Class Rank and The Laude System at Whitnall High School
Beginning with the Class of 2022, Whitnall High School uses the Laude system of recognition.
During the 2018-2019 school year, Whitnall High School explored the possibility of transitioning from a class rank system of recognition to a laude system of recognition.
Many high schools have either abandoned the traditional class rank, removed it from public recognition, and/or developed an alternative system to acknowledge and recognize academic achievement. This is not a new trend nor is it new research. Post-secondary admissions processes have also changed over the years, and we would like to be sure that our students are positioned well for all aspects of this process. (If you are looking for a good overview of the topic, please read the Phi Delta Kappa article, Class Rank Weighs Down True Learning.)
Class Rank and Laude Parent Presentation
Through our exploration of our current system as well as a better understanding of the laude system as it would apply to Whitnall High School, we conducted the following:
Stakeholder Feedback
- Roundtable Discussion (July 30, 2019) Click here for the presentation.
- Roundtable Discussion (May 22, 2019) Click here for the presentation.
- Class of 2019 Focus Groups (May 31, 2019)
- Alumni Survey for Classes of 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 (May 20 - June 3, 2019)
- Survey for Current Students, Parents, and Staff (week of June 3)
The following changes to Policy 5430 and 5451.01 and Administrative Guidelines 5430 were approved by the Whitnall School District School Board on August 5, 2019. Below is what is described in the course guide for students.
The purpose of the Laude System is to recognize students for the rigor of their academic program as well as their successes.
Laude Criteria
Courses earning laude semester credits are identified by high school administration and staff. A review process is in place for course additions or eliminations. Courses earning laude semester credits are those that are most rigorous, have potential to earn college credit, or are a capstone for a career pathway. Students transferring to Whitnall will earn laude points for passing Advanced Placement (AP) courses in a prior high school.
Laude courses are identified in the student course handbook and will earn one laude credit per semester of successful completion.
Laude Score: A student’s laude score will be determined by multiplying the following two factors:
1.The student’s cumulative GPA at the completion of the first semester of the senior year.
2. The number of designated laude semester credits earned at the completion of the 2nd semester of the senior year.
Students must have a minimum grade point of 3.500 to qualify.
There are three levels of designation: summa cum laude, magna cum laude, and cum laude. The ranges for this recognition are as follows:
Summa Cum Laude
> 71.999 Laude Points
Magna Cum Laude
57-71.999 Laude Points
Cum Laude
40-56.999 Laude Points
There may be some situations where students will be considered for laude recognition on an individual basis, such as students who take a semester or year abroad or who graduate early.
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Whitnall Laude Points
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Grade Point Average
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Number of earned Laude semester credits
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4
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3.95
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3.9
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3.85
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3.8
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3.75
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3.7
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3.65
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3.6
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3.55
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3.5
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23
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92
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90.85
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89.7
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88.55
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87.4
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86.25
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85.1
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83.95
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82.8
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81.65
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80.5
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22
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88
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86.9
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85.8
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84.7
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83.6
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82.5
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81.4
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80.3
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79.2
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78.1
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77
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21
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84
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82.95
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81.9
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80.85
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79.8
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78.75
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77.7
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76.65
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75.6
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74.55
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73.5
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20
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80
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79
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78
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77
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76
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75
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74
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73
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72
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71
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70
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19
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76
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75.05
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74.1
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73.15
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72.2
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71.25
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70.3
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69.35
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68.4
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67.45
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66.5
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18
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72
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71.1
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70.2
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69.3
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68.4
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67.5
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66.6
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65.7
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64.8
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63.9
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63
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17
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68
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67.15
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66.3
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65.45
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64.6
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63.75
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62.9
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62.05
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61.2
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60.35
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59.5
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16
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64
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63.2
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62.4
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61.6
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60.8
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60
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59.2
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58.4
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57.6
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56.8
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56
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15
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60
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59.25
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58.5
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57.75
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57
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56.25
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55.5
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54.75
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54
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53.25
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52.5
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14
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56
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55.3
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54.6
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53.9
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53.2
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52.5
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51.8
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51.1
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50.4
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49.7
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49
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13
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52
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51.35
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50.7
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50.05
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49.4
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48.75
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48.1
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47.45
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46.8
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46.15
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45.5
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12
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48
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47.4
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46.8
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46.2
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45.6
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45
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44.4
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43.8
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43.2
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42.6
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42
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11
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44
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43.45
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42.9
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42.35
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41.8
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41.25
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40.7
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40.15
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10
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40
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Summa Cum Laude Magna Cum Laude Cum Laude
Example
Student cumulative GPA through 1st semester of senior year = 3.685
Courses (Laude Semester Credits): AP Psychology (2), AP Human Geograyphy (2), AP US History (2), AP Calculus (2), AP Calculus (2), AP Lit (2), Industry Certification (1) = 13 semester credits.
Calculation:
3.685 (GPA) x 13 (Laude semester credits) =
47.905 laude points with a designation of Cum Laude
Advanced coursework earning laude points
Each grade that you receive for a high school course receives a numeric value. These numeric values are used to determine a student’s grade point average and consequently their rank-in-class.
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AP English Lit & Comp (3401Y)
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AP Human Geography (8801Y)
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AP Physics 1(7501Y)
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AP French Language (4501Y)
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AP Government and Politics (8901Y)
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AP US History (8301Y)
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AP Spanish Language (4601Y)
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AP Language and Composition (3421Y)
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AP Computer Science Principles (6650Y)
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AP Calculus AB (6401Y)
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AP Chemistry (7301Y)
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AP Psychology (8501Y)
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AP Calculus BC (6403Y)
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AP Biology (7201Y)
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AP Micro and Macroeconomics (8601Y)
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AP Music Theory (1801Y)
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AP Studio Art (1421Y)
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AP Statistics (6501Y)
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Industry Certifications (1 semester point per industry certification)
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Youth Apprenticeship / Skilled Certified Co-Op (1 semester point per industry certification)
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PLTW and transcripted courses with earned postsecondary credit (points equal to 2X earned Whitnall credit)
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