Grade-point averages and class ranks are important subjects to most college-bound high-school students.

A strong classroom performance can result in money for college through competitive grants and scholarships. Those with the best grades and highest class rankings often are recruited the most by athletic, military and job recruiters looking to brag about their list of the best and brightest.

College admissions counselors also recruit top students at their schools. Although basic curriculum standards are set, students are encouraged to take advance course work during their high-school career to prepare them for college.

"If they're encouraged to take challenging courses, they're more likely to make better scores on the ACT, which directly affects their ability to win college scholarships," said Jackson High School counselor Judi Meyr. "The best preparation for the ACT is quality courses."

Jackson High School is one of three in the area that has a weighted grade system in place. Students who attempt college-level or advanced high-school courses at Jackson, Perryville and Cape Girardeau high schools receive more points for a letter grade than they would receive for making the same letter grade in an entry level course.

Those extra points boost grade-point averages for students, allowing them to attempt more difficult course work without sacrificing their class rank or cumulative averages.

"The weighted grade system encourages students to take a challenging program of study in high school without negatively affecting their class rank because they can get additional grade points," said Perryville counselor John L'Hote. "A student can take a challenging program of study and still maintain or achieve a respectable class rank because of the weighting."

A course's weight depends upon the level of skill necessary to complete the work. Central High School counselor Pat Bratton said counselors typically use weighted averaging systems to determine class rank. The weighted courses are important because they can make a difference when determining a valedictorian, she said.

"I think it's safe to say our top students, most of them take advanced placement classes," Bratton said. "Some years it could be close enough that final grades could make a difference in what happens."

For example, algebra I, a math course required by most colleges and universities, is generally considered an entry level course and is not weighted at most schools.

Because it probably is nonweighted or carries less weight than some math classes, a student who takes algebra I and receives a "B" would receive fewer grade points than someone who took calculus, generally considered an advanced math course.

"It encourages students all through their high school, including their senior year, to continue to take the more challenging courses that will benefit them after their high-school career rather than choosing courses that will just allow them to graduate," Meyr said. "It solves some issues of students being able to take general or less difficult classes and still earn the same GPA and class rank as those students who took the more difficult classes."

Scott City High School does not have a weighted grade system. Counselor Carol Powell said students who want to attend college take the class without fearing what letter grade they could receive.

Top students take tougher classes because they want to be fully prepared for college course work, she said.

"We do have kids that take easier classes their senior year, but if they're college-bound they will be taking the more challenging classes because they're geared for that, and their goal is to possibly test out of some of those classes," said Powell. "I'm not sure whether (a weighted system) gives them an advantage or a disadvantage."

Dawn Medley, assistant director of admissions at Southeast Missouri State University, said cumulative averages alone aren't enough. Weighted systems work in high schools, but they have no influence at Southeast, she said.

"Class rank is not really a consideration at Southeast," Medley said. "Southeast a long time ago made a commitment to the region, and our mission is to serve all students, not only those with the highest GPAs."

Instead, Medley said her university welcomes any student who can meet the basic course requirements and minimum 2.0, or C, grade-point average. While it is good for students to be exposed to tougher classes, the "hard C" or "soft A" really has no bearing at the university, she said.

"At a private college, the weighted courses are probably more of an issue," Medley said. "We're a publicly funded institution. It may be worth it to go ahead and look at that, but as far as making an admissions decision, we're just going to look and see if they have those core courses."