Academic Standards

Standards-Referenced Grading

Elementary and middle schools use Standards-Referenced Grading (SRG), which are consistent grading practices based on achievement of what students should know and are able to do at each grade level. 

Teachers use proficiency scales which show a progression of learning and measure the student's success in learning the content. Proficiency scales are consistent 0-4 point grading scales with performance indicators, allowing the teacher to better track a student's progress on what they are learning and if they have mastered the content.

• 4 - Advanced
• 3 - Mastery
• 2 - Developing
• 1 - Emerging

The scales are converted to letter grades on a middle school student's progress report.

Social skills, turning in and completing assignments, effort, and behavior are reported separately on the elementary progress report. 

For more information, contact your child's school. 

Weighted Grades

High school transcripts for Wichita Public Schools students reflect a Weighted Grade Point Average, or Weighted GPA. Weighted GPA gives more weight or value within the overall GPA to more rigorous courses like advanced placement, IB and honors courses. As admissions to colleges and universities across the country, as well as scholarship applications, begin removing the requirement for a standardized test score like the ACT or SAT, it is important for our Wichita Public School graduates to be able to compete for these post-secondary opportunities by having a Weighted GPA on their transcript.  

Traditionally, an A is worth 4 points towards your GPA. Earning an A in a course that is weighted gives you more points towards your overall weighted GPA than earning an A in a course that is not weighted. Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses weigh a full point more than regular courses. This means an A in an AP course is 5 points towards a weighted GPA instead of 4. Honors and Pre-IB courses earn an extra half point on your weighted GPA. This means a B in an Honors course earns 3.5 points instead of 3 points toward your weighted GPA.  

PreCalc/Trig, Gifted Accelerated courses, and World Language courses level 4 and above are other courses that are weighted. 

For more information, contact your child's school. 

The Kansas State Board of Education updated the high school graduation requirements for the Class of 2028 and beyond.  The number of credits required for a student remains at 23 credits, but there are changes to some requirements including English/Communications, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), P.E./Health and requirements called Postsecondary Assets.