
Since it was mentioned on the other thread, what is the deal with NCS GPA calculation? We are applying for 9th and I wouldn't have dared ask this during the tour or even now. But seems important to know about before enrolling. |
Why? |
The answer is obvious. Parents want to know if despite their kids' best efforts they will be relegated to a transcript reflecting mediocrity all for the low price tag of $55k. They could go to a school like Stone Ridge that is rigorous, students are graded fairly and have a chance at getting into a top college. |
NCS calculates GPAs the same way that almost all school districts, colleges and universities do.
They take the final letter grade for each course, assign the GPA (0.0 to 4.0) to that course and then average that course's GPA with the GPA of the rest of the courses, weighing semester and year-long courses appropriately. They do not give any extra weight to honors or AP courses so max obtainable GPA is a 4.0. There was a wacky poster on here the other night who was arguing for some alternative form of calculation that I have never heard of before. In case the poster comes back and this post is then deleted, rest assured that NCS does standard GPA calculation. Or call admissions and they'll confirm. |
The post on Friday came on the tails of the juniors' first meetings with college advising. NCS classes are graded to an average of a B. It is sobering to see what a few Bs or B+ grades will do to a GPA. |
Borrowing what someone in the other thread put so aptly: "It really shows you what a ridiculous disaster college admissions have become to see parents choosing high schools based on the likelihood that their child will get straight As as opposed to the quality of the education or experience of their four years there." |
NP. Actually the other top schools in the area do it differently. NCS is the only Big 3 that calculates GPA this way and puts it on the transcript. STA uses numerical grading system. Sidwell and GDS do not put the gpa at all onto transcript. I think you misunderstood the poster. They were proposing that NCS use the number they put on the report card for the GPA. You seem to be the one that is wacky. I have had kids and friends at 2 of the 3 Big 3's and NCS's format is the most disadvantageous to students. |
This is correct and agree. I have also calculated both of my daugher's GPA's the way STA does (numerically based on reports card number) and the way NCS does and it comes out lower the way NCS does. Those are the facts. |
Incorrect. All other top schools in the area do it differently. Your information is factually incorrect. |
It's done the same way at DCPS, MCPS and FCPS. All 3 major school districts calculate GPA like NCS does. The weigh for honors and AP but the calculations are done the same way. |
And, it pits the desire for the prestige and connections some parents associate with certain schools against the realization that the prestige and connections won’t get you into a T20 or whatever if your kid can’t get the grades. Will they choose against the cachet? |
You receive a number grade on your report card but they do not use that number grade to calculate your gpa. Instead that number is given a letter grade based on the grade. That is the difference. Many parents want them to use the number grades instead or not put the gpa on the transcript at all and let colleges figure out their own gpa. For many students who have calculated it BOTH ways they are finding it to be a disadvantage to them. This is being discussed widely despite what the previous poster says who enjoys name calling. She may be one of the few parents that supports the way they currently do it. The majority are asking for it be be numerical. |
There is another reason why they should NOT do it. Noone cares or wants to do things the way they do thing at the public schools which is why we all chose NOT to send our kids there. |
Please stop posting on private forum about how they do things in your public school. It has zero relevance here. |
Not a NCS parent, but different all girls school parent. I can’t believe this is your argument to defend this practice. In what world, is FCPS and Montgomery County with its rampant grade inflation plus bumps for honors and and AP, equivalent to NCS? They aren’t remotely the same. Compare NCS to its peer schools. |