My son had a C+ for AP Stats 1st quarter, which he’s brought up to a B+. Basically, he got put into regular stats class, he had to wait 3 weeks for a slot to open up in AP (and was switching into AP envir sci at the same time) — so he had a lot of catch up to do in about a week/2 weeks, hence the C due to one test. That C is an anomaly for him.
So, do schools send grades by quarter, and does he need to address this issue upfront on the common app and explain the class switches?
Ask the GC when school is back in session how they report mid term grades to colleges. At D’s HS, we got quarterly report cards but they only officially reported semester grades.
If the school does send quarter grades, as the GC to explain the late class switch. It will read better coming from the GC than your S.
“At D’s HS, we got quarterly report cards but they only officially reported semester grades.”
Same at our HS, but OP should check with his as every HS has different policies.
Your son should talk to his guidance counselor and find out what grades are reported. If quarterly grades are reported he should ask the guidance counselor to put in a note that briefly describes the situation during the first quarter.