GPA & Graduation Course Requirements
JPII provides a diverse academic program, balancing rigor with exceptional support and embodying the optimistic belief that students can discover their unique God-given talents in our transformative program.
| Sixth Grade | |
|---|---|
| Art | 1 credit |
| English | 1 credit |
| Mathematics | 1 credit |
| Physical Education | 1 credit |
| Science | 1 credit |
| Social Studies | 1 credit |
| Study Skills | 1 credit |
| Theology | 1 credit |
| Seventh Grade | |
|---|---|
| Art | 1 credit |
| English | 1 credit |
| Mathematics | 1 credit |
| Physical Education | 1 credit |
| Science | 1 credit |
| Social Studies | 1 credit |
| Theology | 1 credit |
| World Language | 1 credit |
| Eighth Grade | |
|---|---|
| Art | 1 credit |
| English | 1 credit |
| Mathematics | 1 credit |
| Physical Education | 1 credit |
| Science | 1 credit |
| Social Studies | 1 credit |
| Theology | 1 credit |
| World Language | 1 credit |
High School Courses Taken in Middle School
Pope Saint John Paul II Preparatory School offers high school level courses for middle school students. Middle school students who complete high school level courses may begin their high school classes at a more advanced level. Credits earned through middle school courses do not count towards high school graduation requirements or the Grade Point Average (GPA) the school reports to colleges.
Pope Saint John Paul II Preparatory School offers high school level courses for middle school students. Middle school students who complete high school level courses may begin their high school classes at a more advanced level. Credits earned through middle school courses do not count towards high school graduation requirements or the Grade Point Average (GPA) the school reports to colleges.
| Classes of 2023 Through 2026 | |
|---|---|
Arts and Innovation
|
2 credits |
|
English |
4 credits |
| Mathematics | 4 credits |
Physical Education
|
1 credit |
Science
|
3 credits |
Social Studies
|
3 credits |
| Theology | 4 credits |
World Language
|
2 credits |
| Total | 32 credits |
| Class of 2027 and Beyond | |
|---|---|
| Arts and Innovation | 2 credits |
|
English |
4 credits |
| Mathematics | 4 credits |
Physical Education
|
1 credit |
Science
|
3 credits |
Social Studies
|
3 credits |
| Theology | 4 credits |
World Language
|
2 credits |
Electives
|
9 credits |
| Total | 32 credits |
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Standardized Testing and Student Course Placement
Pope Saint John Paul II Preparatory School annually administers standardized tests to students. Doing so allows us to track data to measure our academic programs’ success and assist in placing students in courses that appropriately challenge students. Grades and teacher recommendations play a role in student placement. However, standardized test scores play a key role, so students are encouraged to take these tests seriously.
Test prep skills for high-stakes testing are built into courses across the curriculum. The annual approach to these tests helps prepare students for the high-stakes tests that play a role in the college admissions process (ACT, SAT, AP exams). Students also regularly take the Assessment of Religious Knowledge (ARK) throughout their time at JPII to ensure we are grounded in our foundational mission.
Testing Schedule
| Grade(s) | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| 6-7 | none | CTP by ERB |
| 8 | none | CTP by ERB |
| 9 | PSAT 8/9 | PRE-ACT |
| 10-11 | PSAT/NSMQT |
ACT |
Although our school counselors can walk students through the ACT and SAT registration process, students are responsible for registering for these entrance tests. JPII hosts the ACT and SAT on Saturdays throughout the year.
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Advanced Placement
Pope Saint John Paul II Preparatory School registers and hosts students for Advanced Placement exams for courses offered at the school (see the College Board for the yearly AP Exam schedule).
The AP College Board offers year-long curricula and exams in the spring that provide high school students access to college credit courses. To receive credit, students must take and pass national exams given over two weeks in May. Colleges vary how they grant college credit; they may grant college credit for a score of three or higher. The College Board also recognizes students based on strong performance across several AP Exams, sending notifications and certificates directly to the students. Award classifications include AP Scholar, AP Scholar with Distinction, and National AP Scholar. Pope Saint John Paul II Preparatory School offers Advanced Placement courses in arts, innovation and entrepreneurship, English, world languages, mathematics, science, and social studies. Students must petition their school counselor for permission to take more than three Advanced Placement courses (or courses that give an AP GPA boost) in a given academic school year.
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Grading Scale, Grade Point Average Calculations, and Summer School
Courses taken at the middle school level will not calculate into the high school GPA. Instead, Pope Saint John Paul II Preparatory School creates a report card with letter grades to prepare students for the grading scale at the high school level. For grades sixth-eighth, 90% of the grade is based on the student’s end of the semester grade and 10% on the semester exam.
High School Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated each semester based on grades students earn at the end of each semester. Assessments make up 80%, and the semester exam makes up 20% of the semester grade. Numerical grades are converted into letter grades on the transcript. JPII generates three GPA points in the college application process. The first is the unweighted 4.0 GPA scale (e.g., without weights added for Honors and Advanced Placement courses). The second is the weighted GPA, with +.3 quality points added for Honors courses and +.5 quality points added for AP courses. The school also creates a converted Tennessee Uniform Grading Policy GPA to meet Hope Scholarship eligibility.
Standard Courses
4.0 (A): 93-100
3.7 (A-): 90-92
3.4 (B+): 87-89
3.0 (B): 83-86
2.7 (B-): 80-82
2.4 (C+): 77-79
2.0 (C): 73-76
1.7 (C-): 70-72
1.4 (D+): 67-69
1.0 (D): 63-66
.7 (D-): 60-62
0.0 (F): 59 and below
Honors Courses (+.3)
4.3 (A): 93-100
4.0 (A-): 90-92
3.7 (B+): 87-89
3.3 (B): 83-86
3.0 (B-): 80-82
2.7 (C+): 77-79
2.3 (C): 73-76
2.0 (C-): 70-72
1.7 (D+): 67-69
1.3 (D): 63-66
1.0 (D-): 60-62
0.0 (F): 59 and below
AP Courses (+.5)
4.5 (A): 93-100
4.2 (A-): 90-92
3.9 (B+): 87-89
3.5 (B): 83-86
3.2 (B-): 80-82
2.9 (C+): 77-79
2.5 (C): 73-76
2.2 (C-): 70-72
1.9 (D+): 67-69
1.5 (D): 63-66
1.2 (D-): 60-62
0.0 (F): 59 and below
Summer School
Students who earn a D-range grade (60-69) in any semester will have the option to take a summer school/ credit recovery course in no more than three semesters, except for math. Students earning below a 70 in a math course will be required to take summer school to matriculate to the next course. Students in the F-range grade will be required to attend summer school to matriculate to the subsequent grade level. Based on a review by administration, students may be asked to leave the school based on following the Academic Probation guidelines and three or more grades below 70.
Add/Drop Period
Students may elect to make approved course changes in the first week of each semester if there is space in each course and the student meets the prerequisite requirements for the course. After the first week of the semester, course changes must have the approval of the relevant department chair, the school counselor, and a parent/guardian. Course changes later in the semester are granted in rare cases due to extenuating circumstances.