Whilst many universities around the world calculate their own Grade Point Average (GPA) score for students based on their submitted transcript, some university systems require us to provide a GPA score. At JIS we believe that a GPA is only one of a variety of data that provide evidence of a student’s academic proficiency and should not be given undue emphasis or significance. We believe that a realistic perspective about the value of a GPA should be maintained for wellness purposes and to best reflect the international nature of Jakarta Intercultural School.
GPA will be calculated using the final grades for year-long, or semester-long courses. The GPA is calculated cumulatively during a student’s time in the High School.
In line with our year-long approach to most courses, we believe that a GPA is most accurate when the grades for the end of a course are used in the final calculation. The GPA thus will include the final grades for semester-long courses (eg. elective courses) as well as year-long courses in the calculation. IB Courses will be considered by year level as a course: eg. IB SL 1 English is a year-long course, just as IB SL 2 is a year-long course.
Grade 12 students who are applying to colleges and universities in their first semester of their senior year, will use their GPA as of the end of Year 11, with an update (if required) forwarded to colleges in January, based on their December grades of the first semester of their senior year.
Is the JIS GPA weighted or unweighted?
Unweighted
How is a Pass/Fail course calculated into GPA?
They are not calculated into GPA. Students do receive credit and it is noted on the transcript if they pass the course.
What is the numeric value received for a P grade that is factored into the cumulative GPA at JIS?
There is no numeric value attached to a Pass grade.
In applications that ask for a GPA do we choose weighted or unweighted?
Unweighted but please do check with counsellors if you have individual questions
Some American High Schools weigh AP and IB classes with bonus points, does JIS do this?
No, this is not in keeping with our grading or educational philosophy and so we do not weight AP or IB classes differently. That said, most US universities do recalculate GPAs and those universities might give bonus points to AP or IB classes according to their own policies.
Will there be specific guidance on entering GPAs for applications like the Common Application?
Yes, there is a workshop on this exact topic at the start of every school year.
Are Withdraw pass (WP) or Withdraw fail (WF) included in GPA calculations?
Please note that both withdraw pass (WP) and withdraw fail (WF) courses are not included in GPA calculations.
How does JIS calculate GPA?
GPA will be calculated using this formula:
A* - 4.3
A - 4.0
B - 3.0
C - 2.0
D - 1.0
F - 0.0