<p>In middle school, I took three high school level classes and received credit for them when I entered high school. I didn't do fantastic on them. (They averaged out to an 89.) In my freshman year, I also slacked off a bit but I got back on my feet toward the end of the year. I knew my first semester of freshman year would hurt my cumulative average, but why are my middle school grades being used against me? I understand that they were high school level classes, but I took them in middle school. I know there's nothing I can do in terms of how it will affect my cumulative average, but how will colleges look at these middle school grades? Do colleges really look at improvement, even if it's just from 9th grade up? I managed a 98 average in sophomore year and am working on maintaining it junior year, but I feel like my cumulative average will still be too low regardless of how high my average is this year. Thanks!</p>
<p>Certain high school level courses taken in middle school, such as math or language, usually count when you apply to colleges toward your having met a number of years requirement needed for admission. For example, if one takes Spanish 1 in middle school and Spanish 2 and 3 in high school that counts as three years towards any stated three high school year requirement for language by the college. However, I am not aware of any high school that counts the grades in those middle school courses toward your high school GPA that is reported to colleges and colleges do not use the grades you get in those courses in middle school for the the purpose of determining GPA or admission</p>
<p>In our school district, high school level language and math classes taken in middle school absolutely do impact your high school GPA. They are very clear about that when middle schoolers sign up for high school level classes. It always comes as a shock to those who were not paying attention when they signed up for these classes in middle school and they see their high school transcripts later.</p>
<p>And yes, some colleges do include that in their GPA calculations as well. That said, an upward trend is important. Don’t let it phase you.</p>
<p>My kids’ HS counts middle school grades in some subjects (math, languages). Ironically, this has the effect of depressing GPA’s of the best students who received A’s in unweighted middle school courses and then also received A’s in weighted AP and honors courses.</p>
<p>High School classes taken in middle school most definitely count toward an overall GPA!! (Many school districts also allow a rising 9th grader to expunge any of those grades before they begin high school.)</p>