Academic honors

Superintendent Scholars

A student can be named a Superintendent Scholar in several ways, but all involve some level of outstanding academic achievement. These include, but are not limited to, students recognized by National Merit, A.P. scholars and students earning high grade-point averages and completing a certain number of college-level credit hours. Superintendent Scholars receive a special sash at graduation.

Academic Sweatshirt Award

The Academic Sweatshirt Award was created to acknowledge students who complete their 10th-grade year with a weighted GPA of 3.8 or higher. Students who earn the Academic Sweatshirt Scholar distinction receive a special sweatshirt that features the initials of the student’s school, the academic banner, and the student’s monogram on the sleeve.

Valedictorian and salutatorian

The valedictorian and salutatorian are the eligible students with the highest and second-highest rankings, respectively, at the end of the fifth six-weeks grading period during their senior year. To be eligible for this recognition, a student must:

• Have completed the Foundation Program with the distinguished level of achievement;
• Have completed 19 credits before the first day of the school year in which graduation requirements are completed; and
• Have been continuously enrolled in the same high school in the district for the two school years immediately preceding graduation.

In case of a tie in either the weighted GPAs or the weighted numerical grade averages after calculation of the thousands place, the district shall recognize all students involved in the tie as sharing the honor and title.

Please note that once final grades are calculated, the rankings may have changed from those calculated at the end of the fifth six-weeks grading period. However, if this occurs, this will not change the awards.

Latin honors

These recognitions are awarded based on class rank, as follows:

• Summa Cum Laude: the top highest 2 percent of the graduating class
• Magna Cum Laude: the next highest 3 percent of the graduating class
• Cum Laude: the next highest 5 percent of the graduating class