Middle and High School students will receive grades based on a credit/no-credit system this semester in the Palo Alto Unified School District, according to a press release from the Office of the Superintendent today.

This system will replace the letter grade system that PAUSD secondary schools have traditionally used. Additionally, the credit/no-credit grades this semester will not affect grade point averages or college aspirations, according to the release.

“Universities across the country have made it clear that students will not be penalized for missing traditional standardized tests or for posting credit/no-credit transcripts for this semester,” the release states.

According to the release, these special circumstances will be explained in an official document called the School Profile, which details extenuating circumstances to colleges.

“In this case, the shift to credit/no-credit grading in the face of a national pandemic will be described and accepted without penalty,” the release states.

PAUSD Schools will revert back to a letter grade system in the fall, according to the release.

The announcement comes after an earlier announcement from the district that the school closure will be extended until May 1st due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19.

The complete release can be found here.

The Paly Voice will update this article as more information becomes available.