Due to recent Florida legislation, middle school students who take high school courses (such as Algebra or Spanish) will receive grades (A-F) for these courses.  These grades and credits will be posted to the student’s official high school transcript and will be used to calculate high school grade point average (GPA) and class rank.  In the past, high school GPAs and class rankings were not impacted by the grades earned for high school courses taken during middle school.  High school GPAs earned in middle school will not impact eligibility to participate in high school athletics or extracurricular activities.  In keeping with the new legislation, the following important excerpts from School Board Policy 6000.1 (Student Progression Plan) are included:

Semester Grades

• For high school courses, credit is granted on the semester basis.  One-half credit is given for passing a semester’s work in a course.
• To receive a passing mark for the semester grade in a subject, the student shall have previously earned at least a passing mark in:

a)  both quarter grading periods, or
b)  one quarter grading period and the semester examination.

• The weight of each quarter grade is 37.50% of the final semester grade.  The weight of the final examination is 25% of the final semester grade.

Honors Courses to Receive Quality Points

• All high school courses which are clearly labeled as “honors” consistent with State Frameworks and/or district guidelines and coded as such in the Broward Course Code Dictionary shall carry one quality point.
• An additional point may not be earned in an honors class if the grade received is below a “C.”

Forgiveness Rule

• Forgiveness for high school courses taken in the middle school shall be limited to replacing a grade of “C,” “D,” or “F” with a grade of “C” or higher earned subsequently by retaking the same or comparable course.

With the exception of students enrolled in year-round schools, middle school students taking high school courses will receive an additional report card describing high school course performance and the high school GPA.  More information regarding the grading of high school courses taken in middle school may be found on the District website (www.broward.k12.fl.us/advancedacademics/).  For information specific to your child’s middle school courses or to request any schedule changes you may wish to make, please contact your middle school guidance counselor.