"I can't be valedictorian:" Family says changes to MPS grading scale puts music students at disadvantage

MILWAUKEE -- She's the smartest girl in her class -- but there's a fear she won't be named valedictorian when she graduates. A Milwaukee family is upset over a new grading scale at Milwaukee Public Schools -- a scale they say unfairly targets students in music classes.

At Rufus King High School, the dream of one of its most talented students is in jeopardy.

"They're telling me I can't be valedictorian. I can't because I decide to participate in music class," said Celeste Beals, a junior at Rufus King High School.

16-year-old Beals keeps busy at school -- playing five instruments, being in three honors societies, taking part in countless extracurricular activities -- all while maintaining a 4.0 grade point average.

"She's been in music since the third grade," said Shani Scruggs, Beals' mother.

Music class is what Beals says is keeping her from maintaining her perfect GPA under new MPS guidelines.

"Right now, they are looking to change the high school grading scale to a 5.0 grading scale," said Scruggs.

Beals says music classes are not weighted the same as the others, which means the highest GPA she could get with a 5.0 scale is only 4.5.

"Some of us are being greatly affected by a decision we weren't even informed on," said Beals.

A spokeswoman for Milwaukee Public Schools sent FOX6 a written statement:

With Beals already well into her junior year, she fears it may be too late now to pursue her goal of becoming a neuroscientist.

"We need scholarships and that becomes a big deal," said Beals. "I've been working so hard!"