<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=16EnQ6_1GpJBCoj00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=16EnQ6_1GpJBCoj00" width="1200" height="603" ></figure>A common goal or dream that many young students have is to become valedictorian or salutatorian one day. This goal often inspires students to become over-achievers and hard workers who constantly try to do more as well as take on many responsibilities.In most schools, valedictorian and salutatorian are based on the highest GPA, or Grade Point Average, of the graduating class. These students can earn a weighted, or higher, GPA from taking AP classes, honors classes, and other advanced courses that are offered on their campus.At Santa Rosa Academy, students have the option to take college classes at a junior college, like MSJC, to shorten their schedule, get ahead in their college path, and boost their GPA. These college classes are heavily advertised by the administration, and because of this SRA has a major grade/GPA inflation compared to other schools.This GPA inflation caused many kids to take as many college courses as they could so that they could boost their GPA. Taking over a dozen college courses is now normalized and having below a 4.0 GPA is often rare to see.Taking college courses does have its many benefits besides GPA like shortening a students schedule and allowing them to take their high school classes in a shorter amount of time, as well as allow students to get a head start on their college journey to save them years and even money in the long run.The downside of college classes being so normalized is that those who have other responsibilities can often not keep up with those who only have school to focus on. This can include things like: sports, jobs, other responsibilities, clubs, community service, extracurriculars, etc.SRA junior Varun Bagga claimed, “In terms of our class rankings here at SRA, I think that it's really narrow sighted towards just grades which omits a ton of critical factors. Choosing just to focus on GPA and leaving out things like sports or activities outside of school focuses on what we see as academic ability, but at the same time grade inflation is such a big issue today allowing GPA to represent something different from the student's knowledge and understanding. For a title like valedictorian, I think that it should be about the student overall, choosing a student to represent the school that's not only academically inclined, but a leader and well-rounded.” Bagga is a high academic student who also participates in other extracurriculars like the varsity football team, who is preparing for his senior year and the race of valedictorian that is ahead.Many schools and students have the ongoing debate on what should be considered in the selection of valedictorian or salutatorian. A common thought is that if they are supposed to be the students who best represent the school, then should it be someone who participates in all aspects of school like sports and clubs alongside their above average grade point average.Some schools have incorporated this belief into their schools by taking away valedictorian and salutatorian and instead having different ways of choosing people to give a speech. SRA teacher Brittany Cairns stated, “At my old school, which was an academically competitive school with high 4-year college attendance, class rankings were eliminated because the faculty and administration saw the level of unhealthy competitiveness and inequitable honor it was bringing to our campus. There are some students that simply cannot dedicate all their time to academics, whether it be due to having a job, family obligations, or prioritizing extracurricular activities for their college prospects. We all agreed that a singular GPA calculation, which was often manipulated by specific course choices, did not highlight the whole picture of our senior students. Therefore, it was decided that the valedictorian and salutatorian roles would be eliminated and, instead, we would honor two students chosen by the faculty. Faculty members had to nominate and explain their nomination and administration would then make the final decision. The two students would then be chosen to be honored at their graduation, deliver the ceremony speeches, and receive the honor on their transcript and diploma. I immediately saw a change in students who began choosing classes that served their interests and skill level and served their future needs. It was like a collective weight had been lifted off our senior class. For that reason, I will forever be in support of eliminating the, in my opinion, antiquated practice of GPA class rankings.”Cairns’ past school was similar to SRA in the sense that many students become obsessed with trying to boost their GPA creating sometimes unhealthy competition, as it was something normalized at both schools. She has the belief that it is better to eliminate GPA class rankings and to instead have teachers vote on who they believe best represents the senior class.While there are people who disagree with valedictorian and salutatorian being chosen solely based on their GPA, there are also many who think that it is the correct way to choose who would be giving the most important speech of their high school career. SRA student Zach Chebat believes, “It depends on the circumstances of the school. Schools that are highly academic focused should have class rankings because the school's main focus is academic so GPA is an expected part as well as grades would need to be earned from the harder level classes. Other schools like Santa Rosa Academy who have GPA/grade inflation issues should eliminate class rankings or include other factors into the decision of valedictorian.”While the concept of class ranking being based on the highest grade point average makes sense and should be an accurate representation of a high performing student, in schools where abnormally high GPA is normalized, it may not correctly show a student who is well rounded and represents all aspects of the school.Santa Rosa Academy normalized GPA inflation and in the process many have made some students dream of becoming valedictorian or salutatorian a lot harder. Should SRA change their selection criteria due to the fact that the GPA needed to be ranked one of the top two is a number that many students who are heavily involved won’t be able to reach?</div></body>

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A common goal or dream that many young students have is to become valedictorian or salutatorian one day. This goal often inspires students to become over-achievers and hard workers who constantly try to do more as well as take on many responsibilities. In most schools, valedictorian and salutatorian are based...

Valedictorian/Salutatorian and Class Ranking

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A common goal or dream that many young students have is to become valedictorian or salutatorian one day. This goal often inspires students to become over-a

Valedictorian/Salutatorian and Class Ranking

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