• Statewide Changes to the Weighting Scale and Grading Scale for Freshmen Entering 9th Grade in the 2015-2016 School Year

    Weighting Scale

    According to State Education Board Policy Number GCS-L-004, the weighting of courses for freshmen entering 9th grade for the first time in the 2015-2016 school year will change. The change affects the weighting for Honors, Advanced Placement, and International Baccalaureate courses.

    Course Type

    New Weighting Scale

    (effective with freshman class of 2015-16)

    Current Weighting Scale

    (remains effective for sophomores, juniors and seniors in 2015-16)

    Honors Course

    One-half (.5) quality point

    One (1) quality point

    Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Courses

    One (1) quality point

    Two (2) quality points

    Community College and Four Year University and College Courses

    One (1) quality point

    (No change from current weighting scale)

    One (1) quality point

     Grading Scale

    The other change affecting rising freshmen in the 2015-2016 school year is the grading scale. Beginning in 2015-16, 9th grade students will be graded on a ten point grading scale. Students in grades 10, 11 and 12 will remain on the current seven point grading scale.

    The conversion of percentage grades to letter grades is according the following widely used scale: 90-100 = A; 80-89 = B; 70-79 = C; 60-69 = D; ≤ 59 = F. 

    Grades and the corresponding number of quality points are shown below.

    90-100 = 4.0

    80-89 = 3.0

    70-79 = 2.0

    60-69 = 1.0

    < 59 = 0.0

    WF = 0.0

    FF = 0.0

    WP = 0.0

    INC = 0.0

    AUD = 0.0

    P = 0.0

     

    The above changes are mandated by the North Carolina State Board and will be implemented statewide next school year.

    Students who entered 9th grade for the first time before 2015-2016 will remain on the current weighting scale and current seven point grading scale.