GPA / Ranking Information
Class Rankings
Class rankings are calculated for the first time at the end of the first semester of the junior year. Final rank in class for the purpose of determining valedictorian, salutatorian and top ten percent is calculated at the end of the fifth six weeks grading period of the senior year. Grades submitted after the fifth six weeks grading period will not be considered for class ranking.
Mt. Vernon High School uses a weighted grade average system that is designed to recognize the relative difficulty and effort required for a course. The additional grade point(s) on the grade are used solely for ranking purposes and will not be reflected on the official transcript or Academic Achievement Record.
The class rank will be determined by the highest average of grade value points. Class rank will be determined by the highest grade point average and is weighted. That is, the student in each class with the highest grade point average will rank first in the class; the student with the second highest number will rank second, and so on in descending order. The grade point average for seniors, their class ranks, and their 4-point average will be computed each semester with a final rank being figured after the fifth six weeks. (Also see Board Policy-EIC Local at www.mtvernonisd.net )
The Valedictorian and Salutatorian shall be determined by the total grade point average, based on all four years of high school, provided the students have been enrolled on a full-time basis their entire junior and senior years at Mt. Vernon High School. The Grade Point System referred to here is explained in detail in the Course Catalog. (See Board Policy –EIC Local at www.mtvernonisd.net )
In order for a student to be eligible for valedictorian or salutatorian, he/she must have attended his/her entire junior and senior years in Mt. Vernon High School and completed the Foundation with and Endorsement Plan in accordance with the Texas State Board of Education guidelines. Early graduates or “3 year graduates” are not eligible to be Valedictorian/Salutatorian; however, they will be figured into overall class rank. A student must not have graduated in fewer than three or more than four years. In the event of a tie between the candidates for Valedictorian and Salutatorian, the following process will be used:
1. Computing the weighted grade average to a sufficient number of decimal places until the tie is broken.
2. However, if a tie still remains, the highest numerical average of all level IV courses taken shall be used.
To qualify for the valedictorian/salutatorian speech (at commencement), a student shall not have engaged in serious misconduct according to the code of conduct. Including removal to DAEP, a three day suspension (out of school) or expulsion during his or her last two semesters. The courses shown below list grade point levels according to the grade value point system on the charts. Courses were appointed a level after considering many factors, including the level of difficulty and the amount of out-of-class time required for homework. The level is used to assign grade value points according to the grade earned in class. Any transferable courses, which are not listed on the grade point system, will be transferred as Level II and counted accordingly. Courses not offered at Mt. Vernon High School will be recorded as Level II in calculating grade point averages. Any student taking college courses for substitution, credit recovery, or credit by exam will receive grade value points at Level II of the MVHS grade value system.
For class rank, the following alpha to numeric grade conversion scale will apply to students transferring in from another school district with alpha grades, beginning with the 2014-2015 school year.
A+ 99 A 95 A- 91
B+ 88 B 85 B- 81
C+ 78 C 75 C- 71
D+ 68 D 65 D- 61 F 59
Courses taken in Junior High, for High School credit, will not be included in the student’s final GPA, weighted or unweighted, and the students' final class ranking. Summer school for high school credit is not a part of the ranking.
GPA – 4 POINT AVERAGE – GPA is unweighted and is determined by assigning 4 points to each A, 3 points to each B, 2 points to each C, and average the total points by the number of courses.
GRADE POINT SYSTEM (2020-2021)
Students entering 9th grade in 2014-2015 and thereafter
Numerical Grade Level I Level II Level III Level IV
100 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0
99 2.9 3.9 4.9 5.9
98 2.8 3.8 4.8 5.8
97 2.7 3.7 4.7 5.7
96 2.6 3.6 4.6 5.6
95 2.5 3.5 4.5 5.5
94 2.4 3.4 4.4 5.4
93 2.3 3.3 4.3 5.3
92 2.2 3.2 4.2 5.2
91 2.1 3.1 4.1 5.1
90 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0
89 1.9 2.9 3.9 4.9
88 1.8 2.8 3.8 4.8
87 1.7 2.7 3.7 4.7
86 1.6 2.6 3.6 4.6
85 1.5 2.5 3.5 4.5
84 1.4 2.4 3.4 4.4
83 1.3 2.3 3.3 4.3
82 1.2 2.2 3.2 4.2
81 1.1 2.1 3.1 4.1
80 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0
79 .9 1.9 2.9 3.9
78 .8 1.8 2.8 3.8
77 .7 1.7 2.7 3.7
76 .6 1.6 2.6 3.6
75 .5 1.5 2.5 3.5
74 .4 1.4 2.4 3.4
73 .3 1.3 2.3 3.3
72 .2 1.2 2.2 3.2
71 .1 1.1 2.1 3.1
70 .0 1.0 2.0 3.0 33
Level I Level III Level IV
Modified Courses English I & II Pre-AP English III Honors
Level II Algebra II Pre-AP English IV Dual Credit
English I, II, III, IV Biology Pre-AP Trig./Pre-Cal Pre-AP/Dual Credit
Business English Chemistry Pre-AP Calculus AP
College Prep English Anatomy & Physiology Independent Study Math-College Engineering Algebra/ Statistics Dual Credit
Algebra I & II Astronomy Adv. Plant and Soil Science (DC)
Geometry Adv. Animal Science Adv. Animal Science (DC)
Applied Math for Tech. Professions Art Pre-AP Geology Dual Credit
Financial Math U.S. History Dual Credit
College Prep Math Texas Govt. Dual Credit
Biology U.S. Govt. Dual Credit
IPC Macroeconomics Dual Credit
Chemistry Communication Applications DC
Prin. of Technology Ind. Study in Technology-BCIS DC
Environmental Systems CMA Dual Credit-Prac. Health Science
World Geography Art AP-2D
World History Other Advanced Placement Course
U. S. History
U.S. Government
Economics
Old Testament/New Testament Studies
Sociology/Psychology
Spanish I, II, III
Band I, II, III, IV
Jazz Bad I, II, III, IV
Art I, II, III
Theatre I, II, III, IV
PE/Athletics
Prin. of Agriculture
Landscape Design/Turf Mgmt.
Horticulture Science
Greenhouse Operations
Floral Design
Ag. Mechanics & Metal Technologies
Ag, Fabrication Design
Ag. Power Systems
Equine Science/Small Animal
Livestock Production
Wildlife Management
Prin. Arts, Audio, Video Technologies & Comm.
Commercial Photography I/II with Lab
Graphic Design I/II
Animation I/II
Videogame Design
Principles of Color, Theory, and Design
Intro to Cosmetology
Cosmetology I & II
Diversified Career Prep I & II
Prin. of Health Science
Medical Terminology
Health Sci. Theory/Health Science Clinical
Prin. of Education and Training
Instructional Practices in Education
Prin. of Human Services
Human Growth & Development
Child Development
Family and Community Services
Interpersonal Skills/ Nutrition & Wellness
Substituted College Courses
Literary Genres
Practical Writing
Practicum Courses
Top Ten Percent Graduates
Top Ten Percent Graduates will be determined by the total grade point average earned based on all four years of high school. For two school years following his or her graduation, a district student who graduates in the top ten percent of his or her class is eligible for automatic admission into four-year public universities and colleges in Texas if the student:
• Completes the Foundation with an Endorsement Plan (HB 5);
or
• Satisfies the ACT College Readiness Benchmarks or earns a minimum score of 480 on the Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) test and a minimum score of 530 on the mathematics test (no combined score) if the SAT was administered on or after March 5, 2016. (“Top 10%.” www.collegeforalltexans.com. 2018)
The University of Texas at Austin may limit the number of students automatically admitted to 75 percent of the University’s enrollment capacity for incoming resident freshmen. Students in the Top 6% are eligible for automatic admissions at the University of Texas at Austin.