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Category: High School Action

Published on

Date:  July 9, 2026 

To:  High School Administrators 

From:  Tiffany Hall, Teaching & Learning 

Leeson Taylor, School Leadership & Support 

Emily Sutherland, Area Director 

Subject: Calculating Added Value GPA  

Summary 

Challenging classes—Honors, Advanced Placement (AP), International Bachlaurate (IB), Concurrent Enrollment (CE), and advanced world language (levels 3 and 4)—help students expand their thinking, develop strong study habits, and prepare for the demands of college and career. Rigorous coursework builds persistence and critical thinking while engaging students with more complex concepts and higher expectations.  

Purpose of Adding Value to GPA 

Additional value is awarded to courses that demonstrate a higher level of academic rigor. This system ensures students are recognized for the commitment they make when enrolling in advanced coursework.  

How Added Value Works 

  • Value is applied to each term grade of an identified course a student successfully completes. 
  • A double-blocked class (earning 1.0 credit in a semester) receives value based on the additional terms. 
  • Value is applied to any passing grade (A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-). 
  • Value applies to any class bearing high school credit. This includes classes that were completed before the start of grade 9 as long as the institution meets the requirements found in AP I-2: III.A. Value will be applied when the student enters high school. 
  • Value is applied to classes that are transferred in from another school as long as the institution meets the requirements found in AP I-2: III.A. 

Adding Value Formula Moving Forward 

To establish consistency and clarity, the following formula will be implemented districtwide beginning with the 2026-27 school year. Districtwide implementation will result in the student’s transcript having both the regular and added value GPA included automatically. 

All Early College Courses 

  • IB and AP courses: +0.1  
  • CE courses (including Bridge): +0.1  

All Honors Courses, including World Language 3 and 4 

  • Honors courses: +0.05  

West High: Summary of Changes 

West High has used a school-based value-added process that will change as a result of the distictwide formula. Students had to request the value-added GPA be added to their transcript since it was calculated outside of a formal district process. 

Course Type Current Practice 2030  
IB and AP courses +0.01 +0.1 
Concurrent Enrollment (CE) +0.015 +0.1 
Bridge courses (CE) +0.0075 +0.1 
Honors courses +0.005 +0.05 
World Language III & IV +0.005 +0.05 
Spanish for Native Speakers II +0.005 — not weighted 
Dual Language Immersion (DLI 5) +0.005 — not weighted 
CTE Video Production 2 & 3 +0.01 — (not weighted unless designated CE) 
Dance Company +0.01 — not weighted 

Key Shifts in the Proposed Formula for West: 

  • Consistency: All early college classes carry the same weight of +0.1 per high school quarter. 
  • Equity: All Honors courses receive a consistent weight of +0.05. 
  • Clarity: Specific courses (CTE, Dance, certain World Languages) are no longer individually listed. Instead, they receive weight only if formally designated as Honors, CE, AP, or IB. 

Expectations for Implementation: 

  • Information about added value grades will be added to the high school student handbook. 
  • High schools should communicate this information to families (sample letter attached). 
  • High schools should communicate this information to teachers who are affected by this process. Teaching & Learning will also communicate this information to all teachers. 
  • Counselors will be trained in August. 
  • Information Systems will update transcripts to include the added value grades beginning in August 2026. 

Key District Policies 

  • AP I-2: III.A: Academic Credits – High School: Methods to earn credit 
  • AP I-8: Student Progress, Grading, and Academic Achievement 

Keywords: 

GPA, value added, weighted grades, high school 

Information for Families: Added Value GPA for Advanced High School Courses 

Dear families, 

Salt Lake City School District wants to recognize students who choose to challenge themselves through advanced coursework. Beginning with the 2026–27 school year, the district will use a consistent process for calculating an added value GPA for eligible high school courses. 

Advanced courses such as Honors, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Concurrent Enrollment, Bridge, and advanced world language courses help students build strong study habits, think critically, engage with complex ideas, and prepare for college and career opportunities. Because these courses require additional academic effort and rigor, students who successfully complete them will receive added value in their GPA calculation. 

What is an added value GPA? 

An added value GPA is sometimes called a “weighted GPA.” It gives students additional recognition for successfully completing courses that are identified as more academically rigorous. 

Students will continue to have a regular GPA on their transcript. Beginning in August 2026, transcripts will also include an added value GPA when applicable. 

How added value will be applied 

Added value will be applied to each term grade for eligible high school credit courses that a student successfully completes. 

Added value applies to passing grades, including: 

A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D- 

The added value will also apply to eligible high school credit courses completed before grade 9 or transferred from another school, as long as the course and institution meet district policy requirements. 

Districtwide added value formula 

Beginning with the 2026–27 school year, the district will use the following formula: 

Early College Courses 

  • Advanced Placement, or AP: +0.1  
  • International Baccalaureate, or IB: +0.1  
  • Concurrent Enrollment, or CE, including Bridge courses: +0.1  

Honors Courses 

  • Honors courses: +0.05  
  • World Language 3 and World Language 4: +0.05  

This districtwide formula is intended to make the process more consistent, equitable, and clear for students and families across all high schools. 

What families can expect 

Families do not need to request that added value be calculated. Beginning in August 2026, the district’s student information system will apply the added value GPA information automatically on all student transcripts. If a student has not taken any classes with an added value, both GPAs will be the same. 

High school counselors will receive training in August and will be able to answer questions about how added value applies to student schedules, transcripts, and course planning. 

Information about added value GPA will also be included in the high school student handbook. 

Thank you for supporting students as they consider challenging and meaningful coursework that helps prepare them for future opportunities. 

Sincerely, 
[Principal Name] 
[High School Name] 

Optional West High-specific paragraph 

Because West High has previously used a school-based value-added GPA process, families at West may notice some changes. Beginning with the 2026–27 school year, West will use the same districtwide formula as all other Salt Lake City School District high schools. This means that added value will be based on whether a course is formally designated as Honors, AP, IB, CE, Bridge, or an eligible advanced world language course. Some courses that were previously included in West’s school-based process may no longer receive added value unless they carry one of these formal designations. 

Published on

Guidance for Implementing Arena Scheduling in High Schools

Effective: Second Semester 2025–2026 and Fall 2026

Dear High School Administrators,

As part of our ongoing commitment to equitable access, student voice, and efficient school operations, we are preparing to implement arena scheduling (class choice registration) for the second semester of the 2025–2026 school year and for Fall 2026.  This is the first of what we anticipate will be several communications outlining processes and systems for this process.

Arena scheduling allows students to actively participate in building their schedules by selecting classes during designated windows of time. Research has shown that student involvement in course selection increases ownership over learning, reduces schedule change requests later, and promotes higher levels of satisfaction with school (Morrison, 2018; Levin, 2020). Additionally, when implemented with fidelity, arena scheduling improves balance in class sizes and maximizes staffing efficiency.

To ensure smooth implementation, we will follow a common registration calendar across all high schools.

Arena Scheduling Calendar

Month(s)ActionResponsible Party
OctoberAll new course requests or course changes submitted by end of fall breakTeachers, Principals
November & DecemberCourse requestsCounselors, Students
January & FebruarySchools build schedulesSchool Administration
March & AprilLoad student requestsSchool Administration
MayStudents modify their schedules (no teachers listed)Counselors, Students
After July 15Final schedule loadIT Department

Implementation Notes & Rationale

  1. Promotes Student Agency
    • Students take greater ownership of their education when they have choice in course selection.
    • Involving students early supports better alignment between academic goals and personal interests.
  2. Reduces Scheduling Conflicts
    • By allowing schedule modifications in May, schools can address conflicts before the fall semester begins.
    • This reduces stress on both families and counselors at the start of the year.
  3. Supports Equity and Transparency
    • A consistent process across schools ensures fairness in how students access courses.
    • Clear timelines help families and staff plan ahead.
  4. Improves Operational Efficiency
    • Earlier submission of requests and course loads gives schools more time to finalize staffing and resource needs.
    • Fewer last-minute changes means smoother school openings.

Next Steps for Administrators

  • Communicate this calendar and process to counselors, teachers, and front office staff to ensure alignment.
  • Support staff in preparing students for the new process by hosting informational sessions or providing resources.
  • Encourage teachers and counselors to highlight the importance of thoughtful course selection with students.

Thank you for leading this important shift. By implementing arena scheduling together, we are creating a more student-centered and efficient system that benefits our learners, our staff, and our schools.

Published on

The final day for students to complete credit recovery and graduate with their cohort is Friday, September 26, 2025 (the Friday before October 1). All coursework must be submitted no later than 8:00 PM on that day in order to count toward the student’s cohort graduation requirements.

  • Accessing Canvas for Credit Recovery
    • To ensure students can access Canvas over the summer, counselors must complete the following steps:
      • In PowerSchool, check the box labeled “Will take CR this summer.”
        • Submit a Help Desk Ticket with the following details:
          • Category: Applications
          • Subcategory: Canvas
          • Item: Add
          • Required Information: Student ID number and last name. Also indicate that the box has been checked in PowerSchool.

Published on

We are pleased to share that the school board has approved the creation of a Level Two Campus Safety Coordinator position. This new role offers a higher compensation and is designed to enhance our campus safety leadership structure.

  • Please note the following key details:
    • The Level Two position will count as one of the three existing Campus Safety Coordinator roles at each high school.
      • Each campus will continue to have a total of three Campus Safety Coordinators.
      • Human Resources Services (HRS) will post the position collectively for all high schools.
      • HRS will organize the interview process and form the selection committees. The committee will include one administrative representative from each high school.
      • The posting will be limited to current employees who are already serving as Campus Safety Coordinators.
      • We ask that you speak with your current Campus Safety Coordinators about this opportunity. HRS will also send a direct communication to all incumbents to ensure they are informed.
      • Thank you for your support in promoting this opportunity and helping us identify strong candidates for this important role.

Published on

Dear High School Principals,

In our continued efforts to promote consistency and fairness across the district, we are implementing updated guidelines for allocating the 120 non-UHSAA days to staff.

Please note the following:

  1. Schools may use up to the specified number of days for each activity; however, it is perfectly acceptable to use fewer if that better aligns with your school’s needs.
  2. Individual activities should not exceed their designated allocation. For example, if six days are assigned to yearbook, that is the maximum permitted for that duty. The miscellaneous days are intended solely for activities not outlined in the plan.
  3. Please be aware that Esports and Unified Sports were inadvertently omitted from the UHSAA chart in the original agreement. Currently in 2025-2026 WA, we need to add: Esports 16 days for HC, 9 days for AC for a total of 25 days, and Unified Sports 14 days for HC,  9 days for AC for a total of 23 days.

Thank you for your continued leadership and collaboration in supporting equitable practices throughout our schools. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Proposal for 120 Non-UHSAA days Distribution

Schools may use UP TO…

Should be able to produce evidence of time spent if asked

Activity                        Days

Dance                           8

Pep Band/Club             8

Newspaper                   6

Literary magazine         6

Yearbook                      6

Plays/musicals             (5 per performance) 15 (Plus 7 days for Drama from other chart)

SB Govt                        12

Music performances     8 (Plus 14 days for Music Instrument and Music Vocal from other chart)

Stage tech support       10

Filming/TV                     8

Fine Arts                        5

School (not student)
club advisors                  20

Misc                                8

Total                               120

Published on

All middle and high school’s PowerScheduler for 2025-2026 schoolyear is now set up.  You can start your set up now if you haven’t already done so. Below is a checklist of set up tasks to prepare for the Build. We reserve space in the large training room at 995 West Beardsley, Salt Lake City, UT 84119 for these workshops to offer an opportunity to have a place to work uninterrupted.  The schedule for PowerScheduler Workshop is as follows:

BUILD:  Monday, 03/03/2025 through Friday,03/07/2025   7:30 am – 4:00 pm with Aaron Rudy available on Thursday and Friday

LOAD:  Monday, 04/28/2025 through Friday, 05/02/2025  7:30 am – 4:00 pm with Aaron Rudy available on Monday.

Build Tasks:

  • Course Catalog – Remove discontinued courses, add new courses,   (PowerScheuler > Course Catalogs)
  • Rooms – Review Rooms in use for your school
  • Student Scheduling Preferences – Student Next Year Grade, Priority, Schedule this Student, Next School Indicator. (Note:  Most students should be set however, students enrolled after the beginning of year may need to be set up)
  • Teacher Scheduling Preferences – Confirm that Schedule this Teacher is checked if Teacher is returning.
  • Student Course Request Screens –  Student Course Request Screens should be updated if course options have changed.
  • Review Courses – In PowerScheduler, review individual courses for correct set up.

Any questions or more detailed instruction for these tasks, please contact Christy Martini (christy.martini@slcschools.org).

______

Thank you,

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