The following weighted grades are in effect in selected courses. The purpose of weighted grades is to enhance the class rank of students who do satisfactory work in the most challenging courses. The weight of individual courses is determined by the points assigned to the grade a student earns in a course.

Proviso's system of grade weighting divides courses into four (4) categories. The nature of these categories, the courses within each category, and the points awarded to grades in each category are explained below:

Category I: CORE
This category includes every course whose prerequisite is described in the handbook as "Enrolled in Special Education" or "Placement by Staffing." The following points are awarded to grades in this category:

A=3.5  B=2.5  C=1.5  D=0.5  F=0


Category II: COLLEGE PREPARATORY
This category includes the vast majority of Proviso's curricular offerings; e.g. all courses not designated Core, Honors, or AP. Fundamentally, these courses are the minimum requirements for entry into college. The following points are awarded to grades in this category:

A=4.0  B=3.0  C=2.0  D=1.0  F=0


Category III: HONORS
this category includes courses deemed most challenging because of sophistication of academic concepts, accelerated pace of instruction, or advanced level of instruction. The following points are awarded to grades in this category:

A=5.0  B=4.0  C=3.0  D=1.0  F=0


Category IV: ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP)
Advanced Placement courses are designed to be the equivalent of courses usually taken during the first year of college. Students participating in AP courses are not required to take the AP examination, but colleges and universities will award college credit if specified minimum scores are achieved on the AP exam. The following points are awarded to grades in this category:

A=5.5  B=4.5  C=3.5  D=1.5  F=0