No more valedictorians or salutatorians

Virginia Beach City Public Schools is saying goodbye to valedictorians and salutatorians, and hello to Cum Laude. We are converting to the Latin system, which is commonly used by colleges and universities. The Latin ranking system consists of three different ranks which focus on groups of individuals with academic honors rather than individuals like the valedictorian/salutatorian system. The ranks are as follows:

4.0 GPA Summa Cum Laude

3.76 GPA Magna Cum Laude

3.5 GPA Cum Laude. 

3.0 GPA Honor Graduate

“If there should be no winners or losers and if all have value, how can we say which one is better?” said Assistant Principal Mr. Greg Moxley. “This is not to say that folks shouldn’t be recognized for working hard and achieving at a high level. This is how the Latin system works. If you achieve at the highest levels you are still recognized for your hard work, but not in a manner that does so at someone else’s expense.”

The valedictorian/salutatorian system has been controversial in the school system for a while because of how it affects students. According to vbcps.com “students noted that classmates enrolled in International Baccalaureate (IB), academy and advanced academic programs have access to additional weighted courses, which offer the potential for a student to earn greater than a 4.0 for a course, but those courses are not open to all students,” making the valedictorian and salutatorian dependent on access to those classes.

The previous system can also lead to competition and unhealthy habits.

“One thing I have personally noticed over the years is that our top-achieving students often acclimate to an unbalanced and unhealthy lifestyle to achieve the highest ranking,” said Moxley. 

Junior Aliyah Brown agrees. 

“The valedictorian system personally put a lot of pressure on me. I felt I needed to make valedictorian or salutatorian to meet mine and my parents’ standards,” said Brown.

Though the valedictorian/salutatorian system had an underlying unhealthy competitiveness, some students feel an opportunity has been taken away from them. The valedictorian/salutatorian system has been something current high schoolers have always known, and for some, it has been a goal they have been aiming for. 

“I’ve worked so hard these past few years, including maintaining a good enough GPA and reputation, and I was concerned my hard work to go unrecognized,” said senior Maya Lysinger. “But I’m in favor of the Latin system. Seniors can redirect their focus to what matters most and get some form of recognition.”

The new system focuses on less competitiveness and more on honoring everyone for their hard work. 

“I don’t think students will feel as pressured,” said Brown.

Regardless of whether you graduate with Honors or Summa Cum Laude Moxley wants you to remember your worth is not determined by your GPA.

“You are worth something, you have something to contribute to our world, and you never have to do anything to prove this. You matter simply because you exist!” said Moxley.