Academic Awards
Senior Awards Ceremony
An annual evening awards ceremony exclusively to recognize seniors and their accomplishments takes place each June.
| Recognition at Graduation | |
| Highest Honors | unweighted GPA of 3.80 - 4.00 |
| High Honors | unweighted GPA of 3.50 - 3.79 |
| Honors | unweighted GPA of 3.00 - 3.49 |
Valedictorians
The title of valedictorian is used to distinguish indivduals who have achieved the highest level of academic excellence. Students who earn an unweighted 4.0 GPA, through the seventh semester of high school, will receive valedictorian designation. Valedictorians who do not maintain a 4.0 GPA, through the third quarter of their senior year, will not be eligible to speak during the graduation commencement.
Salutatorians
The title of salutatorian is used to distinguish individuals who have achieved a high level of academic merit. Students who earn only one “B” grade, with all other grades of “A,” through the end of their seventh semester of high school will receive salutatorian designation.
Thespian Society
Members are required to obtain 15 Thespian points by participating in drama club productions and activities. Members receive special cords worn at graduation and are also eligible for scholarships awarded to performers, technicians and designers who participate in state and national theatre festivals. See Ms. Improta in room 4 for more information
Key Club
Seniors who have performed 200 or more hours of community service are recognized with a symbol by their names in the graduation program and with a cord to be worn in the graduation ceremony.
Honors and Honor Societies
Seniors who earn an unweighted grade point average of 3.49 or under through the seventh semester receive a Bronze Medallion in the graduation ceremony.
California Scholarship Federation (CSF)
Eligibility for membership is determined by semester grades (10th - 12th only). Students must maintain satisfactory citizenship as well. Seniors who have earned membership in CSF at least four of the last five semesters of high school (which includes at least one semester in the senior year) are designated as Sealbearers and receive the Lamp Pin, a gold seal on their diplomas, and the opportunity to purchase a cords to wear in the graduation ceremony.
Japanese National Honor Society
Students must maintain a 3.5 grade point average in Japanese classes and an unweighted cumulative 3.0 grade point average. Students must also maintain satisfactory citizenship. For more information or an application, see Ms. Suzuki in room 16. Seniors receive cords at the Senior Awards ceremony to be worn in graduation ceremony.
National Honor Society
Juniors with a cumulative, unweighted 3.50 grade point average should apply for membership spring semester. Applicants must have their school and community activities certified by the adult sponsor of each activity.
Students must be in at least the 10th grade and must be enrolled in Spanish 3 Honors or higher. Students must also maintain an unweighted cumulative grade point average of 4.0 in all Spanish classes and an unweighted overall grade point average of 3.5. Senior cords to be worn at graduation are available for purchase to all seniors who are members. For more information or to receive an application, see Mrs. Barry in room 14.
The AP Program offers several awards to recognize high school students who demonstrate college-level achievement through AP courses and exams.
AP Scholar: score of 3 or higher on 3 or more AP exams
- AP Scholar with Honors: score of 3 or higher on 4 or more AP exams (avg. 3.5)
- AP Scholar with Distinction: score of 3 or higher on 5 or more exams (avg. 3.5)
- AP State Scholar: female and male in each state w/ the highest avg. score on the greatest number of AP exams in their state
- AP National Scholar: students who receive an average score of at least 4 on 8 or more AP exams
Students are required to maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.5 out of 4.0 in order to continue attending WHS. Students who are not fulfilling their academic potential are placed on academic probation and are monitored by their Student Advisor or Dean. Parents are contacted and an individualized academic improvement plan is developed.
Any change in a quarter or semester grade must take place within one year of the time the grade was issued regardless of the reason. Students should follow two steps: (a) speak with teacher and request/justify the change (b) see Ilka Sabha, Guidance Secretary, to inform her of impending change upon teacher's completion of grade change form. "Incompletes" (I) must be made up within the next grading period or the grade automatically becomes an F.
To meet college admission subject requirements, students must earn a grade of C or better each semester. Students who have D's or F's must repeat the class. Options are to enroll at the local community college or repeat through WHS, space is available in the class during the school year.
Grades and credit earned in a college class are transferred onto the high school transcript only if the high school and college permit, and the credit is needed to meet graduation requirements. See Grade Level Advisors for more information. Whitney High School.