By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
This will be the second year, at Juab High School,
where there will not be a valedictorian or salutatorian name
but, rather, a "Top Scholar" designation.
"The real criteria for the success of the program is
evidenced by the fact that there were 10 students last year
who were named as Top Scholars," said Superintendent Kirk
Wright.
Any number, not just 10, can qualify for the
designation since students are selected on achievement.
"We would be happy if the entire graduating class
achieved the distinction," said Rick Durbin, Juab High
School principal.
The graduating class of 2003 was the first to break
tradition with the more common high school mode and go with
the college-style designations of summa cum laude, magna cum
laude, and cum laude.
"Traditionally, students who have exhibited
outstanding academic performance throughout their high
school experience have been honored at graduation as 'Top
Scholars," said Durbin.
Beginning with last year, included in the calculation
used to determine the top scholar designation is the score
on the A.C.T. test, said Durbin.
"Top scholars must have achieved a score of 24 or
greater on the ACT test," he said.
In addition, students must take the test in a timely
manner in order to achieve the top scholar honor because
official notification of scores must be received by the high
school prior to graduation exercises.
Durbin said the Summa Cum Laude is the highest
distinction available under the system with students being
required to have a 3.95 grade point average (GPA) and a 33
ACT score. The highest score possible on ACT is 35.
Magna Cum Laude is considered achievement with great
distinction and requires, at Juab High School, a 3.85 GPA
and a 28 ACT score.
Cum Laude is graduation with distinction with a 3.75
GPA and a 24 ACT.
"We are committed to it again this year," he said.
Top Scholars must carry a regular GPA of 3.75 through
the third term of their senior year, and, as representatives
of the school, must be students in good standing and be
considered exemplary citizens in their community at the time
of graduation.
These students must successfully complete the college
core as defined by ACT and must meet all graduation
requirements set by Juab High.
Of course, the GPA for top scholar will be calculated
from those classes offered by the school or from those
classes accepted by the school which are transferred from
another accredited institution.
"Juab High School retains the right to determine
whether transfer credits will or will not be accepted for
use in determining top scholar honors," Durbin said.
Transfer credits to be used of determining GPA must be
presented to the registrar at the time of enrollment and
application for acceptance of credits earned in another
institution while concurrently enrolled at the school,
including summer opportunities, must be made prior to
enrollment in that course, and once the course is accepted
by the school , the results of the course must be reflected
on the official high school transcript.
"The GPA used is the GPA printed on the official Juab
High School transcript," said Durbin.
He said the system worked well last year.
"My school counselors think the 33 score on the ACT
test is a little high and said there may only be one student
every few years who qualifies for Summa Cum Laude but I
think that's OK," said Durbin. "A kid with a 33 ACT and a
3.95 GPA is a candidate for a presidential scholarship on
the university level."
All students are given handbooks which outline the
criteria for achieving the Top Scholar status, he said.
Therefore, all students and their parents have a clear view
of what it takes to achieve the honor.
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