A high school GPA, or Grade Point Average, is a numerical representation of a student's academic performance throughout their high school years. It is calculated by averaging the grades received in courses, typically on a scale from 0.0 to 4.0. Each letter grade corresponds to a specific point value, with an "A" usually worth 4 points, a "B" worth 3 points, and so on. GPA is important for students as it can influence college admissions, scholarship opportunities, and overall academic standing. Many high schools provide weighted GPAs, which give extra points for advanced courses like Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) classes, reflecting the increased difficulty of these subjects.