School Policies » Class Valedictorian/Salutatorian Procedure

Class Valedictorian/Salutatorian Procedure

Revision for Class of 2019 and beyond

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The valedictorian/salutatorian selection procedure is necessary in order to make a fair determination.

 

In order to be eligible for valedictorian/salutatorian consideration, a student must have been enrolled at the high school issuing the diploma during the final, four full semesters in which he/she earned credits, enrolled in at least six classes all four years each semester, have earned only A's, B's, and C's throughout high school, and must have met both graduation and UC/CSU (A-G) Requirements.

 

The student with the highest academic ranking is awarded Valedictorian based upon student's best 28 semester grades taken during the first seven (7) semesters of high school.

 

* All weighted courses (AP, Dual Enrollment) will be counted as one grade per class per semester. Only grades of A, B, C are weighted.

 

* Weighted courses are calculated on a 5 point scale. Other courses will be based on a 4 point scale.

 

* Dual Enrollment and all other college courses are counted as one weighted semester. Only college courses taken on their high school campus will be counted.

 

Second highest academic rank is awarded Salutatorian.

 

In case of a tie, the student with the highest SAT score will be awarded Valedictorian.

 

To determine the student's total Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) score Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and Math scores will be used, maximum score 1600. When a student has more than one EBRW and Math scores (multiple sittings), the highest score in each area is to be used for the super score SAT score. SAT results must be received no later than the beginning of the second semester.

 

The principal may deny a student the privilege of participating in graduation ceremonies and other related graduation activities for failure to follow the school rules, policies, and regulations.

 

Students who have earned 140 credits prior to the beginning of the first semester and 185 units prior to the beginning of the second semester may participate in Senior activities.

 

The principal shall make the students and parents or guardians aware of the school policies, rules, regulations and expected behavior to participate in the graduation ceremony and other related graduation activities by conducting a mandatory meeting with all 12th grade students and distributing the High School Senior Activities booklet.

 

In order to participate in the graduation ceremony and other related graduation activities, each graduating senior and his or her parent or guardian must sign the High School Senior Contract agreeing to abide by the specified school policies, rules and regulations. If the student is eighteen years of age or older, the parent or guardian may elect to sign a Notice of Acknowledgement of the specified school policies, rules and regulations of the High School Senior Contract.

 

If the privilege to participate in the graduation ceremony and other related graduation activities is denied, the principal shall make the student and parents or guardians aware of the grounds for denial and will provide an opportunity for the student and parents or guardians to respond to the denial.

 

The final dispensation of the denial will be provided to the student and parents or guardians in writing. The written notification will include the procedures for the filing of an appeal.

 

Appeals to the intent of this Administrative Regulation will be processed through the office of the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services with the ultimate authority to offer exemption, exception or waiver residing only with the Superintendent.