Grades: What's crucial in high school?

Hey! Just started my high school journey and inundated with info about GPA, grades, and all. Wanna set my priorities right. Can anyone tell me which grades hold more weight for post-high school paths? Thanks ahead!

Firstly, it's fantastic that you are considering this early in your high school journey. It's essential to stay focused, but try not to sweat the details too much. Generally, all grades in high school are important. Colleges will evaluate your transcript from 9th to 11th grade when you apply during the first half of 12th grade. They normally look for strength and consistency in the coursework you take.

Starting from 9th grade, you should have a solid academic performance that remains consistent or improves over time. If you can handle a tough class, it's impressive, but it's also crucial that you can maintain a good grade in it. Every grade in every class adds to your GPA, and selective colleges will often consider your unweighted and weighted GPA. Many universities focus primarily on your junior year because, by then, you should have adjusted to high school's demands. Hence, they consider it the most predictive of your college potential.

When it comes to the weight of grades, more emphasis is generally placed on your core academic classes—English, math, science, social studies, and foreign language. Selective colleges would much rather see you challenging yourself with difficult courses and receiving a slightly lower grade than breezing through easy classes and getting straight A's.

Beyond grades, remember that colleges are also looking at the strength of your course load (the rigor of your curriculum), your extracurricular commitments, and any significant achievements or leadership roles you've held. There's no single perfect high school resume, so you'll want to play to your strengths and pursue your interests as they arise.

Shaping your high school experience is a balance between striving for academic excellence, pursuing meaningful extracurriculars, and also having fun and enjoying your high school years. Take care of yourself, and remember that it's a marathon, not a sprint.