I. Grading Symbols
The grading symbols will be A, B, C, D, F, I (incomplete), WP (Withdraw Pass), and WF (Withdraw Fail) for courses approved by the superintendent. A "+" or "-" will not be used in grade reporting but will be encouraged for use in class grading. NGG (No Grade Given) will be issued for students needing to meet the exit standard before a grade is determined. PCR (Pass by Credit Recovery) can also be issued.
II. Grading Scale
The alpha symbols will be interpreted for communication purposes on a point scale:
A = 100-90
B = 89-80
C = 79-70
D = 69-60
F = 60-below
If a numeric average is to be computed from the letter grades, the highest value in the separate categories is the appropriate value to be used. Example: A = 100, B = 90, etc.
III. Honor Roll
Honor rolls will be published by the individual schools at the end of each term based only on term grades. For honor roll selection, a student must take at least 3 credits and must make all As and Bs. Any student who makes a C, D, F, or I would not qualify for the honor roll. No GPA is to be calculated and the grade of "P" does not count. Recognition of student achievement at other times during the year is encouraged; however, it is not to be published as an honor roll.
IV. GPA Values
Grade point averages will be calculated in accordance with standards set by the State Board of Education. The calculations are based on a standardization of: 1) academic course levels; 2) grading scales; and 3) the weighting of course grades. The class rank is based on a Weighted Grade Point Average in which one quality point (or weight) is added to passing grades earned in Advanced/Honors/Academically Gifted courses and two quality points (or weights) are added to passing grades earned in Advanced Placement courses.
For students entering 9th grade prior to the 2015-2016 school year
All non-weighted courses will receive quality points on the following scale:
A = 4.0
B = 3.0
C = 2.0
D = 1.0
F = 0.0
I = 0.0
Honors courses will be weighted as follows:
A = 5.0
B = 4.0
C = 3.0
D = 2.0
F = 0.0
I = 0.0
AP/College Transfer courses will receive quality points on the following scale:
A = 6.0
B = 5.0
C = 4.0
D = 3.0
F = 0.0
I = 0.0
For students entering 9th grade in 2015-2016 and beyond
All non-weighted courses will receive quality points on the following scale:
A = 4.0
B = 3.0
C = 2.0
D = 1.0
F = 0.0
I = 0.0
Honors courses will receive quality points on the following scale:
A = 4.5
B = 3.5
C = 2.5
D = 1.5
F = 0.0
I = 0.0
AP/College Transfer courses will receive quality points on the following scale:
A = 5.0
B = 4.0
C = 3.0
D = 2.0
F = 0.0
I = 0.0
Honor Graduate Recognition Protocol
Beginning with the 2018-2019 school year, Wilkes County Schools will use the Latin Honors System for recognizing honor graduates in all high schools. Policy 3450 describes the changes and expectations.
Policy 3450
Class ranking is a method of measuring academic performance. The Wilkes County Board of Education also recognizes other means of evaluating student achievement, including grade point average, courses completed, the rigor of the curriculum, results of tests and assessments, and recommendation letters.
High school principals shall provide for the compilation of class rankings to be listed on the student transcripts and may make class rank information available periodically to students and their parents or guardians. While the board encourages broad means of recognizing student achievement, high school principals shall not use class rank to designate a valedictorian or salutatorian. Beginning with graduating class of 2019, high school principals shall designate the following senior honors:
- Students with a 3.5 - 3.99 weighted grade point average shall receive the distinction of cum laude;
- Students with a 4.0 - 4.249 weighted grade point average shall receive the distinction of magna cum laude; and
- Students with a 4.25 or higher weighted grade point average shall receive the distinction of summa cum laude.
Principals shall ensure that class ranking is computed in accordance with State Board of Education Policy GCS-L-004. The superintendent and principal shall ensure that students and parents receive adequate notice as to how class rank is calculated and shall provide written procedures on how students with equal grades, or grades that may be perceived as equal, will be treated. Nothing in this policy provides a student with any legal entitlement to a particular class rank or title.
Timeline for Determining Honor Graduates:
- At the completion of the first semester, schools will run the GPA and class ranking report for all juniors and seniors. This report will be used to determine Junior Marshals for that school year’s graduation. The same report will also generate the honors graduate list for any preparations for graduations (programs, awards programs, etc).
- At the end of the second semester, counselors will run the GPA report after grades have been finalized. Students that earn the honors recognition in second semester will be announced as an honor graduate and will receive the correct graduation regalia (cord, collar, etc.) for graduation. Their name will not be printed in the program due to the program printing deadlines.
- Each school will determine what graduation regalia (cord, collar, etc.) students will wear to recognize honor graduates.
- All honors graduates of Wilkes County Schools will receive an emblem on the diploma designating the honor distinction.