Latin Honors
Latin Honors are terms to indicate levels of distinction for New Hanover County Schools’
graduates. Using defined criteria of grade point averages, the levels of distinction
include cum laude (with honors,) magna cum laude (with great honor,) and summa cum
laude (with highest honor.) A student who earns Latin Honors distinction will receive
recognition on the high school diploma.
Traditional High School Latin Honors Distinctions, based upon weighted and
unweighted grade point averages:
Cum Laude = 3.95 minimum weighted GPA or 3.5-3.74 unweighted GPA
Magna Cum Laude = 4.25 minimum weighted GPA or 3.75-3.9 unweighted GPA
Summa Cum Laude = 4.40 minimum weighted GPA or 3.91-4.0 unweighted GPA
Non-Traditional High School Latin Honors Distinctions, based upon weighted and
weighted grade point averages:
Cum Laude = 3.95 minimum weighted GPA or 3.50-3.74 unweighted GPA
Magna Cum Laude = 4.15 minimum weighted GPA or 3.75-3.90 unweighted GPA
Summa Cum Laude = 4.25 minimum weighted GPA or 3.91-4.0 unweighted GPA
Calculation of GPAs for Latin Honors Designation
The Administrative Procedure set forth shall govern all students enrolled in high school for
2014-2015 and each year thereafter:
Traditional High Schools
New Hanover County traditional high schools shall designate the honors of Latin Honor
Graduate (cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude,) Valedictorian, and
Salutatorian based upon cumulative GPA after completion of the final semester.
In order to be recognized as a Latin Honor Graduate, cum laude, a student must have a
minimum weighted GPA of 3.95 or an unweighted GPA of 3.5-3.74.
In order to be recognized as a Latin Honor Graduate, magna cum laude, a student must have a
minimum weighted GPA of 4.25 or an unweighted GPA of 3.75-3.90 .
In order to be recognized as a Latin Honor Graduate, summa cum laude, a student must have a
minimum weighted GPA of 4.40 or an unweighted GPA of 3.91-4.0.
Non-traditional High Schools
New Hanover County non-traditional high schools shall designate the honors of Latin Honor
Graduate (cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude,) Valedictorian, and
Salutatorian based upon cumulative GPA after the completion of the final semester.
In order to be recognized as a Latin Honor Graduate, cum laude, a student must have a
minimum weighted GPA of 3.95 or an unweighted GPA of 3.5-3.74.
In order to be recognized as a Latin Honor Graduate, magna cum laude, a student must have a
minimum weighted GPA of 4.15 or an unweighted GPA of 3.75-3.90 .
In order to be recognized as a Latin Honor Graduate, summa cum laude, a student must have a
minimum weighted GPA of 4.25 or an unweighted GPA of 3.91-4.0.