Class Ranking, Distinct & Academic State Distinction, Graduating with Honors, Tennessee Scholars, Top 10
CLASS RANKING
All grades earned in grades 9, 10, 11, and the first semester of grade 12 shall be counted toward the grade point average and the rank in class. Giles County Schools will recognize the top ten in addition to those achieving local and state honors as well as those who graduate with distinction.
To become valedictorian or salutatorian, a student must be enrolled in the high school at least three (3) of the seven (7) semesters preceding the final semester. The final semester shall not be used in determining class standing. Students must take and pass a total of six (6) honors classes and qualify as a Ready Graduate.
1. Score of 21 or higher on ACT (or 1060 or higher on the SAT); OR
2. Complete 4 EPSOs; OR
3. Complete 2 EPSOs and earn an industry credential; OR
4. Complete 2 EPSOs and earn a score of military readiness on ASVAB AFQT
For the purposes of determining local honors, valedictorian, and salutatorian in the senior class, the State Board of Education Uniform Grading Policy 3.301 will be used for all high school coursework. For high school transfer students, the cumulative GPA on the transcript for transferred work will be used without any recalculation other than conversion to a 4 point GPA based on the State Board of Education Uniform Grading Policy 3.301.
ACADEMIC STATE DISTINCTION
Students will be eligible for recognition based upon their four-year cumulative numerical grade average. Pass/Fail courses will not be include in the numerical grade average. Students will receive recognition for the purposes of graduating with local honors based upon the following Latin scale:
Summa Cum Laude 3.8 - 4.0
Magna Cum Laude 3.65 –3.79
Cum Laude 3.5 – 3.64
Students who score at or above all of the subject area readiness benchmarks on the ACT or equivalent score on the SAT will graduate with state honors.
Students will be recognized as graduating with “distinction” by attaining a 3.00 average and completing at least one of the following:
· Earn a nationally recognized industry certification
· Participate in at least one of the Governor’s Schools
· Participate in one of the state’s All State musical organizations
· Earn statewide recognition or aware at a skill-or knowledge-based state tournament, convention, or competition hosted by a statewide student organization, and/or quality for national recognition by a national student organization
· Be selected as a National Merit Finalist or Semi-Finalist
· Attain a score of 31 or higher composite score on the ACT
· Attain a score of 3 or higher on at least two advanced placement exams
· Successfully complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program
· Earn 12 or more semester hours of transcripted post-secondary credit
GRADUATING WITH STATE HONORS
Students will be recognized as graduating with “state honors” by attaining a 3.0 GPA and obtaining both of the following requirements:
meeting all the benchmarks for all ACT or SAT Subtests
- Reading Score 18
- Math Score 22
- English Score 22
- Science Score 23
TENNESSEE SCHOLARS
A student who earns a composite score of nineteen (19) or higher on the ACT, or an equivalent score on the SAT, and earns a Tier 3 industry certification as promoted by the Department of Education, shall be recognized as a Tennessee Tri-Star Scholar upon graduation from high school. The public high school shall recognize the student's achievement at the graduation ceremony by placing an appropriate designation on the student's diploma, or other credentials, or by providing a ribbon or cord to be worn with graduation regalia. The student shall be noted as a Tennessee Tri-Star Scholar in the school's graduation program
TOP TEN
To be eligible for ranking among the top ten high school seniors, students must complete and pass a minimum of six (6) Honors or Dual Enrollment credits and score a minimum of a 21 on the ACT composite.