Graduate with HONORS—Tennessee high school graduates who meet all 4 ACT benchmarks

(English = 18, Math = 22, Reading = 22, Science = 23) will graduate with HONORS.

Graduate with DISTINCTION—Students meeting at least one of the following will graduate with DISTINCTION:

§Participate in at least one of the Governor’s Schools

§Participate in one of the state’s All State musical organizations

§Attain a score of 31 or higher composite score on the ACT

§Earn 12 or more semester hours of postsecondary credit

1. Quality points on a 4.0 scale will be used to calculate grade point average rather than numerical grades. Only the student with the highest GPA who has met all 4 ACT benchmarks will be awarded the position of valedictorian; if multiple students meet this requirement, then all students with a 4.0 GPA who have met all 4 ACT benchmarks will be valedictorians.

1. Denote the following students in the graduation program and recognize them as a group:

   1. Honor Roll Graduate – GPA 3.0 to 3.49

   2. TN Honors Diploma – have met all 4 ACT benchmarks (note in program)

   3. Cum Laude – GPA 3.50+ and have not met all 4 ACT benchmarks(bronze cord)

   4. Magna Cum Laude – GPA 3.50 to 3.89 and have met all 4 ACT benchmarks (silver cord)

   5. Summa Cum Laude – GPA 3.90+ and have met all 4 ACT benchmarks (gold cord)

1. Recognize all students from Halls and Ripley who have a 3.5+ GPA and have met all 4 ACT benchmarks as Lauderdale County Scholars. Publicizing these graduates together will take the place of recognizing the top ten from each separate school.

1. In the event that a college scholarship application requires a class rank, the student may confidentially obtain his/her position from school officials. All students with a 4.0 GPA who have met all 4 ACT benchmarks will be ranked as #1. Other than valedictorian, all GPA rankings will be kept confidential and will not be publicized.