How to Bring My High School GPA Score Up As a Junior

Your grade point average (GPA) in high school is a major factor in determining what type of college you will get into. Having a low GPA hurts your chances of getting into a university, meaning you will have to start your college career in a community college. If your GPA is low your junior year you have two full school years to raise your GPA as much as possible. Your cumulative GPA, which is calculated using all of your grades throughout high school is how colleges determine your academic standing.

Go to class and pay attention. Depending on your school's policy, take the last of several core classes during your junior year; many schools require only three years of math, science and social studies, which makes your junior year the last chance you might have to improve your grades in certain classes. Missing classes and allowing yourself to become distracted during class hurts your chances of learning the material that is being taught, which hurts your chances of making better grades on your tests and assignments.

Turn in all of your work on time. Every assignment has a due date; some teachers accept late work, but at the cost of a penalty to your grade. Double check all assignments, proofread all work and check your answers before handing in any work to avoid careless mistakes that will hurt your grade.

Study before all tests. Learning the information you are being tested on improves your chances of making a good grade. The best way to raise your GPA during your junior year of high school is to get all “A”s on your work.

Ask your teachers if there is anything extra you can do to raise your GPA. Depending on your teacher – and school policy – as a high school junior you could do volunteer work as extra credit. For example, if your grade is low in government class, see if your teacher would be willing to provide you with extra credit if you volunteer at a local voting precinct on Election Day or run for class officer your junior or senior year. If your grade needs improvement in your English class, see if volunteering at the library would encourage your teacher to give you extra credit.

Seek tutoring from teachers in whose classes you are having a difficult time. If you struggle with math, seek help from your math teacher – or a tutor – for additional one-on-one learning time.

Go to summer school or dual-enroll at your local college to add college-level courses to your GPA. Even if your GPA isn’t as high as you’d like, some colleges take the time to look at the effort you’ve made to raise your GPA, which often speaks volumes.