For many students at RBHS, their grade point average (GPA) is crucial and the basis on which they choose classes and where to apply for college.

Schools have two choices on how to have their grade point averages GPAs: weighted or unweighted. Most honors and AP students prefer weighted to give them that extra bump.

With 16 years in education and as a former AP teacher, RB Assistant Principal Kylie Lindquist agrees that GPAs should be weighted.

“This is my sixteenth year in education and this is the first school I’ve worked at where they’ve had weighted GPAs,” said Lindquist.

Honors and AP courses bring up students’ GPAs. Because of this, some students choose certain courses to provide extra weight with their GPA.

Junior Audrey Santora has a goal of achieving a GPA that is higher than 4.0. However, she also thinks GPAs do not say much about a person.

“I think honors and AP students should be rewarded for doing well under strenuous conditions,” said Santora.

In applying to colleges, GPA and standardized test scores like the ACT and the SAT play a huge role. Having a higher GPA makes the chances of getting into college higher.

“I care about [my] GPA because colleges will partially base my admission off of it, even though I don’t think it tells that much about myself academically,” said Santora.

Though some students do not stress about GPAs, the pressure might be coming from their parents.

Sophomore Ian Klump hopes to achieve a 3.5 GPA. That goal is not only set by him but by his mother as well.

“My mom wants me to have it as that and if not, she’ll ground me. My mom doing this keeps me on track, though, and helps me work harder,” said Klump.

Not only do parents want the best for their kids, but teachers and principals as well. All the hard work done by RB students does not go unnoticed.

“I do value being able to reward kids for taking on that challenge and pushing themselves that extra mile,” said Lindquist.