Graduation Honors
Cum Laude Recognition Effective with the Class of 2020, all CUSD high schools will be using the Cum Laude recognition program.
The categories for distinction under the Cum Laude recognition program are as follows:
Cum Laude - meaning "with praise". To qualify a student must achieve a 3.75 - 4.24 GPA (black stole)
Magna Cum Laude - meaning "with great praise". To qualify a student must achieve a 4.25 - 4.49 GPA (silver stole)
Summa Cum Laude - meaning "with the highest praise". To qualify a student must achieve a 4.5 - 5.0 GPA (white stole)
GPA is based on the students cumulative Weighted GPA that is calculated at the end of the 7th semester (Weighted GPA from Freshmen Year through first semester of Senior Year).
Link to the CUSD High School Course Catalog see page 18: Cum Laude Recognition
Payments can be made through your parents Infinite Campus Account.
Go to More then InTouch Fee Payments under Quick Links
AP Scholar: Granted to students who receive scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams (black cord)
AP Scholar with Honor: Granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams (silver cord)
AP Scholar with Distinction: Granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams (white cord)
Calculation Criteria
There are two steps to calculating the awards:1. The student’s average AP score is determined based on all exams taken this year and in previous years.2. The student’s exam scores are checked to see which ones count toward the various AP Scholar Awards.A student must meet all criteria to be eligible. For example, a student who has a 3.25 AP score average but only received a 3 or higher on three exams will not receive the AP Scholar with Honor Award because the minimum requirement is a score of 3 or higher on four or more exams.Exams taken multiple times only count once; the highest score will be used for the award calculation.The Calculus AB subscore, Music Theory aural subscore, and Music Theory nonaural subscore are not used in the AP Scholar Award calculations.
Payments can be made through your parents Infinite Campus Account.
Go to More then InTouch Fee Payments under Quick Links
Chandler Education Foundation
Impact Scholar: (orange cord) Students commit as freshmen to maintain a 3.4 GPA, 95% attendance and complete 100 hours of community service throughout their high school years.
The College Board National Recognition Programs
National Merit Scholar: The College Board’s National Merit Scholar selects the top 8,000 students out of the 1.5 million junior students who took the PSAT/NMSQT.
Top students were awarded the title of National Merit Scholar.
The College Board National Recognition Programs*
Junior and Sophomore ACP HS students who take the PSAT/NMSQT or AP Exams and are African American or Black, Hispanic American or Latinx, Indigenous, may be invited to apply for academic recognition as part of The College Board National Recognition Programs:
African American Recognition Program
Hispanic Recognition Program
Indigenous Recognition Program
*For eligibility criteria go to The College Board National Recognition Programs web page using this link. https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10/scholarships-and-recognition/recognition-programs
Seal of Biliteracy
The Arizona Seal of Biliteracy Program recognizes high school students who achieve proficiency in English plus at least one additional language. The seal is placed on the student’s diploma and noted on the transcript. Please see this link for criteria and testing.
Seal of Biliteracy Deadline—Graduating seniors must apply by Friday, February 11.
Any student who needs to take the STAMP test or ASL Portfolio Assessment must also register and pay for the exam through Community Education.
Please reference the following link for details. CUSD Seal of Biliteracy Link
Seal of Arts
The Arizona State Seal of Arts Proficiency is the latest testament to a rich history of excellent arts education in the state. This diploma seal is administered by the Arizona Department of Education’s Office of Arts Education and is awarded to graduates who complete minimum arts pathway requirements throughout their high school career. The seal is placed on the student’s diploma and noted on the transcript.
Please see this link for criteria and updates and the LEA Application.
2022-2023 Timeline
July 15th 8am: LEA APPLICATIONS OPEN Click on the link above.
September 15th 11:59pm: LEA APPLICATIONS DUE
October 15th 5pm: LEA NOTIFICATION OF APPLICATION STATUS
February 15th 8am: LEA SEAL ACHIEVEMENT REPORTS OPEN
April 15th 11:59pm: LEA SEAL ACHIEVEMENT REPORT DUE TO ADE
May 2nd: DISTRICTS RECEIVE DIPLOMA SEALS FOR QUALIFYING GRADUATES
2022 ACP HS clubs that recognize graduates with honors cords
Best Buddies International
Black Student Union
DECA
International Thespian Society
Key Club International
National Honor Society
Mu Alpha Theta
National Chinese Honor Society
National Speech & Debate Association
Quill and Scroll International Honorary Society
Red Cross Club
Science National Honor Society
Spanish National Honor Society
Student Government
UNICEF High School Clubs
Students please see your club sponsor for requirements and payments.
