Grade Point Average
Grade point averages will be provided for students in grades 9 through 12. Grade point average (GPA) and will be based upon the grades the student has earned in courses for which high school credit is awarded (including failing grades, repeated courses, summer school, night school and credit courses taken prior to grade nine). If a student repeats a course, only the higher of the two grades will be computed in the average.
Class Rank
- Class ranking in Newport News Public Schools will be provided for students in grades 9 through 12.
- Class ranking will be based upon the grades the student has earned in courses for which high school credit is awarded. This includes eighth grade accelerated courses in Algebra, Geometry, World Languages, and courses at the Governor’s School for Science and Technology (GSST) for which high school credit is awarded.
- Students will be ranked at the end of each semester.
- Rank in class will be computed to the thousandth of a percent with the thousandth place truncated and no rounding imposed.
- For purpose of designation of student honors and for college admission information, the end of the first semester of the senior year will serve as the cutoff date for computation of class rank.
- In computing class rank of students, the following scale will be used:
| Letter Grade | Points for Advanced Standing Courses (IB, AP, GSST) | Points for Honors Courses (H, Pre-IB) | Points for Standard Courses |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 5 | 4.5 | 4 |
| B | 4 | 3.5 | 3 |
| C | 3 | 2.5 | 2 |
| D | 2 | 1.5 | 1 |
| F | 0 | 0 | 0 |
- Course weighting is assigned based upon the recommendation of the division curriculum committee and approval of the School Board. All courses identified for advanced standing contain a mandated external evaluation component. Students who do not participate in the external evaluation (i.e. AP exam) will receive honors weighted credit.
Class rank is to be determined by assigning the student with the highest GPA a rank of number one (1) in the class; the second highest, the rank of number two (2), etc. In cases where more than one student has the same numerical average, all students with that average will be given the same rank. The next highest average will assume the next rank position that will indicate the number of students having a higher rank. Rank will be computed to the hundredths place. Place value beyond the hundredths place will not be considered.
Example:Student No. GPA Rank Note 1 4.00 Rank 1 The student with the next highest grade average would have the rank of five (5) in the class, indicating that there are four students who rank higher. 2 4.00 Rank 2 3 3.98 Rank 3 4 3.98 Rank 4 - Selection of Honors Graduates
Class ranking computed at the completion of the first semester of the senior year will be used to determine honor graduates. A student with a 3.0 average is to be considered an honor graduate. A student with a 3.4 average will be recognized as graduating with highest honors.
The student with the highest-class rank is to be declared the valedictorian of the graduating class. In instances when more than one student holds the numerical rank of one, all students holding the rank are to be declared co-valedictorians. A student who is a full-time college student and simultaneously completing requirements for a high school diploma is not eligible to be declared valedictorian or salutatorian of the class. - National Honor Society
Membership standards for the National Honor Society are established in each high school. To be considered for membership, a student must have a minimum grade point average and meet other criteria as established by each school.
