Graduation Requirements

NC Course of Study Requirements:
Students entering the ninth grade in 2009-2010 or later must follow the Future Ready Course of Study to receive a NC high school diploma.

End of Course (EOC) Test Requirements:
Students must earn passing scores on three essential end of course tests: Biology, English 10, and Algebra I (Math I).
*Students must earn at least 28 credits as required by local standards set forth by the Board of Education*

NC Academic Scholars Program
Students who seek the Future Ready Course of Study may also earn NC Academic Scholars Distinction. This distinction requires additional coursework and a final unweighted cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. Students who qualify for this honor receive an honor sticker on their diploma.

Click here for details about the NC Academic Scholars Program.


UNC Minimum Admission Requirements
To enroll in any of the 16 public Universities in North Carolina, you must meet the NC graduation requirements and meet the UNC Minimum Admission Requirements for GPA and SAT/ACT score.
minimum high school cumulative weighted GPA is 2.5
minimum SAT score is 800
minimum ACT composite score is 17.


Academic Information

High School Grades
GCS high school grades are as follows: The new 10 point grading scale began at the start of the 215-2016 school year and is used for each grade level 9-12. No historical grades in classes taken before the new grade scale begins will be changed or adjusted.

2014-15 School Year 2015-16 School Year and beyond
A = 93 – 100 A = 90 – 100
B = 85 – 92 B = 80 – 89
C = 77 – 84 C = 70 – 79
D = 70 - 76 D = 60 - 69
F = 69 - 0 F = 59 - 0
Lowest passing grade is 70 Lowest passing grade is 60


Rank In Class
Each student is ranked by grade level at the end of each semester. A student's grade point average is calculated using a weighted 4.0 scale. The Valedictorian and Salutatorian will be determined by the final rank based on cumulative weighted GPA at the end of the senior year. Junior Marshals will be selected on class rank using the cumulative weighted GPA calculated during the 5th 6-week grading period of the junior year.

Weighted Grade Point Average (GPA) Scale - (Students entering 9th grade before 2015-16)
Regular Courses Honors, AP Prep,
& College Courses Advanced Placement
A = 4 A = 5 A = 6
B = 3 B = 4 B = 5
C = 2
C = 3 C = 4
D = 1 D = 2 D = 3
F = 0 F = 0 F = 0
Weighted Grade Point Average (GPA) Scale - (Students entering 9th grade 2015-16 and beyond)
Regular Courses Honors & AP Prep Advanced Placement
& College Courses
A = 4 A = 4.5 A = 5
B = 3 B = 3.5 B = 4
C = 2
C = 2.5 C = 3
D = 1 D = 1.5 D = 2
F = 0 F = 0 F = 0

NC State Board of Education Policy - GPA/Grading Scale - Policy ID # GCS-L-004

Honor Graduates
GCS seniors are eligible for graduation honors based on their final cumulative weighted GPA:
Summa cum laude – 4.3+
Magna cum laude – 4.0 – 4.299
Cum laude – 3.7 – 3.99
Gaston County Schools Curriculum Guide
This curriculum website was developed to assist students and their parents in planning the high school curriculum. All students and parents should read this information carefully and give deliberate thought to the student's aptitude, interests, and plans for the future as he/she selects courses.
GCS Curriculum Guide Website - http://www.tinyurl.com/gcs-hscurrguide