How to Read a High School Transcript
Transcripts are the official document of a student’s journey through high school. Every single class a student takes will end up on a high school transcript. CLICK HERE for a copy of an official transcript. CLICK HERE for a view of what a transcript will look like when listed in Q parent/student portal.
Please reference the numbers on the official transcript and the explanations below:
1) This is an example of a 9th grade student who has completed a couple of their 1st semester classes. This particular student took Spanish 1 in middle school. You can also see that listed. You can see that the class title is listed; the grade earned; and the credits given (5) for each passing grade of D- and above. F’s do not earn credit.
2) This is the work in progress box that shows what a student is currently taking in high school. There should be at least 6 classes listed in order for a student to get their 60 credits for each school year. This box of classes will change with the start of each new school year.
3) This is the graduation requirements box and what is needed to graduate. As a student progresses in high school, the SHORT column will be lessened and the CMP column will be greater. At the bottom you see Total Graduation Credits with what is short; what is required; and what has been completed. A student needs 230 total graduation credits in the requirements listed, including the passage of Algebra 1 (or equivalent).
4) This is where GPA’s (grade point averages) are listed.
Also listed are the credits to be considered “on track” at the end of each grade level. At the end of 9th grade, a student should have a minimum of 60 credits; at the end of 10th a minimum of 120 credits; at the end of 11th a minimum of 180; and, to graduate, the 230 completed.
Counselors find that interpreting a transcript can be difficult, especially for families just starting high school. Please feel free to reach out to your individual counselor if you have any additional questions.
Please reference the numbers on the official transcript and the explanations below:
1) This is an example of a 9th grade student who has completed a couple of their 1st semester classes. This particular student took Spanish 1 in middle school. You can also see that listed. You can see that the class title is listed; the grade earned; and the credits given (5) for each passing grade of D- and above. F’s do not earn credit.
2) This is the work in progress box that shows what a student is currently taking in high school. There should be at least 6 classes listed in order for a student to get their 60 credits for each school year. This box of classes will change with the start of each new school year.
3) This is the graduation requirements box and what is needed to graduate. As a student progresses in high school, the SHORT column will be lessened and the CMP column will be greater. At the bottom you see Total Graduation Credits with what is short; what is required; and what has been completed. A student needs 230 total graduation credits in the requirements listed, including the passage of Algebra 1 (or equivalent).
4) This is where GPA’s (grade point averages) are listed.
- The CUMULATIVE (HS) GPA includes every single class that a student has taken. This is a 4.0 scale where an A = 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1, F = 0.
- The SCHOLASTIC GPA is every single class, minus PE/Sports courses. This is also on a 4.0 scale.
- The WEIGHTED GPA is where students can get a grade bump for taking advanced placement (AP) or honors (H) courses. This is the GPA that might be above a 4.0 as an A = 5, B = 4, C = 3. D’s and F’s do not get the grade bump.
- Please be aware of GPA’s as they are important for many things, such as college acceptance, work permits, participation in sports and extracurricular activities.
Also listed are the credits to be considered “on track” at the end of each grade level. At the end of 9th grade, a student should have a minimum of 60 credits; at the end of 10th a minimum of 120 credits; at the end of 11th a minimum of 180; and, to graduate, the 230 completed.
Counselors find that interpreting a transcript can be difficult, especially for families just starting high school. Please feel free to reach out to your individual counselor if you have any additional questions.
