### The Strategy
Gradebook transforms a standard WordPress installation into a full-scale Academic Information System. The architectural strategy centers on **Role-Based Operational Intelligence**, creating distinct, secure interfaces for Students, Parents, Teachers, and Admins. By bypassing standard post types in favor of optimized custom database tables (`wp_gb_*`), the system maintains high performance even with decade-long student histories. It uses a normalized weighted-calculation engine to ensure mathematical precision across diverse grading components like quizzes, exams, and projects.

### Core Features
- **Multi-Role Ecosystem:** Specialized dashboards for Teachers (entry), Students/Parents (visibility), and Admins (governance).
- **Weighted Component Engine:** Dynamic calculation logic that normalizes scores and applies customizable weight percentages for final grading.
- **Historical Trajectory:** Persistent tracking that follows a student's journey from Kindergarten through Senior High School.
- **Quarterly Release Protocol:** Admin-controlled grade visibility, ensuring quality assurance before academic results are published.
- **Automated Lifecycle:** Built-in GitHub integration for seamless over-the-air (OTA) updates and schema migrations.
- **Privacy-First Architecture:** Leverages WordPress authentication to keep sensitive academic data within the school's sovereign infrastructure.