On Wednesday night, Old Rochester Regional School Committee voted to adopt a new grade point average system for the high school.

The school currently calculates GPA on a 5.2 scale. There are four levels of classes: A and B being "regular" level courses, more advanced honors courses and college-level Advanced Placement courses. At present, an A grade in a B level class receives a 3.4 GPA, in an A level a 4.0, in honors a 4.6 and in Advanced Placement courses a 5.2.

High School Principal Mike Devoll said he and others have considered changing the system for years. Devoll said the scale was too spread out, unequal and even discriminatory.

It is also confusing for students and misleading, he said. A student with a perfect school record could still end up with a 3.4 overall GPA if he or she took all B level courses. The number also has to be translated for universities.

Devoll presented a new 4.0 scale at the School Committee meeting.

“The scale is straight from the State Department of Higher Ed,” said Devoll. “We think this is a cleaner, fairer way of doing it.”

The new system will give students in A or B level courses a 4.0 if they receive an A in a course. Honors students will receive a 4.5 for an A, and AP courses would carry a 5.0 for an A.

The committee voted to approve the new system. It will take effect with next year’s freshmen class. Existing high school students will remain under the old system.