I am currently a freshman in high school. I am having trouble with my grades from 7th to 8th grade. I was never told that the classes I took were regular classes or if they were actually counted as high school credit.
Some background information:
I went to BASIS from 5th grade to 8th grade. The class I took that counted as credit in 7th grade was Algebra 1. I was never aware that it was considered Algebra 1-2 at different schools because BASIS called it Algebra 1. In 8th grade the classes I took that counted for credit were AP World History, Algebra 2, and Economics. Again, they considered Algebra 2 as Algebra 3-4.
I recently requested BASIS to send in my transcript to my current high school. I got a copy of the transcript and figured out that World History was actually not a AP class. Most of the 8th graders, including me, took the AP test. World history was just a regular class even though the teacher told us it was an AP class. For some reason, Geometry 1-2 was on my transcript when I never took it, but my counselor told me that it was part of the Algebra 1 and Algebra 2 class or something like that. The fact that Geometry was part of my Algebra 1 and 2 class really surprised me because it only contained the extreme basics of Geometry. I did not know any of these classes were counted as credit. I thought the only class that would go on my transcript was AP World History, but it wasn’t even an AP class. So basically, there were a bunch of classes from 7th to 8th grade that got on my transcript without me knowing.
I just wanted to know if I could get rid of these classes. My counselor explained that it was illegal to remove them since they already saw the grades and put it on their registrar. It is extremely unfair to me because I had no idea at all how these classes would get on my transcript. I even took Geometry 1-2 H over the summer that cost $300, but it doesn’t even count. I am currently taking Algebra 3-4 H right now but I guess that won’t even replace the Algebra 3-4 (My transcript got in a couple days ago). I don’t really understand how the math, world history, and economics classes are on my transcript. I took Chemistry, Physics, and Biology for 3 years but they aren’t on my transcript (I don’t want them to be). Also, I’m taking Spanish 1-2 right now when I already took Spanish for 2 years, but Spanish isn’t even on my transcript. I’m just saying this to show how misinformed I am. Is it really impossible to remove it from my transcript? Is there anything I could possibly do?
You can’t remove them unless your high school has a policy that says you can retake classes and have the grade replaced. I don’t think this is a big deal, though. If you get good grades throughout high school, colleges won’t judge you that harshly for grades you earned in middle school.
I have four kids, three now in college, and never once thought about GPAs and college applications when my kids when they were taking classes in middle school. Although they were placed in their high school classes according to their middle school records the grades did not transfer. You may want to verify that your school district’s policy is in accordance with county and state policies (I don’t know whether it is or not), but if this is occurring for all students in your area your GPA probably can’t change. BUT you can turn your experience into a unique leadership example on your college application:
You could take on highlighting to students and parents in your local middle schools that certain courses they take will be used in their high school's GPA. Maybe see if you can go to middle school's and explain it to students using your experience as the example. Put a process in place for this information to become standard notification in middle schools. You could even track it while throughout high school, showing follow-through on what you started.
Most college apps (common app does too) have a question worded something like this: Is there anything else we should know". You can take that opportunity to explain what may a slightly lower GPA because it represents not only your high school experience but middle school as well. More importantly you can also describe the actions you took working with the middle schools to ensure others understand this policy as they take their middle classes. If you did this grades 9-12 it may also make a great essay.
Always look at what seems unfair as an opportunity to improve the process for others. Your story may be what make you stand out to admission committes over those with a high GPA Good luck!
wrt Spanish, talk to you teacher and say you finished Spanish 2 at BASIS and were wondering whether you may be able to switch to Spanish 3 since your goal was to take AP Spanish language junior yar and AP Spanish Lit senior year. (This way your teacher will see you’re serious about it.) If that doesn’t work, call BASIS and have them correct your 5-8th grade transcripts that they sent to your HS.
Did you get bad grades at BASIS?
Are those grades already factored into your GPA, or are they just present on the transcript.
If you took the APWH test, you can show that test result and show that indeed you took the class and it should be validated as such.
They won’t let me. They told me I could either test out of 1-2 or just skip to 3-4 without getting the credit. I didn’t test out because they made me feel uneasy. The counselors told me that people from BASIS got a C on the test out.
I doubt they would even change it. The school is extremely disorganized and will probably tell me that it doesn’t count as a high school class.
I got 3 B’s and the rest A’s. I thought that only APWH would have transferred but I guess not. It’s not even an AP lol.
The grades are present on my transcript, but they will be factored in when the semester is over.
I gave them a print out of my APWH grade from college board when school first started, but I guess since I gave them my transcript just a couple days ago, it doesn’t count. On my transcript, it just says “World History” not “AP World History”. They say it’s illegal to change anything that is on the transcript… I wish i would have known that those classes would be on my transcript.
It might say “World History II” or something instead of AP World History, because that’s what the class is called in the school handbook. But yeah, I asked them like 2 years ago that if any classes would go on the high school transcript and it was basically what courses gave you credit towards graduation, which included:
Algebra 1 or above
Any AP classes( like World History even though it might be called something different on the transcript).
8th grade Economics
But I remembered that they said(I think) it was optional whether or not it would be on your transcript, so I would still try to call them to ask about changing it if it’s possible. Then again, it might be different for each BASIS school.
(Also, is it true that BASIS kids got C’s on the Algebra 1 test out? That’s kind of strange).
It’s also because
Algebra 1 (full-year)
is called 1/2 at your school (numbering per semester)
Algebra 2 (full year)
is called
3/4 (numbering per semester)
BASIS covers Algebra 1-4 + Geometry 1/2 in 2 years.
Ask to take the math test. It’s silly you’re wasting time in classes you already took.
What school is it? Is it in a different state from your original school? Is it public or private?
And by the way, any grade of A or B is good for college - they prefer you to challenge yourself and get a B or higher, and this level of rigor for middle school is quite excellent.
Have your parents get involved. You’re getting messed up by your HS. Your parents should bring syllabi for the classes you took + your AP WH score (which I assume is a 3+?) and advocate for you with the GC and if that doesn’t work, go to the principal.
Good luck!