If you were asked to define the term “A+”, you would most likely say something along the lines of “100 percent or above,” or a “perfect score.”
However, unlike many public high schools in the US, Spring Lake High School and a majority of Michigan schools do not count 100 percent or over as an A+.
As it currently stands Spring Lake High School has no A+. When asked if an A+ was possible, Assistant Principal Tony Bush said, “There is no A+. AP courses offer 5.0s, but would still be listed as an A.”
For many academically strong students, all that matters when the trimester is over is the letter grade displayed on their report card. If I have a 93 in one class and a 100 in the other they will both be granted the same letter grade, so why would one challenge themselves to get a perfect 100 percent in every class?
Overall, for many straight-A students who feel unchallenged, the reward of an A+ for their extra effort and perfect academic performance in a course would go a long way. The U. S. grading system is already difficult enough, so I see no harm in making an A+ possible.
