This study investigated whether gender-based differences in psychological adjustment, coping, racial identity, and grade point average (GPA) existed among 100 at-risk, urban, African American high school students. Students completed the Affects Balance Scale, Adolescent Coping Orientation for Problem Experiences, and Black Racial Identity Scale. Researchers identified cumulative GPA through school records. Results indicated that female students had significantly higher cumulative GPAs; reported the use of social support as a means of coping to a significantly higher degree; reported the use of avoidance as a means of coping to a significantly higher degree; reported racial attitudes associated with black racial identity stage III (immersion/emersion) to a significantly higher degree; and reported the experience of negative affect to a significantly lower degree than did urban male African American high school students. (Contains 24 references.) (SM)