Understanding GPA & Class Rank

GPA at a Glance

The procedures outlined in this guide are those that Melissa High School follows for calculating a student's grade point average (GPA) and class rank information. Please keep in mind that colleges and universities may develop their own procedures for interpreting this information: it is not uncommon for postsecondary institutions to recalculate the GPA based on an internal formula. For example, some institutions may only consider grades earned in core course areas or may utilize a different weighting scale. Please consult with your prospective institution for more information.

What is a GPA?

The student’s grade point average (GPA) is determined by the semester grades earned for each core course taken during high school, as recorded on the academic achievement record. The student's semester grades correspond with grade points that are used to calculate the GPA.

All Melissa High School students will have a weighted GPA and an unweighted GPA. The student's weighted GPA determines their class rank.

GPA and class rank will be calculated according to the following timeline:

  • During grades 9-11 at the end of each semester.

  • During senior year at the end of the first semester, at the end of the third quarter (i.e. the third nine-week grading period) for the purpose of walking class rank for graduation, and at the end of the semester for the purpose of final senior class rank.

What courses will impact my GPA?

While all courses taken during high school count toward graduation requirements, only core courses that are taken during high school are considered when calculating GPA.

  • All core courses are assigned a course weight based on their difficulty level. Melissa High School offers a variety of coursework at different levels of academic intensity and rigor, with many core courses offered as an academic grade-level course (Tier I), an Advanced or Dual Credit course (Tier II), and/or an IB course (Tier III).

  • Within each course listing, the course weight is noted as either Tier I, Tier II, or Tier III.

  • Courses listed as "Non-GPA" are not considered core courses; therefore, the semester grades for these courses will not be calculated in the student's GPA. Other courses that are excluded from GPA calculations include: 1) courses taken prior to 9th grade, 2) online and correspondence courses, 3) courses taken on a pass/fail basis, rather than using a numerical grade or an F on a letter scale, and/or 4) course credits earned by exam.

  • For a list of all courses that are classified as Tier I, Tier II, or Tier III, visit this link: CORE COURSES BY TIER. To access more detailed course listings according to subject area, navigate to the "Course Offerings" section of this website.

Important Note for Incoming Freshmen: Courses taken for high school credit in middle school count for credit, but are not figured into the student's GPA and class rank in high school. Colleges or NCAA may recalculate your GPA when making admission considerations and may use these classes. Credits taken in middle school may allow for more flexibility in high school planning, but are not meant to reduce high school expectations. For example, taking Algebra I in middle school should not be used as a plan to not take a math course senior year. Instead, it should allow students to reach higher levels of math.

Weighted vs. Unweighted GPA

Weighted GPA

The weighted GPA factors in the difficulty level of each course and determines the student's class rank and eligibility for the top 10 percent of the graduating class.

Weighted grade points are awarded according to the GPA & CLASS RANK SCALE.* This scale uses the familiar 100-point grading system, with grade points awarded based on numerical grades from 0-100.

  • For Tier I classes, grade points are awarded from 0-4.

  • For Tier II classes, grade points are awarded from 0-5.

  • Non-GPA classes are not awarded grade points.

Weighted GPA Calculation Example

Advanced English I: [Tier II]
Sem. 1 Grade = 96 (4.6 grade points.)
Sem. 2 Grade = 92 (4.2 grade points.)Biology: [Tier I]
Sem. 1 Grade = 89 (2.9 grade points.)
Sem. 2 Grade = 91 (3.1 grade points.)Computer Science I: [Non-GPA]
Sem. 1 Grade = 78 (0 grade points.)
Sem. 2 Grade = 84 (0 grade points.)Total Grade Points: 4.6 + 4.2 + 2.9 + 3.1 = 14.8Total Semesters: 2 + 2 = 4Weighted GPA: 14.8 / 4 = 3.7
*This weighted GPA calculation procedure applies to the Class of 2024, Class of 2025, and Class of 2026. A revised Weighted GPA & Class Rank Scale has been developed for the Class of 2027 and beyond, and will be presented to the Melissa ISD Board of Trustees for approval in the spring of 2023.

Unweighted GPA

The unweighted GPA does not factor in the difficulty level of each course, with all core classes calculated on the same grade range scale.

Unweighted grade points are awarded according to the NUMERICAL GRADE RANGE SCALE. This scale uses the familiar 100-point grading system, with grade points awarded based on numerical grade ranges and letter grades A-F.

  • For Tier I and Tier II classes, grade points are awarded from 0-4.

  • Non-GPA classes are not awarded grade points.

Unweighted GPA Calculation Example

Advanced English I: [Tier II]
Sem. 1 Grade = 96 (4 grade points.)
Sem. 2 Grade = 92 (4 grade points.)Biology: [Tier I]
Sem. 1 Grade = 89 (3 grade points.)
Sem. 2 Grade = 91 (4 grade points.)Computer Science I: [Non-GPA]
Sem. 1 Grade = 78 (0 grade points.)
Sem. 2 Grade = 84 (0 grade points.)Total Grade Points: 4 + 4 + 3 + 4 = 15Total Semesters: 2 + 2 = 4Unweighted GPA: 15 / 4 = 3.75

Class Rank

What is class rank?

The student’s class rank is determined by their weighted GPA. Class rank determines eligibility for the top 10 percent, valedictorian and salutatorian honors, and walking order at graduation ("walking class rank").

Calculating Class Rank

Melissa ISD will calculate the student's class rank as follows:

  • Only Tier I and Tier II (weighted) high school courses will be used to calculate the student's class rank.

  • Class rank shall be calculated after each semester.

  • Final class rank shall be determined after the third quarter of the student's senior year.

  • For walking class rank for graduation, grade points for the second semester of the senior year will be awarded based upon the third nine-week grading period.

  • The valedictorian and the salutatorian shall be the students with the highest and second-highest weighted GPA who have been enrolled in the district continuously, commencing with enrollment before the first day of the second nine-week grading period of the student's junior year until graduation, in accordance with Melissa ISD Board Policy EIC (Local). For more information, please refer to the "Valedictorian & Salutatorian Honors" section.

Valedictorian & Salutatorian Honors

The class valedictorian will be the student who has the highest GPA earned in grades 9-12. The class salutatorian will be the student with the second-highest GPA earned in grades 9-12. In the event that the student with the first- or second-highest GPA does not fully qualify, the next-highest ranking class member who is fully qualified shall receive the honor.

*Students who graduate at the conclusion of the first semester or in the summer are not eligible for these honors.

In order to be eligible for valedictorian or salutatorian honors, a student shall:

  1. meet all requirements for graduation; and

  2. have been continuously enrolled in the district commencing with enrollment before the first day of the second nine-week grading period of the student’s junior year until graduation; and

  3. graduate at the end of the school year.