Grading Scale

Cardinal Gibbons uses letter grades in evaluating scholastic achievement. GPA points are awarded based on the grade earned and the course level. A grade of incomplete (INC) indicates that requirements have not been met. An incomplete grade must be made up within two weeks of the date the grade was issued.

Parent/Guardian Academic Course Concerns

In the event a parent/guardian needs to express a concern or suggestion, he/she should first contact the individual educator to have a discussion. If the concern is not addressed, please submit the concern or suggestion in writing to the Assistant Head of School for Academics.

Failures

Students who receive a grade of an F in a required course must make up the course in order to be promoted to the next grade. Students will have access either to a summer school option or an online option. Students must complete any coursework prior to July 31st of the academic year. Students with multiple failures will be placed on academic probation. Students on probation who do not improve may be asked to withdraw from Cardinal Gibbons.

Report Cards and Semester Grade Policy

Students and parents can view quarter, exam, and semester grades by logging in to PowerSchool. Additionally, report cards are emailed to parents/guardians at the conclusion of each quarter. (Please note: Report cards are only emailed to parents/guardians who have a PowerSchool parent account.)

Credit is awarded by semester and only the semester grade is recorded on the student’s permanent record. In the case of a course that does not have a semester exam, the two quarter grades are averaged together each counting as half. The GPA is calculated on the basis of the semester average.

Exams at the end of each semester count for no more than 20% of the student’s semester average; each quarter grade counts for a minimum of 40%. Absence from semester exams will be excused only for serious illness or at the discretion of the Head of School or Assistant Head of School for Academics. 

Transcripts

Transcripts are an official record of a student’s semester grades and GPA.  The registrar is responsible for these records. Transfer student grades will not be a part of the Cardinal Gibbons HS transcript.  Official grades and credits earned at other schools will be attached to the Cardinal Gibbons transcript when an official transcript is requested. Only high school courses taken at Cardinal Gibbons High School are included in the GPA and determination of awards. High school credit is not given for courses taken at a college or university.

Transcripts may not be released to any third party, except for a member of the staff having an official need for the information, without the expressed approval (in writing) of the student, if 18 years of age or older, or a parent/guardian if the student is not yet 18. 

Parents/students may obtain a copy of his/her transcript at any time as well as challenge any information contained in the records. A student’s permanent record (transcript) will remain on file at Cardinal Gibbons High School indefinitely. Students should be aware that the transcript is a permanent, official record that contains all semester grades and a cumulative grade point average. Colleges and employers often ask that this record be provided. Students should recognize the importance of this document as it reflects achievement.

Honor Roll

Students must take a minimum of five courses to be eligible for Honor Roll. The following honors are recognized: 

• A Honor Roll: All A’s for the semester (A+, A, A-)
• A/B Honor Roll: No grade below a B- for the semester (A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-)

Senior Awards

• Determination of the Valedictorian and Salutatorian is based upon the Cumulative GPA after seven semesters. No student will be considered for Valedictorian or Salutatorian unless he/she has been a student at Cardinal Gibbons for at least five consecutive semesters. The Valedictorian and Salutatorian must be a student in good standing as determined by the administration. Only Cardinal Gibbons High School courses are included in the GPA and determination of Valedictorian and Salutatorian. High school credit is not given for courses taken at a college or university.
• The Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama Award is given to seniors who rank in the top 10% of the graduating class. Determination for this award is based upon the Cumulative GPA after seven semesters. No student will be considered unless he/she has been a student at Cardinal Gibbons for at least five consecutive semesters. Only Cardinal Gibbons High School courses are included in the GPA and determination of this award. This award is a medallion (bust of James Cardinal Gibbons) worn on a green ribbon over the graduation gown. The award is given at Graduation practice and is denoted by the graduate’s name in the Graduation program. A picture with the Bishop is taken immediately following Baccalaureate Mass. 
• The Bishop F. Joseph Gossman Award is an academic award given to the senior who has the best overall average in a particular content area, over the 4 years of high school and who has shown extraordinary interest in the subject. This is given by the department, and the recipients of these awards are announced during the Graduation ceremony and receive the award on stage. 
• The Bishop Michael F. Burbidge Award is presented to the student who is known for showing outstanding love and devotion to the administration, faculty, and students of Cardinal Gibbons High School. The recipient's name is added to the plaque that hangs in the main office of the school. This award is given on stage at Graduation. 
• The Bishop Vincent S. Waters Award is given to a student who has shown outstanding witness to the Roman Catholic faith, by living out each day, the Christian call to holiness. The recipient's name is added to the plaque that hangs in the main office of the school. This award is given on stage at Graduation. 
• The Jim Boyle Award is given to a student who is known for deep Catholic faith, a lifelong commitment to Catholic morals, and who understands the transformative effect of Catholic education. The recipient's name is added to the plaque that hangs in the main office of the school. This award is given on stage at Graduation. 
• The President's Education Award Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education.. A certificate signed by the President of the United States and the Secretary of Education is given for outstanding achievement and is denoted beside the graduate's name in the Graduation program. The criteria for the President's Education Award are a minimum of a 3.5 unweighted GPA and a score on the SAT or ACT in the 85th percentile or higher. Certificates are mailed home before graduation.

Valedictorian and Salutatorian

Determination of the Valedictorian and Salutatorian is based upon the Cumulative GPA after seven semesters. No student will be considered for Valedictorian or Salutatorian unless he/she has been a student at Cardinal Gibbons for at least five consecutive semesters. The Valedictorian and Salutatorian must be a student in good standing as determined by the administration. Only Cardinal Gibbons High School courses are included in the GPA and determination of Valedictorian and Salutatorian. High school credit is not given for courses taken at a college or university.

Junior Marshals

The recognition of Junior Marshal is given to the top 15 junior students in class ranking after five consecutive semesters. These students  are asked to serve as marshals for Baccalaureate Mass and Graduation. A student must be enrolled at Cardinal Gibbons for at least three semesters to be considered.