Why do grades matter?
Not many students ask us this question, but they do think it and it affects their performance. Grades matter because all high school grades will appear on a student's permanent record. This permanent record is called a transcript. A transcript is the actual proof of a student's graduation as well. When college ask us for information about a student when deciding if they want to admit them, we send a transcript. When an employer contacts us to ask for verification of education, we send them a transcript. When an insurance company asks us to send verification of a student who wants a discount on their policy, we send them a transcript.
Basically, everything a student does in high school will affect this transcript and could affect the student's future!
It is important to make sure the transcript is the best possible reflection of the student. People that ask to review a transcript do not know students personally and make judgments about the students based, many times, solely on this one document.
What can I do to get the best transcript?
Having the best performance possible starts out by selecting the best courses that fits the student's needs and abilities. A student who struggles in math should not take upper level or honors mathematics. If the student did take those courses, the student likely would not earn the best grade and would be a poor reflector of the student as a whole.
The questions to always ask when selecting courses are:
1. Am I meeting graduation requirements?
2. Do the courses challenge me, but are not too difficult for my abilities?
3. Do the courses help prepare me for my future career goals?
If the student can answer yes to those three questions, then taking those courses are likely a great idea and will prepare the best transcript possible.
How are grades calculated?
Please review the following document for more information about grades and how they affect a transcript.
