1. We are going to be discussing Grade Point Average and Foreign Language
We are going to be discussing Grade Point Average and Foreign Language. This is a great topic to cover to make sure that you are well prepared during your high school career. I want to see each of you be successful! 

2. Pre-Test
Before we start today’s lesson, I would like you to take a few minutes and start with a pre-test.

3. What is a grade point average?
Ask students –
A GPA is a way to convert letter grades or percentiles into a numerical format that usually scales from 0.0 to 4.0
A GPA creates one number by calculating the average
 Because your GPA is made up of all your grades, your GPA is one of the most important things for college admission.
Class discussion. What do you think GPA is? Why is GPA important?

4. Why understand GPA? Important part of high school Impacts your future
Ex: Going to College
Makes you eligible for some great scholarship opportunities
Partial key for future opportunities (Jobs)
Class discussion.

5. GPA Values Example: values may vary for your school
Letter Grade
Percentile
GPA A+
97-100
4.0 A
93-96 A-
90-92
3.7 B+
87-89
3.3 B
83-86
3.0 B-
80-82
2.7 C+
77-79
2.3 C
73-76
2.0 C-
70-72
1.7 D+
67-69
1.3 D
65-66
1.0 F
Below 65
0.0
Go over GPA values with students.

6. How is GPA figured?
Letter Grade
Percentile
GPA A+
97-100
4.0 A
93-96 A-
90-92
3.7 B+
87-89
3.3 B
83-86
3.0 B-
80-82
2.7 C+
77-79
2.3 C
73-76
2.0 C-
70-72
1.7 D+
67-69
1.3 D
65-66
1.0 F
Below 65
0.0
Add all the converted decimal grades together – this is your sum.
Count the number of classes you’ve taken.
Divide the sum by the number of classes, and you have your unweighted GPA
Do you know what a cumulative GPA is? Does anyone have any ideas?

7. Check for Understanding
Figure Bobbie’s GPA for his freshman year:
Letter Grade
Percentile
GPA A+
97-100
4.0 A
93-96 A-
90-92
3.7 B+
87-89
3.3 B
83-86
3.0 B-
80-82
2.7 C+
77-79
2.3 C
73-76
2.0 C-
70-72
1.7 D+
67-69
1.3 D
65-66
1.0 F
Below 65
0.0
Class
Grade
English I B
Algebra I A
Physical Science B+
US History A-
Spanish I B
Physical Education
Financial Literacy A
HS Choir
Woodworking
Music Theory
Please take a few moments and work with a partner to try and figure out what Bobbie’s GPA for his freshman year is. Be ready to share!

8. What is your answer? Class Grade Grade Points English I B 3.0
Algebra I A
4.0
Physical Science B+
3.3
US History A-
3.7
Spanish I
Physical Education
Financial Literacy
HS Choir
Woodworking
Music Theory
35 Grade Points / 10 classes = 3.50
But understand this assumes each class is worth 1 credit.
Some schools may have their own unique method of calculating.
Would anyone like to share their answer?

9. Figuring Cumulative GPA
To get each individual year’s GPA, all we need to do is divide the sum by the number of classes. If this division ends up with a long decimal, simply round to the nearest tenth:
*Talk to elbow partner to figure out this students Cumulative GPA
9th Grade
10th Grade
11th Grade
12th Grade
35/10 = 3.5
35.7 / 10 = 3.57
27.7 / 8 = 3.46
19.7 / 6 = 3.28
Talk to a partner and try to figure out what is this student’s cumulative GPA.

10. Figuring the *Cumulative GPA for all four years of high school
To get a cumulative GPA for all of a student’s high school career, we can add up the sums for all the years and divide by the number of classes taken over all those years:
= (sum of all final grades)
= 34 (total number of classes taken)
118.1 / 34 = 3.47 (GPA)
GPA for all of high school is 3.47.
The cumulative GPA is NOT an average of each year because the number of classes taken each year is different.
*Some high schools and computer systems may have their own specific method of calculating cumulative GPA. Talk to your school counselor about the specific method your school calculates GPA.
Did anyone get this right?

11. What factors help get a good GPA?
What Do you think?
Effort
Organization
Perseverance
Goal setting
Interest level
What do you think?
Answer: ALL are important factors!
Intelligence: Intelligence can certainly help get a good GPA but there are several other important factors.
Effort: Putting in the effort is a huge help to enhancing your overall GPA. The more effort you put in, generally the higher your GPA will be!
Organization: Being organized and making sure you get your homework completed on time, finding time to study and review your notes is very helpful when it comes to getting a good GPA.
Perseverance: Personally, I think perseverance is a huge reason why students can achieve a good GPA. Never giving up and believing in yourself is so important- inside and outside of the classroom!
Goal Setting: Set your goals high! Setting goals for yourself is very important. The people who set goals for themselves are generally the highest achievers.
Interest Level: It definitely helps to be interested in the subjects you are studying. However, try to learn something new to take away from a subject that may not seem as appealing to you. You might surprise yourself! Take interest in your education as education is one of those things someone can never take away from you.

12. What do you think?
Answer: ALL are important factors!
Intelligence: Intelligence can certainly help get a good GPA but there are several other important factors.
Effort: Putting in the effort is a huge help to enhancing your overall GPA. The more effort you put in, generally the higher your GPA will be!
Organization: Being organized and making sure you get your homework completed on time, finding time to study and review your notes is very helpful when it comes to getting a good GPA.
Perseverance: Personally, I think perseverance is a huge reason why students can achieve a good GPA. Never giving up and believing in yourself is so important- inside and outside of the classroom!
Goal Setting: Set your goals high! Setting goals for yourself is very important. The people who set goals for themselves are generally the highest achievers.
Interest Level: It definitely helps to be interested in the subjects you are studying. However, try to learn something new to take away from a subject that may not seem as appealing to you. You might surprise yourself! Take interest in your education as education is one of those things someone can never take away from you.

13. Types of GPAs Unweighted – each class uses the 4.0 to 0.0 scale
Weighted – for classes that have higher rigor like an Advanced Placement or an honors class the GPA scale that might be used is 5.0 to 0.0
This rewards a student for taking more challenging classes with more grade points and will result in a higher GPA
How many of you take AP classes? What other types of classes do you think are important to take during HS? Does your school offer any college courses? Ex: Kirkwood Classes If so, get involved! Your high school is paying you to take classes that not only look great on a transcript but give you college credit!
*Most school’s are going to use an Unweighted GPA scale.

14. How is a GPA used? What do you think?
Highest Honors/High Honors for graduation
National Honor Society eligibility
Class rank – if the school ranks
Scholarships
A factor in college admission – usually only unweighted GPA is used in college admissions
Class discussion.
Alternative options or groups if school doesn’t have National Honor Society
Talk about not having class rank and how college evaluate without that piece of information

15. “Freshman Trap” FR. SO. JR. SR. Cumulative GPA GPA 2.50 3.00 3.50 2.87
3.25
2.94
3.75
4.00
Colleges and universities consider your GPA when determining your admissions status as it is an indicator of how well you are likely to perform at the college level. Since your GPA starts your freshman year it’s important to maintain your GPA from day one to get the full benefit of your four-years. You can increase your chances of having a high GPA by:

16. What are Colleges looking for?
Four key components for admissions:
High school grade point average
ACT or SAT composite score
Class rank (when applicable)
Number of core subject-area courses completed
Revisit your four-year plan each semester
Good grades are great, but they aren’t the only factor that colleges look at when it comes to admissions. Most colleges look at four key components:
Grade Point Average
ACT or SAT composite score
High School Rank
Number of Core Courses Completed in High School.
We’ll talk about each of these individually.
For high schools without class rank, applicants are evaluated on an individual basis for admission.

17. Iowa Board of Regents Admission Index (RAI)
Your Statistics
Class Rank
No Class Rank
Percentile High School Class Rank
x 1 =
0 =
ACT or SAT Composite Score
x 3 =
High School GPA
x 20 =
x 30 =
Number of Core Subject Area Courses Completed in High School
x 5 =
Add All Element Scores Together to Find Your RAI Score =
The Regents Admission Index (RAI) is used for the three state schools in Iowa – Iowa, Iowa State and UNI. The RAI looks at the four factors we’ve been discussing.
Each factor is put into the formula to determine a student’s RAI score. A student must score a minimum of a 245 to be automatically admitted to one of the three state schools. You can estimate your score by visiting the website listed on the slide and inputting your current information. Let’s say you go home and estimate and you have a 240. The easiest way to boost your score is to add another core course. Each core subject area course gives you 5 points in the formula. Electives do not grant any points.
If your school does not have a high school rank your application will be individually reviewed beyond the RAI requirements. For specifics contact the admission office of the college you are interested in.
While the RAI does not pertain to private colleges or community colleges, it is a good baseline for admission. If you are on-track for admission through the RAI, chances are you are on track for the private schools as well.
245 or higher = admitted
< 245 = individual review

18. Building a Strong GPA Talk to your teacher Create a schedule
Complete homework on time
Study for your tests ahead of time
Take AP courses
Show up for class – attendance counts!
Use a student planner
Presenter’s Note:
The most effective ways to build a strong GPA is to study hard, finish your homework and apply yourself. If you find yourself struggling with a subject, talk to your teacher and request additional assistance.

19. Foreign Language Requirements
Some colleges may require 2-3 years of foreign language in high school for admission into a college
Be sure to check the freshman admission requirements and graduation requirements of colleges you are interested in on the admissions section of the college website
Are you surprised by this? What does this mean for you?

20. Iowa’s Regent Universities Foreign Language Requirements
Iowa State University
University of Iowa
University of Northern Iowa
Optimum Recommendations for Success
2 years of a single foreign language for admission to the Colleges of Engineering and Liberal Arts and Sciences
2 years of a single foreign language are required for admission. For many degrees, the forth year of proficiency is required for graduation. Nursing – 4 years in a single foreign language or 2 years each in two different languages
Foreign language courses are not required for admission. However, two years of a foreign language in high school with a C- or above in the last course will meet university graduation requirements.
4 years of a single foreign language. By taking foreign language during all four years of high school, you’ll go beyond the basic skills and begin to use the language and reinforce your fluency.
Iowa’s Regent Universities Foreign Language Requirements
Talk about how each college has different expectations for admission and graduation. The best way to prepare for all options is to take foreign language in high school from the beginning so that no matter where you choose to go as a senior, you are prepared.

21. Post-Test
I would like to give you a few minutes to finish your post-test.

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