Guidance and Counseling Useful Counseling Resources
Overall GPA is the average of a student’s semester grades, starting with the freshman year.
La Sierra high School uses a 4.0 scale and a 5.0 scale.
In the 4.0 scale, A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1. In this system, if a student has all A’s , he or she has a 4.0 GPA.
La Sierra H.S. also has a 5.0 scale, which includes “weighted” grades for ceratin Honors and Advanced Placement classes.
Since the passing of AB458 (Pacheco/Bogh), effective January 1, 2002, only the UC approved Honors and AP level courses can be assigned extra grade points for a “weighted” GPA.
Students need to see their counselor if there are any questions about what Honors and AP classes are “weighted” at La Sierra High School.
There are many different ways of calculating a GPA depending on its purpose. In case of doubt, see your counselor.
La Sierra High School, like many other high schools, uses class rank. It shows
where a student stands academically in relation to other students in his/her graduation class.
The student with the highest GPA is number one in his/her class, etc… Class rank can be particularly important when applying for scholarships.
A transcript is a document that shows a student’s academic progress. Most transcripts detail courses, grades and credits completed by a student in each grade level. A copy of a student’s transcript can be obtained in the Guidance Office. This request can be made through the counselor or a guidance secretary.
PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) is a practice test for the SAT I. It also determines National Merit semifinalists.
The PSAT is usually given in October and only once a year. It is designed for 11th graders but 10th and 9th graders can take it also if there is space available.
Students sign up for the PSAT in the LSHS Activities Office. Taking the PSAT costs $15.00
The SAT I is generally taken as a tool for college entrance and required by many colleges. The Cal State Universities ONLY require the SAT I for entrance applications.
Community colleges do not require the SAT I or SAT II.
Community colleges require their own assessment tests. See your counselor for the RCC assessment test information.
The SAT II (Subject tests) is required by the UC system in addition to the SAT I.
Students must take three (3) SAT II tests. One in writing. One in math, and the third one from a choice of various subjects. See your counselor to determine which of these tests best suits your postsecondary plans.
NCAA Division I and II colleges can offer athletic scholarships; division III colleges cannot.
Before an athlete can play or receive an athletic scholarship at a Division I or II college, he/she must meet academic standards for the NCAA.
If you are an athlete wishing to be recruited for college, please first talk to your coach. Then make an appointment with your counselor to review your transcript and find out if you have all the NCAA requirements. Also, there is an NCAA booklet that explains all these requirements. It is available in the Guidance office at La Sierra high School.
