For decades, Needham High School weighted students’ grades based on the difficulty of course levels they took, a concept known as a weighted GPA (grade point average). They are generally recorded on a scale of 5.0, whereas an unweighted GPA is recorded on a scale of 4.0. The main difference between weighted and unweighted is that weighted GPAs take into account the difficulty of a course level and unweighted GPAs weigh all classes regardless of difficulty the same This sparked much controversy amongst Needham students, parents, and even some staff. Four years ago, it was decided by the administration that, starting with the class of 2023— the current juniors— GPAs will be recorded on an unweighted scale. This generated much conversation in classes as students questioned their teachers about this newfound development: “will it impact my chances of getting into college?”, “when you were in high school did you have unweighted GPAs?”, “does this mean I can take all super easy classes and still get into Harvard?”.
While many of these questions stemmed from lack of knowledge regarding unweighted GPAs and how the college process works, some concerns were well founded. These concerns were brought home and discussed with students’ parents and caretakers. I, for one, discussed the unweighted GPAs taking effect with my parents, and my dad had a very strong opinion on the matter. Paraphrasing, as this was four years ago, his main point was that those who were taking harder classes should be rewarded for their efforts in school and for receiving good grades in more difficult classes. Additionally, he believed that those in average level classes will not be affected by weighted GPAs because their classes are not weighted at a lower amount (and are weighted the same amount as they would be on a 4.0 scale). Instead, harder classes are weighted more. Many people I have talked to agree with this point of view, and I have interviewed some members of the class of 2023, who are arguably the most impacted by this decision.
I am a part of the graduating class of 2023 as well and personally, I can see why the administration thought it was necessary to switch to unweighted GPAs, and I do not mind the change. There is an argument to be made about mental health, saying people should not be forcing themselves to take classes that are far above their skill set and drown themselves in work all for the purpose of achieving a high GPA. One of the students I interviewed also brought up a key point in the importance of unweighted GPAs: “[An] Unweighted [GPA] scales people on their efforts in their classes rather than how easily school comes to them.” He explains that it would be unfair to weigh GPAs on a 5.0 scale for those who try their best in their classes and schoolwork and receive A’s in lower leveled classes, because they need more time and help understanding the content of the class, which is not something to be punished for. Others however have said in response to why they prefer weighted GPAs on a 5.0 scale, “I take hard classes and [an unweighted GPA] doesn’t take that into account because my grades might be 5 points lower but I’m still smart, it’s just harder content … people who are doing just okay in easier classes have the same GPA as me who’s been doing well in harder classes.” Another student added, “Personally, I take APs and [accelerated classes] so if it were weighted I would have a higher GPA, and I put more work into those classes to receive an A than is necessary for some other classes, not saying people in other level classes don’t work hard, but it’s a different workload.” Arguments can be made for both weighing overall class grades on a 4.0 scale because grades should be based on effort instead of natural abilities and weighing overall class grades on a 5.0 scale because even with natural abilities, the workload is still higher for those in advanced classes.
When putting in one’s GPA on college applications, the college generally recalculates it themself, therefore having it unweighted on powerschool does not bother many knowing that most colleges will either look at the course levels for classes they are in or will ask for their weighted GPA. Others agree with this statement saying, “I don’t care either way because regardless of my GPA, colleges are also going to have to look at the classes I take so having one GPA with all honors is different than the same GPA with accelerated classes.” I found that having an unweighted GPA did not affect me as much as I thought it would, yet some students still feel very strongly on the subject and have even started petitions to make their voices heard (such as Owen Bienen’s petition which can be found here