How to Grade for High School

Grading high school work can feel overwhelming, especially when it's time to create or update a transcript. Here's a simple breakdown to guide you through the process.

Grading Letter Grades

Math and science are straightforward to grade since answers are typically right or wrong. Use a grading scale where the percentage of correct answers corresponds to a letter grade:

  • 90-100% = A
  • 80-89% = B
  • 70-79% = C
  • 60-69% = D
  • 0-59% = F

Grading Subjective Work

Grading subjective subjects like English or history, where answers vary, may require a different approach.

Option 1: Use a Rubric

Define your expectations and assign percentages to different aspects of the assignment (e.g., content, organization, grammar). This method can work well for structured assessments.

Option 2: Use a Simple 1-3 Scale

This scale offers an easier way to evaluate work:

  1. Excellent (Mastery) – Equivalent to an A
  2. Above Average (Comprehension) – Equivalent to a B
  3. Average (Basic Understanding) – Equivalent to a C

You can add levels for D and F if you like, but your student should revise work below a C level until he reaches a basic understanding of the topic.

Calculating Grade Point Average (GPA)

Assign a point value to each letter grade:

  • A = 4 points
  • B = 3 points
  • C = 2 points
  • D = 1 point
  • F = 0 points

Assigning Credits

Credit requirements vary by state, so check your local guidelines (HSLDA.org is a great resource). Many homeschoolers calculate credits based on learning hours:

  • 1 credit = 120-180 hours per year (~3-5 hours per week for 36 weeks)
  • 0.5 credit = 1.5-2.5 hours per week

You can assign credit if your student completes at least 75% of the coursework and meets the hour requirements.

Calculating GPA

1. Determine Grade Points:

Multiply the grade point by the number of credits for each course. For example:

  • A full-credit course with an A = 4 points
  • A half-credit course with an A = 2 points

2. Add Grade Points:

Add the grade points for all courses.

3. Calculate the Average:

Divide the total grade points by the number of credits. The result is your student's Grade Point Average (GPA).

Example:

  • English (1 credit, A) = 4 points
  • History (1 credit, B) = 3 points
  • Science (0.5 credit, A) = 2 points

Total grade points = 9 (4 + 3 + 2)

Total credits = 2.5

GPA = 9 ÷ 2.5 = 3.6

By following these steps, you can confidently assign grades and maintain an accurate transcript for your high schooler!

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