Generally, you should not include all your middle school grades on the Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR). The SRAR is primarily designed for reporting high school coursework. However, there's a crucial exception: if you completed high school-level courses while in middle school for which you earned high school credit, these should be reported.
Understanding SRAR and Middle School Coursework
The SRAR is a tool that allows applicants to personally input their academic record, including courses, grades, and credits, which colleges then use for admissions evaluation. Its focus is typically on the high school curriculum from ninth grade through twelfth grade.
When to Include Middle School Grades
You should include grades for high school-level courses taken in middle school that appear on your high school transcript and count for high school credit. Common examples include:
- Algebra I
- Geometry
- World Language (e.g., Spanish I, French I)
- Accelerated Science (e.g., Physical Science or Biology)
If these courses granted you high school credit, they are considered part of your high school academic record and should be reflected on your SRAR.
How to Report High School Courses Taken in Middle School
Reporting these courses on your SRAR is straightforward, even though they were completed prior to your official high school enrollment. Follow these guidelines:
- Do Not Add Your Middle School: You are not required to add your middle school as an institution on the SRAR/SSAR.
- No Specific Academic Year Required: You do not have to indicate the specific academic year when these courses were taken (e.g., "8th grade").
- Enter by Subject Area: When entering your coursework, you will not find a separate section specifically labeled "Enter high school courses taken in Middle School." Instead, these courses should be entered directly under the relevant high school Subject Area (e.g., Mathematics, World Language) alongside your other high school coursework.
| Action Item | Guidance for SRAR |
|---|---|
| Standard Middle School Grades | Do Not Include (e.g., 7th grade history, 8th grade art, unless for high school credit) |
| High School Courses for Credit | Include (e.g., Algebra I taken in 8th grade, if for high school credit) |
| Listing Middle School | Not Required |
| Indicating Specific Middle School Year | Not Required for these courses |
| Entry Method for HS Courses | Enter under regular high school Subject Areas |
What to Exclude
Any middle school courses that are not high school-level and do not appear on your high school transcript for credit should be excluded from your SRAR. The SRAR is not a comprehensive record of your entire academic history from kindergarten through high school; it's focused on the coursework relevant to your high school diploma.
By following these guidelines, you can accurately reflect your academic achievements on your SRAR, ensuring that colleges have a complete picture of your high school-level coursework.
