In the interest of encouraging and recognizing outstanding academic achievement, a valedictorian and salutatorian shall be selected for each high school graduating class. The valedictorian and salutatorian will be selected according to the following procedures:
- The valedictorian shall be the student with the highest weighted average as computed at the end of seven semesters of high school work.
- The salutatorian shall be the student with the second highest weighted average as computed at the end of seven semesters of high school work.
- Normally, calculations will be carried to three decimal places for determining valedictorian, however in the case of an apparent tie, the calculations will be carried to five decimal places. In the event that a tie still exists, the two students will be designated co-valedictorians and no salutatorian will be selected.
- Normally, calculations will be carried to three decimal places for determining salutatorian, however in the case of an apparent tie, the calculations will be carried to five decimal places. In the event that a tie still exists, the two students will be designated cosalutatorians.
- Foreign exchange students shall not be considered in computing class rank and, therefore, will not be eligible for valedictorian and salutatorian.
- In order to be eligible for the valedictorian or salutatorian honor, a student must have attended school(s) within the Valley Central School District for four (4) consecutive semesters preceding January of the student’s last year in Valley Central.
In general, this means the valedictorian and salutatorian must be enrolled continuously in the Valley Central School District from the start of the spring semester in their sophomore year. An exception to this requirement will be made for those students who are graduating on an academically accelerated basis. In the case of such a student graduating on an academically accelerated basis, if the District is notified by December 15th of the student’s final year in the District of the student’s intent to graduate that year on an accelerated basis, the student may then be considered for valedictorian/salutatorian status, even though such a student may not have satisfied the four consecutive semester requirement.
Further, a student who chooses to study abroad while enrolled at Valley Central High School and who then returns, would be eligible in spite of the continuous enrollment provision noted above if he/she met all other requirements. Note: overseas study courses and grades shall not be factored into class rank. - To be eligible for valedictorian or salutatorian honors, a student must be enrolled at the school district prior to and continuously following the 10th school day of the student’s senior year and be enrolled as a full-time student.
The provisions of this policy shall have no effect on any other academic or cocurricular awards including consideration for Gradus Honoris (National Honor Society).
Adoption date: July 26, 2004
Revised: September 26, 2016
Reviewed: May 22, 2017