Ark Valley News - School chooses new recognition for grads

School chooses new recognition for grads
By Chris Strunk
Last Updated: April 16, 2015

Starting with next year's freshman class, Valley Center High School will no longer use a valedictorian or salutatorian system to recognize top-performing graduates.

The school board on April 13 approved a cum laude honor system that is based on GPA. Graduates with GPAs of 3.5 to 3.6 will be designated as cum laude, 3.7 to 3.8 magna cum laude and 3.9 and higher summa cum laude.

The designations will be indicated in graduation ceremony programs.

Additionally, the new system also will recognize students who complete Kansas Board of Regents Kansas Honor Scholars Curriculum. Such students will be designated as Honor Scholars. The curriculum, for example, requires additional foreign language and science classes.

"I certainly appreciate this effort," said board member Dave Spears, who said the board has toyed with changes for several years. "… It does help recognize the rigor of the program, of the kids who make an extra effort on this."

Board member Colin McKenney suggested that the school consider an additional step of recognition for students who complete even higher levels of classes.

The board decided to begin the new cum laude system with this year's graduates, but continue to designate valedictorians and salutatorians for the next four years.

"Anything we can do to recognize our kids is important," said board member Richard Harris.

Principal Jamie Lewis said a committee of staff, parents and students spent "countless hours" discussing the proposal.

"They are certainly very supportive of Valley Center schools and education in general and I appreciate their work behind the scenes," Lewis said.

In a related move, the board voted 7-0 to give a half-day off to the high school class that will be named winner of a year-long class competition designed to promote student involvement.

The class that wins will be dismissed from school at 11:30 a.m. April 22.