind.

What is the Cum Laude System? A system used to recognize graduates for both high academic standing and rigorous course selections. This is the system used to determine class rank. There are three levels of recognition: Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Cum Laude Students are recognized at these levels by multiplying the GPA at the end of senior year by the number of advanced classes taken throughout the 4 years at PHS. More detailed information can be found on pages 6-8 of the PHS curriculum guide.