Your GPA: Explained

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• What is a GPA?
• How is it calculated?
• How to improve your GPA

*Credit to TC Roberson Counseling office

What is a GPA?

• Your GPA is your Grade Point Average.

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It is a calculation that reflects a student’s average academic performance.

a 3.0 = mostly As and Bs

a 2.0 = mostly C’s

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• Your GPA is CUMULATIVE, which means your final senior GPA includes grades from freshman year through senior year.

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• Your GPA is recalculated at the end of each completed semester.

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*Credit to TC Roberson Counseling office

The Importance of Your GPA

• Your GPA is a deciding factor that is used by colleges and employers because it reflects your average academic performance.
• A student must have a 2.8 GPA to register for dual-enrollment classes at A-B Tech in 11th and 12th grade without taking a placement exam.*
• The UNC System schools (UNCA, WCU, ASU, etc.) require a minimum of 2.5 to apply.
• A high GPA can make you eligible for scholarships and for college honors programs.
• A low GPA can make you ineligible to play sports both in high school and in college.

*Credit to TC Roberson Counseling office

GPA Formula

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Two ways to calculate your GPA:

• Unweighted GPA Scale is an average based on your final grades
• Weighted GPA Scale uses your final grades PLUS the rigor level of the courses you have taken

*Credit to TC Roberson Counseling office

GPA = point total for all Final Grades

total # of classes you have taken

Unweighted GPA

The scale for an unweighted GPA is:

• A = 4 points
• B = 3 points
• C = 2 points
• D = 1 points
• F = 0 points

Example GPA Calculation:

DO NOW:

1 - What is YOUR current unweighted GPA?

2 - What would YOUR Unweighted GPA be at the end of the year if your grades stay the same?

*Credit to TC Roberson Counseling office

• GPA = 11 ÷ 4 = 2.75
• That means your unweighted GPA for that semester is a 2.75

Honors Level Course

• Course requires more work; assignments, homework, papers, projects, etc.

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Points earned for an Honors Class:

• A = 4.5 points
• B = 3.5 points
• C = 2.5 points
• D = 1.5 points
• F = 0 points

AP Level or College Transfer Course

• College level coursework
• Course requires much more work; assignments, papers, projects

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Points Earned for a College Class::

• A = 5 points
• B = 4 points
• C = 3 points
• D = 2 points
• F = 0 points

Your Weighted GPA is an average based on your grades AND the rigor level of the courses you have taken.

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Weighted GPA

Standard Level Course

• Course requires mastery of college preparatory curriculum

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Points earned for a Standard Class:

• A = 4 points
• B = 3 points
• C = 2 points
• D = 1 points
• F = 0 points

*Credit to TC Roberson Counseling office

Weighted GPA

Using previous example, re-calculate using Weighted Scale:

The formula for weighted GPA is the same:

GPA = point total for all Final Grades

total # of classes

DO NOW:

1 - What is YOUR current Weighted GPA?

2 - What would YOUR Weighted GPA be at the end of the year if your grades stay the same?

*Credit to TC Roberson Counseling office

• Weighted GPA = 12 ÷ 4 = 3.0
• Your Weighted GPA for that semester is a 3.0

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How to improve your GPA:

• Remember the big picture: a GPA is an average of 28 final grades. 1 grade will not define you.
• 9th and 10th grade are important, but 11th and 12th gives you the greatest ability to improve your GPA with increased honors level courses.
• Retake any failed classes: this will replace the 0 on the GPA
• Challenge yourself with more rigorous courses.

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How to improve your GPA, continued

• Be strategic in your efforts.

Helpful Habits

• Use Course Map, Guided Notes in Edgenuity and Peer Tutoring in NCVPS and A-B Tech.
• Have a designated study area set up away from distractions
• Pay attention to how your final grade is calculated for each class.

• Work on your class every day
• Create a daily schedule and stick to it.
• Check school email and Google Classroom daily
• Ask questions about anything you don’t understand
• Get a good night’s sleep (8-9 hours)

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Be in control of your GPA story

GPA is cumulative, but you are more than a single number!

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This student’s final GPA is 3.06, but the 11th and 12th grade years are much stronger than the 9th and 10th and reflect significant progress.

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This progress is reflected on a student transcript and can be explained in student answers on college/career applications.

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How GPA is used

• to determine college enrollment
• to provide to employers
• to enroll in A-B Tech dual-enrollment courses (2.8+ GPA)
• scholarship & financial aid eligibility

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• GPA is calculated at the high school level and the college level.

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Ms Hodges Contact information

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www.calendly.com/amelia-hodges

c: 828-776-2839

amelia.hodges@bcsemail.org

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