Basic Question: What does GPA mean in high school?

So, I’m a junior and I keep seeing this term GPA thrown around a lot. I know it's about grades but can anyone give me a simple breakdown of what GPA means in the context of high school? I feel a little embarrassed asking this lol.

There's no need to feel embarrassed! GPA stands for Grade Point Average, and it's a numerical representation of your academic performance in high school. Here's a simple breakdown:

1. Regular and Honors classes: An 'A' in these classes is typically worth 4 points, a 'B' is 3 points, 'C' is 2, 'D' is 1, and an 'F' is 0.

2. Advanced Placement (AP) and some other advanced classes: These classes carry additional weight. An 'A' is worth 5 points, 'B' is 4, 'C' is 3, 'D' is 1, and an 'F' is still 0.

To calculate your GPA, you assign each of your grades a point value (according to whether the class is standard/Honors or AP), add those points up, and then divide the total by the number of classes taken. There are two types of GPAs:

1. Unweighted GPA: This doesn't take into account the difficulty of the classes you've taken. Grades are calculated on a scale of 0-4. An 'A' in AP Calculus is worth the same as an 'A' in a standard math class.

2. Weighted GPA: This does take into account the difficulty of the classes. As such, grades in AP or other advanced classes are valued higher, so your GPA could theoretically be over 4.

GPA is one of the main factors colleges look at when considering your application because it's a fairly reliable measure of your academic abilities. However, different high schools may have slightly different systems of calculating GPA, so it might be a good idea to check with your guidance office if you're unsure about the specifics of your school's system.