Somers High proposes A–F transcript reporting; administrators say ‘an F is still a 0’

Pete Rodriguez presented a proposal to change Somers High School’s external grade reporting from a 0–100 numeric scale to an A–F (plus/minus) system, saying the shift is intended to create a single, consistent language for families and colleges while preserving academic rigor. "We believe this will make grades clearer, more consistent in reporting, and better aligned with what colleges expect to see," Rodriguez said.

The change would not replace classroom grading systems but would translate multiple internal scales (NYP, IB, AP, evidence-based rubrics) into letters for report cards and transcripts. Rodriguez said the proposal is a reporting change, not a change in standards: "An F would be a 0 on this scale. So any notion that will stop giving zeros is false," he said, adding that consequences and accountability remain.

Administrators described a staged roll-out: rising seniors will have their college transcripts sent this year on the existing 0–100 scale; at the end of the 2026–27 school year, transcripts for seniors will reflect the new A–F reporting, and students in classes starting fall 2027 would see the new system from the outset. Rodriguez said the district is working with Infinite Campus and Schoology to ensure technology can translate assignment-level grades into the A–F reporting format.

During a lengthy question-and-answer period board members, teachers and students asked how classroom rubrics, evidence-based grades, category weighting and reassessment policies will translate. Rodriguez said assignment-level numbers or rubric scores may still appear in Schoology for in-progress feedback but will be translated to the A–F scale for reporting. He also said teachers will need to calibrate how the bands (A+, A, A–, etc.) are defined in practice.

Students who asked questions at the meeting expressed support. One student said the letter system could reduce "a numbers game" focus and help emphasize learning; another asked how honor-roll and valedictorian calculations would be handled. Administrators said those details remain under review and that current policies for the class of 2027 (honor-roll, valedictorian) will use the 100-point GPA, with decisions about future classes to be determined.

Board members praised the stakeholder process that produced the proposal and asked for ongoing updates. Rodriguez said the district will gather further feedback, finalize translations with the technology vendors, and continue teacher workgroups to define the practices that will undergird the reporting change. "We cannot move forward until we know for sure that changes can take effect," he said.

The presentation concluded with the board inviting continued community input and promising further implementation details and timelines as the district completes technical and instructional work.

The board will not vote immediately on a policy change; the presentation served to gather feedback and start the formal discussion toward potential implementation.