Valedictorian/Salutatorian/With Distinction
With the goal of establishing spiritual and academic excellence in our school system, the academic team
has brought about several positive changes during the 2012-2013 school year. As a school, we are
involved in an aggressive and ambitious effort to improve the school environment in order to promote
the purpose and mission of the school, including biblical integration and academic challenge.
The school board has approved a new policy (Adopted 12/2012) regarding the awarding of valedictorian
and salutatorian for the commencement exercises at both Dayton Christian and Xenia Christian High
Schools. The purpose of this white paper is to communicate the new policy and to give a practical
example of how the policy will impact students in the coming years.
Valedictorian/Salutatorian
The criteria for determining Valedictorian and Salutatorian for the class of 2014 and beyond are as
follows:
1. The goal is to honor the top six scholars (3 Valedictorians and 3 Salutatorians) for a high school
graduating class of 50+ students and the top four scholars (2 Valedictorians and 2 Salutatorians)
with a senior class of less than 50. Valedictorian and Salutatorian status will be determined by
the highest weighted GPA.
2. In case of a tie for either position, additional students will be honored, attempting to keep the
total number as close as possible to the prescription in statement 1. (see examples below)
Example 1
Student 1
Student 2
Student 3
Student 4
Student 5
Student 6
Student 7
GPA
4.29
4.27
4.26
4.26
4.25
4.20
4.20
DCHS Status
Valedictorian
Valedictorian
Valedictorian
Valedictorian (tie)
Salutatorian
Salutatorian
Salutatorian (tie)
XCHS Status
Valedictorian
Valedictorian
Salutatorian
Salutatorian
Would Not Qualify
Would Not Qualify
Would Not Qualify
Example 2
Student 1
Student 2
Student 3
Student 4
Student 5
Student 6
GPA
4.25
4.21
4.21
4.21
4.19
4.17
DCHS Status
Valedictorian
Valedictorian
Valedictorian
Valedictorian (tie)
Salutatorian
Salutatorian
XCHS Status
Valedictorian
Valedictorian
Valedictorian (tie)
Valedictorian (tie)
Salutatorian
Would Not Qualify
Graduating “With Distinction”
Unlike the Valedictorian and Salutatorian status the honor of graduating with Academic Distinction
indicates a grouping rather than a singular position. Those graduating with Academic Distinction for the
class of 2014 and beyond will earn this status by meeting the following rationale:
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1. At the end of J-Term of the senior year, each senior’s GPA (Grade Point Average) is calculated
(both weighted and unweighted) and are rounded to 2 decimal places. These GPAs are used
with the criteria in number 2 to determine the Academic Distinction status.
2. A minimum bar for graduating with Academic Distinction status is established using the
following criteria:
A. A four year student at the Dayton Christian School System high school.
B. A minimum of 27 credits earned. (by end of school year)
C. Minimum of four honors courses taken. (by end of school year)
D. The highest unweighted GPA.
3. Once the minimum bar has been established, the weighted GPA for that student will be used to
determine the minimum weighted GPA necessary to qualify for graduating With Distinction. The
minimum weighted GPA will be 0.05 honor points lower than the bar. Any student meeting this
GPA requirement will be awarded Academic Distinction status, provided they have attended a
DCSS high school (9-12) a minimum of 3 semesters.
Examples: If the student identified in step 2, has an unweighted GPA of 4.0 and a weighted GPA of 4.18,
then in order to graduate With Distinction, a student must have a weighted GPA of at least 4.13.
Using the example above with the graduating class of 2012, notice how this grouping would impact the
students:
2012
Student 1
Student 2
Student 3
Student 4
Student 5
Student 6
Student 7
Student 8
Student 9
Student 10
Student 11
Student 12
Student 13
GPA
4.29
4.27
4.26
4.26
4.25
4.20
4.20
4.18
4.18
4.15
4.14
4.13
4.12
DCHS Status
Valedictorian
Valedictorian
Valedictorian
Valedictorian (tie)
Salutatorian
Salutatorian
Salutatorian
With Distinction
With Distinction
With Distinction
With Distinction
With Distinction
Would Not Qualify
XCHS Status
Valedictorian
Valedictorian
Salutatorian
Salutatorian
With Distinction
With Distinction
With Distinction
With Distinction
With Distinction
With Distinction
With Distinction
With Distinction
Would Not Qualify
DRRough February 2013
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