Maximum on weighted GPA increases number of valedictorians

In July of 2022, the CCSD Board of Trustees approved a revision to a policy, which states that the maximum weighted GPA a student may earn in high school is 4.95. As the valedictorian is the student who achieves the highest weighted GPA, everyone with a 4.95 will receive the high honor of valedictorian. Not everyone is supportive of this change.

“I believe this defeats the purpose of a valedictorian, as there should only be one or two typically,” said senior Maliylah Silva. “Some students value their education in a level much higher than their peers, which makes them very deserving for them to be chosen for this distinction.”

Making it easier for more people to become valedictorians may lessen the prestige that comes with it. Now, the valedictorian is only one of the best.

The grade cap also reduces the competition aspect of the valedictorian system, as now many students may become valedictorian. This competition could drive students to take more advanced classes than they might have without it. Now, students trying to be valedictorian don’t need to take as many classes, though 4.95 is still a high bar to clear.

“This new cap on our weighted GPAs simply doesn’t support what most of us stand for in our academic success,” said an anonymous student. “We may not all be at the very top, but I’m sure we can acknowledge that the people who are there have worked their butts off for it.”

Having a set level for all to achieve instead of a system where only the best are honored is not reflective of our competitive culture, for better or for worse.

“Returning to a maximum weighted Grade Point Average allows all students to achieve high expectations,” said Monica Martin, Director of CCSD’s Guidance and Counseling Department. “I do believe that a maximum Grade Point Average is helpful for all students.”

For the past three years, there has been no cap on the extra points students can earn. Students receive .05 bonus points per semester for AP or Dual Enrollment classes and .025 bonus points for Honors classes. But historically, CCSD has had a maximum GPA of 4.80.

“In past years, when there was a maximum weighted GPA, there were many schools that had many valedictorians,” Martin said. “Students worked together to achieve the maximum weighted GPA in a collegial manner. They were often in the same classes, created study groups with each other, joined similar after school groups, clubs and organizations. Students were positively affected when there was a maximum GPA.”

There are also equity issues in determining the valedictorian without a maximum for the GPA. It may not be objective who the best student really is, as some students have more opportunities for earning extra points. Students from middle schools that offer high school classes, students from high schools with block schedules that offer more classes, and students who pay to take classes online have more opportunities to take higher-level classes. Also, a student with better grades may fall short in comparison to a student with worse grades who takes more AP classes. Now, students must have a 4.0 unweighted GPA (straight A’s) to become valedictorian.

In addition, when there is no maximum GPA, education becomes competitive and not cooperative. Top students become opponents, working against each other to become number one. But with the grade maximum allowing for multiple valedictorians, students can work together for the common, specific goal of 4.95. This year at Silverado, there are five valedictorian candidates, students who have already achieved the 4.95 GPA, and there may be even more. 

“There was definitely competition; students want to be number one. Obviously, it is a place of respect,” said Silverado Assistant Principal Bianca Lutchen discussing the past few years. “Sometimes students want to be number one for themselves, and it’s not competitive against each other. Other times I do think that there are students trying to prove to someone how great they are, and they will definitely go the extra mile to show the world that, which can be good for them, but also can have unnecessary burdens.”

Some students also become very stressed out trying to become the valedictorian. To be at the top, they must meet very high expectations and succeed in very challenging classes, which can be detrimental to their mental health.

“I’ve supported students who were struggling with symptoms of anxiety and stress with a maximum weighted GPA, and certainly more so when there was no maximum weighted GPA,” Martin said. “It’s important for students to ask themselves why they want to be a valedictorian and then work with trusted adults, including their school counselor, to access support to achieve their goals.”

In the past, students have sacrificed to be valedictorian. They may not choose an elective that they would enjoy simply because it is not an AP class. They may sacrifice after-school activities in favor of studying because of their overwhelming class load. Now students can meet the goal of being valedictorian without making those sacrifices.

The grade maximum also complicates graduation. In the past few years, both the valedictorian and the salutatorian, the student with the second highest grade, have given speeches at graduation, as well as the student body president and class president. Now that there are more valedictorians, all of these speeches are difficult to fit into the limited 90-minute time period allotted for the graduation ceremony, as well as the opportunity for every student to walk across the stage. 

“So there are some options that we’re looking into for how to give every valedictorian and salutatorian their light because they’ve earned that, but we also have to keep time in mind,” Lutchen said.

This year at graduation, it may be that not all valedictorians give a speech. Some may choose not to or be given other roles. It is also possible that speeches may have to be shorter than in previous years. 

“I’m still thinking about innovative ways so that everyone can have their moment of shine or their spotlight, but in a bit more innovative way,” Lutchen said. 

Valedictorians are people who have worked very hard to achieve this high honor. It is hoped that with the new maximum GPA, more students can achieve this with competition and still be honored for their hard work.