Class Rank is a function of the grades made in each course, the weight of each course, and the number of courses taken during the year.  Quality Point Average (QPA) or "weighted" point average is used to determine class ranks in the public high schools. (For more information on class rank see http://mts.admin.wsfcs.k12.nc.us/students/AR5126.html)  Rank in class is used to determine such honors and recognition as Junior Marshals, Honor Graduates, and the Montague Medal ; class rank is also required on  the public high school transcript (in accordance with the N.C. Transcript Standards).  The table below shows the QPA for a public high school "straight A" ninth grader taking 6 courses and the QPA for a Summit "straight A" graduate who has taken the optional Online Earth Science course.

Course	Unweighted units for an A  (GPA)	Weighted quality points for an A	Public School Total for six courses (QPA)	Summit Total for seven courses (QPA)
English- Honors	4	5	5	5
Math- Honors	4	5	5	5
World History- Honors	4	5	5	5
Foreign Language-Regular	4	4	4	4
PE-Regular	4	4	4	4
Biology-Honors	4	5	5	5
Earth Science-Honors	4	5	-	5
	GPA= 4.0 for straight A average		QPA=28/6= 4.67	QPA=33/7=4.71

The following is from the 2004 - 2005 Mt. Tabor Student Handbook:

Online Earth Science Homepage