LTHS Counselor Corner

GPA Opt-Out

In order to encourage commitment and retention to a Fine Arts or Athletics program for a full four years and encourage participation in the upper level courses in these areas, students have the option to exclude from the weighted GPA calculation one credit course each year in grades 11 and 12. This allows juniors and seniors who are on track to meet all graduation requirements to participate in the following programs in the third and/or fourth year on a GPA-exempt basis. This option should only be considered by students who have a weighted GPA of 5.0 or greater.

The eligible single courses include the following:

- Theater/Tech Theater - Dance/Drill Team - Cheer - *Band

- Color Guard - Choir - Orchestra - **Athletics/Manager - Athletic Trainer

*Not to include ensemble

**Not to include off-campus PE

To exclude a course from the weighted GPA calculation, students must have two years participation in the single program of interest in two previous school years during high school. The GPA Opt-Out form opens, September 4th, and students must complete the “GPA Opt Out” form by the deadline of October 1st to request an exemption for this school year. The exemption form can be found in the student portal under the “GPA Opt-Out” tile. The GPA exemption in Fine Arts only applies for areas of Fine Arts that do not contain options for weighted credit; thus Art is not an eligible area (Advanced and AP Art courses are available in the four-year pathways). See 2024-2025 Academic Guide for information.

All information regarding GPA for Rank can be found in FISD's GPA for Rank Policy.