Mt. Carmel High School could change how its valedictorian and salutatorian are selected beginning with the Class of 2031.
Principal Amy Duckworth presented a proposed policy during Monday evening’s Wabash Community Unit School District 348 Board meeting.
The proposal follows the Class of 2026 graduating with eight valedictorians under the current policy. The honor is presently awarded to every student who completes the required curriculum and maintains straight A’s throughout high school.
Duckworth said a committee of parents, staff members, a board member and Superintendent Dr. Steve Bleier developed the proposed revisions.
Students would continue to meet the existing academic requirements, including specified coursework in English, mathematics, laboratory sciences and either foreign language, music, art or vocational studies.
Under the proposal, students beginning with the Class of 2031 would also be required to start their high school mathematics sequence with geometry. Students beginning below geometry would not be eligible for valedictorian or salutatorian consideration.
Eligible students would then be ranked according to the cumulative grade percentage earned in every course appearing on their official transcripts from freshman through senior year.
Percentages would initially be calculated to the hundredth of a percentage point. If a tie occurs, calculations would be extended to the thousandth. Co-valedictorians would be recognized only if an exact tie remained.
The student with the next-highest cumulative percentage would be named salutatorian.
The proposal would also require the selected valedictorian and salutatorian to deliver speeches during the MCHS commencement ceremony.
The board did not take final action on the proposed policy Monday night.
MCHS Principal Amy Duckworth makes presentation to District #348 school board Monday night.,