The information on this page is intended to provide an overview of Virginia Beach City Public Schools’ modified 10-point grading scale, for students in grades 3 - 12, that went into effect with the start of the 2010-2011 school year. |
Why did Virginia Beach City Public Schools’ grading scale change?
Citing the need to ensure that Virginia Beach students remain competitive, especially in the area of college and scholarship applications, the Virginia Beach School Board adopted a modified 10-point grading scale in January 2010, for students in grades 3 - 12.
This decision was made after hosting a comprehensive public input process that included surveys of parents, staff and college admissions officers; input garnered from the school division’s On the Mark blog; and comments received at a public hearing.
What is Virginia Beach City Public Schools' grading scale?
(School Board Regulation 5-28.1)
Range |
Letter Grade |
Points |
93 - 100 |
A |
4.0 |
90 - 92 |
A- |
3.7 |
87 - 89 |
B+ |
3.3 |
83 - 86 |
B |
3.0 |
80 - 82 |
B- |
2.7 |
77 - 79 |
C+ |
2.3 |
73 - 76 |
C |
2.0 |
70 - 72 |
C- |
1.7 |
67- 69 |
D+ |
1.3 |
64 - 66 |
D |
1.0 |
Below 64 |
E |
0.0 |
For students taking advanced placement (AP) courses and specifically approved international baccalaureate and magnet courses, bonus credit is added after a student’s grade point average has been determined. What is the value bonus credit added?(School Board Regulation 5-29.1)
Bonus credit is added to a student’s grade point average for year and semester courses as follows:
Bonus Credit for Year Course |
Bonus Credit for Semester Course |
|||
| A, A- | .0488 | A, A- | .0244 | |
| B+, B, B- | .0366 | B+, B, B- | .0183 | |
| C+, C, C- | .0244 | C+, C, C- | .0122 | |
| D+, D | .0122 | D+, D | .0061 | |
| E | 0 | E | 0 | |
Could excessive absences within a given semester impact a student's grade? (School Board Regulation 5-17.1)
Yes. High school students with excessive absences within a semester will receive a failing grade of 63/N for that semester or the actual class grade, whichever is lower. The same guideline will be followed for middle school students with regards to credit courses.
What grade point average must a student maintain to participate in interscholastic competition? (School Board Policy 5-49 & Regulation 5-49.1)
High school students participating in interscholastic competition are required to earn a 2.0 grade point average in courses taken in the semester immediately preceding the semester in which a student desires to participate.
What grades are required of students at the elementary-level to be eligible for the Principal’s List? (School Board Regulation 5-29.1)
For an elementary-level student to be eligible for the Principal’s List, the student must receive all “A’s”. If a student receives an “A-“, he or she is not eligible for the Principal’s List. For example, the student earning grades shown on the report card below is not eligible for the Principals List because the student earned an “A-“ in one subject.
Student Report Card |
||
| Student: John Smith | Grade: 3 1st Quarter Grades |
|
| English | A- | |
| Math | A | |
| Science | A | |
| Art | S | |
| Music | O | |
| Physical Ed | S | |
What grades are required for middle and high school students to be named to the Principal’s List? (School Board Regulation 5-29.1)
Middle and high students are required to receive all “A’s” and must be enrolled in five classes or earning five credits to be on the Principal’s List. Students receiving a major disciplinary action such as out-of-school suspension are not eligible for this recognition. If a student receives an “A-“, he or she is not eligible for the Principal’s List.
To be eligible for the Honor Roll, what grades are required of an elementary-level student? (School Board Regulation 5-29.1)
For elementary-level students to be eligible for the Honor Roll, a student must maintain a “B” average with no grade less than a “C”. If a student receives a “C-“ , he or she is not eligible for the Honor Roll.
What grades are required of a middle and high school student to be eligible for the Honor Roll? (School Board Regulation 5-29.1)
To be eligible for Honor Roll, middle and high school students are required to maintain a “B” average with no grade less than “C” and be enrolled in five classes or earning five credits. For example, the student earning grades shown on the report card below is not eligible for the Honor Roll because the student earned a “C-“ in one subject.
Student Report Card |
||
| Student: Kathy Johnson | Grade: 8 1st Quarter Grades |
|
| English | A | |
| Science | A | |
| Mathematics | A | |
| Social Studies | C- | |
| Health and Physical Ed | A | |
| Latin | A | |
If I have any questions about the grading scale, who should I contact?
Questions about grades earned in a specific class/course should be discussed with the teacher. Any questions about the grading scale such as GPA calculations, honor roll, Principal’s List, eligibility for interscholastic activities, and other areas related to the grading scale should be directed to the school guidance counselor or principal.