PSD will report unweighted cumulative GPA and decile ranks for class of 2029; counselors to guide students through transition

Poudre School District R‑1 administrators presented an approved policy change to GPA and class rank reporting that will affect the current freshman class (graduating class of 2029). The district said it has revised the grading and reporting approach to increase transparency and alignment with other districts and postsecondary institutions.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Julie Chaplin told the board the changes remove PSD’s prior “adjusted cumulative GPA” (a district‑unique metric) and will instead report a standard unweighted cumulative GPA on transcripts. The district will also report a weighted GPA on a 5.0 scale for AP, IB and concurrent‑enrollment courses. Class rank will move from an exact numeric rank (valedictorian/salutatorian model) to a decile ranking system (top 10%, top 20% and so on); the district said it does not anticipate reporting beyond the 50% decile.

Why it matters: District leaders said the changes promote transparency and equity. Chaplin and counselors said the prior system encouraged some students to pursue late, paid outside coursework solely to gain a GPA edge and that decile recognition can recognize a wider group of students and reduce competitive pressure. Counselors and the Student Accountability Committee provided feedback in the development process, and the district said students broadly supported the shift.

Implementation and communications: District staff said the change was adopted at the end of the prior school year and that communications went to families of current ninth graders and separately to families in grades 10–12 to explain the scope and timing. Counselors will discuss the change in one‑on‑one planning meetings as students select courses in January–February. The district will include the change in the high‑school planning guide and continue outreach through the school year. District staff said currently available information systems may not support reporting both decile ranks and per‑student exact ranks for earlier cohorts; officials said they will continue to study transcript reporting options and will engage IT and counseling staff before making further changes.

Ending: Chaplin said the district will continue discussions about how recognition at graduation ceremonies should look (for example, summa/magna/ cum laude designations) and will return with details as counselors and IT confirm transcript and ceremony logistics.