Weighted Grades in the High School: How They Affect Eighth Graders

The Fair Grove School System has enacted a weighted grades system, starting the 2014-2015 school year. Although, there are some classes that are offered in the eighth grade, jump starting some students into the weighted grading system. The system applies to 12 classes, including: College English & Composition, College Algebra, Pre-Calculus, AP Calculus, AP Statistics, Dual Credit World History, Dual Credit American History, Physics, Chemistry, Anatomy, and Spanish 3 and Spanish 4. The grade system will aid students in receiving a 4.0 or higher. Most of these classes are available to students in grades 10-12.
This new addition allows eighth graders a chance to take certain 5th year classes, without having to “double up” on classes. Two classes are offered to certain eighth graders to get them ahead: Algebra 1 and Physical Science. To be placed in these classes the students’ MAP scores, content tests scores, and 7th year grade card, are examined. Middle School Counselor, Linda Buckner elaborates, “The content test is geared to the content expected to be known to go on to Algebra 1 and Physical Science. The decisions (on how the students are placed) are made on the criteria and space availability.”
The two offered courses don’t count on the eighth grade students’ high school GPA’s. Randa Shaw, High School Counselor, explains, “It does not get them ‘out’ of taking a math or science in high school: it just helps them to get 1-2 credits early so that they won’t have to ‘double up’ to get to the advanced math and science classes. 8th grade Algebra 1 and Physical Science do not count toward the students’ GPA. Only the 28 courses all students take the 4 years in high school count toward GPA.” Mrs. Shaw goes on to say that the system is set up this way so that all students have a level playing field their freshman year of high school. Some just have the ability to take more rigorous classes without doubling up.
The newly implemented grading system will affect the students trying to achieve the valedictorian position. Eighth graders will have the ability to take more of the weighted classes that are offered. Weighted classes will run on a five point scale, where the scale that is currently set at Fair Grove, is a four point scale. With the five point scale, an A in a class will count as five points, a B will count as four points, C three points, with D’s and F’s yet to be decided on how many points they will contribute to a student’s GPA. As compared to the four point scale, in which A’s are four points, B’s are three points, C’s are two points, and D’s are one point. The student with the highest weighted GPA is valedictorian; in turn, these students have a better chance of being valedictorian if they are put in these rigorous courses their eighth grade year.