Curriculum FAQ: Course Placement and Grade Point Average (GPA) Policy Updates
At its September 23, 2024 meeting, the District 225 Board of Education approved two important policies that will affect how students are placed in courses and how grades are calculated. We want to provide a detailed explanation of these policies and how they will impact current students.
Policy 6:135 Accelerated Placement Program
- The policy revision focuses on compliance with state law (105 ILCS 14A-32), which was updated in August 2024.
- This policy is being phased in starting with the class of 2029. It has no impact on members of the classes of 2026, 2027, and 2028.
- By the end of January 2025, class of 2029 families will receive a letter indicating preliminary placement results and the next steps in the process.
Policy 6:281 Grade Point Average Policy (GPA)
- The policy revision addresses the need for additional honors-level courses that were not previously offered.
- The policy has no impact on current students' previous course weights and historical grade point averages.
- The policy revision does not impact the 2024-25 academic year or courses students are taking.
- Beginning with the 2025-26 school year, the courses historically known as “honors” will retain the established Glenbrook definition of honors and maintain the 5.0 weighted grade scale. These will be called “enriched honors”.
- Beginning with the class of 2029, we will offer both “enriched honors” at the 5.0 weighted grade scale and additional courses called “accelerated honors” at the 4.5 weighted grade scale.
2025-26 School Year Course Request Process
Current District 225 students will select their courses for the 2025-26 school year in collaboration with their school counselors. The course request process will take place early in the second semester. More details will be communicated to families at a later date.
Questions may be directed to Mr. Ryan Bretag, Director of Teaching and Learning, at rbretag@glenbrook225.org or Dr. Lara Cummings, Director of Student Support, at lcummings@glenbrook225.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- If a student is currently enrolled in “honors classes” (not just AP/dual enrollment classes), will they remain at the same level next year?
- Will only AP and dual credit courses receive enriched honors and the 1.0 GPA bump?
- Will students and families be able to see the courses with different weighted grades?
- Does this mean the district is decreasing the rigor of its honors courses?
- Will current honors courses have a new title that includes enriched?
- How will colleges know that enriched honors is the district’s highest level of course offerings?
- What is the value of having accelerated honors?
- In 2025-26, will accelerated honors courses only be available to the class of 2029?
- Will this impact anything during the 2024-2025 academic year?
- Will this impact the previous course grade point averages of current students?
- When will students request their courses for next year, allowing families to understand the impact the changes may have on individual students?
- Glenbrook Scholar was removed from the policy. Is it going away?
- Will the district reinstate class rank?