Appropriate recognition will be given students who display superior academic achievement in elementary, middle and high school.
The principal, in consultation with the staff, will determine appropriate recognition for students in elementary schools.
The name of every middle school student who obtains at least a "B" average for any semester grading period without any "F" semester grades, will be placed on the Honor Roll. The middle school Grand Honor Roll will consist of the names of students earning all "A's".
High schools will honor, at graduation, all students who achieve superior academic records based upon a grade point average of 3.0 or above. This GPA will be determined at the end of the seventh semester by utilizing the average GPA from the seven semesters. The students with marginal GPA's will be re-evaluated at the end of the eighth semester. Scholastic honorary clubs such as the National Honor Society, with membership standards, will be permitted to organize and function.
Academic Letters
The academic letter is intended to honor and recognize students who have achieved academic skills of the highest standards; to provide a uniform district-wide method to recognize academically motivated students; and to provide an additional procedure, over and above the individual high school practices, for recognizing student achievement.
1. Eligibility Requirements:
a. Eligibility requirements shall be the same for all high schools. Students must have maintained at least a 3.5 GPA for all subjects taken over a period of two consecutive semesters. A 3.5 GPA will be required each semester. No semester grades may be used twice. GPA accumulation is based on all subjects taken except work experience, teacher aide positions and office aide positions. Students will be notified of their GPA eligibility for the academic letter by the principal or designee.
b. All eligible students must take at least five classes in each of the two semesters. At least four of the classes must be in the areas of math, world languages, language arts, science, social studies, vocational education and fine arts. For a 4-period day, all eligible students must take at least four classes in each of the two semesters. At least five of the classes must be in the areas of math, world languages, language arts, science, social studies, vocational education and fine arts.
c. Students will be considered ineligible if suspended, due to disciplinary action, during the current eligibility period.
d. The superintendent or designee may make an exception to these procedures and allow the awarding of an academic letter if in his/her judgement such an exception does not significantly deviate from the criteria outlined in these procedures and is warranted because of extenuating circumstances. The board will be informed of all such exceptions.
2. Letter Style:
The letter shall be the same as the athletic letter and the symbol shall distinctly reflect academic achievement.
3. Awarding the Letter:
a. Students shall be awarded the academic letter after meeting the eligibility requirements at the end of any two consecutive semesters. Freshmen will be eligible at the end of their first high school year. Other students could become eligible at mid-year.
b. Once a student has received an academic letter, all subsequent letter awards shall be a certificate with a year bar designed to be affixed to the academic letter.
Highline School District 401
Approved by the Superintendent: August 28, 1985
Revised by the Superintendent: 04.87, 06.98