By KAELLIN HANSON
Sophomore
Los Alamos High School

When I signed up for two Honors courses and one AP course this year, I thought that the Honors course would have the same Grade Point Average (GPA) boost as the AP course that I was taking. When I realized I wouldn’t receive a GPA boost for an Honors courses, I was shocked. In taking the Honors course the student takes on more homework and, a harder time with mental health, and a more difficult class than their on level counterparts, and they are able to put more emphasis on the topics they are interested in. 

Over time with a more advanced course or multiple more advanced courses, students who are taking on a lot more homework than their peers who are taking on level classes, and are not rewarded for this increased workload. 

These students are often very motivated and having an advanced course load could help them realize their interests in those higher-level classes, similar to the classes you would be taking in college and beyond. Not having a weighted grade could cause students to drop out of their Honors courses, and might decide to not take Honors courses in the future. 

Would you take an Honors class if you had a lot more work but having no weighted GPA?

Having no weighted GPA could lead to a phasing out of Honors and AP courses. There is no incentive for students to take these classes—with a weighted GPA, it would be more appealing to those who are thinking about taking a Honors or AP course. They will be motivated to finish the course with a good grade and possibly take future Honors or AP courses. 

Imagine that you are a student who is in one Honors course along with one AP course. At the beginning of the year, you have a lot more homework from your AP course. Probably part of this would be your summer assignment—if you had a summer assignment for your Honors course it is probably easier than your AP courses summer assignment. Throughout the year, you have an increasing amount of assignments from your Honors courses until you spend an equal amount of time on your AP and Honors courses while getting no GPA boost from the Honors course that takes just as much time as the AP course.

The mental health of students could decrease throughout the year—especially as finals for the semester or the course come closer, which could lead to detrimental effects on their grades. When having a weighted GPA it could be a lot easier for them to have less stress about the final in that specific class and their overall grade in that class.  According to an article by Imed Bouchrika, three-quarters of students in high school say that they are “often or always feeling stressed”.

A Weighted GPA would help those who are motivated to succeed, especially if they intend on going into some sort of post-secondary education. It would also give them insight into how college classes are organized, and their related amount of homework, also allowing them to pick and choose which advanced courses to take based on their personal interests. 

Principals and school board members across the State should take into account the students’ mental health and the almost limitless benefits of having a weighted GPA in their Honors courses.