Grading Scales and Practices
Grades are given quarterly. In addition to term grades, a student will receive a year-end summative grade and, for those courses giving final exams, a final exam grade at the end of the course. Newton South High School calculates an unweighted grade point average (GPA).
Cumulative GPA is calculated at the end of each semester beginning after the second semester of junior year.
- GPA calculation includes all leveled courses earning a letter grade.
- Non-leveled courses, Wellness courses, and courses earning a P-F grade are not included in GPA calculation.
- Courses taken outside of Newton Public Schools are not included in GPA calculation.
Our grading scale is as follows:
| Grade | GPA | Descriptor |
|---|---|---|
| A | 4.0 | Exemplary Work |
| A- | 3.7 | Exemplary Work |
| B+ | 3.3 | Proficient Work |
| B | 3.0 | Proficient Work |
| B- | 2.7 | Proficient Work |
| C+ | 2.3 | Approaching Proficiency |
| C | 2.0 | Approaching Proficiency |
| C- | 1.7 | Approaching Proficiency |
| D+ | 1.3 | Beginning Proficiency |
| D | 1.0 | Beginning Proficiency |
| D- | 0.7 | Beginning Proficiency |
| F | 0.0 | Not enough evidence to indicate any proficiency |
Special Grades
Audit (AU)
In the rare event that a student chooses to audit a course, they may do so with dean and department chair permission. In this case, the student is not assigned an academic grade, responsible for course work, or awarded credit. Regular attendance is still required.
Pass/Fail Grading (P/F)
Only used when the dean and department chair have granted permission for the course to be taken Pass/Fail.
Incomplete (I)
A student will receive an I only when absences occur late enough into the term that missing work cannot be completed prior to end of the term. Incompletes must be approved by the department chair in consultation with the student’s dean. Incompletes must be cleared by the end of the third week of the next term, otherwise the student’s grade will be converted to the grade earned based on the completed coursework. When the student completes the necessary coursework, the teacher will complete a change of grade form. A grade of I may not be used as a final grade.
Guidelines for Completing Incomplete Work
Student Responsibilities:
- Meet with the teacher to discuss the incomplete work and establish a clear plan for completion.
- Adhere to the agreed-upon deadlines and submission methods.
- Maintain communication with the teacher to address any issues or concerns.
- Ensure that all work is completed to the best of their ability and meets the course requirements.
Teacher Responsibilities:
- Provide clear instructions and expectations for the incomplete work.
- Offer support and guidance as needed to help the student complete the work.
- Grade the completed work promptly and fairly.
- Update the student’s grade upon satisfactory completion of the required work.
Extensions:
- Requests for deadline extensions on incomplete work will not be granted, unless approved by the teacher and department chair.
Consequences of Non-Completion:
- If the student fails to complete the required work by the agreed-upon deadline, the Incomplete (I) grade will be converted to the grade earned based on the completed coursework.
- The work that you did not complete after being given the opportunity to do so, will be factored into the final term (or year) grade. Note: In some cases, this may be a failing grade (F).
- It is the student’s responsibility to understand the implications of not completing the incomplete work.
Incomplete, Late Enrollment (I+)
A student will receive an I+ when they have spent so little time in class that the teacher could make a final assessment. This may result from a change in curriculum level near the end of a term or the entrance of a new student close to the end of a term. A grade of I+ requires department chair and/or dean approval and may not be used as a final grade.
Medical Grade (M)
A student will receive a term grade of M if they have serious ongoing medical issues that precluded the completion of the coursework that term. The student’s dean will determine if and when an M is appropriate. This grade is used sparingly and often involves confidential information that the counselor and/or dean cannot share with classroom teachers.
An M does not negatively impact a student’s GPA and an M in Wellness indicates that the course does not need to be made up. If a student receives an M for more than one term in a course, the dean and department chair will discuss how credit for the course will be impacted. Newton South does not include courses on a transcript for which students receive a final grade of M, unless an eighteen-year-old student, parent or guardian requests otherwise.