Grading System

Class Rank/GPA

No class rank will be recorded on a student’s record.  Additional information will be provided on the high school profile in order to inform post-secondary institutions of a student’s relative academic placement among his/her peers.  A distribution of the range of weighted grade point averages for each decile ranking will be recorded for each graduation class at the end of the 11th grade year.  The maximum, median, and minimum weighted grade point averages will also be recorded.  In addition, a general grade distribution of final course letter grades will be part of the high school profile.  Any institution may request in writing the class rank of any student, if class rank is required for admission to the school or for scholarship purposes.  In this case a numerical class rank will be released using the student’s weighted grade point average.

Weighted and unweighted grade point averages shall be computed cumulatively at the end of each school year using final course grades.

A student’s unweighted grade point average will be based upon numerical values of A=4, B=3, C=2,  D=1 and F=0 for all levels of instruction.  All coursework taken will be included in the calculation of a student’s unweighted grade point average with the exception of courses graded on a Pass/Fail basis. 

A weighted grade point average will be calculated for each student in order to reflect the increased academic rigor of Honors and Advanced Placement coursework.  A student’s weighted grade point average will be based on a bonus point system.  Bonus points will be added to a student’s unweighted grade point average for Honors or Advanced Placement courses in the following manner.  Each Honors or Advanced Placement course in which a student has received a grade of “C” or better will award the student .2 bonus points per credit awarded.  Bonus points for partial credit courses will be pro-rated accordingly.   A student may earn a maximum of .8 bonus points per school year, the equivalent of 4 one-credit Honors or AP courses.

A student’s weighted and unweighted grade point averages will be entered on his/her record and shall be subject to the Board’s policy on release of student records. 

Honor Roll

Students earning a minimum average of 3.5 unweighted marking period GPA will be recognized by inclusion in the Upper Merion Area High School Distinguished Honor Roll.  Students earning a minimum average of 3.25 (but below 3.5) unweighted marking period GPA will be recognized by inclusion in the Upper Merion Area High School Meritorious Honor Roll.

Academic Awards Ceremony

Our school recognizes individual student academic achievement each Spring.  To qualify for this recognition, students must be included on the Distinguished Honor Roll for the first three marking periods of the year.

Latin Honors Academic Recognition for Graduates

Summa Cum Laude ("with highest honor"):   This prestigious honor is awarded to graduating students who have earned the highest possible cumulative weighted grade point average. This GPA is calculated up to and including the third marking period of senior year. To achieve this, students must:

• Earn "A"s for all final course grades in 9th, 10th, and 11th grade.
• Take a minimum of four full-credit honors courses each year.
• Maintain an "A" average in all courses through the first three marking periods of senior year.

Magna Cum Laude ("with great honor"):   This designation is awarded to graduating students who have also achieved the highest possible cumulative weighted grade point average through the third marking period of their senior year, with the exception of earning no more than one "B" (for a year-long course or two semester courses) at any point during 9th, 10th, or 11th grade.

Alternatively, a graduating student who otherwise meets the 9th, 10th, and 11th-grade criteria for Summa Cum Laude (all "A"s and at least four honors courses per year) but does not maintain an "A" average for all courses in senior year can still qualify for Magna Cum Laude if they have a "B" average for no more than one course in their senior year.

How Senior Year Grades Are Calculated for Latin Honors

• For year-long courses, the senior year "A" average is determined by the first, second, and third marking period grades (e.g., three "A"s, or two "A"s and one "B").
• Fall semester courses are evaluated based on their final course grade.
• Spring semester courses are evaluated based on their third marking period grade.

Grades

In case of grades of "Incomplete" work must be made up within ten school days from the date of issue of the report card.  After the ten-day period is exhausted, the grade reverts to an F.  Extenuating circumstances must be discussed with the teacher and the counselor and approved by the principal.  

Passing Requirements 

A grade of "C" is considered acceptable work for any course.  A "D" grade indicates less than expected mastery of subject matter but indicates, also, that the level of work was at a minimum level for which credit is awarded.  A grade of "F" indicates that the level of work was far below minimum expectation and the course must be repeated for credit to be awarded.

Three out of the five grades given for a year-long course (one for each report period and the final examination) must be a "D" or better to receive credit for a course.  However, if both the grades for the final report period and the final examination are "F," the course is failed and no credit is awarded.  In semester (half-year) courses, at least two out of the three grades must be a "D" or better for credit to be awarded. 

The average numerical value assigned to a course is the total numerical value for all grades divided by five (three in the case of semester courses).  The following table of numerical values and letter grade equivalents apply: