Homeschool GPA calculator: weighted and unweighted high school GPA

How to calculate a homeschool GPA

A GPA is a credit-weighted average of grade points. Here's the math the calculator uses:

1. Convert each grade to points. On the standard 4.0 scale: A = 4.0, A- = 3.7, B+ = 3.3, B = 3.0, B- = 2.7, C+ = 2.3, C = 2.0, C- = 1.7, D+ = 1.3, D = 1.0, D- = 0.7, F = 0. A+ counts as 4.0 unless you choose 4.3.
2. Multiply by credits. An A (4.0) in a 1-credit course is 4 quality points; a B (3.0) in a half-credit course is 1.5.
3. Add the quality points and divide by total credits.

For example, a freshman with an A in English, B+ in Algebra I, A- in honors Biology, B in World History, A in Spanish I and A in a half-credit PE course has 20.0 quality points over 5.5 credits: an unweighted GPA of 3.64. With 0.5 added for honors Biology, the weighted GPA is 3.73. That's the sample loaded in the calculator.

Converting percents to letter grades

If you grade with percentages, type them in and the calculator converts them on a common scale: 93–100 is an A (97 and up is A+), 90–92 A-, 87–89 B+, 83–86 B, 80–82 B-, and so on down to below 60 for an F. Use the same scale every year and state it on the transcript. If your curriculum uses a different scale, convert to letters yourself and type the letters.

Weighted vs. unweighted GPA

An unweighted GPA treats every course the same, so the top is 4.0. A weighted GPA rewards harder courses: this calculator adds 0.5 for honors and 1.0 for AP, IB or dual enrollment, the most common convention. An F never earns a bonus.

Weighting is a convention, not a law. Schools and colleges use different rules, and many colleges strip weighting and recalculate GPA from the course list. That's why the transcript should show both numbers and say how you weighted.

What makes a strong homeschool transcript

The GPA is one line on the transcript. Admissions readers also look at:

• The course list by year, with credits and grades, so they can see the four-year sequence in English, math, science, history and a foreign language.
• Course descriptions, especially for honors courses: the texts, labs and major projects.
• Outside evidence, such as SAT or ACT scores, AP exams and dual-enrollment grades, which back up a parent-issued transcript.
• Grading scale and credit definition, stated plainly.

Start in 9th grade and add courses as they finish. The homeschool transcript generator turns your course list into a printable transcript.

Choosing high school courses

If you're still planning the four years, browse high school homeschool curriculum or compare the best homeschool curriculum for high school. Families who want outside grades and a diploma can look at accredited online high school programs. In some states, a scholarship or ESA can help pay for courses, tutoring and test fees; check scholarships by state and save the programs you like to your wishlist.