Criteria for Selecting “Valedictorian” and “Salutatorian”
By definition, the valedictorian is considered to be the outstanding student in the class. The following criteria are used to ensure that the South Albany High School valedictorian(s) has achieved high academic standards and has demonstrated exemplary citizenship and is, indeed, the outstanding student in the graduation class.
In order to be designated a valedictorian or a salutatorian at South Albany High School, a student must meet the following criteria:
- The student must have the highest (valedictorian) or second highest (salutatorian) weighted grade point average computed 1st semester senior year. The weighted average is computed utilizing a matrix of credits available.
- The student must have taken at least 2.5 credited classes per term.
- The student must have attended South Albany High School for their entire senior year.
- The student will have behaved in a manner consistent with Greater Albany Public Schools’ Character Education traits: The student will have no violations of the South Albany High School cheating policy at or above the Second Offense Level of consequences. The student will have no major violations of the student conduct code that result in a suspension of five or more days. The student will be in good standing in the community and at South Albany High School relative to any legal action or disciplinary processes. A student may appeal to the Site Council, or a committee designated by the Site Council, requesting exception from any of the criteria listed above. This ruling shall be final.
- A salutatorian may be designated only if there is a valedictorian.
- Grade point average will be determined using a weighted grading system. Designated courses will have grade values of 5 for an “A”, 4 for a “B”, 3 for a “C”, 2 for a “D”, and 0 for an “F”. All other courses will use the traditional 4-3-2-1-0 point values. In order to be designated a “weighted” course, the course must meet one or more of the following criteria: It is an Advanced Placement course or similar to Advanced Placement courses. It will have a curriculum designated by a national or state organization and have a clearly defined evaluation process in which the student has the opportunity to participate. The students in the class have the opportunity to receive state or national certification as a result of completing the class. The course is 200 level or higher in core content taken at a university, college, or community college and offers advanced material not offered at South Albany High School. Departments will submit to, and may defend before the Site Council, the classes which meet the criteria that the department wants to have designated as weighted. **Any course being considered for weighted GPA must be cleared by SAHS Administration. Weighted grades are only used in determining the valedictorian and salutatorian.
