Starting with the Class of 2029, GHS is doing away with the numerical ranking system and introducing levels of distinction
Previously, the only people who were specifically honored for their academic success were the Top 20, but for the current freshmen, the banquet at the end of their senior years will feature more students who reached the highest level of distinction. The levels are Cum Laude at 3.5-3.74 GPA, Magna Cum Laude at 3.75-3.99 GPA, and Summa Cum Laude at 4.0+ GPA. The levels of distinction help to reduce the cutthroat competition that comes with being in the Top 20.
“The goal is to get students more motivated to achieve. Instead of competing against other students, you compete against yourself. Sometimes, it seems that the top tier kids just want to be in the Top 20, and if they know they can’t make it, they give up on school. On the other hand, we have an outstanding group of students below them who also deserve acknowledgement,” Mrs. Alison Bonham, Quality Council chairperson, said.
A huge reason for the class rank change is what classes kids take. Students should focus on classes that will actually help them instead of taking the most rigorous classes in order to get a number next to their names.
“We want to recognize and celebrate more students. With the levels of distinction, it’s not whether you made it or you didn’t anymore. It expands the students who receive recognition. The focus is for students to take classes to help them in the future. Some students drop courses or pick them up just for rank. We would really like to disincentivize that type of decision making. High school should be all about making the best decisions for your future,” Mrs. Lisa Laug, guidance director, said.
Two of the most important factors that resulted in the change of ranking were more acknowledgement and letting students take what they want to take.
“All three levels are already celebrated at our graduation ceremonies. We will now celebrate more than the Top 20. GHS offers so many pathways so students don’t have to take all the weighted classes if they don’t want to. It will let students take the classes they want instead of the classes that help their ranking. I don’t want students dropping the classes to get a higher ranking. Regardless of the ranking, you can focus on what you want,” Principal Michael Gasaway said.
One of the biggest concerns for students is who will be named valedictorian and salutatorian.
“Our val and sal will still be named purely based on the best academics and will be recognized at their graduation ceremony; however, the valedictorian and salutatorian aren’t guaranteed to be speakers like in previous years. There will be an application process that does include a GPA threshold, but we want the people who can share the strongest point of view and best represent their class as a whole,” Mrs. Laug said.
The application to find the best students to speak will deal with many aspects in and out of school.
“We want to find the best overall rounded person, so there will be an application process that includes class rank, community service and volunteering, club participation, and extracurricular activities. It all comes back to the idea of taking classes of their interest instead of one that bumps up their ranking,” Mr. Gasaway said.
Numerical class rank will still be in the system; it just will not put a student above another.
“We will still keep track of the number for scholarships and college, but it won’t be how we celebrate the students. I’m really hoping it motivates more students to push themselves to excel,” Mrs. Bonham said.
