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High School Profile

Grading & Reporting

Grading System

Grade or Code	Range or Description
A	89.5–100 - Outstanding level of performance
B	79.5–89.4 High level of performance
C	69.5–79.4 Satisfactory level of performance
D	59.5–69.4 Minimal level of performance
E	59.4 and below Unacceptable level of performance
CR	Credit on Pass/Fail
NC	No credit on Pass/Fail
XY (Transfer Credit: Yes) XN (Transfer Credit: No)	Used when students transfer into the school district with credit earned in graduation requirement courses, but a letter grade is not present.

Transcript Notation

Beginning in 2025-2026, MCPS final course grades will be calculated using the average marking period percentages, which may affect GPAs. Grades on transcripts from 2025-2026 forward may not be directly comparable to those from prior years. For details, visit MCPS Grading and Reporting .

Method of Computing Grade Point Averages (GPAs)

The final course grade is determined by calculating the average of the numeric grades from each marking period.
For semester-long courses, the final grade is the average of the two marking period grades. This is calculated by adding the numeric grades from both marking periods and dividing the sum by two.
For full-year courses (or courses spanning four marking periods), the final grade is the average of all four numeric grades, calculated by adding the grades and dividing the total by four.

Class Rank

Montgomery County Public Schools does not provide class rank.

High School Courses Taken in Middle School

High school courses taken in middle school are only included in the GPA if it improves the overall GPA.

Weighting Grade Point Averages (WGPA)

Both weighted and unweighted GPAs are reported on the transcript. To determine the WGPA, an additional quality point is added to grades of A, B, and C in all honors, advanced-level, International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced Placement (AP) courses. For more information, view the WGPA policy document (PDF) .

Repeating Courses

A student may retake a high school credit-bearing course or a portion of a course, subject to the conditions linked below. On successful completion of the course or portion of the course, the grade earned by the student may replace the student’s previous grade as described in Regulation IKRA: Grading and Reporting (PDF) .

Graduation Requirements

Please visit the following website to see the MCPS graduation requirements: MCPS Graduation Requirements .

Access to Courses

Each MCPS high school offers a wide selection of rigorous courses. Students and parents/guardians work together to review the course offerings provided at their school and register for courses based on their career and postsecondary educational goals. Students have access to consult with teachers, school counselors, college and career navigators, career advising coaches and other school professionals to determine their course plan.

Honors, Advanced-Level, Advanced Placement, College Level/Dual Enrollment and International Baccalaureate Courses

Honors (H) Courses—Honors courses provide expectations and opportunities for students to engage in more rigorous and complex content and processes and to develop authentic products that reflect the student’s understanding of key concepts. The curriculum in each Honors course includes appropriate adaptations for enriched learning to pursue in-depth studies that require abstract and higher-order thinking skills.
Advanced Level (AL) Courses—Advanced level courses are courses designed to provide students with more rigorous and challenging academic experiences than standard courses. These courses move at a faster pace, explore topics in greater depth, and often require higher levels of critical thinking, independent work, and academic skills. Advanced-level courses may include higher level courses in a sequence of study, Honors, Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Dual Enrollment, or other specialized courses that prepare students for high skilled careers, college-level work, and/or advanced study in specific subjects.
College Level (CL)/Dual Enrollment Courses —Students who successfully complete a college course for dual credit will receive 1 advanced level credit on their high school transcript.
Advanced Placement (AP) Courses—MCPS has developed courses that meet College Board guidelines to accompany the AP examinations. All MCPS AP courses meet the requirements of and are approved by the College Board Audit Committee and include concepts and skills that help students prepare for the AP exams.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Courses —MCPS offers the IB Diploma Program at eight high schools (Bethesda-Chevy Chase HS, Albert Einstein HS, Kennedy HS, Richard Montgomery HS, Rockville HS, Seneca Valley HS, Springbrook HS and Watkins Mill HS) . In addition to seeking the full IB diploma, students at these schools can access individual IB courses. All MCPS IB courses meet the requirements of the International Baccalaureate and include inquiry, concepts, skills, and connections that prepare students for the IB exams. Students seeking the IB diploma or the IB Career-related certificate must meet the requirements of the IB program in addition to the MCPS requirements for graduation.

Diploma Endorsements

College and Career Readiness (CCR)

Indicates a student has met an MSDE standard in English language arts, mathematics, and, when practicable, science that enables the student to be successful in entry level credit bearing courses or postsecondary education training at a state community college, and allows them to access AP/IB, CTE and dual enrollment opportunities at no cost after Grade 10.

Certificate of Merit (CM)

The MCPS Certificate of Merit is a local diploma endorsement awarded along with the Maryland High School Diploma upon successful completion of the following additional provisions:

Obtain an unweighted 3.0 cumulative grade point average, or higher.
Receive credit for an MCPS Algebra 2, IM Math Applications or IB Math Analysis course.
Earn at least 12 credits in advanced courses identified in the MCPS High School Course Bulletin.

Maryland Seal of Biliteracy

The Maryland Seal of Biliteracy is an award authorized by Maryland law that recognizes a student’s high level of proficiency across a range of language skills in English and one or more other languages.

The Maryland Seal of Biliteracy is established to recognize and reward excellence in language learning as measured by rigorous proficiency assessments.
MSDE establishes eligibility criteria, as well as the proficiency assessments which satisfy those criteria.
The diploma endorsement may be awarded to MCPS students graduating from MCPS in 2017 and thereafter.

Certificate of Meritorious Service

The Certificate of Meritorious Service is a MCPS certificate awarded with the Maryland High School Diploma to recognize seniors who have completed 240 or more SSL hours beyond the required 75 SSL hours to graduate.