Valedictorian/Salutatorian – Policy 3450

Each high school will designate a valedictorian and salutatorian to be recognized at graduation ceremonies.  The senior attaining the highest cumulative grade point average (four years of high school) will be designated valedictorian.  The senior attaining the second highest cumulative grade point average will be designated salutatorian. In the event of a tie for valedictorian, there will be no salutatorian.  In the event of a tie for salutatorian, all students tied will be recognized. A student must have attended his or her school no less than the entire senior year in order to qualify for valedictorian or salutatorian honors and have course credits equal to or exceeding their maximum potential minus two. (Maximum potential represents the total number of all courses a student can take during four years of high school. On the block schedule, for example, that equals 32 – four years times eight courses per year.)

High schools will recognize all seniors as High Honor graduates who have achieved an overall weighted cumulative grade point average of 4.2 or above for the time beginning with the first semester of the 9th grade and extending through completion of the 12th grade.  Those with a 3.5 or better GPA will be designated Honor graduates.  This average will include all classes beginning with the first semester of 9th grade and extending through completion of 12th grade.  

The Board encourages the principal, with input from teachers, parents, and students, to develop additional means of recognizing academic achievements.

Marshals in each high school are to be considered on the basis of individual school criteria.

Promotion-Retention Standards

High school students must meet the following requirements for promotion to the next grade level:

Grade Total Credits      

10th     6   Credits     

11th    12  Credits (Including English 2)       

12th    20 Credits (Including Biology and Math 1)        

Graduate    28 Credits   

Please reference the Franklin County Schools Course Registration and Information Guide for specific graduation requirements.  Course type and number of credits per subject area are specific to the North Carolina Course of Study that you choose. Some general information is contained below.           

Future-Ready Core Course of Study Requirements

Units:

4 English (I, II, III, IV or a designated combination of 4 courses)

1 English Composition (completed in sophomore year) 

4 Mathematics (Math I, II, III, 4th math course is to be aligned with the student's post high school plans) 

3 Science (A physical science course, Biology, Earth/Environmental )

4 Social Studies (World History, Civics & Government, American History, Economics & Personal Finance)        

1 Healthful & Physical Education (Health/Physical Education)

11 Electives (example: CTE, Arts Education, World Languages)

28 Total Minimum Credits

Early Graduation

Students that fulfill graduation requirements prior to the spring semester of their senior year and wish to be designated as an early graduate must notify the principal prior to the completion of the fall semester.  Upon approval by the principal, transcripts indicating completion of FRANKLIN COUNTY SCHOOLS and Franklinton High School’s graduation requirements will be made available to the student. However, a diploma will not be awarded until the regularly scheduled graduation date of the student.  Students designated as an early graduate are welcome to participate in all FHS sponsored graduation activities.

Class Rank and Grade Point Average

Class rank is based upon weighted grade point average (GPA). 

Advanced Placement classes earn 1 additional quality point towards GPA.  

Honors classes earn an additional .5 quality point towards GPA.

90-100 = A (4.0 points)

80-89 = B (3.0 points)

70-79 = C (2.0 points)

60-69 = D (1.0 points)

Below 60 = F (0.0 points)

Exam Exemption Guidelines

• Exams are an important summative measure for all classes. Per FCS BOE policy, final exams must count for 20 percent of the semester grade. In several academic areas, exams are required (CTE, EOC courses, AP Exams.) In other academic areas, an exemption is allowed by FCS.

• Exemptions may be allowed for students that have a strong attendance record. Any absence (excused or unexcused) counts against exam exemptions. For the purposes of exam exemption, 3 tardies will also equal 1 absence.

• Non EOC Course Exam Exemptions:

100 - 90  No more than 4 absences 89 - 80 No more than 3 absences

  79 - 70 No more than 2 absences 69 - 60 No more than 1 absences 

Retention of Diplomas

No diploma will be issued to any student who is delinquent in the payment of required school fees or damage fees.

Honor Roll

Franklinton High School recognizes students with high academic achievement during each nine-week grading period.  Students may earn inclusion on the “A” Honor Roll or the “A/B” Honor Roll. To qualify for the “A” Honor Roll a student must have grades of 90 or above in all of his/her classes with no incomplete grades.  To qualify for the “A/B” Honor Roll a student must have grades of 80 or above in all of his/her classes with no incomplete grades. For the purposes of understanding the A/B Honor Roll classification the following marking system will be used: 

90-100 = A

80-89 = B

77-79 = C

60-69 = D

60 and below = F

Academic Recognition

Near the end of each school year, Franklinton High School honors its best students.  Honorees and their parents are invited to participate in an evening of recognition and awards. Students may be invited to the program based on three criteria.  They are; recipient of an individual academic award, recipient of a perfect attendance award, or if the student has a 90 average in a class with no nine weeks grade below an 80.  Students will qualify for invitation if they meet one or more of the criteria. Please plan on joining us this spring as we celebrate Franklinton’s finest.

Report Cards/Progress Reports

Students can access their grades through PowerSchool on a daily basis.  Parents can create an account through the PowerSchool Parent Portal to access his or her child's grades.    

Report cards will be printed at the end of each nine weeks grading period.  In some cases students may not have completed all of the work required by a teacher due to student absences or other reasons. In this situation, students will receive a grade based on actual work done with zeroes averaged in for any incomplete work. The teacher may change this grade after all requirements for the grading period have been satisfactorily met.  

Report Card Pick-Up

Report cards will be sent home with students at the end of each semester.   The final report card of the school year will be mailed home.

Grading Procedures

Grades should be an accurate reflection of the student’s performance in the course based on assignments completed and mastery of learning objectives.

Formative Assessments:

• • These items are used as daily check-ins for learning and provide a way for teachers to monitor student learning goals. They also help identify target areas for learning and serve as a way for teachers to identify areas where students may be struggling.

  • Teachers should provide multiple formative assessments each week for students. This may include daily check-ins, short answer questions, brief multiple-choice questions, brief quizzes, and other assignments that follow learning goals and objectives.

Summative Assessments: 

• • The purpose of these items is to evaluate student learning at the end of a unit or content topic.

  • Teachers should use at least six (6) summative assessments (major quizzes, tests, projects, etc.) should be given during each grading period.

  • Teachers should update grades in PowerSchool on a regular basis for all students in all classes. 

A student’s final grade in each course is determined by averaging the two nine weeks grades and the final exam.  Final exams count as 20% of the student's final grade. 

DMV/ License Revocation

Students under the age of 18 must pass a minimum of 3 out of 4 classes each semester and be in attendance the required number of days to be eligible to continue to hold a limited driver’s license. Students who fail more than one course in a semester and miss more than 10 days during the semester will have their license revoked.