Understanding the Wake County GPA Scale

Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) has implemented changes to its grading system over the years to align with state and national standards and to provide a more accurate reflection of student performance. This article explains the current GPA scale used in Wake County, its implications, and how it affects students.

Standards-Based Grading System

WCPSS utilizes standards-based grading for report cards. The primary goal of the report card is to communicate a student’s performance on grade-level standards to both the student and their parents. Instead of traditional letter grades, student performance is indicated by levels ranging from 1 to 4. These levels show whether the student has met the expectations set by the state in the Standard Course of Study and whether they possess the necessary skills and concepts for success in the subsequent quarter or grade. Teachers assess students using various methods, including observations and evidence gathered throughout the grading period, to determine their level of proficiency.

Level 1: Student does not yet demonstrate an understanding of the standards, concepts, and skills taught during this reporting period.

For conduct and work habits, students receive separate grades (1, 2, or 3). Conduct grades reflect a student's cooperation, respect, and adherence to rules, while work habits grades assess time management, listening skills, assignment completion, legibility, independence, and help-seeking behavior.

Progress in specials such as Healthful Living, Music, Visual Arts, and World Language is reported at the end of each semester. Additional specials and magnet electives are reported on a report card addendum.

Transition to the 10-Point Scale

In a move to align with the grading systems used by most schools and higher education institutions nationwide, Wake County transitioned from a 7-point scale to a 10-point scale. Under the old system, a grade of A was equivalent to a score between 93 and 100. With the new 10-point scale, a score of 90 and above is considered an A.

This change ensures that North Carolina schools are consistent with the grading practices of schools across the country, as well as most colleges and universities.

Impact on Transcripts

Transcripts will reflect numerical grades rather than letter grades. This means that the difference between a student who scores a 91 and one who scores a 98 in a class will be evident on their transcripts. Cary High School Principal Nolan Bryant explained that this differentiation allows for a more precise representation of a student's academic performance.

It is important to note that the new grading scale is applied only to coursework completed in the current grading year.

Future-Ready Course of Study (FRC) Requirements

All public high school students must meet minimum state graduation requirements to earn a diploma. These requirements are known as the Future-Ready Course of Study (FRC) requirements, designed to prepare students for success after high school. To graduate, students must earn at least 22 credits in the Future-Ready Course of Study.

The Future-Ready Course graduation requirements ensure that a student is prepared for life and whatever pathway they choose after they graduate, workplace, colleges/university or the military. Below are the specific course requirements.

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The Occupational Course of Study is available for those students with disabilities who are specifically identified for the program and has adapted course requirements and the same credit requirements as FRC. Below are the specific course requirements.

Although the state requires a designated number of courses and credits for students to graduate high school, local school districts and other public school units may recommend additional courses and credits to graduate in order for them to be most successful with their postsecondary plans. Families and students are strongly encouraged to check with their high school to determine the best plan towards graduation.

Course Requirements for Students Entering Ninth Grade

The course requirements vary slightly depending on when a student first enters the ninth grade.

Students entering ninth grade for the first time in 2021-2022 or afterwards must pass the following courses and earn at least 22 credits:

Four sequential English credits:
- English I
- English II
- English III
- English IV
Four Mathematics credits:

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- NC Math 1, 2, and 3 and a fourth mathematics course aligned with the student’s post-high school plans.
- In the rare instance a principal exempts a student from the Future-Ready Core mathematics sequence, the student will be required to pass NC Math 1 and Math 2 plus two additional courses identified on the NC DPI Math options chart.
- Note: A fourth-level mathematics course is required for UNC minimum requirements, this includes Math IV, Precalculus, and other higher level courses.
Three Science credits:
- A physical science course
- Biology
- An earth/environmental science course
Four Social Studies credits:
- Founding Principles of the United States of America and North Carolina: Civic Literacy
- Economics and Personal Finance
- American History
- World History
One Health and Physical Education credit:
- Students are required to successfully complete CPR instruction to meet Healthful Living Essential Standards as a requirement for high school graduation. Accommodations/alternative assessments for students identified by ADA or IDEA will be provided.
Two Elective credits of any combination from either:
- Career and Technical Education (CTE) or
- Arts Education or
- World Language
- Note: For clarification, possible elective combinations may include 2 World Language credits; or 1 CTE credit and 1 Arts Education credit; or 2 CTE credits; or 1 Arts Education credit and 1 World Language credit; or other combinations from a, b and c.
Four Elective credits from the following:
- Career and Technical Education (CTE)
- ROTC
- Arts Education (e.g., dance, music, theater arts, visual arts)
- Any other subject area or cross-disciplinary courses (e.g., mathematics, science, social studies, English and dual enrollment courses)
NOTE: Beginning in fall 2022, students entering Grade 6 and subsequently entering Grade 9 for the first time in 2025-26 shall have at least one arts education course in grades 6-12. Students must complete the standard course of study (no local electives) for a given arts education course in its entirety to satisfy this requirement. After-school activities or partial courses do not fulfill this graduation requirement. Students who transfer into a public school unit beginning in the ninth grade or later may be exempt, if such a requirement would prevent a student from graduating with the graduation cohort to which the student was assigned when transferring.
NOTE: Students entering Grade 9 in 2026-27 will have an additional requirement to take a credit in Computer Science.

Students who entered ninth grade for the first time in 2020-2021 must pass the following courses and earn at least 22 credits:

Four sequential English credits:
- Starting with English I
- English II
- English III
- English IV
Four Mathematics credits:
- NC Math 1, 2, and 3 and a fourth mathematics course to be aligned with the student’s post high school plans
- In the rare instance a principal exempts a student from the Future-Ready Core mathematics sequence, except as limited by N.C.G.S.

Students who entered ninth grade for the first time in 2014-2015 must pass the following courses and earn at least 22 credits:

Four sequential English credits:
- Starting with English I
- English II
- English III
- English IV
Four Mathematics credits:
- NC Math 1, 2, and 3 and a fourth mathematics course to be aligned with the student’s post high school plans
- In the rare instance a principal exempts a student from the Future-Ready Core mathematics sequence, except as limited by N.C.G.S. §115C-81(b), the student will be required to pass: NC Math 1 and Math 2 plus two additional courses identified on the NC DPI Math options chart.
- Note: Credit shall be awarded for Math I, II, III if taken prior to the 2016-17 school year.
Three Science credits:
- A physical science course
- Biology
- An earth/environmental science course
Four Social Studies credits:
- Effective 2020-21:
  - a founding principles course which shall be either:
    - American History: Founding Principles, Civics and Economics
    - Founding Principles of the United States of America and North Carolina: Civic Literacy (Note: These courses must follow the NCSCOS in its entirety and may not be satisfied by any other courses).
  - American history courses which shall be either:
    - American History I and American History II
    - American History I or II and another Social Studies course
    - American History and another Social Studies course

Additional Information

The School of Divinity registrar maintains academic records of progress on all enrolled students. For all courses carrying graduate credit in the School of Divinity, there are three passing grades-A (excellent), B (commendable), and C (low pass) - and one failing grade, F (failure). An A has the grade point value of 4.00 for each semester hour of credit involved, a B the value of 3.00 for each semester hour of credit involved, and C the value of 2.00 for each semester hour of credit involved. An F grade carries no credit. Required courses with a grade of F must be repeated. **Grade not calculated in grade point average.

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