Policy 5430 Page 1 of 3
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5430 - CLASS RANK
Procedures For Ascertaining the Rank In Class Of Standard Curriculum Students
A.
Class rank will be computed based on all courses taken for high school credit through the first
semester of the 12th grade year or through first semester of 11th grade for students in the
eighteen (18) credit accelerated graduation option. Grades for courses taken in middle school,
the Extended Learning Program, adult education, etc., awarding high school credit, will be used
to calculate high school class rank. For the purpose of identifying class ranks of one (1) and two
(2) (Valedictorian and Salutatorian), extra courses beyond those needed for graduation that
were earned in middle school or outside the regular school day in grades 9-12 (24 in high
school) may be deleted from the class rank computation by student request in writing to the
principal prior to the end of the first semester of the 12th grade year.
B.
Students transferring from a 4x4 schedule school will be class ranked with all other students
based on all courses taken. The principal (or designee) will determine the class rank status of
transferring students and the decision will be final. In the event that the transfer negatively
affects a current valedictorian or salutatorian status, co-honors will be bestowed.
C.
Eligible students who graduate early with the 24 credit standard diploma, or with the ACCEL 18
credit standard diploma, will continue to be included with their cohort group in final class ranking,
honors designations upon graduation, and eligibility for valedictorian and salutatorian honors.
D.
Rank in class will be computed at the end of each term including all course work completed prior
to July 1st of each school year for all students. The final ranking is computed after the first
semester of the 12th grade year.
E.
Grades earned in all courses (basic, regular, honors) will be weighted in determining final GPA,
as provided in administrative procedures.
Valedictorian and Salutatorian Identification
Each high school will identify a valedictorian and salutatorian based on class rank and students who qualify for
summa cum laude, magna cum laude or cum laude status based upon the cumulative weighted grade point
average as determined within this policy. Such selection does not provide that the students will address the
graduating class. The choice of graduation speaker shall be made at the discretion of the principal. Students
graduating as early admission to college, early college program, or three (3) year eighteen (18) credit students are
not eligible for Valedictorian or Salutatorian.
While students enrolled in the International Baccalaureate (IB), Center for Advanced Technology (CAT), or
Engineering Academy (EA) programs shall graduate with other students of the host school, separate valedictorians,
salutatorians, and class rankings shall be designated for students of the IB, CAT, and EA programs, based upon
their weighted grade point averages.
Honors Diploma
Graduating students who achieve a cumulative weighted grade point average of 3.5 or higher shall be granted an
Honors Diploma as prescribed by the School Board and shall be designated in the graduation program.
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Policy 5430 Page 2 of 3
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Diploma Designations
A) Pinellas Advanced Scholar Designation- Students who meet the minimum requirements of the 24 credit
graduation option may also work toward earning the Pinellas Scholar Diploma Designation by meeting the
following requirements:
- Earns a passing score (level 3 or higher) on three (3) or more Advanced Placement Examinations
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- Earn 1 credit in Algebra II
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- Earn 1 credit in Statistics or an equally rigorous mathematics course
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- Pass the Biology I EOC
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- Earn 1 credit in Chemistry or Physics
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- Earn 1 credit in a course equally rigorous to Chemistry or Physics
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- Pass the U.S. History EOC
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- Earn 2 credits in the same World Language
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- Earn at least 1 credit in AP, IB, AICE or a dual enrollment course.
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- A student is exempt from the Biology I or U.S. History assessment if the student is enrolled in an
AP, IB or AICE Biology I or U.S. History course and the student takes the respective AP, IB or AICE
assessment; and earns the minimum score needed to earn college credit
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- Students who entered high school during 2014-15 and subsequent years must also pass the
Geometry EOC
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B) Scholar Designation- Students who meet the minimum requirements of the 24 credit graduation option
may also work toward earning the Scholar Diploma Designation by meeting the following requirements:
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- Earn 1 credit in Algebra II
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- Earn 1 credit in Statistics or an equally rigorous mathematics course
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- Pass the Biology I EOC
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- Earn 1 credit in Chemistry or Physics
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- Earn 1 credit in a course equally rigorous to Chemistry or Physics
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- Pass the U.S. History EOC
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- Earn 2 credits in the same World Language
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- Earn at least 1 credit in AP, IB, AICE or a dual enrollment course.
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- A student is exempt from the Biology I or U.S. History assessment if the student is enrolled in an
AP, IB or AICE Biology I or U.S. History course and the student takes the respective AP, IB or AICE
assessment; and earns the minimum score needed to earn college credit
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- Students who entered high school during 2014-15 and subsequent years must also pass the
Geometry EOC
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Policy 5430 Page 3 of 3
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C) Merit Diploma Designation- Students who meet the minimum requirements of the 24 credit graduation
option may also work toward earning the Merit Diploma Designation by meeting the following requirements:
- Attain one or more industry certifications from the list established (per s. 1003.492, F.S.)
Cum Laude Status
Students must earn the following cumulative weighted grade point averages (not rounded) to qualify for cum laude
status. High school seniors who become eligible for a cum laude status during the second semester of their senior
year shall have their cum laude seals mailed to them.
A.
Summa cum laude - GPA greater than 4.0
B.
Magna cum laude - GPA greater than 3.8 but less than or equal to 4.0
C.
Cum laude - GPA greater than or equal to 3.5 but less than or equal to 3.8
D.
With distinction - GPA greater than or equal to 3.25 but less than 3.5
F.S. 1001.32(2), 1001.41, 1001.42, 1001.43, 1003.33, 1003.43(5)(c), 1003.437
F.A.C. 6A-1.0955(3)(a)7
Revised __/__/__
Approved as to form and legality:
_________________________________
School Board Attorney
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