How is GPA calculated (APS)?

[Anonymous]

I have super stressed HS student right now and I'm trying to understand how GPA is calculated. Is the only grade that actually matters the final grade or does each quarter have an impact? For example, if they get a B+ in Q1, but in the A range the rest of the year, does that B+ mean anything for GPA? Does the numerical number matter, either?

My formerly always straight A student has had/will have big exams in every class this week. One class doesn't count anything formative, so the only things that impact the grade are the summatives and they have several grades for one class that aren't entered, yet. So, while they have an A right now, it could all change. Corrections are allowed, but the work hasn't been graded. One rough test this week in another class has taken a solid A for the whole semester down to a B+ because of the weighting. There is so much stress that I think it's actually affecting performance and it's hard to watch. I'm fine with a B+, but my student is on the verge of tears constantly. I am hoping that a better understanding of how the grading works will help my student get a better perspective.

[Anonymous]

Also, the quarter ends Monday.

[Anonymous]

The final transcript will only show the final grade for the course, which is the average of the 4 quarters and, for some classes, a final exam. My DD's junior year grades were all over the place and each quarter at least one class was a C, and one time a D, but she'd bring one up and another went down. It was a stressful year (variety of reasons for the challenges) but ended up the year with half As and half Bs and that's all colleges see, not the mess that was junior year!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The final transcript will only show the final grade for the course, which is the average of the 4 quarters and, for some classes, a final exam. My DD's junior year grades were all over the place and each quarter at least one class was a C, and one time a D, but she'd bring one up and another went down. It was a stressful year (variety of reasons for the challenges) but ended up the year with half As and half Bs and that's all colleges see, not the mess that was junior year!

Also, in entering the final grades, the teachers seem to have some discretion in rounding. DD ended up with a B in calculus which based on our calculations from her quarter grades seemed impossible. But she had improved in the later part of the year and I think the teacher understood how hard she was working and granted some grace in that final grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The final transcript will only show the final grade for the course, which is the average of the 4 quarters and, for some classes, a final exam. My DD's junior year grades were all over the place and each quarter at least one class was a C, and one time a D, but she'd bring one up and another went down. It was a stressful year (variety of reasons for the challenges) but ended up the year with half As and half Bs and that's all colleges see, not the mess that was junior year!

Thank you! This is a very helpful anecdote.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The final transcript will only show the final grade for the course, which is the average of the 4 quarters and, for some classes, a final exam. My DD's junior year grades were all over the place and each quarter at least one class was a C, and one time a D, but she'd bring one up and another went down. It was a stressful year (variety of reasons for the challenges) but ended up the year with half As and half Bs and that's all colleges see, not the mess that was junior year!

NP here. Thanks for this info. But what is the average, for example, of one B & 3 As? Or 2 of each? A-? B+? And how does that count in a GPA (3.5?)?

[Anonymous]

If it’s not an A, are the + & - designations used?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The final transcript will only show the final grade for the course, which is the average of the 4 quarters and, for some classes, a final exam. My DD's junior year grades were all over the place and each quarter at least one class was a C, and one time a D, but she'd bring one up and another went down. It was a stressful year (variety of reasons for the challenges) but ended up the year with half As and half Bs and that's all colleges see, not the mess that was junior year!

NP here. Thanks for this info. But what is the average, for example, of one B & 3 As? Or 2 of each? A-? B+? And how does that count in a GPA (3.5?)?

I'm pretty sure the average is based on the numerical grade, not the letter. e.g. Your quarter averages/grades may have been a 92 = A, 89 = B+, 83 = B, 97=A. Average: 90.25=A
But, you could check with your school counselor to be sure.