May 12, 2023

Families of TCSS 7^th and 8^th Grade Students,

We would like your feedback on a possible change in the way TCSS recognizes honor graduates. If implemented, the first class that would be impacted by the new honor system would be the Class of 2027. Currently, these students are completing 8^th grade and will enter high school in August 2023. This change would not impact students who graduate in 2026 or earlier.

Please review the information below, and then complete the survey that is linked at the bottom of this page. It is important to us that our families understand the reason we are considering this change and give us your feedback.

Please respond to the survey no later than Wednesday, May 24, at Noon. The survey will close at that time.

Thank you,

Dr. Keri C. Johnson, Superintendent

Mrs. Jackie Hudgins, Director of Accountability

Current Honor Graduate System: Valedictorian, Salutatorian, and Honor Graduates

Our Current Honor Graduate System includes a Valedictorian, Salutatorian, and Honor Graduates at each TCSS high school. 

The Valedictorian is the graduating senior who has the highest numerical grade point average (GPA) in the class AND qualifies for a Diploma with Academic Distinction.

The Salutatorian is the graduating senior who has the second highest numerical grade point average (GPA) in the class AND qualifies for a Diploma with Academic Distinction.

Honor Graduates are graduating seniors who have qualified to receive a Diploma with Academic Distinction AND have an overall GPA of 4.0 (on a 4-point scale) on all courses taken in high school. 

Proposed New Honor Graduate System: Latin Honors

Under the Latin Honors system, TCSS would recognize graduating seniors who have qualified to receive a Diploma with Academic Distinction AND meet the following criteria, based on all courses taken during high school. 

• Cum Laude (With Honors): 3.5-3.74 cumulative GPA
• Magna Cum Laude (With High Honors): 3.75-3.99 cumulative GPA
• Summa Cum Laude (With Highest Honors): 4.0 and above cumulative GPA

Under this system, there would be no designation of a Valedictorian or Salutatorian. Class rank could still be verified on the student transcript and through the School Counselor, in order to qualify for Valedictorian scholarship opportunities. Also, recognizing students on the Latin Honors system would still allow high schools to maintain their current traditions regarding graduation speeches.

Why is TCSS considering this change?

Today, high school students take a variety of different types of courses – honors, career technical, Advanced Placement, dual enrollment. Some of these courses provide weighted credit, which gives students the opportunity to raise their grade point average. However, all weighted credit courses are not equally available to all students. For example, a student whose parent is a college or university employee could receive free dual enrollment classes, while other students do not have this same opportunity. Or, a student may choose not to take an arts or career technical class that is educationally beneficial for them, because it does not provide weighted credit. 

The Latin Honors system provides a more objective way of recognizing student achievement, instead of fractional differences in GPA. The Latin Honor system is widely used by colleges and universities, has a long academic tradition, and is familiar to college admissions officers and prospective employers.  

Please provide your feedback by completing this survey.