Does your freshman son or daughter tell you not to worry because "freshman grades don't count?" Lets set the record straight:

FRESHMAN GRADES DO COUNT!

1. Freshman grades are counted in the cumulative grade point averages that determine the rank in class used by Woodside High School to send to colleges and to choose the valedictorian and salutatorian for graduation.

2. Freshman grades are included when determining the eligibility for most college scholarships.

3. Freshman grades are included on all the transcripts sent to colleges, scholarship organizations, etc.

 

So Why do freshman get the idea that their grades do not count?

The University of California and the California State University systems do not include freshman grades in the grade point average which determines a student's eligibility to apply to that system. However, required classes such as English will not be counted as completed if a student has a "D." A "D" is passing for our H.S. graduation requirements, but not for colleges. Therefore, a freshman grade a "D" in a college- required subject could easily prevent that student from attending the college of his choice. Almost all private colleges do look at freshman grades during the admission process. There is no guarantee freshman grades will stay exempted.

 

Observe if your freshman has a successful study habits needed to get into the college of his/her choice.

Many students say, "Well, I can always go to community college and then transfer in two years." Most students now in community college take three years to be ready for transfer either because they must make-up high school classes, or because of scheduling problems. We'd like all our freshman to have the chance to attend the college of their choice rather than having to choose by default.