Fergus Falls High School uses a weighted grading system to recognize the increased rigor and academic challenge of select courses. Courses that receive weighted credit include those aligned with college-level expectations, industry certifications, or advanced honors content. These courses demand greater depth of knowledge, critical thinking, and application skills. Weighting reflects the additional time and effort required from students and encourages them to enroll in challenging courses without fear of lowering their GPA.
The weighted courses listed include College in the Schools (CIS), Post-Secondary Enrollment Option (PSEO), and designated honors courses. Several Career and Technical Education (CTE) offerings, such as Autos I, I, III, Advanced Woods, and Metals III, are also weighted to reflect their advanced, skill-based nature and alignment with industry standards.
Students will have both an unweighted GPA and a weighted GPA recorded on their transcript. However, class rank will be determined using the unweighted GPA. This approach ensures fairness and consistency while still acknowledging the academic rigor of weighted coursework.
We remain committed to regularly reviewing and updating our list of weighted courses. As course offerings evolve and academic expectations shift, we will continue to adjust the list to ensure it reflects current standards and supports student growth and achievement.